How To Play The Piano » ioventures http://www.the-middle-c.com Piano playing tips and techniques for everyone Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:56:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 en Learning to Play the Piano - 12 Reasons Why http://www.the-middle-c.com/learning-to-play-the-piano-12-reasons-why.htm http://www.the-middle-c.com/learning-to-play-the-piano-12-reasons-why.htm#comments Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:31:00 +0000 ioventures http://www.the-middle-c.com/learning-to-play-the-piano-12-reasons-why.htm Are you like many others who are continually pestered by someone to learn to play the piano? You may have wondered then, “Why should I learn how to play the piano?” Well, before you use our site to learn how to play the piano you may wish to consider from our guest author Emily Sigers who gives 12 very good reasons why to learn how to play the piano. Take it away Emily:

All right folks, here you go: My 12 reasons why you should start learning how to play the piano immediately, as in today, this very minute!

Okay, fine, finish this article first, THEN get started. And yes, I know that there are more than just 12 reasons to play the piano. But I happen to like the number 12. :)

  1. I truly believe that everyone should play at least one instrument. Every person on Earth should be able to sit down at SOME instrument and be capable of making beautiful music.
  2. Playing the piano makes you feel (and look) sophisticated. Truly. No matter who you are or how many warts you have, you’ll just exude class the second you begin tickling those ivories.
  3. Piano playing keeps your brain active. It’s very hard for your brain to rot when you consistently throw it the musical language to interpret.
  4. You won’t run out of things to do when you’re bored. There’s always a new way to play, always a new approach to playing, and always, always, ALWAYS a new song to learn. (See number 8.)
  5. Family members can live vicariously through you. I’m semi-serious about that. The reason I began taking piano lessons (back when I was 10) was because of grandparents who didn’t play, and over the years I’ve had numerous relatives enjoy playing through me. (I live to serve.)
  6. People will automatically assume you’re a genius. Honestly, I’ve heard this a lot. People uttering “He/she plays the piano” in the same tone reserved for “He/she has an IQ of 174.” You just can’t help but admire someone playing an instrument.
  7. Piano playing is good for your hands. Indeed it is. I probably have stronger hands/fingers than most people I know. And have you ever noticed the hands of a pianist? Beautiful, long, tapered fingers. Chances are that if you’ve ever admired someone’s hands, they play the piano.
  8. Pianists never quit learning. There’s absolutely no way to memorize every musical piece on earth. You could learn 10 new songs a day for the rest of your life without scratching the surface of songs out there.
  9. Piano playing is FUN. Really. It’s one of the funnest things I do. Think about it, why would so many of us do it if it weren’t a blast?
  10. Deep down, everyone wishes they played the piano. Have you ever read other people’s New Year’s Resolutions lists? If you haven’t, then you’re just not nosy like me. No, seriously, if you haven’t, I’ll tell you which wish consistently pops up: “Learn to play the piano.”
  11. Piano playing is SATISFYING. It’s truly one of the most satisfying things you can do. (Right after touching your nose with your tongue. Or so I hear.) There’s no feeling like playing a difficult song and playing it flawlessly. Quite an ego-boost.
  12. Everyone loves a musician. ‘Nuff said. :)

Guest Author: Emily Sigers

To see more of Emily’s stuff, hop on over to: http://www.thepianopages.com

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]]> http://www.the-middle-c.com/learning-to-play-the-piano-12-reasons-why.htm/feed Playing The Piano and Piano Software - Common Questions http://www.the-middle-c.com/playing-the-piano-common-questions.htm http://www.the-middle-c.com/playing-the-piano-common-questions.htm#comments Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:28:55 +0000 ioventures http://www.the-middle-c.com/playing-the-piano-common-questions.htm Some people never learn how to play the piano because they still believe a number of myths about the instrument and piano software. Some of them are based in half-truths while others are completely absurd. By looking at some of the most common myths, you’ll be able to gain more perspective on whether you want to learn to play piano.

Do I Have It In Me to Play the Piano?

