Here are a few tips to help you get a jump start on learning to play the piano. Some of them are obvious, but they need to be said anyway. Others, you might not have thought of at all. Keep this list in mind as you start to learn.
- If you are really not interested in the piano, do yourself and everyone else a favour: do not try. Even if you believe that it would be advantageous to play the piano, if your heart is not in it, you will have a difficult time ever being successful. You could listen to lots of piano music and see if you develop an interest, but do not start trying to play until you are happy at the thought of learning.
- Play what you like. 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. It is also truly important to find the songs you love to learn “tailored” to your level of learning. The good basic skills learned from the experienced and knowledgable Piano Teacher will make so much difference as oppose learning sporadically on your own.
- Dive right in. Do not wait for the sun to turn purple or even to learn all the scales. Start playing music as soon as you can. The more you play, the more you will learn. The more you learn, the more you will play. It creates an upward spiral that will increase your abilities.
- Try to play on the best piano available to you. Of course, you can learn quite a bit with even a small electronic keyboard. If you have a Clavinova it is better because this instrument has all 88 keys. Some would say that an upright piano is better still. Undoubtedly, if you have access to a good grand piano, play it.
- Set up your own reasonable discipline. Do not be harsh with yourself. If you will not allow yourself to stop a practice no matter what exciting thing is happening in the household, you will come to resent the piano. Allow yourself a little leeway. At the same time, keep up the practice as much as you reasonably can. It is with practice that you will develop your ears, your eyes, your hands, and your mind.
- Keep a journal of new things you learn. If you come across a new term, look it up either in a music dictionary or on the internet. 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.
As a beginning piano player, you have all the time in the world to learn new things abut your instrument. Each time you find something that makes your life easier; remember it so that you can use it again. When you do that, you can build on each of your piano lessons and advance to higher and higher levels.