Classical Ping
I enjoyed the article, and affirm that piano is the foundation for good musical understanding and mastery. While I perform publicly on another instrument entirely, I play piano joyfully (badly) only for me or for very close friends. Piano does indeed make a mode of expression accessible to anyone who will pursue it.
I had a friend a number of years ago with a GORGEOUS 6 foot Steinway grand in her living room. I’d come over after a 3-4 hour gig on my other instrument and play this wonderful instrument for another 2-3 hours. It was a total joy of music, those particular days!
My 17 year old son plays pretty well and it is his “leveler” when he has a rough go at it in an athletic event or even if he has a successful game. He is very musically inclined and also talented athletically.
He comes home, sits at the piano in his uniform and plays and plays and plays then he gets up with a smile on his face and heads for the shower. I think it is soothing for him even though he tends to be a “pounder” on the keys.
That's true, it IS meditation, and it affects your brain in the same way. However, it is not without a mantra. The mantra, the elemental sound of the universe, exists in every note that is played. I rather suspect it is A440.
The piano is a machine.
I played string bass, violin, clarinet and tuba at a college or community symphony level but could never get over the piano block.