Oddly enough, one of the main reasons why people don’t learn how to play the piano is because they believe they don’t have the talent for it. Learning to play the piano does not require any kind of special musical ability. It is a skill that develops through repeated practice- in fact, it is only about 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration or a whole lot of hard work. Piano software can be the gate way to playing for you. Pianists do have an added advantage in that they can see the notes they need to hit- people who play stringed instruments have to learn through trial and error.

This brings us to the next myth about how to play the piano. It’s not easy. You won’t be able to master it in a few weeks or even a few months. Playing the piano means dedication and commitment- you need to be prepared to practice for at least half an hour everyday. You can’t jump into the tunes right away- you need to familiarize yourself with chords, progressions and scales before you can start playing songs. If you are really keen to learn how to play piano, make sure that you’re in it for the long haul.

Am I Too Old to Play the Piano?

It’s never too late to learn how to play the piano and it is never too late to learn with piano software. Many people believe that children learn to play quicker because they have higher absorption powers and their fingers are suppler. This isn’t completely true- your ability to learn the piano lies in your willingness to learn. If you are committed to practicing everyday and not missing a single lesson, then there’s nothing standing in your way to learn the piano.

Another common misconception many people have is about classical music. Some people think that you need to be fluent in classical piano to learn jazz and gospel. This just isn’t true- classical music is just one of the many genres that you can play on the piano. It is no better than any other genre. Some piano styles might have similar foundations and as a result, they are easier to learn. The basics for all these musical styles remain the same- if you can master your chords and scales, then there’s no reason why you can’t master a certain style of piano playing either.

By cutting through the myths about piano-playing and getting to the truth, you’ll find that learning how to play the piano is something well worth trying.

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]]> http://www.the-middle-c.com/playing-the-piano-common-questions.htm/feed How To Fail At Playing The Piano http://www.the-middle-c.com/how-to-fail-at-playing-the-piano.htm http://www.the-middle-c.com/how-to-fail-at-playing-the-piano.htm#comments Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:26:19 +0000 ioventures http://www.the-middle-c.com/how-to-fail-at-playing-the-piano.htm When you’re trying to learn how to play the piano, it might seem strange to learn about what you can do to fail at it. But looking at the flip-side it can give you some important perspectives on what it takes to master the instrument.

Take It Easy

Learning to play any instrument is something that takes a lot of practice- the biggest piano virtuosos in the world still practice everyday. And you know what? If they don’t practice, it shows. You can actually hear the difference when they play. So the first step in not learning how to play the piano is not to practice. It’s as simple as that. Right from day one, you’ll be taught that the only way to really succeed at the piano is to practice every single day. If you miss even one day, you should make up for lost time the next day. Without practice, there’s absolutely no way you’ll be able to master the piano.

One of the first things, teachers will ask when you want learn how to play the piano is how committed you are to learning. Are you going to make it to every single class? If a friend comes from out of town, are you going to give your piano lessons priority? One of the best ways to fail at the piano is to just not take it seriously. If you think that missing classes and lessons are not a big deal, then you can be sure that your dreams to play the piano will soon fall by the wayside.

Be A Slouch

Posture is one of the most important aspects of learning how to play the piano. Bad posture will not only lead to bad playing. It will make the process of playing very uncomfortable. Bad sitting postures and wrong hand positions will quickly make you lose interest in playing at all. Interestingly enough, the way most people fail at the piano is at the piano itself. This means that they don’t think beyond what they have to learn. They only think about the piano when they sit down to practice.

To really succeed at the piano, you should learn to think beyond it. This can be done in a number of subtle but very effective ways. For example, listen to your favorite song. Ever noticed the piano bits in it? Pay closer attention to it- you’ll be able to identify chords and playing styles faster than you think. You might even be able to play it yourself! Try to listen to different types of piano music, from classical to contemporary jazz. Expanding your musical horizons is one of the most effective ways to learn how to play the piano.

