Everything You Need To Know About The Piano
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From the toniest concert halls to the most raucous cabarets, the piano has been the centerpiece of many a performance. Classical musicians have tickled the ivories for hundreds of years, while pop superstars like Liberace, Elton John and Billy Joel have thrilled audiences around the world.
But where does the piano come from, and what is its significance to the musical world? Stay tuned for the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this classical instrument.
Where Does the Piano Come From?
The piano has been around for hundreds of years, and the instrument traces its invention to a man named Bartolomeo Cristofori. Born in 1655, Bartolomeo Cristofori was a resident of Padua, Italy and an employee of the Grand Prince of Tuscany, a man by the name of Ferdinando de Medici.
Cristofori was already an expert in the manufacture of harpsichords, a popular instrument at the time. That knowledge served him well in his invention of a new instrument, one that would later be known as the piano.
Who Invented the First Grand Piano?
Bartolomo Cristofori is also credited with inventing the first grand piano. Ever since that fateful day, piano makers around the world have been trying to match the quality, exceptional design and amazing sound quality of that first grand piano.
How Easy Is It to Learn the Piano?
No matter what your age, playing the piano is a lot of fun, and you do not have to be a virtuoso to enjoy it. Even if you are far from proficient, you can enjoy playing your favorite tunes on the piano, but if you want to truly master the instrument, you will need lots of practice time.
For some, learning to play the piano is relatively easy. These gifted students are born with an ear for music, and they are able to pick up the piano quite quickly. For others, learning to play the piano well takes far more time and practice, but the effort is well worth it.
Children often have an easier time learning the piano than adults, so investing in lessons for your son or daughter could be a good idea. Even if you are learning to play as an adult, getting started may be easier than you think.
How Many Keys Are There on a Grand Piano?
The standard grand piano is home to 88 keys. That 88 key total includes 52 white and 36 black keys.
A full-size piano contains the same 88 keys as a grand piano, and the ratio between white and black keys is also the same. The full-size piano will have 52 white keys and 36 black ones.
How to Get Used to a New Keyboard
Playing a new piano can be a challenge, even for the experienced player. When a piano virtuoso sits down at a new piano for a concert performance, he or she will take their time getting to know the new keyboard.
You may not be a virtuoso performer, but you will still need time to get used to a new keyboard. Whether you are playing a new keyboard for a lesson or getting used to your own recent purchase, the best way to get to know the keys is to play them.
You can start by practicing the tunes you know best. Playing familiar pieces will give you an immediate comfort level as you get to know the new keyboard. As you get better on the new keyboard, you can work your way up to more challenging pieces. Before you know it, you will be playing the new piano like a pro.
The piano is a wonderful instrument, and great fun to play for people of all ages. Whether you are a young person learning a new instrument, a returning player getting familiar with your favorite tunes or just a curious music lover, there are plenty of reasons to play the piano.
Now that you know a little more about the history of the piano and what makes it special, you are ready to embark on your own piano playing career. You do not have to be a pro, or even proficient, to enjoy playing the piano, and the best way to get better is to practice as much as you can.
I started Music Store Central with one simple goal, to help answer all the questions that I know other musicians have. I wanted to make buying new instruments and gear for your passion completely effortless.