13 September 2014 Piano Playing … A Lifetime Commitment

Piano Playing … A Lifetime Commitment

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So you’ve decided to take up the piano? Congratulations. Nothing can be as rewarding or as fulfilling as being able to sit down to the piano and play music. But also keep in mind that mastering the piano – any instrument for that matter – is not easy nor is it fast. It’s a long journey that can take a lifetime to master.

And that’s half of the enjoyment!Piano Playing … A Lifetime Commitment

If you’re expecting instant results after a week or two of practice, you’re sure to be disappointed. Because playing the piano isn’t something you can pick up from playing a game on the computer, or conquer with a master class in piano over a long weekend.

It takes work. It takes performance. And it takes action day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year.

Enjoyment of the arts and fulfillment in your ability to play the piano does not come from rushed goals, tensed efforts, or the desire to quickly please your parents or win a competition. If your piano goals are to reach a certain expectation in a quick manner, you will be disappointed.

Part of mastering the piano comes more from having the desire to create beautiful music no matter what level you can currently play. It comes from the dedication to play again and again until you hear the musicality in what you are doing. Piano playing brings:

  • Joy to your life
  • Fulfillment in what you can do
  • Maturity in knowing you can stick with a project
  • Wisdom to help you grow as a person
  • Meaning to your life

At the same time, it does also take sacrifice and compromise. You have to continue when you just aren’t feeling it; have faith that you will reach your goals when it feels like you never will.

Mastering piano is not easy … there is a long road ahead. But we believe the road is one well worth traveling; one that will grow and help you define who you are throughout your life.

Filed Under: Piano Playing Tagged With: ,
8 February 2014 Playing The Piano – Its All In The Wrist

Playing The Piano – Its All In The Wrist

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Think for a moment as to how you play the piano. Is it with your fingers? Or does your whole body need to be present to get the sound you are looking for?

Kind of a trick question. Obviously you whole body needs to be present, focusing in on the notes you are striking and the sound you are creating. Yet as a beginner, its easy to forget that its more than your fingers that make the final sound.

Its not the hunt and peck method that will achieve success. Instead, it’s the movement and rhythm of how your arms and your wrists connect with your fingers and the keys that will ultimately bring success. Playing The Piano – Its All In The Wrist

Your arms provide the weight. Your fingers connect with the keys. But its your wrists that provide the action to get the job done.

If your wrists are immobile and tensed, the weight of your arms will never connect with the tapping of your fingers, and the end result will be a sound that is shallow instead of deep and beautiful. And if you separate the movement being made from your arm to your fingertips, you run more of a risk of injury to both your hands and your wrists.

When your wrists are relaxed and flexible, there is a natural flow between your arms and the keyboard. You’ll have a comfortable feeling and create a comfortable sound from beginning to end. And you’ll have no tension, no injuries, and ultimately no pain in the long run.

How do you ensure you are playing the piano the correct way? Before you sit down the next time, do a few things before you connect with the keys.

Take a few deep breaths and relax.

Flex your arms, wrists, hands and fingertips to relieve any pressure.

Warm up! Yes, just like you can’t run a marathon at top pace without stretching and warming up, you should never sit down to a piano playing session without warming up and being prepared. Stretching, a few scales to release tension and get into the “zone” will improve your chances of success.

And make sure you are ready to make the most beautiful music of your life.

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22 January 2014 Can Your Love Of Piano Turn Into A Career?

Can Your Love Of Piano Turn Into A Career?

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A child takes up piano playing because her parents feel it would be a good investment of time. It improves math skills and can help you do better in school. It seems like the perfect activity for a young, budding artist.

Slowly she works at her skill and finds she loves the piano. Her parent improve her ability by giving her more lessons and buying her the grand piano she’s been dreaming of. She begins performing throughout the state and is recognized for her ability.

Can Your Love Of Piano Turn Into A Career?As she approaches college, she announces her love for the piano continues to grow. She wants to continue her love for piano beyond college and make it a full time career.

Is this possible? Can someone in today’s world turn their love of the piano into a career that won’t leave them on your door step as a starving artist?

The answer is overwhelmingly a yes.

If your child has expressed interest in continuing their love of piano playing and make it a full time career, before they head into college, have them do a little research first. With the Internet its easy to find all kinds of people and career potential with just a few clicks of the mouse.

