March 28th, 2009 by admin

In order to speed up the process of learning to play piano, a few steps should be taken.  Some of them are obvious, but they need to be said anyway.  Others, you might not have thought of at all.  Try to memorize these tips to keep you in good stead during the learning process. 

(… and above all, remember that learning to play piano today is quite possible on your own, as there are a number of good training packages available in bookstores or online …)

1.  If you are really not interested in the piano, do yourself and everyone else a favor.  Don’t bother trying.  You may see advantages of being able to play the piano, but your enthusiasm isn’t too strong.  If this is the case, try listening to multiple types of piano music, to see if you begin to enjoy it.  Do not start trying to play until you are happy at the thought of learning. 

2.  Next, play what you enjoy.  In the old days, and often even today, piano teachers spent months with their students before they were allowed to play anything they enjoyed playing.  You will get more gratification if you find ways to play at least simple or improvised versions of songs you know and like. That will keep you going. 

3.  Get right to it.  Don’t dillydally or waste time just to simply learn the scales. Start playing music as soon as you can.  The more frequently you practice, the better you will become.  The more you learn, the more you will play.  It creates an upward spiral that will increase your abilities. 

4.  Try to play on the best piano available to you.  Although don’t be too put off if all you can find is an electric keyboard.  It’s definitely an advantage if you get to use a Clavinova, as it has all of the 88 keys.  Some would say that an upright piano is better still.  Undoubtedly, if you have access to a good grand piano, play it. 

5.  Do your best not to disturb others in the household.  They will almost certainly hear you play.  In most households, this is unavoidable.  Although, try to make sure that you ask permission before you begin to practice, as those who need some quiet time, or need to study will find the noise very distracting.  It could be that they’ve had a hard day’s work, and need some time to relax. If you ignore their feelings, friction between you will make your practice unpleasant. 

6.  Be self disciplined, but not overly so.  Try not to be too self critical.  There are times where it is simply not practical to continue playing. Try not to force yourself to continue, as you may come to dislike each session.  Allow yourself a little leeway.  At the same time, keep up the practice as much as you reasonably can.  Only constant practice can aid you to develop your senses and coordination, in order to eventually achieve mastery. 

7.  Start yourself a journal in order to monitor progress.  If anything is new to you, or confusing, take 5 minutes to check the internet or reference manual .  Write it in a notebook or make a document on your computer to type in all the things you have learned.  You can also write in the notebook what has worked for you and what has seemed to make things harder.  Do not forget to record your accomplishments. 

This is a new learning experience for you, so don’t worry – there’s no rush! Take as much time as you need.  Each time you find something that makes your life easier; remember it so that you can use it again.  This ensures that you advance each lesson, without being stuck on a plateau.

p.s. If you are considering piano lessons for a child, check out the article Tips for Teaching Piano to Children.