There is no other type of music that is as complicated or as beautiful as classical piano. To hear Beethoven’s Fur Elise live and in person is a joy that’s not even describable in words. A composer knows the only way to adequately show appreciation for a masterpiece is to compose an accompanying melody. One great classical piano piece begets another.

How can you show your appreciation for classical piano music? By buying soundtracks or downloading MP3’s? True, that’s one way. For classical music lovers, maybe that’s all they can do to cast an ode to the greats like Beethoven, Bach, Schumann, Handel, Mozart and Chopin is to listen and applaud.

But if you really want to show your appreciation and you have the circumstances to do so—like a keyboard and ten long working fingers—then why not learn to play classical piano? 

There’s nothing quite like learning to play Johann Pachelbel’s Canon In D on a piano or keyboard and to actually hear the famous notes tapping along as a result of your own fingers playing. The piece is largely made up of repeated major and minor chords and is a beautiful song that is relatively easy to learn.

A more complicated piece to learn but a delight to play would be Mozart’s Turkish March, which must be played rapidly and with zest. 

Of course to actually learn to play classical piano music, one must have a lot of time for practice and a desire to learn. Reading sheet music can be difficult at first, but the more you read the more natural it comes. 

Memorizing chords works the same way. It seems difficult when you realize there are numerous chord possibilities between 12 scales of 12 different notes, 7 octaves and many variations of chords including majors, minors, diminished, augmented, 7th and 9ths—and the list goes on. 

Learning to play can be taught by a private music tutor or can be self-taught. Lessons can be expensive with even the average teacher charging $10.00 to $15.00 per 30-minute lesson. With so many good books available on learning the instrument it might be the more economical choice.

Speaking of economical, let’s say you want the real piano experience and want to buy a real grand piano. A classical piano comes in all sizes and colors and can easily fill a small room, so be sure you have plenty of space. And get out your checkbook, because grand pianos can cost from $2000.00 to over $12,000.00 dollars!  While many people finance grand pianos, others choose the economic route, and merely look for good deals on pre-owned models or smaller size pianos running from $500.00 to $2000.00. Sometimes the best place to find a good deal on a used piano is through classified ads. 

Classical piano is a wondrous hobby and unlike any other whether you’re listening to classical music, learning to play on keyboard, or performing a famous piece on your own grand piano. Dal Segno Al Fine!