Advantages of Piano

There are many reasons why playing a piano can be a rewarding experience some of which are difficult to put into words. However, there are definite attributes of the piano which makes it an ideal first-instrument.

1. Playing the piano requires that you utilize both hands simultaneously and symmetrically. This forces you to utilize both sides of the brain. Recall that the left side of the brain controls the right hand and the right side of the brain controls the left hand.

   Playing the piano requires that you use your eyes to read the notes on the music sheet; sort the information in your brain; and then command your fingers to play the appropriate notes. This translation of information from eyes --> brain --> hands exercises your mind.

   One might argue that other instruments such as the violin uses both hands too. However, in the case of violin and other stringed instruments, the hands are used asymmetrically: one does the fingering while the other does the bowing. Violinists will always finger with one hand and bow with the other hand: their roles are not interchangeable. In contrast, there is a balance or symmetry in the mental development of a pianist such that s/he can play with one hand, both hands, or hands interchanged (with limited mobility, of course).

2. A quarter of your body's bones are localized in your hands. Piano playing allows you to exercise this critical part of your body. Playing piano allows you to increase your manual dexterity, to focus your fine motor skills, and help keep your fingers nimble. In essence, piano playing will give your fingers strength, speed and coordination.

   It is interesting to note that humans evolved beyond primates because of our ability to use our hands effectively. Pediatricians use a child's ability to pick up toys with two fingers as a measure of proper child development. One can say that an advantage of piano playing is that it allows you to keep exercising your fingers at any age/stage of your life.

3. The way piano keys are laid out is very intuitive to music theory. Most young pianist who have never learned any music theory will already know some theory just by playing a piano or keyboard. The notes (A through G) are adjacent to one another so they are easy to learn. Similarly, the black sharps and flats are immediately adjacent to the corresponding white natural keys. The piano keyboard is logically organized and this lends itself to better understanding of chords and other advanced music theory.

4. Other advantages of piano include the fact that it is a very versatile instrument. It can be a solo instrument; it can accompany another instrument or vocalist; or it can be a member of a full orchestra. Piano can be played in a church or in a pub; it can be played in an apartment or in an opera house.

   Piano can play all styles and gender of music: jazz, classical, pop, and more. To know how to play the piano is to avail yourself to many choices of what to play, where to play, and who to play with.

5. Piano has 88 (or more) keys. This wide range of sounds allows you to play songs with high and low notes - indeed, a piano allows you to play high and low notes at the same time.
6. Advantages of piano playing doesn't stop here; however some of these benefits are difficult to quantify. For example, people often find that playing the piano gives them a sense of well being or happiness. Some pianists find that playing the piano allows them to relax after a stressful day. As well, playing the piano stimulates your mind to end boredom and fatigue.

That being said, a piano is not without disadvantages.

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Disadvantages of Piano:

1. Pianos are large and heavy: they are not easy to move. This makes it impossible to take your piano to a friends house for a jam session. It is not feasible to take your piano to the park the way you might transport a guitar.

   Musicians typically bring their own instrument when they perform; however with a piano, this is not possible. You will use whatever piano is available on site. At times this may be an inferior piano than the one you are familiar with. Perhaps the piano may be of a better quality, yet you will still be a slight disadvantage since it is not your piano.

   Note: Some electronic keyboard are light enough to transport thus giving you the option to "move your piano". Easily portable keyboards tend to be of limited quality; yet, depending on your needs, it might serve the purpose.

2. Pianos are expensive. Do you really want to spend thousands of dollars on an instrument which you may or may not enjoy playing? An instrument which you may or may not continue playing? Certainly, buying a piano is a significant investment.

   If you are not sure, it would be prudent to rent a piano before you purchase one. Some piano stores will allow you to rent a piano with option to buy. Or, the price of renting a piano is applied to the cost of a new purchase.

   You can ask to use a friend's or family member's piano instead of buying one. Though ideally, you should have a piano at your own home so that you can play at any time the mood strikes you.

3. A piano takes up a lot of room. There is no round-about way to solve this problem. Pianos are large instruments and they do take up a lot of floor space. Your only consolation is that in addition to being big, they are also beautiful. Since its invention, pianos have always been considered refined instruments; a piano will add sophistication to your home and it will never go out of style.

Can you think of more advantages of piano compared to another instrument? Share your thoughts with us.

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