I am generally the least interested person in music you’ll ever meet. I don’t know the names of bands, I don’t know songs, and I don’t go to concerts. My main hobby is track and field. So when I tell people I recently decided to learn how to play the piano, they’re usually surprised.
But I had my reasons: I wanted to improve my brain and cognitive health, and I also wanted to help my hearing.
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Why Piano?
The research on learning musical instruments and brain health is compelling. Piano seemed like the perfect challenge—it requires coordination, pattern recognition, and sustained focus. Plus, training my ear to distinguish notes and melodies could only benefit my overall hearing. Even though I had no natural interest in music, I was interested in what it could do for my mind.
I’ve written more about this in AI Boom Shortages.
My Approach
I did some research into keyboards and visited Guitar Center. The staff recommended I buy a full keyboard with 88 keys, which would cost around $300 to $500. I understood their reasoning, but I always like to start small with new ventures.
Instead, I bought a tiny keyboard with just 37 keys. It’s not quite a kids’ keyboard, but it’s compact and felt like the right entry point. This way, I could test whether I’d actually stick with it before making a larger investment.
Playground Sessions
I tested a whole bunch of different apps to help me learn. After trying several options, I found one called Playground Sessions, created by the music legend Quincy Jones.
What makes this app so useful is that you connect your keyboard directly to it. The app knows exactly what you’re playing in real time. It shows you the notes on the screen, and then you play them. It’s like having a teacher who never gets tired or impatient.
Immediate Feedback
Coming from track and field, I’ve learned that I thrive on frequent, immediate feedback. In running, you know instantly if your form is off or if you’re hitting your splits. Playground Sessions gives me that same kind of instant response. The system is beautifully simple: if I play a note correctly, it shows up green on the screen. If I play it incorrectly, it shows up red. At the end of each lesson, the app gives me a percentage score. It’s gamified learning, and it keeps me motivated to improve.
This kind of instant, adaptive feedback is fascinating to me. I explore how technology and data can solve problems in my Machine Learning Sprint.
My Current Progress
Right now, I’m learning how to play “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin. I’m not finished with the training yet, but I’m enjoying it immensely. There’s something satisfying about hearing a recognizable melody come together under your own fingers, even if it’s still a work in progress. It’s a lot of fun.
Conclusion
Learning the piano has been a great way to challenge my brain. I found a tool that works for my learning style because it gives me immediate results and helps me see exactly where I’m improving. Even without a natural love of music, I’ve discovered that the process of learning an instrument can be deeply rewarding.
If you’re thinking about picking up a new hobby to keep your mind sharp, I recommend trying something that gives you clear feedback and measurable progress.