During National Photography Month in May, focus your attention on sharpening your skills. Master the art of composition or learn how to use that fancy camera you bought. The entire month is dedicated to photography.
How you choose to participate is entirely up to you. While the tools used in photography have changed since its inception some 170+ years ago, the fascination it generates has not stopped. In fact, the more the tools advance, the more we seem to cherish a quality photograph.
Searching archives for a likeness a photographer took of a person or a place years ago that is familiar to us today will leave us awed. Many of us grab our phones to snap a quick photo of some of the strangest things – a delicate leaf in a puddle, an old penny or a frozen bubble. We capture moments in time and collect elements of our lives from the everyday to those landmark events.
Take a class to hone your skills. Learn to preserve your photos or visit a museum to see images of the masters. How will you spend the month? Use #NationalPhotographyMonth to share on social media.
Every year on March 28th, World Piano Day unites piano lovers across the globe as they celebrate the “king of musical instruments.” The day also encourages piano players of all ages and abilities to play in public spaces.
Musical instruments are grouped together in families. It’s relatively easy to determine what family most instruments belong. This is not the case with the piano, however. Some say it’s a percussion instrument. Others say it belongs to the string family. Many would say the piano is unique in that it belongs to both families.
Bartolomeo Cristofori of Italy invented the piano in 1700. It was first called “clavicembalo col piano e forte.” This can be translated to “a harpsichord that can play soft and loud noises.” Eventually, its name was shortened to piano.
Throughout the years, the piano went from one basic style to many different kinds. These include vertical, spinet, console, studio, upright, digital, pianola (self-playing piano), grand, and baby grand. These types of pianos come in a variety of different sizes.
Most people play the piano because it’s fun, and they love the sound it makes. However, there are also many other benefits to playing the piano. Some of these benefits include:
It’s a great way to learn how to read music.
It sharpens fine motor skills and improves hand-eye coordination.
It boosts cognitive and intellectual abilities, including improved memory.
It’s great for mental health, as those who play the piano experience less depression and anxiety.
With so many benefits of playing the piano, today is a great day to sign your kids up for piano lessons, or take them yourself!
My husband Scott Langholff has been teaching for 40years. He’s still a professional performing musician. He uses State of the art professional equipment. Bring Jazz, Swing, Soul, R & B, Latin, folk, and more. Currently performing at Jaco’s Bayfront Bar & Grille in Pensacola, FL for Sunday Brunch.
WORLD PIANO DAY HISTORY
The German musician, Nils Frahm, founded World Piano Day in 2015. He chose the date of March 28th, because it is the 88th day of the year. The piano has 88 keys.
To celebrate this musical day, pianists give free concerts featuring piano music. Other people that take part in this day include composers, performers, piano movers, tuners, and piano builders. There are also many ways for you to participate:
Commit to taking piano lessons.
Thank a piano teacher.
If you are a pianist, gather your courage and play the piano in a public space.
If you took piano lessons as a child, think about reviving your skills.
Attend a piano concert.
Listen to piano music online.
Learn about the best pianists of all time, such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Frederic Chopin, Vladimir Horowitz, Myra Hess, and Lang Lang.
To help spread awareness for this day, use #WorldPianoDay on social media.
