The Piano - A Classic and Timeless Instrument

By Sean Ryder


Since its birth in the early 18th century, pianos have become one of the most treasured and respected musical instruments on the planet. They are warm and classy instruments and absolutely nothing can match their sound quality.

The name 'piano' is a shortened form of the original Italian name for the instrument, 'pianoforte', which we usually say means 'soft' and 'loud'. This refers to the piano's capability of playing either very softly or very loudly, depending on how much strength the player puts into his or her fingers. Pianos are very responsive to touch, giving you full control over the sound. The pedals at the bottom of the piano are used to make the sounds either short and 'staccato' or long and connected, or 'legato'. Piano players do this by stepping on the pedals while they are playing. The result is that the player can change the sound a great deal, making it possible to have a wide range of ways to express themselves.

Currently you will find a great deal of piano alternatives in the way of electronic digital keyboards and also other machines, but absolutely nothing can supplant the actual item. Pianos get their rich and delicate sound from using a felt-covered hammer that strikes against steel strings which are placed in rows inside of the instrument. This delivers a rich tone which cannot be replicated, even with modern day technologies.

Pianos are versatile not only because of their expressiveness, but also because pianos can be used in so many different genres of music. At first glance, when somebody says 'piano' you might think of music from the Baroque, Classical or Romantic periods - music like that of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, or Chopin. These composers knew how to make the piano do amazing things, and to learn to play their pieces yourself is a truly inspiring experience. But piano playing is certainly not limited to these masters. Perhaps equally admired are the legends of jazz and blues who brought music in a completely new direction for the 20th century. Pianists like Fats Waller, Duke Ellington and Thelonius Monk brought a new world of sound to the piano by bending and breaking the 'rules' of music. Today, their music lives on as proof of the piano's timelessness and the magic of its sound.

In present day music, pianos are still used in rock, pop, jazz, blues, reggae, funk, soul - almost any genre you can come up with, along with even hip hop and metal. When you learn to play piano in one style, it will become astonishingly easy to swiftly learn to play other genres due to the fact that your fingers are going to be used to the keys and your understanding of music will likely have improved noticeably. Unlike other instruments, the piano lets you see exactly what note you happen to be touching because the keys are there right before your eyes.

Yet another amazing advantage of the piano over other instruments is its polyphony. While musicians who play saxophone, flute, trumpet, and clarinet must be content to play melodies of 1 note after another, a pianist has the capability to play chords containing as many notes as they have fingers - and sometimes more. This is one of the reasons why the piano has long been the instrument of choice for such a large number of the world's outstanding musicians.

Perhaps the most satisfying thing about owning a piano is that you can sit down at it, at any time of the day, and play a beautiful, age-old instrument. Doing this every day is not only a soothing and pleasant experience, but you will also develop skills quicker than you thought possible! Whether you prefer to take on a music teacher or study piano by yourself through books and courses, having an instrument that is a joy to play is one of the most important parts about motivating yourself to keep it up. Not only this, but having a piano on stage or in your home is a mark of style and elegance. Nothing is better than having your very own piano at home, where either you or your friends or children can enjoy it together.

If you have children, you will know how beneficial it is to stimulate them musically from a young age. Having a piano in your home gives them access to a world of creativity and exciting possibilities. Many people regret not having learnt to play piano as a child, so it is a good idea to give your children this opportunity and they will thank you in the years to come. It is also well known that musical stimulation can provide neurological benefits in other areas - this means that by playing regularly, you or your children can increase their brain power too!

Possibly you've observed pianos being played during wedding ceremonies or other events. There is something very special about having someone playing piano in the background. Picture having the opportunity to get pleasure from this atmosphere within your own house. Playing the piano will provide hours of stunning music, turning your home into a relaxing and creatively inspiring spot to live.

A piano will open up doors to wonderful new musical possibilities. The choice to buy and learn to play a piano is a big one, but well worth the effort. You will find that owning a piano is one of the most satisfying choices you can make.




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