Playing Piano

History

The piano may be the most versatile of all musical instruments. Used widely to compose and perform popular, jazz, classical, and traditional music, the piano is suitable for solo performances, the orchestra, or as an accompaniment for singers and other instruments. The piano has a large dynamic range and range of octaves. One can play both melody and harmony simultaneously. In addition, it is relatively easy to learn and can be played by people of all ages.

Bartolomeo Christofori is credited with designing the first piano in 1709. He called the instrument the "gravicembalo col piano e fort," or "pianoforte," for its ability to render soft and loud tones made possible by the hammered strings and pedals that affected their vibrations. These innovations, lacking in the harpsichord and clavichord, allowed the piano to eventually surpass these two other keyboard instruments in popularity.

The first major composer to give recitals on the piano was Johann Sebastian Bach. By the end of the eighteenth century, the piano was well on its way to becoming the most common instrument used for composing. Significant composers who followed Bach include Wolfganag Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin, Franz Schubert, Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms, Czerny, Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, Béla Bartók, Scott Joplin, and John Cage. In addition to composing solo masterpieces and orchestral works, musicians often wrote pieces for beginning and intermediate students. Many of these minuets, scherzos, and etudes continue to form the repertoire for many piano students today.

The introduction of the upright, or vertical piano, a smaller and less expensive design than the original square pianos, allowed families of modest means to own an instrument for their parlors. The piano provided many nights of family entertainment as well as a fine piece of furniture. The ability to play the piano became a symbol of a fine education.

Significant developments in the twentieth century included the invention of the electric piano in the 1930s and the introduction of electronic keyboards during the 1970s. The digital piano evolved during the 1990s. In addition to many electronic keyboard features, including MIDI, multiple track recording, multiple voices, a built-in metronome, and a variety of rhythm styles and accompaniments, digital pianos also include foot pedals and wooden keys on some models. The best keyboards and digital pianos feature weighted, touch-sensitive keys, which are especially important to those students who will transition to an acoustic piano later on.

Piano instruction has also changed considerably over the past two hundred years. The Suzuki Piano Method is one of the most significant contemporary contributions to piano pedagogy; however, Suzuki is just one of many options available to beginning piano students today.

Tips & Techniques

Set short- and long-term goals that correspond to the desired level one hopes to attain as well as the genre of music one is interested in playing. Select an appropriate teacher who will help meet these goals.

Beginning lessons should include fingering technique, sight-reading skills, and/or rote instruction, and basic music theory.

Set aside daily practice time when one is alert and can practice uninterrupted.

Set aside time for recreational playing as well as practicing pieces required for lessons.

Before sitting down to play, first stretch and loosen up muscles.

Pay attention to posture and sit at the correct distance from the piano.

Don't be daunted by 88 keys – most of these can be ignored at the beginning.

To locate middle C on a piano, look for a centered, white key that comes before a pair of black keys, usually located directly under the manufacturer's name.

Learning to play the piano should be enjoyable and rewarding, although the repetition of practicing scales and certain pieces may cause a certain amount of tedium.

If boredom sets in, one can spend more time playing pieces that are rewarding and enjoyable, or consider changing teachers.

Recitals will help develop confidence in playing for others. Mistakes are expected and forgivable.

Listen to a variety of piano music. Try to pick out keys, chords, arpeggios, and other musical attributes.

Always make sure acoustic pianos are tuned regularly.

Trends

Digital piano or keyboard labs have become standard among many piano teachers. While many believe the acoustic piano offers superior touch and pedal capabilities and unsurpassed sound qualities, others believe the attributes of digital pianos outweigh these qualities, at least for the average learner. Digital pianos allow one to play quietly with headphones, to access instructional software, to be accompanied by a full orchestra at the touch of a button, and to assess one's performance with built-in recording and playback equipment.

While the internet has offered piano lessons for many years, the latest pedagogical advances are attributed to reproducing piano technology, such as the Yamaha Disklavier models that allow for remote lessons via the internet.

Playing Piano for Fun vs. Profit

Personal satisfaction from piano playing will likely come long before the ability to generate income from performances. When one reaches the professional level, opportunities exist for accompanists at weddings, funerals, and other church events, musical theatre, studio recordings, and other occasions. Some piano players find full or part-time work with touring bands in more pop-oriented styles, ranging from country to rock to hip-hop. Many professional piano players are also piano teachers. A talented musician should be able to earn at least a modest income in any of these ventures. Only a small percentage of musicians will ever reach stardom, however.

Learning More

Organizations

American Pianists Association <https://www.americanpianists.org/>

Music Teachers National Association <http://www.mtna.org>

National Association of Music Merchants <http://www.namm.org/>

Suzuki Association of the Americas <http://www.suzukiassociation.org/>

Books

Adams, Noah. Piano Lessons: Music, Love, and True Adventures. Delacorte Press, 1996.

Humphries, Carl. The Piano Handbook: A Complete Guide for Mastering Piano. Backbeat Books, 2002.

Kataoka, Haruko. My Thoughts on Piano Technique. Summy-Birchard, 1988.

Ostwald, Andy. Play Jazz, Blues, and Rock Piano by Ear, Book One. Mel Bay, 2003.

Taylor, Mary Sue and Tere Stouffer. Teach Yourself Visually: Piano. Wiley, 2006.