Piano

 

There is something completely mesmerizing about having eighty-eight smooth, black and white keys right under your fingertips.  The possibilities of note, articulation, tone, and style combinations are endless.  When you play the piano, you have an entire orchestra at your disposal and can play any genre with ease including classical, jazz, pop, blues, and sacred.  The piano became the household instrument of choice in the 1800s - a status symbol near and dear to the newly developing middle class.  It's popularity has continued to the present day, at least in part due to its versatility as a solo, chamber, and orchestral instrument and the fact that learning to play the piano is challenging but also tremendously fun.