Learning to play any instrument is an exciting challenge, which requires commitment to the task. You have to learn how to read the music, how to count the beats, how to manipulate and coordinate your hands. It is the ultimate example of multi tasking! But there is one thing that makes the piano easier than other instruments. You do not have to ‘create’ the sound. On a string instrument you not only have to read the notes correctly and put your fingers in the right place, you also have to create the sound by bowing well and placing your fingers accurately. On a wind instrument you have to develop breathe control and the correct embouchure (position of your mouth on the instrument) to create a good sound.
With the piano, you get instant positive feedback from the instrument. If you can read the notes on the music, and you can find them on the piano you are guaranteed to make a beautiful sound. This gives the performer a great sense of achievement and spurs them on to continue dealing with the dual challenge of reading the music and navigating the keyboard.
The piano is also a great visual aid for understanding notation. You can see the notes going up and down the piano, you can hear the pitches going up and down, and you can see the notes rising and falling on the stave. This is not true of other instruments the piano is therefore a great way for young musicians to learn how to connect the music with the pitches they are playing.
One of the most useful things about learning the piano is that you need to learn to read both bass and treble clef. With most instruments you need only one clef, so by starting with the piano you are preparing your child to take on any instrument they should so wish in the future.
