Here are a number of essential but valuable suggestions on how to play piano that should be of some use to you if you are a beginner piano player or if you have already achieved an intermediate level.
Practice Regularly
I cannot stress how important it is to practice often. To most children who learn the piano this can be a chore which in many cases leads to them abandoning the instrument later on. Practice sessions become more interesting to the adult student who has chosen to learn the piano and who can enjoy the process of learning and practicing. You will find that after some days of regular practice that your fingers seem to behave better as the communication between the brain and the fingers is strengthened with practice. You will find that after a while you 'get used to' playing and you do not have to think about it. If you leave a few days without practicing then you will definitely notice that it will be a lot more difficult to get back into the swing of things again afterward.
Have goals
If you are learning how to play the piano at home alone or if you have a teacher then it is often a good idea to make several concrete but reachable goals to help you on your way. Goals for the long term and goals for the long term can be set. The short term goals could be the mastering of a particular piece or the perfection of a certain chord progression. You have to continually repeat the piece or exercise in your practice sessions until sooner or later it will be learned. For a long term goal you might want to get to a certain level of playing by passing an exam or by having the ability to do something like play in public or accompany a singer etc. The setting of goals does not necessarily have to include time limits and deadlines but it could help.
You will make Mistakes - Don't let it concern you
Remember that you will without doubt make multiple mistakes when you are practicing and even when you perform, do not let this get to you, just concentrate on getting through the piece and making it flow. There are times however when fluidity is more advantageous than perfection. You should pass over the mistakes and carry on playing. Make a mental note to yourself where you made the mistake and if you keep making the same mistake in the same place then you should work on that small section playing it over and over, slowly at first until it flows easily and playing it becomes easier. If you don't concentrate too much on your mistakes then it will become a lot easier to advance, the mistakes you make will either go away on their own or in the case of repetitive ones they will force you to practice them until they no longer exist. You will find it a lot easier to practice and become a better piano player by following these tips.
Practice Regularly
I cannot stress how important it is to practice often. To most children who learn the piano this can be a chore which in many cases leads to them abandoning the instrument later on. Practice sessions become more interesting to the adult student who has chosen to learn the piano and who can enjoy the process of learning and practicing. You will find that after some days of regular practice that your fingers seem to behave better as the communication between the brain and the fingers is strengthened with practice. You will find that after a while you 'get used to' playing and you do not have to think about it. If you leave a few days without practicing then you will definitely notice that it will be a lot more difficult to get back into the swing of things again afterward.
Have goals
If you are learning how to play the piano at home alone or if you have a teacher then it is often a good idea to make several concrete but reachable goals to help you on your way. Goals for the long term and goals for the long term can be set. The short term goals could be the mastering of a particular piece or the perfection of a certain chord progression. You have to continually repeat the piece or exercise in your practice sessions until sooner or later it will be learned. For a long term goal you might want to get to a certain level of playing by passing an exam or by having the ability to do something like play in public or accompany a singer etc. The setting of goals does not necessarily have to include time limits and deadlines but it could help.
You will make Mistakes - Don't let it concern you
Remember that you will without doubt make multiple mistakes when you are practicing and even when you perform, do not let this get to you, just concentrate on getting through the piece and making it flow. There are times however when fluidity is more advantageous than perfection. You should pass over the mistakes and carry on playing. Make a mental note to yourself where you made the mistake and if you keep making the same mistake in the same place then you should work on that small section playing it over and over, slowly at first until it flows easily and playing it becomes easier. If you don't concentrate too much on your mistakes then it will become a lot easier to advance, the mistakes you make will either go away on their own or in the case of repetitive ones they will force you to practice them until they no longer exist. You will find it a lot easier to practice and become a better piano player by following these tips.
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There are some video reviews of the best online piano courses available at the Learn Piano Online web site. Also check out the how to learn piano in 10 minutes video
