The average person has friends who are human or, if not human, mammalian or avian. However, there is one friend that is neither. That friend is the piano. The piano understands your emotions and lets you express them freely and openly. If you have a comfortable piano stool, you can set it at a comfortable height. Benches can be more comfortable with piano bench cushions. As you relax at the keyboard, you can play any type of music that suits your current emotional state. This is a solitary friendship. The piano can also be part of a group friendship. It can liven up an evening of fun and companionship.

In the solitary friendship, the piano can serve two purposes. You can play a type of music that matches or reinforces your current mood, or you can play a contrasting style to change your mood. Any type of music can meet these needs, but often classical music can do it most effectively. The advantage of classical music is that it normally is wordless, so it can apply to any situation and words do not distract you from your thoughts. If your mood is sad, one good piece of music is the first movement of “The Moonlight Sonata” by Ludwig von Beethoven. There is also a later movement that is slow and melancholy, but it also contains sections that are better suited for happy times. Another favorite is the Pachelbel Canon. If you are feeling bad but want to be cheered up, you can play something fast and peppy. Just as they tell us to smile in order to bring up our feelings to match our expression, playing happy music can cheer us up. It is likely even more effective. Try playing those other movements of “The Moonlight Sonata.” Or you may enjoy the march called “Under the Double Eagle.” This type of music, works just as well when you are already in a good mood and want to celebrate. Sometimes we are so jubilant that we feel about to bust. Playing music can let some of this exuberance show freely.

In a group, a piano can be just as good a friend. In a group, popular music may be the preference. You can entertain them with some peppy songs. Choose either the latest song on the radio or a golden oldie that your grandparents loved. Beyond just entertaining your friends, however, you and the piano can bring them right into the fun. Get them singing. This can also be a good strategy for keeping the party from getting out of hand. People who are having a fun time and are occupied with fun songs have less need to overindulge in alcohol or roughhousing. They are having too good a time to need to distract themselves with liquor or become rambunctious from boredom.

If you think back to all the childhood years of piano lessons and practice, you may remember long minutes of tedious practice and scary recitals. But, if you are a skilled pianist now, all that time was worth it because being a pianist can give so much satisfaction.