Piano Classes: it is never too late to learn to tinkle the ivories

By Frank Bolger - Last update


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Many of us associate piano classes with children. But even if you never touched a piano in your younger years, it is not too late to learn. Piano classes for adults are increasingly popular. Seize your sheet music and start tinkling on the ivories!

The history of the piano

Bartolomeo Cristofori produced the first piano in the early 1700s in Italy. He did this by adapting the harpsichord so that small hammers struck, rather than plucked, the strings. This allowed the player to control the sound of each note by hitting the keys in different ways.

Cristofori called his invention gravicembalo coi piano e forte. Catchy! This became shortened to piano forte and eventually to piano. Despite the piano’s musicality, it didn’t catch on for until the latter half of the eighteenth century. Luckily, it had two high-profile enthusiasts – Mozart and Beethoven.

The piano and classical music

Mozart created his first piano pieces as a child. He went on to compose enduring pieces, designed to get the utmost out of both the performer and the instrument. Beethoven, greatly influenced by Mozart, composed 32 piano sonatas and 5 piano concerti. Beethoven was certainly dedicated. He played with such vigour that his piano strings and keys went flying.

During the 19th century, composers such as Franz Liszt further popularised the piano. Liszt was the Tom Jones of his day – talented, charismatic and attractive. Ladies fainted at his recitals, and threw jewels onstage.

In the 20th century, composers such as Scott Joplin contributed musical styles like ragtime and jazz. In addition, innovative new contenders such as Maurice Ravel, Igor Stravinsky and Robert Starer became popular.

Learning the piano

If you think that the piano is for you, take a  few lessons before you buy the Baby Grand.  Your teacher will help you work out fingerings and challenge you to improve your abilities. Learning the piano does need an amount of commitment. To progress at a reasonable rate, you’ll need to commit at least an hour a day to practice.

You will find music tuition courses here.


Frank Bolger

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