If you want to learn the piano, know first that all styles of music can be played on the piano. Whether it’s popular music, scholarly music, religious music, or any other music, it is possible to play it on the piano. This means that even if you don’t really like a particular musical current, you will probably have to play it to learn and adapt quicker. And as you play, you will certainly realize that there is a virtuoso lurking in you who is just waiting to wake up.
Music Theory's Foundations in Classical Music
If you want to learn the basics of music theory, there is nothing like classical music. Even though you might not particularly like classical music, you will nonetheless be more or less obliged to go through it in order to learn the basics of music theory. In reality, mastering the classical music pieces of great composers simply means being able to play practically all other pieces. And this is true, even if you learn by yourself, without the help of a piano teacher. Although classical music, or learned music, is considered to be reserved for elites, intellectuals and therefore not very popular, it is necessary if you want to know how to play the piano.
Why a Classical Training is Important
Why does mastering classical music allow you to master the piano more quickly? Because it is music governed by many very strict and precise rules and comprising a host of scores passed down from generation to generation. Also, this music allows you to remember the basic, main “codes” of musical practice. In any case, if you take piano lessons with a teacher, then you are going to learn the treble and bass clefs, measures, harmony, and compositional technique inherited from composers like Bach or Mozart. Classical music also teaches you to progress technically speaking. Being able to use and harmonize both two hands is always the most difficult phase at the beginning. But there are many foundational pieces which allow you to learn the independence and co-dependence of both hands.
Other Benefits of Classical Music
We can, therefore, say that classical music allows you to exercise your brain as well as your hands and your fingers. These then become more agile and flexible to the rhythm of the music. Mastering classical music on the piano is giving you the opportunity to play any sheet music that comes your way. Another element to know: classical music includes several musical styles from many historical periods. This is also the reason why we speak of it as “learned music”, which better defines this musical genre. As soon as you want to vary a little or break into more improvisatory styles, you will have no trouble playing in another genre.