The piano is the most versatile and widely appreciated instrument of modern times. Classical music, jazz, pop, and rock all make frequent and heavy use of this magnificent instrument. The ability to play piano is an impressive and enviable item on one’s “resume of life;” with a few pieces of piano music under your belt, you can entertain and delight your friends for hours and gain their awe and admiration for your musical prowess. More important, playing piano can bring you hours of enjoyment and help you appreciate music more deeply and knowledgeably than you ever have before. However, while the piano can create beautiful music, it is also one of the most challenging instruments to master. Playing piano requires dedication and the cultivation of particular musical and motor skills. Don’t allow yourself to be intimidated, though. All you need is motivation and persistence.
Here are some tips that will help you learn to play piano as quickly, efficiently, and painlessly as possible.
1. If at all possible, take lessons. It is much easier to learn the skills necessary to play the piano while under the instruction of an experienced teacher. The regularity of a weekly or bi-weekly lesson will also help you exercise the discipline necessary to practice consistently. If you cannot afford to pay a piano teacher, try to enlist the help of a friend or family member who plays piano and would be willing to pass on his or her knowledge to you for free– or at least a reduced rate. Also keep in mind that students in the music departments of many conservatories, colleges, and graduate schools often offer lessons at bargain prices. In fact, students who are training to become music educators will sometimes give lessons for free in order to satisfy their degree requirements or as part of a work study or internship program offered by their programs. Contact schools of music in your area to find out whether their students provide these reduced-rate or free lessons for beginning pianists.
2. You will learn piano faster if you have a piano at home. If you do not own a piano and cannot afford to buy one, check out the “for sale” listings on craigslist, ebay, and other community websites. It is not uncommon for individuals who are moving to a new residence to decide that they don’t want to take that bulky piano with them and to try to dump it quickly by selling it cheaply. It is not unheard of for those desperate to unload a piano to give it away. A piano acquired at a bargain basement price will likely need tuning and may need some minimal repair, but, unless the piano is in very bad shape, the costs of getting the instrument in working order will be far, far less than the retail price of a new piano.
3. Seek help from fellow beginners or from more experienced pianists who were once in your position and are willing to share how they developed as musicians. If you do not personally know any piano players, either novice or expert, look for help and support online. The internet offers many websites and forums devoted to the concerns of beginning piano players. Getting the support and advice of other pianists is especially important if you cannot afford lessons and are learning the piano on your own.
4. Set concrete goals for yourself, but make sure that they are reasonable. Write up a realistic timeline for reaching certain goals and milestones, such as mastering certain skills, learning certain pieces, and finishing lessons or workbooks. This is where hearing about others’ experience can be especially helpful. Pianists who have advanced beyond the beginner’s level can give you an idea of how quickly you can expect to progress in terms of your musical and motor skills and provide guidance for creating a plan for your piano studies.
5. Make use of software programs and/or CD/DVD educational packages designed to help beginning players learn piano and enhance their skills. The best educational tools for learning piano will offer video as well as audio lessons and demonstrations. Shop around for software that offers a variety of options and features, including online forums and support centers, individually tailored tutorials and exercises, and quick and efficient customer service.
6. In order to learn piano, you need to practice. However, it is not necessary to sit down at the piano for hours a day. The skills that you acquire as a piano student are best reinforced by short and frequent practice sessions. Practicing for just twenty minutes every day is actually more effective than engaging in hours-long practice sessions once or twice a week.
7. Above all, don’t be discouraged. The key to learning piano is not giving up. Your progress may seem slow at the beginning, but once you master the basic skills, you will be amazed at how quickly you improve.
Good luck!
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