Piano
OVERVIEW
The word “piano” literally means “soft”. Originally, the instrument was known as a “forte piano”, which literally means “loud soft”. Before the invention of the piano the instrument most popularly used for a similar purpose was the harpsichord. The problem with a harpsichord is that it can only be played at one volume. In other words, no matter how hard or soft you press a key it plays the note with the same amount of volume. Instead of plucking the internal strings like a harpsichord the piano uses hammers that hit the strings with force relative to how hard the key is pressed. So, you can play a piano softly or you can play it loudly.
PIANO HISTORY
Since not long after its invention in the late 17th century the piano has been one of the most popular instruments in the world despite its immense size and cost. Typically, as a solo instrument, the piano is used to play harmony and melody together, generally using the left hand for harmony and the right for melody. With an orchestra or a band the piano can be used for accompaniment and/or for melodic leads and soloing. Sheet music for the instrument uses the grand staff and the keyboard is designed to make it relatively simple to visualize and comprehend the language of music.
WHEN TO START
The piano is a great instrument to start a young musician on for a few reasons. It is fairly simple to play a note and make it sound good, you don’t have to hold it while you play it, and the notes on the keyboard are laid out in a way that makes it easier to understand how key signatures work. While it is fairly simple to play a single note and make it sound good, playing the piano competently on a professional level takes extreme dedication to practice and commitment to proper technique.
PIANOS
There are two basic types of acoustic piano, grand and upright, with a few different variations. While standard pianos all have keyboards with 88 keys that are all relatively the same size there are modern electric varieties, player pianos that play by themselves, pianos with a silent mode for practicing, and transposing pianos that can be adjusted to sound in a different key. Some of the best and most popular acoustic pianos are made by Steinway & Sons, Baldwin, and Bechstein. Roland is the leading maker of digital pianos.
PIANISTS
Inspiration for playing the piano can be found in almost any variety of music from classical to jazz to hard rock. There are the piano concertos of Mozart and Tchaikovsky, the poppy jazz-classical of Gershwin, Vince Guaraldi, Thelonious Monk, Jelly Roll Morton, Dr. John, Elton John & Billy Joel, etc. A used upright is typically the most inexpensive way to get started with an acoustic piano, but many different variables apply and buying a piano takes a lot of research.
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES
For those who already play the piano and want to learn new styles there’s: Boogie Woogie, Cocktail, Rock, Ragtime, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Classical, New Age, Gospel, and many others.
Kyle Katterheinrich
Kyle Katterheinrich began his musical endeavors in middle school when he started playing the euphonium in band. In High School, Kyle continued developing as a musician, spending 3 years playing baritone as a section leader in the marching band and playing 1st chair euphonium in the symphonic band. During his sophomore year, Kyle picked up the guitar for the first time and found his true passion. He took private lessons throughout high school and played guitar for the show choir band his senior year.
Melena Dillingham
Melena began her journey at 7 years old when her family’s house burnt down. Tragic, yes, but when the wife of the family’s contractor (a piano teacher) saw her she instantly spotted a kindred spirit in the land of music. In the seventh grade, her choir director suggested she consider voice lessons and her fate as a musician was sealed. 21 years after a new house was built, Melena and her husband happily reside in the Columbus area and she has dedicated herself to bringing her life full circle and teaching young musicians the joy of her world.
Noel Mira
As the daughter of an elementary music teacher, Noel Mira naturally developed a passion for music at a young age. Noel started taking piano lessons at age 5, started writing her own music to sing and play around age 8, and started playing the flute around age 10. Along with this, Noel also developed strong interests in other performing arts including theater and dance. Throughout her life Noel has always participated in numerous school and church choirs, bands, dance classes, and theater productions. In high school Noel became interested in teaching and founded a private dance instructi
Nate Shaw
Nate Shaw took his bachelor's degree from Capital University (2006), studying jazz and contemporary piano under Mark Flugge. He has also studied classical piano with Dr. Tianshu Wang and Hammond B3 organ with Adrienne Hindmarsh. In 2006 he toured the U.S. and overseas as keyboardist with the Columbus-based group 'Lt. Dan's New Legs' (LDNL). In 2010 he took his master's degree from the International Centre for Music Studies (ICMuS) at Newcastle University, under the supervision of Dr. Nanette de Jong.
Jeff Zellner
Music has been a part of Jeff Zellner’s life for over 15 years. His journey in music began with the study of percussion and piano as a youth. In high school, Jeff taught himself guitar and his interest in music became a passion. At the University of Toledo, Jeff studied Music Theory, Physics of Music and Sound, Guitar and Piano while earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication.
Paul Valdiviez
Paul Valdiviez's musical career began in Omaha, Nebraska. He played percussion in the NMEA All-State Orchestra his junior year and drumset/ vibraphone in the NMEA All-State Jazz Band his senior year. He studied percussion at Capital University and graduated with a Bachelor's of Music in Music Technology in 2009. While at Capital, Paul played in several diverse ensembles, including Jazz Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra, Chamber Percussion Ensemble, and Rock Band. He has studied jazz piano with Mark Flugge privately and classical piano under Pam Fusselman.
Pamela Villarreal
Pamela Villarreal has been teaching in the Columbus area for 5 years and has been with GNG Music Instruction since October 2008. She has been studying the piano for 18 years with various instructors, including time spent at the Cleveland Music School Settlement. Her main areas of focus include classical piano, specifically the late classical and romantic periods, and accompaniment. As a vocalist, she sings in the alto and mezzo soprano ranges and primarily works with musical theater material.
Matt Opachick
Matt Opachick has always been involved in Music. Growing up in Washington, Pennsylvania, Matt picked up the violin and the guitar from an early age. In high school he was able to participate in District, Regional, and State Orchestras, as well as the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra for two years. Also, while still in High School he participated in the Jazz Band, Marching Band, and several Rock Bands as a guitar player. Choosing to leave his hometown to study music, he attended Capital University in Bexley, Ohio.
Jason M. Ferrell
Mr. Ferrell has been playing professionally in Central Ohio for over 12 years and teaching privately for 16 years. He graduated from New Albany High School in 1992 and went to The Ohio State University where he majored in music. He was a 4-year soloist for The Ohio State University Marching Band and played lead trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble. After a leave of college, Mr. Ferrell was asked to play lead trumpet for the Big Band show at Capital University.
Courtney Feick
Courtney has been immersed in music all of her life. From the time she could talk, her mother was teaching her to sing melodies and harmonies. At age seven, she and her other three siblings began private piano lessons. She continued her study through High School and into college. This, she says, is one of the things for which she is most grateful. This skill has proven to be extremely valuable throughout her life. At age 12, she began to teach herself guitar and learned to play and sing while in her Church's praise band.
