How to Refine Your Piano Skills with MuseFlow

Learning an instrument has long been celebrated as a way of engaging your mind and body in creativity, and can be cognitively stimulating. Whether you're picking up any common instrument, or something off the wall like a didgeridoo or flugelhorn, playing music offers a wealth of benefits that extend beyond simply mastering a new skill. In fact… numerous studies and testimonials show that learning an instrument can enhance your life in ways you might not expect. As technology evolves faster than ever, new ways of learning, like AI-driven music tools, are making it easier, more fun, and more accessible than ever before. Here are just a few key benefits of learning an instrument, and some of the ways it can positively impact your life.

1. Music, Cognitive Development, and Brain Health

Learning an instrument is a full body workout for your brain… Studies have shown that musicians have better memory, coordination, and even language skills compared to people who don’t play an instrument. When you practice, you’re not only learning rhythms and pitches; you're engaging the parts of the brain responsible for motor skills, auditory processing, and even emotional regulation. According to some very thorough research in the Journal of Neuroscience, playing music over the course of your life can even slow the cognitive decline associated with aging. In our modern world where mental acuity is more valuable than ever as we age, learning an instrument is like a secret weapon for our long-term brain health.

2. Improved Focus, and Discipline

One of the greatest challenges of learning an instrument is the discipline it requires with traditional lessons and curricula; progress can be slow at first, and it’s easy to get frustrated. There are AI piano apps out there that are gamifying the learning process to make it more fun and engaging… nonetheless, even within apps that make the learning process more like a game and less like work, by sticking with regular practice of any skill-building activity, you develop patience and perseverance. These skills carry over into other areas of life, such as your work and personal goals such as fitness and health. Focused practice of any singular activity demands concentration and attention to detail, making you more adept at persevering through and completing complex tasks in your day-to-day life. Over time, the discipline you develop through consistent practice of any instrument translates into improved productivity and time management throughout the rest of your life.

3. Emotional Expression, and Stress Relief

Music is a universal language. Everyone knows what a sorrowful melody sounds like… everyone knows what a happy melody sounds like. Music is one of those things that can translate emotions between cultures. The reason for this is because playing an instrument allows you to express emotions that words often cannot. Whether you are feeling joy, sadness, frustration, or excitement, the act of making music can help you process and exercise these emotions. A study published in the National Library of Medicine show that playing an instrument can significantly lower stress levels and decrease anxiety, providing a natural outlet for emotional release. Another National Library of Medicine states that the process of playing can meditative and flow inducing, allowing you to focus solely on the sounds you’re producing and the rhythms you are playing, which can be incredibly soothing after a long day.

4. Enhanced Social Connections, and Bridging the Gap

Music has a unique way of bringing people together, crossing cultural borders, and bridging the gap between species even. Whether you’re jamming with friends, performing in front of an audience, playing to field of cows, or simply sharing your progress with family, learning an instrument and then performing said instrument offers numerous opportunities for social interaction and connection. Have you ever felt that feeling of someone just “getting” you? Musicians feel that too sometimes with people they’ve never even talked with! Sometimes musicians just get each other… and this sense of community and belonging fosters stronger relationships and deeper connections with people that may not have the same background as you. If you join a band, orchestra, choir, or even an online community of learners, you’ll find yourself engaging with diverse individuals who share the same passion as you. In today’s increasingly isolated digital age, learning an instrument can help bridge the gap and foster meaningful human connections.

5. Increased Creativity, and Problem-Solving Skills

Playing music naturally and effortlessly sparks creativity. As you progress, you may start to experiment with improvisation, composition, or playing different genres like African Tribal Music, or Zeuhl. This creative process enhances your ability to think outside the box and think of problems from different angles. Problem-solving is a crucial skill in many areas of life, from home improvement tasks to relationship maintenance and satisfaction… and the creativity you nurture through learning and playing an instrument sharpens this ability. Whether you're troubleshooting and practicing a tricky passage of music, or improvising a melody over a chord progression, you’re flexing creative muscles that are applicable to all areas of life.

6. Physical Benefits: Coordination, and Motor Skills

Playing an instrument requires both fine and gross motor skills, depending on the instrument. For instance, playing the piano requires precise finger movements at very specific times, and, if you’re reading off of music, chord charts, or the like, hand-eye coordination. This specific type of physical engagement helps improve your dexterity and twitch muscle reaction time. Over time, and through intentional practice, these movements become more fluid and natural… contributing to better hand-eye coordination, and even spatial awareness. For younger learners, developing these types of motor skills early on has lasting benefits that extend into other physical activities, including sports.

