Sonny's blues

What does the brother realize about Sonny as he plays the piano? What does the music allow Sonny to do?

Sonny has had a challenging life and his use of drugs to help him relax has caused him to make some bad choices. Throughout the story Sonny is in the need for heroin which is the drug he is addicted to but when he starts playing the piano more and more some things start changing. Sonny is able to put his past and emotions on the side and then express it in his music. When Sonny's brother sees him play the piano at the end he is able to tell that Sonny has found something to do where he can relax without taking drugs. When Sonny plays the piano he feels happy and he doesn't want to be using drugs. Playing the piano is his new "drug" in a way and the brother finally notices that at the end of "Sonny's Blues". Playing the piano didn't only help Sonny overcome his drug issues and let his brother know that he found a new path, but it also showed the rest of the world how some people can overcome their problems and start something new in life. This is what happens to Sonny and it is a good ending to the story. Producing music finally allowed Sonny to have a future and realize that he doesn't need drugs in his life and that he can be a successful person. This inspired many others that were around Sonny.