We all love the piano. After all, that is why we are here, right? The piano is one of the coolest instruments ever created. So what better way to celebrate this 88 key wonder of modern music than with a special day dedicated to it?
World Piano Day, first declared in 2015 by the pianist and composer Nils Frahm, falls on the 88th day of the year. As Frahm says,
“It doesn’t hurt to celebrate the piano and everything around it: performers, composers, piano builders, tuners, movers, and most importantly, the listener.”
Join Skoove for this great celebration of the greatest instrument of all time: the piano!
World Piano Day: what is it?
World Piano Day is a special day declared in 2015 by the German pianist and composer Nils Frahm to celebrate everything we all love about the piano. World Piano Day falls on the 88th day of the year, in honor of the 88 keys on a standard acoustic piano. This year in 2022, World Piano Day falls on the 29th of March.
History of World Piano Day
World Piano Day was founded by a group of like-minded musicians and music lovers to help spread the joy of music and to create a platform for piano-related projects. Typically, events including performances, master classes, lectures, and other piano-related events are held in many countries and are attended by a range of participants from students and professionals to technicians, teachers, and enthusiasts.
How to celebrate World Piano Day
How might one celebrate World Piano Day you might ask? Simple! Play the piano! Explore the beauty of melody in music!
You can celebrate World Piano Day any way you like. Spend some extra time practicing piano. If you are taking online piano lessons with Skoove, explore an extra lesson or spend some time reviewing older classes. If you are able to perform some piano for your friends or family, then do so!
If you are especially lucky, you may be able to attend a lecture or masterclass about the piano. Visit your local piano store and try some new pianos! Listen to some of your favorite piano music or find a new and exciting piano work to dive into. Check out the official World Piano Day website for more ideas about how you could participate!
Why do we like World Piano Day?
Why do we like World Piano Day? Simple – we love the piano! And who doesn’t? The piano is probably the most influential instrument in the history of music. Its incredible dynamic range, huge harmonies, and central role have helped define and shape the path of music since its inception over three centuries ago. So, why not have at least one day per year to celebrate this amazing instrument?
Interesting facts about the piano
The piano is one of the most ingenious acoustic instruments ever designed. A true product of the industrial revolution, the piano is a wonderful machine, full of intricacy and beauty. Let’s explore some interesting facts about the piano for World Piano Day.
When was the piano invented and by whom?
The piano was invented around the year 1700 in Italy by Bartolomeo Cristofori, an inventor and instrument maker in Padua and Florence.
How many types of pianos are there?
There are many variations on the piano. First, there are acoustic pianos and digital pianos. Acoustic pianos rely on hammers, strings, wood, felt, and metal to produce sound. Digital pianos, on the other hand, rely on computer chips, silicon, and programming to produce sounds. Digital pianos are sampled from acoustic pianos.
Which one is better? That depends on the taste and use. Some settings demand the use of a digital piano such as a small apartment or music venue. Other settings are designed to capture and display the resonance of a huge grand piano.
The color combination of the piano keys used to be reversed?
Yes it is true. Up until the 19th century, the color pattern of the piano keyboard was reversed. Today’s keyboard features seven white keys and five black keys. However, the original pianos were built with seven black keys and five white keys – an exact reversal of the modern pattern. This was also true for other keyboard instruments like organs and cembolos.
Enjoy this World Piano Day
Take the time to enjoy yourself with the piano this World Piano Day. Whether you choose to play the piano for some extra time, put on a performance for your friends and family, explore some new recordings or compositions, or attend a class or workshop, try to take advantage of this opportunity to learn something new about the piano.
Skoove will be celebrating World Piano Day this March 29th also. With over 400 lessons covering repertoire, theory, technique and more, Skoove has something great for everyone to enjoy. Dive into the wonderful world of piano this week with Skoove and have a great World Piano Day!
FAQ
If you are new to the piano and just approaching it now in honor of World Piano Day, let’s explore some common questions beginners have about the piano.
Do you need 88 keys to learn piano?
World Piano Day falls on the 88th day of the year and traditional pianos all have 88 keys. Does this mean you need 88 keys to learn piano? The answer is of course you do not need 88 piano keys to learn. Many digital pianos for beginners have 44 or 64 keys, making them smaller, more portable, and less expensive than full-size acoustic models.
Is it possible to learn piano as an adult?
You may see videos of young children playing piano extraordinarily well and think that it is far past time for you to learn how to play the piano. However, nothing could be further from the truth. It is completely possible to learn the piano as an adult and have a great time doing it!
Can you learn piano online?
You may be wondering if you need a piano teacher or if you can learn piano online with a learning tool. Of course, both options work. Having a piano teacher is a tried and true method to learn piano. Likewise, learning piano with an app like Skoove opens the door to flexibility. With apps like Skoove, you can learn the piano from anywhere you have the internet and your keyboard. Additionally, you never have to worry about scheduling lesson times with your teacher every week - you can just plug in your headphones and jump into the wonders of harmony in music!
Author of this blog post:
Eddie Bond is a multi-instrumentalist performer, composer, and music instructor currently based in Seattle, Washington USA. He has performed extensively in the US, Canada, Argentina, and China, released over 40 albums, and has over a decade experience working with music students of all ages and ability levels.
