Benefits of Playing the Piano

by Alison Wood

The Wikipedia definition of piano is " a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with felt hammers. The hammers immediately rebound allowing the strings to continue vibrating at their resonant frequency. These vibrations are transmitted through a bridge to a soundboard that amplifies them".

Ambrose Bierce describes it thus " a parlor utensil for subduing the impenitent visitor. It is operated by depressing the keys of the machine and the spirits of the audience".

Well that covers the technicalities and the humour, but nothing can come near to that feeling of being able to sit down at a keyboard and let the music flow. I had piano lessons at school, being taught by a very elderly nun who used to make me do finger exercises for ages at the table, before I was even let loose on the precious piano. I believed she then used to snooze through much of the latter part of my lesson, but that's another story.

I did love playing as a child. When a small piece came together, after weeks of bashing away at the keys, it was a joyous feeling. However, as with many other things when we are young, the time I devoted to my lessons became less and less as all the other parts of a typical teenager's life took over.

That is why at the grand old age of thirty-five I have returned to learning the piano and oh, how times and teaching have changed. I was kind of hesitant returning to notes and keys but it is a revelation to find out how teaching methods have moved on. I'm not saying that I am at expert level yet, but the wonderful feeling of being able to play for others and myself is indescribable.

With methods of teaching piano being as they are today I would say it really is possible to teach an old dog - well a 'latter youth' dog please - new tricks.