5 Best Piano Accessories for Beginners

Before you can start piano lessons, you’ll need to have the right equipment – and that means spending a little extra on piano accessories.

Getting your first piano is an exciting time. It’s like meeting your first pet, finding a new roommate, or buying the most amazing piece of furniture you’ll ever own.

But you’ll need more than just a piano as you progress. If you’re wondering what other supplies you’ll need, here are five helpful tips.

Piano Accessories – Tips for Beginners

1) Location, Location, Location

Your biggest “accessory” is the piano’s location. Ideally, the piano should be placed close to an inside wall to keep changes in temperature and humidity to a minimum. This will not only keep the piano in tune longer, but it’ll also help lengthen its life.

You will want it to look natural in the room, and most likely have it be the focal point of the room. Upright pianos tend to go up against a wall, though you can also use them as a room divider.

Grand pianos are generally placed so that the player has a line of sight to people sitting in the rest of the room. Visit this Pinterest board on piano rooms for some inspiration!

2) Carpet or Rug Under the Piano?

Resist the temptation to put your piano centered on a carpet or rug (unless you live in an apartment building and need to dampen the sound). The natural way to listen to orchestral instruments, including a piano, is on hard floor.

The ear simply wants to hear the reverberation off hard surfaces. This dates back to the baroque and romantic eras of classical music where all concerts were payed on ballroom floors and large stages, all with bare floors around them.

3) Standing Lights

Out of all the piano accessories, this one is perhaps the most important. Table lamps on pianos often cause a glare and get in the player’s eyes – making it all the more difficult to learn at first.

We’ve found that a standing light to the side or slightly behind the player is ideal for seeing the keys without casting shadows. Natural light is another favorite, and overhead lights can also be pleasant.

Resist the urge to put (or light) candles on your piano! Even if you never light them, the wax is NOT your piano’s friend.

4) Wall Art & Paint

Putting art on the wall, centered above the piano, brings attention to the area and can inspire the player. Choose something you will enjoy looking at as you sit and practice!

You can also paint the piano wall a bold color, making it an accent wall within the room and drawing the eye to it.

5) Your Piano Bench

The bench can be a part of the piano’s style and your design expression. Reupholstering it to add a colorful cushion or painting the top can add a burst of character to the piano room without altering the piano itself.

Bonus Tip –

If you purchase an upright piano, you’ll have more of flat surface to play with if you’d like to decorate it with vases or picture frames. However, if you like having the option to open and close the top of your grand piano, for instance, you’ll want to keep it clutter-free.

Whether you’re taking beginning piano lessons or you’re playing at a professional level, trust yourself in what feels right when you are sitting at the piano. If the piano accessories, lighting, and bench inspire you to play more, than you’ve done the perfect job placing your piano!

Post Author: Cheryl is a singer/songwriter with multiple tours, records, and TV placements under her belt. She teaches piano, composition, and arrangement in New Paltz, NY. Learn more about Cheryl here!

Photo by: Joe Buckingham