Below we have put together just 10 of the many reasons to learn to play. The piano is a marvellous musical instrument Also, its one of the best things that you can do for yourself- it can make you feel great, and its not as difficult as you might think! Theres no-one who doesnt appreciate the incredible sound that can come from those ivories! If you have even the slightest inclination towards learning, then theres no reason not to.

1)Professional teachers, learning by DVD or even online tutorials are available to you. There really are no obstacles in your way! All of the advancements in multi-media and communication simply add to the fact that learning to play the piano is incredibly easy!

2) Cost. The cost of learning to play has also gone down considerably over recent years. For the cost of a good meal in a restaurant, you can buy a really good standard instruction DVD or a tutorial book. Personally, I prefer the DVD route, as you can learn to play at your own leisure you can pause to make a cup of tea whenever you want, and you can learn at your own pace. Think of the DVD as your own private teacher at your beck and call 24 hours a day! Also, youll find that the vast majority of the good standard course books are these days accompanied with their own audio cd, which is always a help.

3) Its a real treat to be able to share your musical talent. Its a wonderful gift to give someone, whether that person is a child or a grandchild, or even that special someone.

4) A quick visit to your local library will present you with sheet music for all levels of expertise. You can even go online and print off sheet music some websites even let you listen to the music online as you play, so you can get a real feel for the song. Have you got a favorite song? Then playing the piano will enable you to play it and hear it any time you want! If youre like me, then you will have listened to a song and then thought to yourself that you wished you could play that! What, exactly is it that is stopping you from doing so?

5) Initiating a sing-sing with the family is great, but you can also take it a step further and get them to join in! Its a great way of bringing the family together the bonding that can be associated with such a family experience as playing the piano is fantastic. There is so much music available that can be played by two or more people on the piano.

6) Its very much like riding a bike - when you know you know! And piano playing can only get better with age (unlike riding a bike, which can be a bit challenging as you get older). The longer you play, the more you will learn.

7) The piano is a wonderfully versatile instrument you can play simultaneous notes on it without too much difficulty, which is why it stands out from other instruments. Its very much like having your own mini-orchestra!

8) You will find yourself understanding how music is put together, and this in itself will give you a much better idea of what exactly the composer was trying to get across. When you play an instrument such as the piano, you will find you have a much better understanding of the music you hear every day. You may even surprise yourself by thinking up better ways to play, or even to improve it!

9) Physically, playing the piano is much easier than other instruments it doesnt take much of a toll on the body. Some people continue playing to a very late age. The piano does not require the physical exertions of, for example, the guitar or the violin!

10) The piano has influenced just about every genre and style of music, and has even prompted the rise of many since it first appeared on the musical scene over 250 years ago. On the stage of any concert you go to there will be a keyboard somewhere.

We could go on forever, and Im sure you can think of some that we havent mentioned. These, of course, are just a few of the reasons to learn the piano. I urge you to do it, even if you have only the slightest inclination somewhere in the back of your mind. You wont regret it! I promise you that learning the piano will be one of the best things you ever do for yourself.

Copyright 2009 Lauren Paltrow (Stage Pianist)