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]]> http://www.the-middle-c.com/how-to-fail-at-playing-the-piano.htm/feed How Playing The Piano Will Effect You http://www.the-middle-c.com/how-playing-the-piano-will-effect-you.htm http://www.the-middle-c.com/how-playing-the-piano-will-effect-you.htm#comments Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:25:09 +0000 ioventures http://www.the-middle-c.com/how-playing-the-piano-will-effect-you.htm When we learn how to play the piano, we rarely think about how it affects us as individuals. After all, learning to play an instrument is something that we associate with how it affects others- but taking piano lessons can really have a profound effect on your life.

What A Little Music Can Do

It’s no secret that music in itself can be very healing and soothing to others. Music can give you an extra shot of energy when you’re feeling down or calm your nerves when you’re feeling frazzled. This feeling is even stronger when it comes to learning how to play the piano. The positive effects of this instrument are numerous but they are often so subtle, that we don’t immediately recognize them.

First let’s look at your posture. You can’t play piano properly if you slouch, so the more you practice, the more you become accustomed to sitting straight. This is a very healthy practice that relieves you of your shoulder and back pain and increase your levels of concentration. Learning how to play the piano is something that takes a lot of patience and effort- in fact, even the professionals practice every single day. This teaches you the importance of patience and hard work. It will soon become very apparent that the more you play and the harder you work, the better your music will sound. This attitude will naturally spill over into other areas of life. It will also teach you to listen to your own inner rhythm of learning and to encourage yourself as you play.

Get Creative!

Learning to play the piano or any instruments for that matter fine-tunes your senses. You will be able to identify and appreciate other kinds of music- in fact; playing the piano is a bit like an adventure. You’ll learn about different styles of playing from different parts of the world. Your cultural and musical outlook on life will start to naturally expand. Maybe you’ve had a secret little tune that’s been bouncing around in your head- learning how to play the piano is the perfect way to start writing some music yourself! This might have seemed like an impossible dream before but it can become a reality once you get a feel for the instrument.

Playing the piano is also an excellent way to divert your energy into something useful. When you are feeling depressed or nervous, sitting down at the piano will not only calm you down, it will harness also your energy in a positive way. Not only does it calm your mind and body, it can prevent you from doing damaging things like drinking and smoking to relax. Learning how to play the piano could be one of the best things you ever did for yourself.

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]]> http://www.the-middle-c.com/how-playing-the-piano-will-effect-you.htm/feed Facts To Know When Learning The Piano Online http://www.the-middle-c.com/facts-to-know-when-learning-the-piano.htm http://www.the-middle-c.com/facts-to-know-when-learning-the-piano.htm#comments Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:23:39 +0000 ioventures http://www.the-middle-c.com/facts-to-know-when-learning-the-piano.htm There have always been a number of myths associated with learning how to play the piano. For e.g. you need to start to learn to play piano online when you are young, learning to play the piano is extremely difficult, learning to play it takes a long time, playing the piano is all about natural flair which you either have or you don’t, so on and so forth. However the fact remains that the main drive behind learning to play the piano should be your enjoyment and involvement. If you are really interested in learning the piano then it can be simply stated that playing requires 90% of practice and only the remaining 10% is inspiration.

The Key Factors To Learning The Piano

The main elements required while learning how to play the piano from an online source are perseverance and determination. A lot of patience is needed when you are learning to play piano. Although learning to play the piano seems comparatively easy, you need immense patience to learn. Anybody can learn how to play the piano as long as you first accept the fact that learning is an achievable task for anyone. However, it needs to be noted that learning the piano is a long term process and cannot be achieved overnight. Regular and dedicated practice is an essential factor to learning to play the piano. The practice can become more intense as you progress further and so it helps in developing your musical sense.

With proper practice, almost anyone can become a capable pianist. It is ideal if at least an hour a day can be devoted to regular practice. An essential part of your practice routine would be to develop good memorizing systems. It would be helpful to initially start off with a general music book that could probably instruct you as regards music theory and piano. Even after you have reached an advanced level where you are now capable of playing any music, you should never stop learning. You should always be committed to online learning, learn more about how to play the piano.

