United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Have any of your BPI children taken piano lessons? We have a woman in our neighborhood who gives private lessons. I was just wondering if anyone thought it helped with fine motor skills.

Hi Tina,
Britt took piano lessons for about 6 months and I thought it helped strengthen her wrist muscles and also her posture. She is playing the clarinet now and so we quit the piano lessons, but I feel that piano lessons were great for her. Our main goal was that she could read the notes and learn to play music, which she did learn to do, and I did see her gaining strength in her hands. Our teacher did not care about how she got her fingers to the keys, and so there was not the stress about the proper way to play, but her teacher also got her to hold her elbow down and sit up straight which was a biggee that I wasn't able to get her to do very often. If your teacher is nice and understanding then I'm sure your daughter will only benefit from learning how to play. To me the most beneficial part of her taking lessons was that she was so excited about learning, and she loves to play for us. All kids are different though - my youngest did not like it at all, did not like the lessons, and did not learn much so I guess it depends on how your child feels about it.
Christy

I took Piano lessons for about 4 years as a teen. The only problem I had was that I would experience pain after practicing for more than 20 min. Since the lessons were 30 min long, I was usually in pain for the rest of the day after the lesson. Sometimes for a couple of days. I would do it again though. I just have to watch how long I do it:)

I also took piano lessons. I would take them for a while and then I was allowed to quit for awhile. We always had a piano in the house and everyone in the family played - except me! I found it hard to stretch my fingers but I think that was the only way they could exercise my hand. My pinkie and ring finger on my right hand are still very week but I use them.

Kath

I have a LOBPI, i tried my hand at guitar at age 11 and with great determination, learned to play despite my disability. I started playing Piano 5 years ago, it is a bit more challenging for me because i cannot pronate my left wrist on my own, so i use my ring finger and index to play the bass notes. I think if i hadn't made the choice to play an instrument, my affected hand wouldn't be as strong as it is now.

my son plays piano, and can read notes slowly but because of the apraxia his brain tells him his hand is about five inches off where it really is so he finds he has to watch the right hand most the time to make it do what it's supposed to where its supposed to . He plays a song once or twice therefore off the notes then very quickly commits it to memory or ear as he can't read the notes and keep an eye on the right hand at the same time - but he can still play nicely and is very creative - his neck and shoulder hurt after about half an hour so we need to watch that.

My daughter has been "playing with" an electric keyboard. I never really thought about piano lessons, but it might be worth exploring!

Thanks for the idea )

Peggy

My daughter, age 10, has taken piano lessons for about 1 1/2 yrs. She is an unbelievably accomplished pianist. It is truly amazing to hear her play. Her piano teacher said that she has surpassed students that have been playing for 4 yrs. Perhaps this is a God-given gift of hers, who knows. But it is definitely possible for our Erb's children. Thanks to numerous surgeries, she has wrist control (not 100% by any means) and also finger dexterity, although not equal to her unaffected hand. Playing the piano is one of her favorite things in the whole world.

I too took piano lessons when I was about 7 years old. My grandma taught me how to play which I am so fortunate for. I do remember having a lot of troubles stretching my left arm as well. I think it helped me to exercise my arm since way back in the day I didn't even know what exactly was wrong with me. I would definately encourage piano lessons.