An easy way to start out is to have her find 10 different people that all use the piano to make a living, and contact them for a little more information on how they go about it. Keep in mind that career potential isn’t always sitting on center stage and performing in front of an audience. It can be everything from the manufacturing side of things to the education side of things, and of course as an entertainer as well.

Once she has done her research and has a long list of career potentials, have her define her own desires and wants. This can help her discover what type of education is the most appropriate for her.

For instance if she loves the piano and likes the concept of teaching as well, she may decide to double major in piano and in early education. Or a double major of piano and business may help her turn into a budding entrepreneur.

By seeing her potential early on, it will help her focus on what to do and where to apply in the coming months and years.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano Tagged With: ,
4 January 2014 Make Piano Playing The Top Of Your New Years Resolution List

Make Piano Playing The Top Of Your New Years Resolution List

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Imagine playing the same music over and over again. You may not like the music, but you have to do it again and again to improve the way you play. Boring, right?

For many people, practice is the most mundane of tasks. And eventually, it’s the number one reason most people quit. Why continue doing something when it does nothing for you?

Make Piano Playing The Top Of Your New Years Resolution ListIf piano playing was at the top of your New Year’s resolution list this year, and you want to give yourself the best chance possible of succeeding, keep these tips in mind.

Start with a positive lesson

Instead of making it a requirement at a certain time of the day, make it something enjoyable to look forward to. If you sit down to play with dozens of tasks racing through your mind, waiting for your attention, the last place your mind will be is on the piano. Think of piano playing as your relaxation for the day – a way to enjoy and unwind. Make sure you have the time to play at your leisure and focus in on what you’re doing, not on what to have for dinner or what errands you have to run in just a few moments.

Hold mock recitals

When you learn something new, its fun to show it off. Play a song you learned at family night. Play holiday tunes at family gatherings. It doesn’t have to be a full blown concert; just share one or two songs to showcase your new talent. You may even motivate others in your family to want to learn the piano as well.

Make music a part of your life

Have you ever been to a symphony? Do you attend concerts regularly? There are many opportunities in your local community to be exposed to great music. Piano is used in every type of music imaginable; from classical to rock. Focus in on attending events that interest you and begin to understand more of what music is all about. With greater appreciation comes more desire to build up your own talents. Its fun when there is a purpose in mind.

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9 November 2013 Playing The Piano For Body, Mind and Soul

Playing The Piano For Body, Mind and Soul

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Music. Since the beginning of time, music has been an important part of being human. We tell stories through music. We share ideas. We celebrate. We relax. Without music in our lives, life simply wouldn’t be as we know it today.

Playing The Piano For Body, Mind and SoulAnd while everyone seems to be enjoying their own style of music 24/7 as they walk around with earbuds in, there is something to be said about pulling the earbuds out and making music on your own. Nothing is more satisfying or more therapeutic than creating music all around you. And nothing makes it more possible than playing the piano.

Continuous studies show that playing the piano offers a wealth of benefits: from physical and intellectual, to social and emotional. It doesn’t matter if you are 5 or 95, anyone can sit down, put their hands on the keyboard, and instantly feel music as they play.

If you want to start your young child on the road to successful school years, before they hit the books, have them “hit” the piano instead. Piano lessons and piano practice helps develop our bodies and improves fine motor skills. It increases our creativity and can provide ways to stay calm and focused no matter what challenges lie before us. And it has also been shown that playing the piano regularly through childhood has been linked to better math scores and increased averages on tests like the SAT.

There is also increased evidence that psychological benefits continue no matter what age you play. A recent study has shown that piano practicing activates the cerebellum, and therefore can provide benefits to stroke victims as they are regaining language and fine motor skills. And studies on the elderly learning how to play for the first time show increases in levels of the human growth hormone, which causes slowing in aging characteristics such as osteoporosis, energy levels, wrinkling, muscle mass, and aches and pains.

And because piano playing has an almost meditative quality to it, piano practicing can also benefit in physical effects such as reducing anxiety, heart and respiratory rates, reducing cardiac complications, lowering blood pressure, and increased immune responses. When people play the piano on a regular basis, they experience less stress, loneliness and depression.

All great reasons to make playing the piano a part of your regular routine.

Filed Under: Owning a Piano Tagged With: ,
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