The Exhilarating Experience Of The Piano

As the piano is such a versatile instrument, it can be used in various musical frameworks. Learning how to play the piano will thus greatly help you in widening your musical knowledge and also help you to appreciate music more. Playing the piano is a highly satisfying experience and even professionals in this field are constantly practicing and learning new things. Professional pianists often think of the piano as a part of their own body and learning how to play the piano in the most effective manner is a great way to convey their love for music.

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]]> http://www.the-middle-c.com/facts-to-know-when-learning-the-piano.htm/feed The Coolest Things About Playing The Piano http://www.the-middle-c.com/the-coolest-things-about-playing-the-piano.htm http://www.the-middle-c.com/the-coolest-things-about-playing-the-piano.htm#comments Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:22:09 +0000 ioventures http://www.the-middle-c.com/the-coolest-things-about-playing-the-piano.htm Learning how to play the piano is not as complicated as one generally expects. The versatility when learning how to play the piano makes it one of the most favored instruments. The piano can be used to play all types of music and as an accompaniment for other singers or instruments. Unfortunately, the decision to learn to play piano often gets passed off as one of those New Year resolutions or yet another goal to be achieved in the future. However, if you use the right method, learning to play can be one of the most rewarding goals you make. You can learn how to play the piano and meet your goal.

What’s So Cool About The Piano?

Playing the piano will never make you feel bored! You will always have a new song to learn or a new style to master. Learning becomes even more fun when the sheet music is available for many of your favorite songs. When you learn how to play the piano, your hand-eye coordination increases and it also helps in improving the thinking of your left and right parts of the brain. The abilities that you develop when you play the piano help in improving your coordination as well as your mental capabilities. When you learn how to play the piano, there always seems to be something new to learn. Learning just a few songs on the piano will help you to exercise your brain and at the same time give you a reputation for being a genius.

The Chord - Based Approach To Learning

When you learn how to play the piano at first, it is likely that the classical method would be adopted. This method seems boring with many hours spent on practicing scales, learning to read music and all the other techniques that are associated with learning to play piano. This method is effective because it builds the correct foundation. The chord-based method can be another way of learning how to play the piano is seen as a faster and more enjoyable approach to learning. This method will help you to understand how music is actually created and it is seen as a far more satisfying approach to learn playing the piano.

There are no shortcuts to learning how to play the piano. To master the piano takes a lot of hard work and commitment. There are certain tips however that will help you to master this grand instrument a bit more effectively. You should always be aware of your strengths and limitations and set yourself reasonable targets that can be achieved with hard work and dedication. Learning how to play the piano should always be an enjoyable process and not seen as a task which has to be endured.

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]]> http://www.the-middle-c.com/the-coolest-things-about-playing-the-piano.htm/feed The Things You Need To Learn The Piano http://www.the-middle-c.com/the-things-you-need-to-learn-the-piano.htm http://www.the-middle-c.com/the-things-you-need-to-learn-the-piano.htm#comments Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:18:12 +0000 ioventures http://www.the-middle-c.com/the-things-you-need-to-learn-the-piano.htm The piano is the instrument that everyone wants to learn. But how do you start to learn to play the piano? It’s easier than you might think. All it takes is some basic principles that will have you playing your first piano song more quickly than you ever thought you could.

First, the saying that “practice makes perfect”… throw it out the window! Memorize this: practice makes permanent! However you practice is going to be how you play so make sure that you are mastering the correct methods for playing the piano before you move on to more advanced techniques. Here are a few simple things that you will need to help you learn to play the piano more quickly.

  • A piano—let’s face it, it’s kind of hard to play without one.
  • A metronome.
  • A practice Schedule.
  • Interesting music.
  • Time set aside to practice.

Once you have the above things the rest of learning to play the piano falls into place. Learning to play the piano is all about the practice time. Set aside short, you heard me short, periods of time that you can have everyday to practice. You make more progress by having short, productive practice times rather than long, boring ones.
Start practicing the music that you like slowly. If you can’t do something slowly you’ll never do it quickly. Use the metronome so you can get a sense of time in your head and then work up to quicker speeds. After you have run through you piece a few times locate the problem areas. Work through them slowly to get out the kinks.
When you are at the beginning of learning to play the piano it helps to have a recording of the piece you are playing. Now that you are up to the right speed try playing along. You’ll have your very own concert (try to get the recordings of live concerts so you can have applause after you’re done.)
Once you’ve worked up to mastering a piece go ahead and try something a little more modern. You know how to play the piano; mix it up with something more impressive. Playing “Hot Cross Buns” for the rest of your life won’t leave you satisfied.

