About the Instrument:
What can you say about what is probably the most popular instrument on the planet? Composers have written some of the most famous classical pieces for it. And it has transcended every musical style since then, being pivotal in everything from swing to jazz to rock and beyond. Dexterity with all ten fingers are a must, and your hands must learn to cover the entire range of the instrument. You must learn to read music with multiple notes on it, while working the different pedals with your feet. However, no instrument (sorry, guitar), sounds as beautiful and complete by itself. And it remains the most important instrument in the formation of music, whether it’s composing, or rehearsing with a vocalist. Every instrument can play by itself, but no other instrument can sound like the whole band the way the piano does.
Purchase Price: $4,000-75,000
Rental Price: $50-180.00 per month
How Loud Is It?: 95 dbl.
Difficulty Level: 7
Can the Sound be Muted?: Yes, with the mute pedal or with the lid closed. On a synthesizer you may plug in headphones.
Weight: 300-400 lbs. for an upright
500-1,200 lbs. for a grand piano.
Additional costs, What else you’ll need: Hiring a professional piano tuner to come in and tune the piano.
Piano bench.
Scholarship Opportunities: Yes.
Performing Opportunities: Jazz Bands, Solo Piano, Orchestra, Church, Hotel Lounges, Rock n’ Roll, Rehearsals for singers, just about every style of music is either composed and/or performed on piano.
Related Instruments: Harpsichord, Clavinet, Electronic Keyboards (Synthesizers), Organ.
Pros: You can start by purchasing an inexpensive electronic keyboard first, which doesn’t need to be tuned, is lightweight, and has headphones. Piano/Keyboard can be played solo or in many, many groups and genres.
Cons: See weight above. You will need the space in your home for a decent Piano, not to mention the space in your bank account to purchase and maintain it. Needs to be tuned regularly. Two handed coordination takes time and patience. With electronic keyboards, technology changes quickly, so re-sale value is weak after a few years. Touch sensitivity not the same as an actual Piano.
Why play the Piano? Click on the movie below.
