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We live in a time of technology and electronics. There are so many benefits to technological innovation and so many downsides as well. You probably have read a book in electronic format by now (or at least some part of one) and also read a traditional paper book. The digital text and screen is convenient and space saving. It might also be environmentally friendly (although there are debates about the ecological imprint of an electronic device, its manufacturing footprint on the environment and how often it needs to be replaced and recycled. There’s also the issue of the screen time and what this is doing to our bodies and minds. Real books save your eyes, don’t emit radiation and look great in a library:)

Enter the piano. Digital pianos abound. You can by the cheap partial keyboard piano online or in stores in many places. You could by a full keyboard/electronic piano at places like Costco fairly cheaply. You could also invest in cutting edge technology with a Yamaha digital piano (there are many different kinds including ones that have real actions in them).

When it comes to real pianos (I mean the acoustic kind made of wood, metal, real strings etc.), there are so many options. You can by some pretty cheap ones being produced in places like China (even Yamaha has entry level upright pianos and grands that are not great quality). You can also spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on brands like Bösendorfer or Fazioli.

How does one make a decision about the right piano for your personal needs? First off, quality is everything. Buy the best and the biggest (with acoustic upright and grand pianos) you can afford. Why? You could argue that “my son/daughter is just starting out, so we’re going to buy a less quality/expensive piano”. This is a fundamental mistake. Every note you play, how the keyboard feels and how the sound forms, sets the human response. If the sound is artificial (electronic sampling) and poor quality, there will be a huge negative impact on the human response to the music. If the strings are really short in length, they will not produce great sound. The longer the strings, the better the sound quality. That’s why there are such things as concert grands on stages of concert venues around the world. If you buy cheap, you are setting up the possibility of failed interest in music.

I’m a bit of a purist when it comes to electronic instruments. They are convenient for moving around and not needing tuning. You can also often sample many different types of sounds like harpsichord and organ. When in a pinch, I’ve practiced on these myself. I’ve even travelled with them when on tour, practicing in the hotel room with headphones on. If you buy one of these instruments, be sure to get the best quality you can afford: the sampling of sounds and keyboard weighting will sound and feel more like a real piano. These instruments are often very convenient if you live in an apartment. Yamaha has a technology that can be installed in acoustic pianos that allows one to switch from acoustic to digital, so you can have the best of both worlds. It’s called the Diskclavier.

Much of the music written since the late 18th century for keyboard was written for a real acoustic piano. I highly recommend the purchase of an acoustic instrument over top of the digital ones. The ability to blend/mix sound cannot be matched by an electronic piano. Like a real book, your body’s response to the sounds and music created by a real piano will be different than an electronic digital instrument. The piano is a a magnificent invention that so many composers loved and continue to love today. Do some research and find a wonderful acoustic instrument if you can make that work for you. The brands I recommend are Yamaha (high quality and stand up in multiple climate zones), Bösendorfer, Steinway, Fazioli (if you can afford one of these, I’ll be right over to play it for you!), Kawai, Bechstein, Schimmel, Steingraeber & Söhne, Grotrian-Steinweg, and Sauter. 

You can purchase a used piano, but remember, pianos are like cars, they don’t age that well. Don’t buy an old piano unless it’s been completely reconditioned with new hammers, new strings and other important replacements. Even with a complete makeover, the quality might not be that great as the sound board has likely lost its crown (this is the wood under the strings). Do some research and learn as much as you can about pianos before you buy one!



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What does it mean to build musicianship?  Musicianship is the skills and experience you need to become a working musician.  This includes theoretical studies, training the ear (really the brain), understanding musical style, composition, literacy (reading), improvisation and much more.  

Our conservatory systems tend to focus on curriculum and examinations and push students and teachers to focus on outcomes like the examination success.  This often gets in the way of teaching and learning. Has a student had a good education if they play only a handful of pieces-mostly for exam preparations in an academic term (often one year of study).  Absolutely not!  Students should learn a vast array of works by different composers, time periods and styles.  

Students should also learn works that don’t necessarily resonate with them; in other words, they don’t like.  Why?  Would you ask an athlete if they like every exercise, they do that lead towards their goals?  There is part of every activity that is worthwhile that we don’t and won’t enjoy.  Learning something new can be both painful or perceived of as painful. Repetition building endurance; who likes that? Some do…you?  Speed increase until it seems impossible, and you can’t seem to break the barrier.  Memory work that seems to never be successful.  Interpretations that you are never satisfied. Grit, sweat: persistence is critical. 

Building musicianship includes going to concerts and listening to music of all genres.  If you are a pianist, listen to opera and symphonic work.  Embrace the complete works of a composer.  This will give you the edge to play the “one” you are trying to master. 

Listen to performance practice; find as many recordings as you can of great artists playing the work you are practicing.  Compare and steal ideas.  Yes, steal them!  All artists steal ideas and mix them up in new and unique ways. 

Learn and understand music history and composer’s biographies.  Listen to music of all styles even if you hate them.  

Most importantly, go out and live.  Great musicianship comes from a broad knowledge and experience of life.  Every composer has lives lived that have given them ideas and emotions to start their compositions.  You can’t learn to be a great musician in a practice room!