My favorite instrument is the piano. The main reason underlying my preference is the gut reaction I hear when I listen to piano music. Even when it is a small melody weaved into an already very good song, there is something special about the way a piano sounds. It is an extremely versatile instrument, at least in terms of the different styles of music that can be played on it, if not for its portability (or lack thereof). From classical to ragtime to rock and roll to jazz, from pop to organ music written for religious services, incredible, beautiful piano music has been written for them all. A piano player can also transfer piano skills to synthesizers and other electronic keyboard-based instruments, creating an entirely different range of sounds. Samples can be recorded and played as notes, for example, or multiple melodies can be layered over one another. A somber mood can be evoked with just a few taps on a key; the opposite can be achieved with some jaunty chords. All in all, the piano’s sound stirs emotions in me in a way that few other instruments do on a regular basis.