troubled youth & piano

[pianohopper]

Studies have shown...actually I don't know if anybody's bothered to study this.

But is it possible that piano-playing teenagers are less likely to "head down the wrong path," i.e. do drugs, get into fights, etc.?  I personally have more respect for my mind from having played the piano so long that i wouldn't think of touching anything that would hurt my brain.

And the benefits of music as stress-relief?  I know of a kid who was constantly in trouble, getting into fights, etc.  Parents tried everything, punching bags, etc., then started him on piano.  Problem solved!

Could we win the war on drugs in this way???  And no more complaints about violent lyrics. 

[da jake]

Liszt was promiscuous, possibly.

[alzado]

I know that Charlie Trotter, one of America's best restauranteurs, has worked for years to take disturbed teens from off the streets of the inner city and train them in his restaurant as chefs.  His eponymous restaurant is located in Chicago.  He has had some success.

So anything is possible, I guess.  Why not take them off the streets and make them concert pianists?

[jeremyjchilds]

Liszt was promiscuous, possibly.

Liszt's music soothed the savage breast

[pianistimo]

?  did you say breast?  i've never seen a savage breast.  oh well. 

i agree.  i mean about getting kids into music.  in pennsylvania they have a more extensive music program than california.  my daughter had choir last year and will be in it again this year.  even if they don't do music afterschool - you can take them to concerts (any child, not just your own), musicals, ballets, outdoor concerts, activities.  it just takes gas and time.   

[ako]

I think having anything that requires discipline will keep kids out of trouble. Music is an invaluable gift, you will appreciate it throughout your whole life. Recently, I wrote my piano teacher from high school telling her how much I appreciated her teaching me and giving me this gift of music. Of course, I thanked my parents too.

[galonia]

It is impossible to stay out all night on Friday night, drinking and getting high with my friends, when I know I have an 8am piano lesson on Saturday, and a 2-hour music theory or composition lesson in the afternoon.

Then there is all the time I needed to practise, rehearse, etc.

I attribute my brain not being drug-addled or alcohol-damaged to my love of piano playing, and my determination to do it properly.  It certainly wasn't because I would hang around with the 'right' type of people at school!!!

[Tash]

It is impossible to stay out all night on Friday night, drinking and getting high with my friends, when I know I have an 8am piano lesson on Saturday, and a 2-hour music theory or composition lesson in the afternoon.

Then there is all the time I needed to practise, rehearse, etc.

I attribute my brain not being drug-addled or alcohol-damaged to my love of piano playing, and my determination to do it properly. It certainly wasn't because I would hang around with the 'right' type of people at school!!!

lol same here! as a teenager i don't have time for drugs and alcahol most of the time- i was meant to go out playing pool at a bar last night and said no cos i have a keyboard assessment this morning! not that i'd do drugs anyway. but i agree, i probably could've gone down the road of partying and drinking a lot more than i have if i hadn't gotten obsessed with my piano- back in yr9 or something me n my friends were just another bunch of bitchy guy-obsessed girls, and then i decided i hated them all and switched groups, and my taste of music, and got really into focusing on piano. and haven't looked back since. because you look on new years eve or something and see 5 million underage drunken 15 yr olds and it's truly disgusting. i don't club because i know i want to practice at 9am the next day
so cheers to piano!! but the kids'd have to be dedicated- like make them do anything that makes them work and stops them from being bored, something they'll like and they won't feel the need to get high.