Remember to continue in the proper habits for learning to play the piano. Don’t forget to keep the practice schedule that you have set up for yourself. If you slip and go for too long in between playing you’ll have to start over. Who wants to work through things more than they have to? Following the above techniques and remember to continue advancing in your skills at playing the piano.

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]]> http://www.the-middle-c.com/the-things-you-need-to-learn-the-piano.htm/feed Learning The Piano…. Online? http://www.the-middle-c.com/learning-the-piano.htm http://www.the-middle-c.com/learning-the-piano.htm#comments Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:16:59 +0000 ioventures http://www.the-middle-c.com/learning-the-piano.htm We all have heard a beautiful or stirring piano performance and wished we could play the piano. Many of us probably began piano lessons as a child and gave up when practicing seemed boring. Can’t we just learn to play the piano without practicing? Like any other skill worth acquiring, playing the piano takes practice. The key is learning to enjoy the process, the journey to the completed piece. Take pride in small accomplishments and recognize little improvements along the way. Learning to play the piano is a life long process. There is always more to learn.

One way to jump back in is with an online course. Remember though when you begin to play the piano, set small goals for yourself and reward yourself. If a new piece is challenging decide on a time limit that you will work on it and then you can play something fun or easier. The key is not to become discouraged because you don’t reach performance quality overnight. Learn to enjoy the time you are able to spend at the piano as a break from the other stresses of the world.

Celebrate the small steps you make. Recognize the improvement you make from one week to the next in your online course. Work the piece in small sections, like they say you can eat an elephant one bite at a time. A piece can be learned one measure at a time. Identify the new skills you are learning so that you can see your progress. Have you mastered a difficult rhythm or fingering sequence? Are you becoming better at reading the notes in the bass cleff? Each of these skills helps you progress towards your goal, learning to play the entire piece.

Practicing the piano yields the best results when it is consistent. Practicing for 20 minutes everyday will bring faster and better results than practicing for an hour a few days a week. Our brains learn best by consistent repetition. Plus it can be easier to squeeze in 20 minutes into our already busy schedules than trying to find a free hour. Vary your practicing so that it doesn’t become boring. Work on several pieces at a time, one that is difficult and a few others that are easier and will be learned more quickly. That will help you feel you are progressing faster.

Learning to play the piano will bring you a great sense of accomplishment. You don’t have to play to the level of a concert pianist to enjoy the piano. It can be very satisfying and relaxing just to be able to sit at the piano after a long day and play a few simple pieces. Be patient and persistent and steady in your online course and  you will learn to play the piano.

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]]> http://www.the-middle-c.com/learning-the-piano.htm/feed Ways To Help Your Child Learn To Play The Piano http://www.the-middle-c.com/ways-to-help-your-child-learn-to-play-the-piano.htm http://www.the-middle-c.com/ways-to-help-your-child-learn-to-play-the-piano.htm#comments Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:16:10 +0000 ioventures http://www.the-middle-c.com/ways-to-help-your-child-learn-to-play-the-piano.htm Learning to play the piano is a rewarding and satisfying skill. Children will begin piano lessons with great enthusiasm, they are anxious for the end result of being able to play songs they know. But most often that enthusiasm quickly fades when they realize how much practice and work it will take. Being able to play the piano well seems too far away and impossible to reach. Telling a child that when they are older they will appreciate the effort does not go very far in motivating them for today. As adults we need to help them to not be overwhelmed by the whole process and find rewards that will help motivate them.

Self discipline is difficult at any age. Young children especially need help in learning to be consistent. Setting a specific practice time each day will help to avoid the nagging of “Have you done your practicing yet?” It will also help them to learn to avoid procrastination. Set up rewards such as being able to watch TV or play a video game when practicing is done on time. Find the reward that will motivate your child and stick to it. Change the reward periodically or that can become boring also.

