Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of having a piano in your life is also the one we've known about the longest ... the uplifting effect it has on your spirit.  When you sit on the bench and open the cover, you tap into ways in which to gain substantial benefits.  Playing the piano is an excellent way to strengthen hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Students who take piano learn a great deal about discipline, dedication, and the reward of hard work.  Scientists believe that studying music can improve test scores, increase mathematical and scientific aptitudes, increase self-esteem, increase emotional health.  These benefits arise from the fact that learning music requires the brain to read and interpret musical notes, move both hands and all ten fingers independently, and causes both the left and right brain to build connectors to each other and the list continues ...

Coordination  
Concentration 
Perseverance
Commitment 
Creativity
Self-Expression 
Self-Esteem 
Satisfaction 
Confidence
Poise
Patience
Pride in Achievement 
Friendships 
Fun and Relaxation

But when you sit down at the piano to play, it's okay if none of these other benefits crosses your mind.  For three hundred years, the simple joy of making music has been all the reward a piano player ever needed. For most of us, it's still enough!