Most people donโt really want to โlearnโ to play the piano or โpracticeโ the piano, they just want to โplayโ piano. โPlayโ sounds like fun, โpracticeโ sounds like a chore. We get this image from childhood โ some kid stuck indoors โpracticingโ scales while all the other kids are outside the window โplayingโ.
So, first thing we need to do is to see our piano practice in a new light. See it as a way of accelerating the learning process so that SOON youโll be able to โplayโ piano and play it well. If you donโt practice and you just play old familiar tunes you move rather slowly. Yes, youโll get better at playing those old familiar tunes but technically you wonโt be pushing yourself to greater heights.
Proper, structured piano practice helps you stride forwards. I say โproperโ because a lot of people have an idea that practice IS just playing songs over and over. Practice needs to involve unchartered territory. The golden rule is โ โpractice what you CANโT play, not what you CAN playโ.
First of all, work out what you want to achieve. Do you just want to know all your chords without thinking about how they are formed โ then work out a practice routine that leads to that goal. Maybe you want to learn about inversions or chord substitution โ again, make the practice fit the goal.
Split your practice session into two halves. In the first half play the difficult stuff โ your mind is sharper to begin with โ then reward yourself with some enjoyable but reasonably difficult tunes. Make sure you are comfortable. Many a bad back has happened because of a bad piano stool at the wrong height. Make sure your piano is in tune. If you donโt have a good piano and are serious about learning GO BUY A GOOD ONE.
Every fifteen minutes stretch your arms and shoulders and roll your neck to combat stiffness. Check out some Yoga exercises for shoulders and back.
Follow the 3 times daily rule. Repetition in practice is ESSENTIAL. If you find something particularly difficult make sure you practice it at least 3 times every day. Donโt worry if it takes months to master โ youโll get there.
Donโt play for the neighborโs. Practice piano at a time when you donโt care who is listening so that you can make lotโs of mistakes and play things over and over. Organize your piano music carefully โ donโt keep it in a heap where you keep playing the ones on top. If you download sheet music put it in a folder. Have plenty of shelves near the piano. Be realistic โ I truly believe that anyone can learn piano and learn it to an enjoyable level but no two people are alike โ some are more โnaturallyโ gifted than others. If you have an average ability then itโs all down to practice. The more you practice the more you learn.
Now and then, practice with your eyes closed โ or donโt look at the keys โ this really sharpens you up. Organize your life so that practice is possible (this where Mindfulness comes in). Too many people think they donโt have time to practice when really they just havenโt found the time. How long should you practice โ thatโs up to what you want to achieve. You donโt have to be a concert pianist. Even if you just play for yourself just enjoy that. The archer whoโs mind is on the prize cannot stay focused on the target. Accept the bad days when it seems like you canโt play a note. Sometimes itโs better to walk away. So remember that โplayingโ piano and โpracticingโ piano are different. Which do you do? Aim for a bit of both.
If you want to learn how to play Piano click here
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