Keyboard pedagogy and the future: lessons from human genome research: an interview with Barry B. Bittman, M.D. and Karl T. Bruhn

American Music Teacher, Oct-Nov, 2005 by Gary L. Ingle

GI: A stress fingerprint, how interesting! Despite the complexity of what you're describing, this is becoming clearer. Each person's response is different. Yet how does that help us understand what actually happened when subjects played keyboard instruments?

BB: In view of these surprising findings, we wanted to know whether or not phase two strategies reversed the DNA switches that were turned on during the stress phase. That was the key question, pardon the pun.

In subjects who continued assembling puzzles during the second hour, no reversals were noted--the stress switches that had been turned on ... stayed on. In contrast, subjects who relaxed did far better. In that group, 6 of 45 stress-induced DNA switches actually reversed.

However, when we analyzed the keyboard group--19 of 45 genes reversed. For the first time in the history of science and music, we had successfully demonstrated that a first keyboard lesson for individuals who did not consider themselves musical reversed stress on the DNA level. Of substantial importance is the fact that the response in the keyboard group was more than three times greater than that of the relaxation group--19 versus 6 gene reversals. Playing a keyboard instrument was found to be far more effective at reducing the impact of stress than resting and reading newspapers or magazines.

GI: Barry, your comparison to the group that relaxed is extremely important. Yet, am I understanding you correctly? Are you saying that playing a keyboard instrument, even for the first time, turns off our stress response?

BB: We now have solid scientific evidence to support our contention that playing a keyboard instrument, in accordance with a specific protocol, substantially reverses the biological impact of stress. It should be noted that this is the first scientific experiment documenting induction and subsequent reversal of stress on the DNA level. Published in the esteemed international journal, Medical Science Monitor in February 2005, this peer-reviewed study has substantially increased our understanding of stress induction and its subsequent reversal accomplished by playing a keyboard instrument.

GI: Karl, these conclusions showcase the importance of our work on a new and exciting level. Can you place the importance of this into perspective for MTNA?

KB: Gary, this isn't news--it's history. The health benefits we've all experienced in our lives are now being supported by a solid foundation of medical research. Every piano teacher on the planet must become familiar with these findings. In an era where interest in playing musical instruments is waning, we now have exciting evidence that can positively impact the future of keyboard pedagogy. We share the opportunity and the challenge to extend the joy of playing a keyboard instrument to a vastly underserved market.

We should also take a closer look at the keyboard program used in the study. It's called the "Clavinova Connection" and it was developed by Barry, Craig Knudsen and myself for Yamaha. This group-based RMM program is intended for beginners, and uses electronic technology in the background to build success. There are basically 10 enjoyable steps that begin with a wellness exercise and progress through percussion, improvisation and a number of fun-filled group activities. Watching newcomers participate in the program is an eye-opening experience. The collective sense of immediate enjoyment is contagious.