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Piano Lessons in Boise, Idaho

Did you know that the first true piano was invented almost entirely by a man named Bartolomeo Cristofori of Padua, Italy in 1655? In fact, he was appointed to the Florentine Court of Grand Prince Ferdinando de’ Medici to care for his entire collection of instruments. It was first named un cembalo di cipresso di piano e forte and then abbreviated to the pianoforte, fortepiano, and lastly to what we know today, the piano. Eventually, with time, piano designers added more keys, so that composers like Haydn and Mozart could write more challenging material. The original piano only had 54 keys, and now the modern piano has 88 keys. Idaho was actually home to a jazz pianist known as Gene Harris that grew to be quite popular as he played Bepop and Soul songs. The piano is one of the few instruments that allows one to play both the melody and the accompaniment at the same time. This is why the piano is a great instrument for a singer or a choir. So if you’re thinking about learning to play the piano you are most definitely in for a fun time!

Each Minute On The Piano Counts   

Most piano teachers recommend that their students practice from 30 minutes to four hours every single day. However, four hours might be a little too much for a beginner, so even creating a schedule for yourself might come to be helpful. This way you can schedule when you’ll play and for how long, since some days might be easier to dedicate more time to playing than others. Even if you only dedicate fifteen minutes to practicing you are still staying consistent which is key when learning a new craft. But we do recommend trying and aiming for one hour each day in order to advance in pace and get the most out of your piano lessons. However, if you plan on becoming a professional classical performer, then you are looking at about ten years of concentrated study with a teacher. Luckily most people that want to learn to play for their own enjoyment are able to achieve their goals within three to five years of practice.

Mistake To Avoid As A Beginner

One of the first things you should avoid when learning to play the piano is keeping your fingers tensed up since this will make you less agile across the keyboard. Instead, focus on playing with your fingers curved and relaxed. It’s also common for beginners to try and play the piano quickly, which is a big no-no. As part of the discipline of playing the piano is also learning to play slowly so your muscle memory can catch up and lock in the keys. So once you perfect a piece you then can speed up the tempo and gain other benefits such as finger accuracy. Sitting too closely or too far away is also a mistake a player can make that will eventually lead to horrible body aches and poor playing. Next time you sit down to practice try sitting on the edge of your chair and make sure your elbows are slightly in front of your body when your fingers are on the keys. Lastly, don’t skip the small details and instead pay attention to the crescendos, diminuendos, fortissimos, and staccatos. Details are there for a reason and will essentially make you a better piano player.

The Challenges of Playing the Piano

Although you’ll run into lots of songs that are extremely hard to play on the piano, you might also face a few tough patches as you get started. For some people, the hardest part of learning the piano is learning the notes, remembering the music terms, and finding the time to practice. While others simply cannot get the hang of playing with both hands together. There are all challenges you might face as a beginner, but they are also hurdles you can most definitely overcome with patience and persistence. Developing hand independence is not for the faint of heart, but once you’re able to accomplish it you’ll be on your way to stardom. Much of what you’ll learn to play on the piano does require unison, especially when you play scales which requires both hands to play the same notes simultaneously. This is why paying close attention to your first few lessons is crucial to becoming a good player since mastering the basics is what will lead you toward success. So take your time and don’t rush the process, you will slowly find the perfect learning pace for you!