others. There are plenty of beginner-friendly
tips and advice along the way as well that’ll help you
improve and build upon your piano playing skills. So
rest your hands on the keys and let’s get started!Buying your piano
Before you make your first piano purchase it’s
important you get a good understanding of what’s
on offer and which style of instrument best suits
your skills and needs. Pianos vary dramatically
in size, style and price. Most beginners opt for
straightforward electronic keyboards, which are
cheaper in price, portable and don’t require as
much space or maintenance. Electronic keyboards
also include creative features such as sound effects
and the ability to replicate other instrument tones.
A step up from the electronic keyboard is a digital
piano, which offers similar features but comes with
weighted keys, which you’ll also find in the classic
acoustic variety of piano. Like a keyboard you can
create sound effects and most modern varieties
of electronic piano even enable you to record the
music you create.
When it comes to the acoustic variety of piano,
there are two main types: an upright and grand.
Acoustic pianos use strings to make sound and
don’t come with any electronic functions or
features. They are also slightly larger in size and are
generally more expensive.
You can keep costs down by buying a second-
hand piano but always give it a thorough check
through before parting with your money. Ensure
acoustic pianos are tuned and electronic features
on the digital variety are working well; you should
also run through the keys to check sound. If you’re
thinking of buying online, visit your local music shop
first to test out the different varieties of piano, which
will help you make a better decision when it comes
to committing to your purchase.Getting started
Once you’ve set up your piano and you’re ready
to play, you’ll need to ensure you’re in the correct
position before you begin. Place your sheet music
on the music rack and sit with an upright posture
on the stool, at the middle point of the keyboard,
in front of the Middle C key. If you’re sitting too
low, you’ll need to extend the height of your stool
or place a cushion on top so that you’re more
comfortable and closer to the keyboard. Your feet
should also be facing forward on the floor, more
advanced piano players will use the pedals in this
position to adjust tones and change sound quality
while playing.
Always ensure your hands can rest comfortably
on the keys, without having to stretch your arms
too far forward. All ten fingers should be rested on
the white keys with your right thumb positioned
on Middle C. This means that your right hand
should be positioned as follows; thumb – Middle
C, index finger - D, middle finger - E, ring finger - FSoundboard
The string vibrations produce some
level of sound initially but it’s the built-
in soundboard that amplifies it so that
it’s then audible to the audience and
pianist playing. The soundboard will
vibrate at the same frequency as the
strings to do thisInsides
Acoustic upright and grand
pianos have extremely complex
insides – if something goes wrong
with your piano, it’s best to get a
trained professional to look at it
Steel strings
The strings inside a
piano are made from
steel; they vibrate
once they are hit by
the felt hammers,
which are controlled
by the piano keys
that you press to play.
Once you release a
key, a felt damper will
drop onto the string
to stop the sound©Thinkstock