The purpose of this thesis was to clarify with the help of a questionnaire the sociological background of piano players and the nature of their hobby, reasons to start the hobby, their aims, the current state of their hobby, it´s place among their other hobbies and their opinions towards playing the piano. As background it has examined factors having an influence on cultural hobbies. How culture is in connection with the changes in the so-ciety and how the education of piano playing is arranged in Finland.

A total of 29 persons were involved in the study. In this thesis they were mainly young devotees and middle-aged women, who had also many other cultural hobbies. Their main goal in piano playing was to develop themselves into better players. Most of the participants in this thesis wanted to have more piano lessons, better pianos and better conditions to rehearse.

In conclusion, the study shows that most of the piano players in this thesis were satisfied with the state of their hobby. In addition to their piano playing they play a lot of other instruments as well as have many other hobbies. In most of their childhood homes their families were also interested in music and music is a part of their everyday life.