Learning piano 'is very enjoyable'

Learning piano is a rewarding and enjoyable thing to do and young people can benefit from it in a number of ways.

In an interview with the Irish Times, retired head of the Royal Irish Academy of Music John O'Conor said that the piano has been a central part of his life both man and boy.

He stated that his love for the piano began when he was at school and that as he got older he went from being the apprentice to the teacher, with both roles proving to be fulfilling experiences.

"For me, piano lessons were always fun. I could never understand the fellows in school when I was in my teens who said, 'You mean you're still taking piano lessons?' … I still have people coming to me and saying, 'You teach piano? God. You poor thing' … I absolutely love it," Mr O'Conor said.

He told the news provider that while he was in charge at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, he stressed to teachers that their job was to foster a love of the piano, guitar or other musical instrument in the students which would stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Practicing the piano and playing in concerts and other events is a good way for young people to develop their skills and to manage the pressure of performing in front of an audience.

Georgia Moorhouse, of the Women's Symphony League, made the claim to the Columbia Daily Tribune after watching pianists ranging from five to 17 years of age perform works from Beethoven, Schumann and Liszt with aplomb.