How to Play the Piano

Here comes the moment when the piano is standing in front of you, you first sit down for it and… Damn it, but where is the music?!

If you thought that learning how to play the piano would be easy, then the acquisition of such a noble instrument was originally a bad idea.

If you are going to be engaged into music, even if this is only a hobby for you, then immediately make yourself a promise that you will be ready for at least 15 minutes, but each (!) and every day give your time to the instrument, and only then you will get the results.

Have you thought about it? If you initially do not want to learn to play the piano, then is it worth choosing such a kind of activity? If you have firmly decided that music is definitely a significant part of your life, and you are ready to bring certain sacrifices for it, then you are on the right track!

Do I need to know the solfeggio for playing the piano?
Do musicians need a knowledge of solfeggio, or does it, on the contrary, conclude a creative person in certain meaningless frames?

Undoubtedly, there are people who without education, without any knowledge of notes, could achieve wide popularity, success, were able to compose worthy music (the legendary The Beatles – the brightest example). However, one should not be equaled at that time, in many respects such people achieved fame, being children of their time, and besides remember the same Lennon – not very enviable fate in the end.

Example, to be frank, not particularly successful – in the game on the piano originally laid a great depth. It is an academic instrument, serious, and simpler instruments originated from folk music, which implied simpler motives.

Here are some easy steps from what to start and where to go – http://www.instructables.com/id/7-Steps-to-Learn-How-to-Play-Piano/

Can I learn to play the piano without ear for music?
Another very important clarification. I think that you have often heard about such a concept as a “musical ear”. One hundred percent hearing from birth is a phenomenon as exceptional as the fall of meteorites on Earth. Actually, it is so rare for people to have a complete absence. All this I lead to the fact that NEVER listen to those who say that without hearing, without music lessons from childhood, there is no point in trying to do anything at all. And I heard this from many truly accomplished musicians.

Consider that hearing is an abstract muscle. When you go to the gym, your muscles grow; when you are studying the exact sciences, the speed of your calculation in your mind rises, whatever you do – in the end, any person, at both the biological and mental levels, will progress. Hearing is no exception. Moreover, regardless of your initial data, with due diligence, you can surpass those who seem to have more experience than you.

Another nice feature of any creativity – even at different levels of skill, is not necessarily someone who knows more (for example: he can play with great speed), he will compose more interesting works than his not so direct-minded colleagues. It’s simple. All of us are individual, and creativity is the transfer of a part of one’s own soul, mind to others, who delve into other people’s works. People who will be closer to your life position, the style of your compositions, will appreciate you more than a pianist who is simply a technical performer.

The study of musical notation will help you not only understand the very structure of music, but it will help you to quickly and easily record works by ear, will allow you to easily improvise, compose.

Learning to play the piano should not be an end in itself – the goal should be a desire to play music. And, when you learn all the subtleties of scales, frets and rhythmics, then, believe me, it will be much easier for you to master any instrument than to a person who has not played anything in life. So that you can learn to play the piano by any person, if only there was a desire.

How many keys does the piano have?

How many keys does the piano have?
Give an answer to the question – How many keys the piano can have we can shortly – 85 or 88. Those who want to know how many keys are white and how many are black, and how different pianos with different number of keys, I invite you to read the article.

Age ain’t nothing but a number…
The number of keys on the piano grew gradually. For modern instruments, the standard is 88 keys, on the piano and grand pianos released around the middle of the last century, you can often find 85 keys.

Today the piano has 88 keys (52 white and 36 black). The first “A” key is subcontractive, (this octave is incomplete and has only 3 notes), the last key is “C” the fifth octave (in this octave there is only one note). Between these keys there are 7 full octaves, in each of them there are 12 keys, 7 basic tones (white) and 5 halftones (black).

There are instruments with 85 keys (50 white and 35 black). Their sound range ends with a note “A” of the fourth octave. However, recently invented and made a grand piano with 102 keys, let’s see what may come new standards.

In fact, it is possible to engage in any instrument, if only it was sound and well-adjusted.

Piano notes are named after the first seven letters of the alphabet. When learning to play the piano the first note that is normally learned is C. After you have found the note C, it is very easy to learn the other notes. But about notes we will talk more futher…

The Journey by the Keys Begins

“Life is like a piano; the white keys represent happiness and the black show sadness. But as you go through life’s journey, remember that the black keys also create music.” — Ehssan

The history of the piano.

The history of the piano dates back to 1709. The piano appeared much later, and its history began in the early 19th century.

Birthday of piano
The year of the birth of the modern piano is considered to be 1826. It was in this year that Robert Warnum designed a mechanism that makes it possible to extract sound from vertically stretched strings, using ribbons pulling hammers.

Of course, there were attempts to make a mechanism for a vertical pianist before that. The first vertical pianos had odd shapes, pyramidal, giraffe, etc. The hulls were clumsy and bulky. And the design of the hammering mechanism did not give a sense of ease of play. Such instruments could not compete with pianos.

Geography of the history of the piano
At first, the main production of such instruments was in England, but already in 1835 the construction of a piano began in Germany (where they were given it for the title). Then from 1860 – in North America, and from 1867 – in France.

Introduction to the practice of building grand pianos of cast-iron frames and a cross-construction structure led to the idea of ​​applying these innovations to the piano.

The further history of the piano consisted only in its improvement.

The piano mechanism
The mechanism of the piano was made by the English master and manufacturer John Brinsmead. He fixed the string, near its base, with a free end to the top, and made a hook on the string, connecting it by means of a cord loop with a hammer shooler, achieved that the new mechanism, acquired sensitivity and ease of action. This system was later perfected by Langer.
Leipzig manufacturer Julius Feirich introduced into the mechanism of the piano a rehearsal device with an additional spring, reinforced on the hammer of the hammer. The string supports the hammer in the intermediate position between the impacts, leaning on the top of the deflected spire.

Deck of the piano
The resonant deck of the piano, in connection with the use of ever thicker and stronger strings, has been thickened and strengthened, as well as the piano decks. In 1911, Schmidt proposed the oval shape of a resonant deck with an arched profile, which enhanced and improved (the color of sound) sound. The sound volume of the piano during the 19th century expanded significantly: from 5 – 5½ octaves to 7 and even 7/3 octaves.

The history of the piano that is being written today is basically new technologies and materials, attempts to improve the mechanism until applications are found. However, a new direction is actively developing. Digital technologies have given us tools such as digital pianos and synthesizers.