Piano

You may have heard that unweighted keyboards work just fine when starting to play. After all, developing rhythm, coordination of the fingers and note-reading do not require weighted keys.

Furthermore, the keys take less effort to push down, are lighter to carry around, and cost less.

However, the benefits of weighted keys far outweigh these advantages.

Do I really need weighted keys? Weighted keys mimic the feel and action of a real acoustic piano. Therefore, they help you develop proficient piano techniques that lead to skilled and beautiful playing.

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Imagine this: You’re in a metro station, and you miss the train. Most unfortunately, the next one is delayed by a half hour and your phone is running at 5%. Having nothing else to do, you glance around and notice a shabby, paint-chipped Yamaha piano stationed against the wall. You walk over and sit down at the lopsided bench, placing your fingers on the dusty keys, and you begin to play the “Boogie Woogie Stomp.”

Soon enough, passersby begin to nod their heads and sway to the beat. You shift the key up a chromatic step and add in some fancy riffs, evoking energy like a flame. Kids are dancing. Adults are laughing. The station, once an abyss of mechanical noise, is now alive with music.

With the ability to play piano, you can sit down at any keyboard or piano instrument and immediately invigorate the atmosphere–while knocking the socks off your friends.

But how do you acquire this wondrous ability? The simple answer is practice.

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The piano is a diverse and functional musical instrument with an alluring appeal. It is a versatile instrument that lends itself well to all genres and styles of music.

Can piano be self taught? Yes, piano can be self taught. Teaching yourself piano is a rewarding experience and works best when tailored to your learning style and preferences.

Whether you dream of being like Elton John or a concert pianist, learning to play the piano can be a fulfilling pursuit.

It’s a hobby that allows for self-expression, camaraderie with others (picture standing around the piano singing tunes together), and can even turn into a side-hustle or full-time career path.

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Most modern pianos have 52 white and 36 black keys, but the piano didn’t always have 88 keys. The earliest rendition had only 54 keys, and for a time, 85 keys were the norm.

Why do pianos have 88 keys? A demand for a wider range led to the continued expansion of the piano, ultimately culminating in the standardizing of the 88-key piano in the 1900’s.

We’ll explore the history of the piano, 88 keys, and other pianos that break the norm and have more than 88 keys.

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No matter your approach to learning how to play the piano, you’re probably itching to get your hands on a good variety of catchy, engaging easy piano songs that you can practice with.

When you practice a variety of different musical styles, you’ll get a more well-rounded learning experience that will help you better develop your skillset.

Take a look at these 20 great choices for songs to help you broaden your horizons and have fun while you practice!

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