Did you know that 21 million Americans play the piano? Who knew it was such a popular instrument?! Back at the end of the 17th century when the piano was invented, no one probably knew its popularity would continue to grow and would still be widely popular today! The piano has gone through many changes since it was first invented. Manufacturers gained a reputation for constructing pianos that were progressively larger, louder, and strongly constructed. In the late 19th century, mass production of the piano eventually made it affordable to a larger number of people to have these instruments in their homes.
An interesting fact about the piano is that it was widely felt, back in the 18th century, that the ability to play the piano made young women more marriage material. Women who had learned to play when they were children often continued to play as adults, which added music to their households and apparently made their husbands happy. A few female pianists even became virtuoso players who inspired piano composers such as Mozart and Beethoven to write difficult music for these women to play. Unfortunately, women were not allowed to have careers as concert musicians during this time in history.
Listed below are seven reasons why the piano is a popular instrument for people of any age to play:
- The piano is an easy instrument to start playing right away. Any student at any age can press down on a key and make a sound. Other instruments tend to have more complicated fingerings and breathing patterns involved to make a decent sound. Because it is easier to play, students will pick up on the fundamentals of music faster then if they were playing another instrument.
- The piano is a more fulfilling instrument to play then others. It is one of few instruments that allow you to play both the melody and the accompaniment at the same time. Also, the ability to play more than one note at a time is simply more satisfying to a beginner student.
- On the piano, fundamental concepts of music theory are easier to see then on other instruments. Concepts such as half steps, scales, and chords are easier to understand because you can see how they play out. It is a great instrument to help a student learn how to read music in both the treble and bass clef. Also, the piano always make the right note when you press a key, which helps to develop a keen sense of pitch in players. Other instruments require good breath control and exact finger placement to make a good pitch and that can be difficult for a young player.
- Because of the training on this instrument, piano student can successfully transition to a different instrument that they would like to learn. They know how to read music in both treble and bass clef, the fundamentals of rhythm, and they should have good foundation of music theory concepts. The sense of pitch they learn from the piano will also help them with a different instrument.
- As a pianist, you will have many opportunities to also be an accompanist. Because of its range, both tonally and volume-wise, the piano is considered the best instrument to accompany soloists. You can make a good living as an accompanist if you live in the right part of the country! It’s something to consider!
- You can play many different genres of music on the piano. From styles developed back in the early 1900s, such as Ragtime, Jazz, Boogie-Woogie, Honkey-Tonk, and Bebop, to the Rock and Roll of today played by Elton John, Ben Folds, Billy Joel, and Tori Amos, just about any style can be played on this instrument. It is very versatile!
- Maintenance is very simple with the piano. It only needs to be tuned a couple of times a year, and electric keyboards NEVER have to be tuned. Other instruments have to be tuned every time they are taken out of their cases! Pianos don’t need new strings every couple of years like the guitar and violin do. Most pianos can go for decades without needing any parts replaced or repaired.
So are you wishing you could be a piano player? All you have to do is register for lessons at www.omahaschoolofmusicanddance.com and we can get you started right away with one of our fabulous instructors! Check out the website today!
