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Ms Liew

Is Piano Hard to Learn? What You Need to Know Before Learning Piano

Updated: Jan 9, 2022

Whether or whether I was up for the challenge was always the question for me.


It's a work in progress, but I'm getting there.


A lot of work and effort goes into making sure that even the tiniest of things are flawless.


It's possible to learn to play the piano in a short period of time, but it's not a guarantee.


All of these factors come into play when it comes to whether or not you'll be able to succeed.


There are six things you should know about playing the piano.


I'd want to share some of the lessons I've learnt as a piano teacher, as well as what I believe all new pianists should know before taking up the instrument.


Some of my points of view may surprise you, but it will be well worth your time to read!


I've divided everything down into ten little chunks so you can get a complete picture of how piano playing works.


Whether you're a novice or an accomplished player, the same principles apply throughout your journey with this instrument.


1. It's Possible to Learn on Your Own... It's also important to have a good teacher


It's Possible to Learn on Your Own... It's also important to have a good teacher


There are a lot of pianists who choose to learn on their own rather than pay for lessons.


Perhaps the teachers aren't worth the money, according to most people. High-quality teachers are worth the money, even if they aren't always available.


It is possible to learn on your own, but you're going to run into a lot of frustrating roadblocks that will make giving up look like a real possibility at first!


A piano lesson, with a student and teacher sitting side-by-side at the instrument, is probably what comes to mind when you think of it.


The student is aided by a teacher and receives immediate feedback on their progress.


To keep students engaged and motivated, the best teachers approach problem areas from multiple angles.


Traditional lessons have a personal touch and can be tailored to the needs of the students.



To the contrary, piano teachers are there to provide you with the moral support and encouragement you require to keep going. 


Having a skilled piano instructor will offer you a clear direction, observe what you do, and assist you in improving your technique.


The practice room is where the bulk of the work is done, however having a tutor to guide you is important.


For those of you who find it difficult to maintain such a high level of motivation, here are three tips to help:


  • Five minutes at most.

Did your last practice session go well, and you're not feeling particularly inspired to sit down at the piano?


Probably not.


Playing time should be limited to five minutes! Do it, and you'll have a better sense of accomplishment. (Maybe you'll practice a little longer after all...


  • Observe pianists at work.

With so many streaming services available, it's hard to pick just one.


After seeing that last film, weren't you curious about listening to the soundtrack?


  • It's time for a reward!

Consider rewarding yourself with an episode of your favorite show or the chocolate bar you've been hiding all day in exchange for a 15-minute piano lesson.



2. Be consistent and be persistent


When working with an instrument such as the piano, you must be prepared to devote significant time to it.


If you want to succeed, this is essentially the trade-off.


I'm not recommending you get up and spend seven hours a day on the piano, as some experts do, but you should arrange time for it.


Piano practice should be a part of your daily routine. This means that you will have to make some sacrifices in order to work on your trade.


If you're not willing to give up a few movies and video games in order to improve, you're going to run into some difficulties down the road!


It is not necessary for your practice to be lengthy, but it must be consistent.


3. Cheap piano wouldn't help


My parents made sure I got the greatest equipment we could buy, even though we didn't have a lot of money growing up.


I began out on a 61-key piano like most beginning pianists. Even though the keyboard wasn't properly weighted, it was the best I could do with what I had to work with!


Despite this, my teacher insisted to our family that a real acoustic piano would be essential as I progressed in my studies.


To keep up with the pace I was going, I needed to work on my technique.


In the end, we bought a Kawai upright piano.


This article will give you some tips on how to select a used piano.


I was able to get through high school and college thanks to the help of that piano, and I ended up purchasing grand piano to complete my collection. Having a grand piano is really essential for me to be able to perform at my best.


To sum up, inadequate equipment leads to poor outcomes, and it is really difficult to perform at a high level using such equipment. 

My recommendation is that you start with a proper piano according to your budget since it's the finest place for you to hone your playing skills.


A digital piano might be difficult to choose, but this guide can assist you do so. The article discusses the greatest digital keyboards that are available at a reasonable price.


4. Practice and Performing


Practice and Performing

It's quite simple to scare oneself out on the piano, from practice to performance.


You must learn to manage your ideas, for that is all they are. Assuming you're going to do poorly will do nothing to help you improve.


Yes, nerves are a genuine thing, but if you focus on overcoming them, you will just get more nervous.


There is something pleasurable about the adrenaline rush associated with performing, and embracing it is the best course of action.


Additionally, when you are frightened, playing the piano becomes quite tough! Rather of obsessing over the piano, simply accept it as it is.


When I reach a difficult part and things aren't working out, I prefer to take many pauses.


Rather than raising the white flag, I simply return to it later and discover that I feel far better about things.


You must keep in mind that piano is a really engrossing pastime, and as such, you should approach it gradually.


5. Classical or Pop Music?



Classical or Pop Music?

I am a classical pianist because I adore it!


However, I love listening to other genres of music as well, such as jazz and pop.


I dabble in a little bit of everything, and you can as well!


Classical music is not the most difficult type of music for the piano, but it is pretty sophisticated.


Perhaps you wish to study piano in order to master a few Pop melodies or to read chord charts.


That is perfectly OK!


Similarly, the same principles will apply. You must still practice, improve your technique, and do all of those things.


Do not be intimidated by the style of music. Experiment with a little bit of everything!


6. Isn't it too late for me?


Isn't it too late for me?


As far as piano lessons go, there's no such thing as a bad time to start.


Many individuals believe that learning to play the piano is more difficult for them because they are older.


There's no guarantee that you'll become a household name and travel the world, but you can surely learn.


Adults, on the other hand, find it a lot simpler to learn than young children.


It's simpler to grasp some things that children may not understand at first since your brain is more developed.


As an adult, you have more control over your schedule, and you're more likely to commit and ask the correct questions since you're more confident.


However, it's not necessary to begin playing the piano at an early age in order to succeed.


The greatest time to begin learning the piano is right now, whether you want to study it for yourself or to play for others.



Conclusion


Learning to play the piano is a lifelong endeavor.

No one should be discouraged if it takes them a little longer to grasp the concepts.


The journey itself is the source of joy!


Try to think of your piano study not as something you're doing just to get to a certain level of skill, but rather as something that will provide you with a lifetime of musical fulfillment and enjoyment as you progress through your studies.


The ability to sit down at the piano at the end of a long day and play one of my favorite pieces is one of the greatest pleasures in life for me.


If you've been wanting to learn to play the piano your entire life, now is the time to begin!

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