7. Achieving Flow State Through Music

One of the most rewarding aspects of learning an instrument is ones achievement of a "flow state." This is the feeling of being fully immersed and focused on an activity to the point that everything else fades away. In this mental state, time seems to fly by, and you perform at your best with minimal pain and discomfort; if failure occurs, it just rolls of your fingers! Music is one of the best ways to achieve this state because it requires a balance between skill and challenge. Once you find yourself playing a piece with ease, and start exploring why you’re playing a song the way you are - what dynamics are you using, how slow or how fast are you playing the song and why, what do you want to say by playing this song - you'll experience a deep sense of satisfaction that can enhance your overall well-being. This is where communication and flow state meet; what do you want to say and how are you saying it.

Conclusion: The Power of Music in a Modern Age

With all the benefits of learning to play an instrument, it’s no wonder that more people are turning to music learning to enrich their lives. Whether it's improving cognitive function, relieving stress, or fostering social connections, playing music has a profound impact on both the mind, body, and spirit.

In the modern age, tools like AI-driven music learning apps are making this process of learning an instrument more accessible, effective, and gratifying than ever. Platforms like MuseFlow are revolutionizing how we learn piano by integrating AI piano lessons that adapt to your skill level, helping you achieve musical fluency faster and more enjoyably. Whether you're looking for the best piano learning app or a Yousician alternative, MuseFlow, and similar tools, are transforming the landscape of music education for the better.

By learning an instrument, you're not only mastering a skill, but you are enhancing your life in ways that extend well beyond music itself. So, why not start today? With the power of AI and personalized learning tools, there’s never been a better time to unlock your musical potential and experience the life-changing benefits of music :).

A MIDI keyboard is very much like a piano or digital keyboard - they both have the same keyboard layout, and they can both play that classic “piano” sound. However, a MIDI keyboard can do much more than just let you play the piano! In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of MIDI keyboards and different use cases for playing them - DJs and music producers, composers, and finally music students.

Introduction

MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It is the instrument that translates a musical keystroke into 0s and 1s so a computer can interpret your actions. MIDI keyboards, or MIDI-compatible keyboards, are used by DJs and music producers as their main sound producting instrument. You can load many different sounds onto it - a grand piano, a synthesizer, strings, whatever you’d like - hook it up to your computer, and play those sounds as part of a larger whole.

MIDI Keyboard for Producers and DJ’s

Producers and DJs write their music in any number of DAWs out there - Digital Audio Workstations.

Typically, they use a MIDI keyboard to quickly play out different parts of a musical arrangement.

Use Case for Composing an Indie/Pop Tune in Logic Pro X

Instrumentation:

• Drums
• Electric Bass
• Piano Synth
• Lead Guitar
• Horns

1. Set the Tempo:
   • Set the tempo (speed of the song) in your DAW (Logic Pro X) for how fast you want it to be.
2. Record the Electric Bass:
   • You look through a bunch of electric bass sounds and find that you really like the Liverpool Bass sound, so you upload that to your DAW.
   • Start recording and play the MIDI keyboard in that sound to the tempo you’ve set.
   • Experiment by recording several takes until you find a groove you really like.
3. Lay Down the Drums:
   • Choose a drum kit SFX that you like and that maps well to your MIDI keyboard.
   • Record the drum part by playing the keys on your MIDI keyboard associated with the drums or cymbals you want to include.
   • This will take some experimentation so be patient! Enjoy the cacophony that comes with this percussion instrument. you’ll soon find a pattern you love.
4. Record the Piano Synth:
   • Browse through the synth sounds in Logic and try out a few until you find one that fits the vibe of your song.
   • Record some simple synth chords. Keep it understated… the goal is to fill out the sound without drawing too much attention.
5. Record the Lead Guitar and Horns:
   • Find samples of a lead guitar and horns that you really like.
   • Load them into your DAW… they’ll map to your keyboard.
   • Play and record these parts in time with the rest of the instruments to complete the arrangement!

If you want to add vocals to this piece, write lyrics and come up with a melody. Consider different structures for your song. Repetition is key here. We as humans like to hear things a few times so we can really understand it.

MIDI Keyboards for Composers

If you’re looking to compose something that someone else will need to play, you’ll need to write it down on sheet music. The process is very similar to what DJs and producers do, but instead of a DAW, composers usually write their music in music notation software. They use a MIDI keyboard as their main instrument.

