Wouldn’t the world be a nicer place, if everyone knew how to play a musical instrument? Today everything is so boring and monotone, and yet we are creative beings. Learn to play the piano and you can amuse yourself when bored, on creating or playing beautiful music, instead of wandering aimlessly around shopping malls, or channel surfing.
Pianos were invented back in 1709 in Italy, by Bartolomeo di Francesco Cristofori who also made harpsichords. The word is short for pianoforte (which means soft and loud). Originally only an instrument for wealthy people, the keys used to be made from elephant ivory, and today are more likely to be made from plastic. Vegan Piano Lady has tips on alternatives and playing the piano for newbies.
Pianos need to be tuned on a regular basis (often this is a profession trained in by blind people), and pianos are best tuned twice a year, or ideally four times a year. It is a very versatile instrument that has notes lower than a double-bassoon and higher than the top note of a piccolo. Grand pianos simply have horizontal strings, over conventional vertical strings on an upright piano.
It’s a myth that you can’t play the piano, if you have small hands (many children can play the piano). There are all kinds of pianos for sale, and modern versions especially tend to cater for smaller hands and short fingers. You can find free pianos to adopt (or donate unwanted pianos) at the website Piano Adoption (many family heirlooms that need a good home).
How to Play the Piano is by internationally acclaimed pianist James Rhodes. He can show you how to become an accomplished pianist in 45 minutes a day, and play Bach’s Prelude No 1 in C Major, in 6 weeks. Learn how to read music, the difference between a treble and bass clef, and sharp/flat notes.
Music Break: Ancora by Ludovico Einaudi
Ludovico Einaudi is the world’s most popular classic downstreamed artist in the world, whose influences include Eminem! Grandson of the former President of Italy, he thankfully chose music over politics, and is classically trained. Even if you’re not a fan of classical music, you’ll likely love his music, as does most everyone. This is one of our most favourite pieces of music ever – EVER! It means ‘still’ in Italian.
