While I find that I enjoy many different genres of music, I’ve become keenly aware that there are benefits to studying classical music. With most classical pieces, it can take several weeks before one is truly comfortable with it. This being the case, I have discovered that if I don’t like the piece that I’m studying, it’s extremely difficult to exercise the discipline to stick with the song. Lately, I’ve found that I like the romantic era of the classics the best. I especially like Chopin's piano preludes. And for me, studying something I like is often where I find the dividing line between a piece that frustrates me and one I label as "challenging". And challenge is where I experience growth as a musician.
My favorite benefit from studying classical music is that it helps to develop good technique - which can sometimes be a battle. Especially if one has developed some bad habits. Since bad habits are typically subconscious, they can be hard to overcome. The good news is that a habit is a learned thing. So if a conscious, consistent effort is made to adopt a good habit and stop the bad one, the good habit will eventually become the subconscious one, replacing the bad one. And fighting that battle is definitely worth it.
More specifically, one of the many benefits of studying classical piano music is that it encourages good fingering. With many pieces, this aspect of technique will make or break the piece. It’s a foundational issue – just as being able to read the notes is foundational. If the fingering is good, the song can be played cleanly. The more subconscious good fingering becomes, the easier it is to think about dynamics, which are a great way for a musician to add depth to what he or she is playing. And if it’s an up-tempo song, clean play will lend itself to speed. I believe that classical music is the most difficult to play. So when a musician begins mastering songs in that genre, these skills are wonderfully transferable. Also, as someone who enjoys songwriting, I find that studying classical pieces has inspired ideas for creating songs with a more full sound.
Another benefit is more effective use of the damper pedal. Something that I’ve noticed about classical music is that, since it’s typically more complex than contemporary music, it’s much easier for an incorrectly used damper pedal to make a classical piece sound "blurred" where it should have a more crisp sound. This benefit will lend itself to musicians having a more precise, professional sound.
Studying classical music also encourages an enhanced ability to focus. Not only is it physically demanding, but it’s mentally demanding. It’s the ultimate multi-tasking experience. In fact, if I’m working on a classical piece, I’ll often work on that before any other piece. If my mind is tired, I don’t do as well. And it’s amazing how easy the less demanding things become after I’ve worked on a classical song. Some of the longest songs ever created are classical pieces. This being the case, Studying classical music enhances endurance - both physically and mentally.
In closing, improving one’s technique enhances clean, quality playing, which is a reward that brings the skill and satisfaction of being able to play more complex pieces. Not only will this increase a person’s confidence as a musician, it will also cause an audience to be more receptive, and bring about more opportunities to play out.
