Play the PIANO, Smartly

First of all, there are alot of sales people out there who desparately want you to buy their keyboards. They are ready with their sales pitches and ready-made displays on what the accessory laden keyboards will produce. This is not the wisest choice. Keyboards are characteristically different from acoustic pianos. Beware of the differences before making a purchase. New students may easily be tempted by all the doodads, the accessories, the buttons and gadgets on the side of the keyboard, than by actually playing the keys.

Playing a keyboard is kin to playing an organ. Now, that's not a bad thing. I love the organ, and I adore the works of J. S. Bach. However, the piano is played in a totally different method. The piano uses one's arms! Using a keyboard keeps one's arms dead still. Playing on a keyboard develops wrong technique from the very beginning. As a teacher, I always give a demonstation of this to my new students and parents if necessary. They see in a snap the total difference in stylistic playing. From thereon, the student is sold on listening to me as teacher and applying my wisdom for acoustic superority.

No one wants to start development of an instrument with bad habits. As stated above, starting on a keyboard when one wants to learn the piano guarantees that one is headed down that lane. Bad habits will be the outcome. It is highly necessary to start with a sound foundation of solid patterns in how to hold the hands and form the fingers. Doing so on a keyboard will not give this solid foundation, but will only set a false foundation. Bad habits will then have to be broken later on down the line, and no student nor parent of a junior student wants to have to work backwards over bad habits. Why not start with the correct habits and methods? An acoustic piano will guarantee that outcome.

I take lots of time with my students of all ages developing strong technical skills so that they will be musical from the very beginning. A keyboard simply does not lend a musical sound. Even the 'made to be musical with dynamics' keyboard is not the same as the action of an acoustic piano. Digital pianos advertise that they are equal in performance method, but this pianist states differently. It is far better to put the money into an acoustic piano even if second hand.

The student notices instantly the difference on an acoustic piano due to the richness of sonority. This, of course, is an instant reward even in the earliest stages of practicing and learning on the instrument. And that is what you want: instant reward. That reward will further the work of the student in driving forward the day to day demand of regular practicing.

There simply is nothing like an acoustic piano no matter the sales pitch from any modern music store representative. Find a classic music teacher with a piano degree. You will be on your way to a fine and rewarding time with your new instrument even if you select a used acoustic piano. And make sure that the teacher is studied in piano technique, not a violin or flute teacher making money on the side by teaching piano or keyboard. Only the true pianist can teach the circular techniques necessary in early development of wrist rotation for expression of dynamics and phrasing. These techniques will set the student forward with a love affair with music that can last a lifetime. I can guarantee that utilizing these settings will lead to a highly rewarding time with the piano and a very fulfilling musical experience.