Piano Lessons

The piano is a great instrument to begin lessons. The piano develops wonderful coordination skills by learning to play independently with both hands. Students learn to read both the bass clef and treble clef where as other instruments require reading in only one of the clefs. Students that have learned to play piano can easily learn other instruments. Learning to read music is universal to all instruments and the piano is the best and only instrument to adequately learn both clefs.

Procuring a piano

There are several options for obtaining a piano.

Keyboards or electric pianos:
There are many available keyboards in different sizes and shapes. From the small portable keyboard with many sounds and few keys to large keyboards that emulate a piano with all 88-keys, weighted action, and touch sensitivity that allows the musician to play with beautiful loud and soft expression. Prices range from a few hundred dollars to several thousands of dollars.

Upright and grand acoustic pianos:
Upright pianos also come in several sizes from the small spinet piano (between 35-39 inches tall), to the upright piano, and the grand piano. Pianos have strings inside their cabinet and the keys are mallets that when played, strike the strings making a beautiful sound. In grand pianos the strings are horizontal whereas in upright pianos the strings are more compact and are vertical. With all else being equal, larger pianos have longer strings and produce a richer sound.

You can also conveniently and inexpensively rent a piano from a reputable piano store. A professional customer service representative can help you choose a piano that fits your budget and needs. They will also deliver and tune the piano.

If purchasing a used piano contact a certified piano tuner to inspect the instrument before you buy. A certified piano tuner will educate you on the year the piano was built and he can assess the pianoʼs value. He will also examine the pin block, the tuning pins, hammer heads, and sound board.

Supplies needed:

1. John Thompsonʼs Easiest Piano Course Part One (ISBN 0877180121) $4.95
2. The Music Tree Part 1 by Frances Clark (ISBN 654979004103) $7.95
3. Master Class Series On-Staff Starter by Janet Vogt "from the Piano Discoveries Library" (40/1089H) $6.95
4. School notebook for assignments
5. Pocket folder