Why Play the Piano?

You probably already know that piano playing is an exciting talent to develop. If you are a jazz enthusiast, you may have listened to piano music from great artists like Count Basie or Duke Ellington. You might like modern jazz piano players better and there are many who have won the hearts of audiences everywhere.

One of the most versatile has to be Jim Brickman, who is able to crossover to various genres and doing so while playing his own compositions. You can hear his music on jazz stations, pop, inspirational, and ever the new age stations.

You may be more interested in the rock keyboard players. Some of them have been: Rick Wakeman of Yes, Tony Banks of Genesis, Dennis De Young of Styx, and David Sancious who played for Springsteen, Santana, and Sting. Rock piano players include Elton John, Billy Joel, Carole King, Paul McCartney, and Carly Simon.

Even if you have never liked classical music before, you might begin to enjoy it once you have started to play the piano. It presents a challenge and is very satisfying to master. Some of the greats are Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schubert, and Brahms.

There will come a time when someone just like you may feel the need to emulate one of the individuals we mentioned above. Heck, maybe you'll be good enough to play in a band or work on a solo career. Even if this doesn't work out financially, it's always nice to be able to entertain yourself, your friends, and family members when they come over.

There are other benefits to playing the piano as well. One is relaxation. When you feel upset, it is very therapeutic to play the piano for awhile. If you are angry, playing the piano can release your frustrations. Your playing will soothe your nerves if you are anxious. If you are feeling down, you can start with slow songs and build up to more up-tempo, happier-sounding songs. This will often lift your sad mood.

Those who enjoy playing can build this into a secondary or even full time income. Granted, some piano players earn very little, but there are others who enjoy unlimited financial gains if they are both talented and lucky enough to be seen.

Another reason to play the piano that is often overlooked is being able to develop discipline. If you are the type that will start something but feel you never finish, playing the piano will allow you plenty of opportunities to feel accomplishment throughout each level. This is a huge motivator and it will definitely make you work harder.

You should also understand that learning to play the piano is a lot easier than learning various other musical instruments. If you're studying vocal music you have to worry about being slightly above or below a particular note. The good news is with a piano this won't happen unless it is out of tune. If this occurs you will need a technician to come by and fix it.

What it comes down to is you should play the piano for your own personal fulfillment. You can take this as far as you want to go, but there will be a lot of work ahead of you. Don't worry, even all the greats started right where you are at the present moment. Just remember to have fun, learn to enjoy what you do with a piano, and let the music into your life. It will definitely change you.