PIANO the KING of instruments!

“…Piano is a universal instrument. If you start there, learn your theory and how to read, you can go to any other instrument…”
Eddie Van Halen

You can find out more about music and music education at :

https://www.thefinetuneacademy.com/

PIANO
Many people consider Piano to be the King of instruments.

No other instrument has spanned so many decades or so many genres. As respected in the Concert Hall as it is at a Rock Concert, Piano has a wealth of history and music.

Its broad range and flexibly makes Piano especially popular with Composer’s and Singers.

Sheet music for piano is easily available in every genre. Almost every song written has a version available for Piano.x

Piano requires physical and mental dexterity, great for growing minds and keeping mature minds sharp. Sitting down to play a piano for even a few moments on a busy day can help the mind refocus. Music itself can reduce anxiety and stress.

Piano Students learn to read music early on. Because of the Pianos range, Pianist’s learn to read both Bass and Treble Clef.

Piano allows you to “See” music theory in the way the Piano Keys are arranged. This makes Piano Lessons a great start for any musician.

FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS
Piano is a fantastic first instrument. Students quickly learn to play basic melodies with one hand. Piano students will achieve a pleasing sound much sooner then Saxophone or Guitar Students. Students as young as 3 years old can learn to play the Piano.
The most talked about benefit children receive from piano lessons is that it also helps with their school lessons. Numerous studies available show children who play an instrument, score higher on both standard and spatial cognitive development tests alike. There are also findings that show kids who play piano, in particular, scored higher in math, especially on problems dealing with ratios and fractions.

The smaller, lighter keys on some Electronic Keyboards can be a help to smaller hands.

HISTORY
Piano has also been around for a long time. Harpsichord, an early Piano like instrument, was invented around 1430. Early examples of a Piano date to 1700. The modern Piano took shape around 1780.
Compare this to the birthdate of other popular instruments.
Saxophone 1840
Guitar 1840
Trumpet 1818
Violin 1530

RANGE
A single piano has the ability to play 88 different pitches. Thats 7 and 1/4 Octaves!

Compare that to the human voice…

Maria Carey 5 Octaves

Paul McCartney 4 1/2 Octaves

Justin Beiber 3 Octaves

Other popular instruments have a much smaller range of notes available.
Guitar 4 Octaves
Violin almost 4 Octaves
Saxophone 21/2 Octaves

FLEXIBILITY
A Pianist can also play up to 10 notes at a time.
Having so many notes available to both hands allows Piano to play both Melody and Harmony at the same time.
Pianos are able to play their own accompaniment. Perfect for Solo Performance and Composition.

No other instrument comes close to this kind of flexibility.
Human Voice 1 Note at a time
Guitar 6 Notes at a time
Saxophone 1 Note at a time.

Electric Piano’s, Keyboards, Digital Piano’s, Synth’s, Midi Controllers.
Electric Piano’s and Synthesizer’s open the door to many creative possibilities including sounding like other instruments, note bending, sequencing and recording.
Piano keyboards are the perfect interface for entering real-time notes or midi information into a Computer/DAW.

AFFORDABILITY
Piano is such a popular instrument that there are many choices for every budget.

PURCHASE
A beautiful NEW Grand Piano can easily cost $50,000+.

A new beginners Digital Piano costs less then $150. There are many used Digital Pianos available for $50+.

Most people spend around $500/new or $300/used to get a Digital Piano with a full 88 keys and a weighted-action.

The weighted-action makes the keys feel heavy, more like a real Piano.

Used upright pianos in playable condition start at approximately $700.

New Upright Pianos start at approximately $5000.

RENT
There is also many options to rent Pianos.

Digital Pianos Rent for $35+/month.

A Baby Grand Piano rents for $150+/month.

Renting allows you to learn on a quality instrument without a large upfront expense.

Rental companies will also upgrade your Piano or let you try a different one as your playing progresses.

You do not have to pay for a rental Piano to be tuned, fixed or moved.

FUN FACTS
The word “Piano” means soft in Italian. The original name for the instrument was ‘Piano et Forte” translation “Soft and Loud”. The name was a reference to the Pianos touch sensitive keys.

The Piano is often referred to as a Percussion instrument because the string are Struck with hammers. It is really a hybrid Stringed/Percussion instrument. Musicologists refer to Piano as a “Keyed Zither”

The Average Piano has 230 strings

A standard Piano has 88 keys

The Average Piano has over 7500 parts

Piano Keys were made from Elephant Tusks up until the 1950’s. Today, instead of “Tickling the Ivory’s” we mostly tickle plastic.

The worlds largest piano is the Challen Concert Grand. Its is 11 Feet long and weighs as much as a car.

POPULAR PIANO PLAYERS
Chris Martin
Billy Joel
Sergei Rachmaninov
Sarah Bareilles
Lady Gaga
John Paul Jones
Ray Charles
Ben Folds
Ludwig Van Beethoven
Bruce Hornsby
Ray Manzarek
Daniil Trifonov
Stevie Wonder
Elton John
Franz Liszt
Diana Krall

THE BENEFITS OF PLAYING AN INSTRUMENT

FUN
Playing Piano is an excellent source of pleasure and fulfillment. Solo practice and playing with others can provide a deep sense of satisfaction.

Music is great for social gatherings and family time. A creative alternative to Computer Games and TV Shows.

Piano Lessons will allow you to listen to music with greater enjoyment and appreciation. Since you will learn how songs are put together, your listening ability will become more refined. You will start to hear and notice more distinct details in the music that you listen to. Songs that you have been listening to for years will seem richer as you hear nuances that you have never noticed before. You may also start to enjoy songs from other genres of music that you would normally never listen to.

DISCIPLINE AND PATIENCE
Music Lessons teach the concept of delayed gratification. The Guitar, for example, has a steep learning curve. Before you can make a single sound, you must first learn how to hold the Guitar, how to hold the Pick, and where to place your Fingers. Playing an instrument teaches younger students to persevere through hours, months, and sometimes years of practice before they reach specific goals, such as memorizing a solo piece or performing with a band.

SELF CONFIDENCE
Piano Lessons offer a forum where young Musicians can learn to accept and give constructive criticism with their Piano Teacher. Turning negative feedback into positive change helps build self-confidence.

STRESS MANAGEMENT
Practicing an instrument is often compared to meditation. Many people feel refreshed and relaxed after a 30 minute practice session.
Performing well for an eager crowd is a great feeling. Managing stress and performing under pressure are valuable skills that students carry with them for life.

TIME MANAGEMENT
Practice is key to a Musicians success. Making time to practice and spending your time practicing efficiently are skills that can be applied to all aspects of work and play.

COORDINATION & MENTAL DEXTERITY
There are numerous studies showing the relationship between Music Lessons and enhanced cognitive skills.

People who learn an instrument, especially children, enjoy significant improvements in Memory, Math and Conceptual Thinking.

TEAM WORK
Rehearsing and performing with a band requires Team work.

Punctuality, Setting Goals, Communicating concepts and being accountable to the group are all skills valued in education and the workplace.

And of course, lets not forget, everyone Loves a Musician!

You can find out more about music and music education at :

https://www.thefinetuneacademy.com/