Use Case for Composing a Classical Piece in Sibelius

Instrumentation:

• Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello)
• Flute
• Clarinet
• French Horn
• Timpani

1. Set the Tempo and Time Signature:
   • Open your music notation software (Sibelius) and set the tempo and time signature for your piece.
2. Compose the String Section:
   • Start with the strings (Violin, Viola, Cello).
   • Choose a rich, warm string sound. Begin by notating the main harmonic structure with the Cello. Make sure there’s a solid bass line in there.
   • Add the Violin melody, keeping it simple and lyrical. Then, fill in the Viola with harmony.
   • All of these instruments will be on separate staves, so you’ll want to choose the orchestration template so you have all these instruments on one sheet of music.
3. Experiment and Refine:
   • Play back the string section to ensure it flows well. Make adjustments to the harmonies so it sounds good, then add dynamics, articulations, and phrasing to make it musical!
4. Add Woodwinds (Flute & Clarinet):
   • Add a Flute line… possibly doubling the Violin melody or adding a counter-melody.
   • Introduce the Clarinet with supportive harmony or another counter-melody. Keep it light to complement the strings.
   • Copy the dynamics you have for the strings. Make sure it all lines up nicely.
5. Incorporate the French Horn:
   • Notate the French Horn part. This adds warmth and depth to the harmony. The French Horn can also provide rhythmic support or reinforce the bass line with the Cello.
   • Consider articulation here - A percussive articulation could be fun for rhythm, or a smooth, flowing articulation could be nice for a more lyrical interpretation.
6. Compose the Percussion (Timpani):
   • Add the Timpani to provide rhythmic structure and emphasize key moments. Keep it subtle; the Timpani is there to support, not dominate. Unless you want it to dominate :).
7. Playback and Adjust:
   • Listen to the piece with all the instruments together. Fine-tune the dynamics, articulation… balance between the sections to ensure each instrument's role is clear.
8. Finalize the Score:
   • Review the entire score, ensuring all notation is correct. Play along with it on your MIDI keyboard so you can be sure it’s exactly the way you want it to sound. Double-check that all dynamics and expression markings are consistent throughout the piece.
9. Export and Share:
   • Export the score as a PDF and, if needed, as MIDI or audio files. Share the sheet music with performers or collaborators!

MIDI Keyboards for Piano Students

Whether you’re a beginner or expert, there are piano learning software options out there for everyone. You can use your MIDI keyboard to learn piano. Let’s map the same process above to setting up your keyboard and computer and using one of the best piano learning software out there, MuseFlow.

Use Case for Learning Piano with MuseFlow

Equipment:

• Computer (laptop or desktop)
• MIDI Keyboard
• USB/MIDI Cable (compatible for both your keyboard and computer)
• Chrome or Edge Browser

1. Set Up Your Equipment:
   • Turn your computer is on.
   • Connect your MIDI keyboard to the computer using your USB/MIDI cable.
   • Make sure the cable is compatible with your keyboard and computer.
2. Open MuseFlow in Chrome or Edge:
   • Go to http://museflow.ai.
   • Sign up for MuseFlow.
3. Make Sure Your MIDI Keyboard is Connected:
   • Go through the welcome flow and get to the roadmap.
   • Try to play a few notes and make sure they come out of your speakers.
   • If not, go to the settings and ensure that “device speakers” is toggled on.
4. Choose a Level Where Your Skill Matches the Challenge:
   • Find the level that fits your skill level.
   • Look at the preview images of the music in the levels and see what you can play.
5. Try a Few Levels:
   • Go through the tutorial, and play along with the music.
   • Start the level, and play through a few bars. If it’s too easy for you, try another level.
   • NOTE: The first tier of each level is easier than the later ones, so you may want to play the full level to see if it’s a good place to start for you.
6. Continue From There:
   • Once you’ve found the level that’s right for your skills, go ahead and pass that level, then move on to the next!
   • The tiers/levels should be fairly easy to start, then get harder as you go along.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a producer, DJ, composer, or music student, MIDI keyboards are the perfect instrument for you to play. See the above step-by-step guides to see how you can use your keyboard in each scenario. Keep rocking it, and we’ll see you on the next one!

Curious about whether MuseFlow is right for you? With a MIDI keyboard and a computer, you can try it out at beta.museflow.ai. We can’t wait to hear your feedback as we make music education available and engaging for everyone!