Amanda Dove, NCTM

Learning to play the piano isn't just learning to type on a different keyboard!  You're training your eyes to read music, and your fingers, hands, and arms, to navigate the keyboard with dexterity, but even more importantly, you're training your EARS.  Beginning music students are learning to differentiate basic concepts like high and low and loud and soft, but they move QUICKLY into learning intervals (how far apart two pitches are) and different kinds of chords.  Being able to recognize these sounds accurately leads to a much faster process of learning music, since the student will be able to check their work instantly based on the sound they produce, and it leads to a deeper understanding of all music, as a listener and as a performer. 

It's of crucial importance that students have a well-maintained, in-tune piano (either an acoustic piano or a high quality digital piano), not just for their lessons, but also for practice!  Especially for young children, whose brains are rapidly developing, it can make a huge difference in their success and enjoyment of learning music. 

If you have an acoustic piano, good for you!  You and your child will be able to develop finger strength from playing its weighted keys, and learn to create different tones using dynamics (loud and soft sounds) and pedaling, more easily than a student would on an electric keyboard.  Pianos can serve a family's needs for generations, but they require regular maintenace to stay in tune (meaning that the pitches are accurate, and the relationships between the notes are adjusted so that the entire instrument sounds its best). 

Depending on your instrument's condition and circumstances, I recommend having your piano tuned at least once a year, and every time it is moved.  Pianos kept in rooms with changing temperature and humidity, and pianos played frequently and with great enthusiasm (and by that I mean very loud, as young children often love to do!) can fall out of tune more quickly.

I always refer my students to Ragtime Piano Service, because Ryan does good work, and he gives my students a good deal!

Ryan Waller is a talented musician with amazing ear and a passion for pianos, quite likely the result of early music training--his mother is a piano teacher!  In addition to playing Scott Joplin's piano rags, Ryan sings tenor with the Colorado Symphony chorus, and performs with several bands as a singer, songwriter, and bass player.

To contact him, please call :

303-596-3535

Or Email:

Ryan@RagtimePianoService.com

USED PIANOS:

I've had several students purchase used pianos from Warren Baker at American Classic Pianos, and they are all so happy with the experience and the quality and variety of their instruments, so I always recommend him when students are shopping.

Since people are often moving out of town and don't want to have pianos moved, you can ALWAYS find used pianos "free to a good home" on craigslist.  Just be aware that pianos that haven't been well maintained can get to where they can't be tuned, so you definitely need to have Ryan (or another tuner) check out any used piano you're interested in, and make sure it's in good, playable, tunable condition.

DIGITAL KEYBOARDS AND NEW PIANOS:

In Lakewood, you can check out a variety of instruments in person at Rockley Music.  The Rockleys are fantastic people who let us use their space for recitals, and their staff is experienced and knowledgeable.

I've also had students purchase pianos at Schmitt Music in Englewood, and they are a great resource to have in our community!

Science News:  Music Training "Tunes" Human Auditory System

The Telegraph:  Childhood Music Lessons Improve Hearing in Adults