Young children will benefit from an adult sitting with them at practice time helping them to stay on task. As they learn what needs to be done you can wean yourself from their practice time. Point out the progress you see each day. Help them to see that at the beginning of the practice time they couldn’t play these five measures very well but now it is much better.

Set an appropriate amount of time for practicing the piano. Consistent practice everyday for 20 minutes will yield faster and more results than a few days of an hour at a time. Increase that time as the child’s skill grows and the difficulty of the pieces increases. Still continue to allow the child to earn rewards that will help keep them motivated. Set a goal for a certain number of days in a row of practicing the piano that will earn a special treat, reward or privilege.

Make sure the child has some music to play that he or she enjoys and is familiar to them. It is rewarding to a child and an adult to be able to play a piece of music that they know and that others know. Begin expanding the music your child listens to. If they have heard classical pieces before they are introduced on the piano then it is much more exciting to learn to play them.

Not everything in life is fun. There are things that just need to be done. But we can add some fun into those times to keep them from becoming boring or monotonous. Make sure there is some fun in your child’s piano practicing. Help them through the discouraging times and remember, not every child learns at the same pace. Maybe too much is being given at once and the child is overwhelmed. Learning to play the piano is a major undertaking and children need a supportive and encouraging adult to help them along the way.

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]]> http://www.the-middle-c.com/ways-to-help-your-child-learn-to-play-the-piano.htm/feed 7 Benefits Of A Child Learning To Play The Piano http://www.the-middle-c.com/7-benefits-of-a-child-learning-to-play-the-piano.htm http://www.the-middle-c.com/7-benefits-of-a-child-learning-to-play-the-piano.htm#comments Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:15:02 +0000 ioventures http://www.the-middle-c.com/7-benefits-of-a-child-learning-to-play-the-piano.htm Thinking of piano lessons for your child and wondering if it is worth the expense? There are more benefits to learning to play the piano than just being able to read and play a sheet of music. Playing the piano is a rewarding benefit in itself; below you will find seven other benefits that come from learning to play the piano.

Self-discipline- Children who are learning to play the piano begin to develop and understand self-discipline. They learn that as they are consistent in practicing everyday they progress faster and their instructed lesson time is more productive. They can start to see how that carries over into other areas of their lives like in their school work.

Hand-eye coordination- Learning to play the piano will help to develop the hand-eye coordination of your child, especially their fine motor skills. Reading the printed notes on the page and translating that into what your fingers should do on the keyboard increases the development of those fine motor skills. Playing piano chords is a big factor too, it teaches their small hands to do exactly what the child wants them too.

Be a better student- Research has shown that those children who learn to play the piano, or any other musical instrument have higher GPA’s and score higher on standardized tests. It especially seems to help in the areas of math and science.

Self-esteem- Children who develop the skill of playing the piano or other instrument have a high self-esteem. The persistent work to accomplish goals helps them to see what they can accomplish and to make the association between results and hard work. It also seems to help curb depression and loneliness.

Learn another instrument faster- Those who have learned to play the piano and tackled the complexity of reading both the bass cleff and treble cleff at the same time find it much easier to learn another instrument. Other instruments only require the reading of one cleff and one note at a time. Thus a new instrument is learned much more quickly.

Relieves stress and anxiety- Sitting at the piano and playing a piece that you know and love can be a great stress reducer, even for children. So many emotions can be projected through the playing of music that are often difficult to express verbally. Children need to be able to have an outlet to express those emotions and playing the piano can help them.

Sense of accomplishment- Being able to play the piano, even simple pieces can bring such a rewarding sense of accomplishment. For children who may be struggling in other areas of their lives it can be very satisfying to have a skill they feel is worthwhile. There is nothing quite like the feeling of hitting some strong chords on the piano to a melody people can recognize.

The benefits of learning to play the piano are not only felt in children, but in adults as well. It is a skill that will have benefits that carry forward through a lifetime.

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