Oldenburg musicologist Herbert Wiedemann has been awarded the 1985 Gerhard Wahsmann Prize for his work on the connection between piano-playing and brain development.

His research found that piano lessons almost only train the left-hand side of the brain. Recent brain research has shown the left-hand side of the brain to process mainly linguistic and symbolic patterns, whereas the right-hand side is more responsible for the development of artistic abilities.

The means of involving the right-hand side of the brain as well during piano-playing could be such elementary activities as listening and repetition. Free improvisation might be a third factor.