How to play piano - Getting
through the basics
If there were one “best way” to learn
piano, websites like this one wouldn’t need to exist. The truth is,
learning how to play piano has as much to do with the individual student
as it does the chosen method. You need to know what’s out there, because
how you start will affect the rest of your playing career.
Way
back in history, when I was a budding student of the keyboard, lessons
didn’t vary much from teacher to teacher. They used popular lesson books
– popular because so many teachers were using the same one or two
titles. It didn’t matter if the student learned better one way versus
another, if he was a visual learner as opposed to auditory. Back then,
“one size fit all.”
Today, we know that there are several
personality styles and just as many ways to teach a particular skill.
How do you like to learn?- Hands-on, with little or no
written instruction?
- Visually, with short video tutorials to
guide you along?
- Aurally, by imitating what you hear?
-
Traditionally, with printed sheet music?
Determining how you
want to learn is a critical first step, so be sure to take the time to
discover all the methods available to you. Once you figure this out,
you’ll want to settle on a practice regimen.- How much time can
you devote weekly?
- Should you set aside a particular time
and day of the week?
- How much discipline do you have to
stick to it?
- How can you set yourself up for success
(eliminate obstacles and distractions)?
Finally, what do
you need to learn? If you are a beginner, do you want to learn to read
sheet music or do you want to learn by ear? Do you feel you should learn
scales first or dive into the first song on your wish list? Do you want
to play music as it was written - note for note - or will you be content
to simplify the learning experience by playing just the song’s chords?
This site is the single resource for piano students of every type.
Whether you don’t have a clue how to play piano or are interested in
adding a new skill, take these important early steps to do it right!
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