Technology. Think of all that’s changed in just the past few years. We get news and information, search for products and services, even communicate with family and friends in ways none of us would have imagined even a few short years ago.
Because technology has impacted every aspect of our lives, it’s no wonder it’s impacted our entertainment as well. It’s never been easier to learn to play the piano, and to take playing to whatever level you choose. Want to play for your own enjoyment? Not a problem. Want it as a career? Anything’s possible. Just look at how many musicians have been “found” with a simple search on YouTube.
Sharing your talents online is just one of the many ways technology has entered the musical world. It’s also being shifted by the way we learn.
No longer does the concept of piano lessons mean sitting in a room next to an instructor, hands on the keyboard, learning to play through one-on-one guidance. Instead, many of today’s piano players are learning to play through piano learning software. There are many options available, each with their own pros and cons.
However, keep in mind that like anything, some things work, and some not as well. Can you really learn to play the piano with software? Can software replace a teacher’s expertise?
Start With The Basics
When someone has a desire to learn to play the piano, they have the first requirement down. You can never “make” someone do something if the desire isn’t there. Software won’t do it. A teacher won’t do it.
Once the desire is there, a person is more likely to have focus, enthusiasm, persistence and patience to work at becoming better at the task at hand. Many of today’s piano learning programs incorporate a host of concepts into their packages, to give you a wide variety of things to learn. Some offer game methodology to keep you consistently active in the process. They teach different methods for all the different learn-to-play methods: rhythm, ear training, notation, and keyboard skills. They also incorporate lessons that teach all the basic elements of playing the piano: notes, chords, scales, and inversions.
They also know what keeps people motivated, allowing you to integrate with other online connections. How about sharing your progress on Facebook or Twitter? Or learning with video tutorials that incorporate music you want to hear – learning from top artists like Beyonce or Taylor Swift can’t be all bad, right?
Integrate Different Approaches
While software and online piano learning tools may work well alone, they can be even more effective when combined with a qualified piano teacher. As with all programs, they are only effective if you put them into practice and keep up with a regular routine. A piano teacher can give you the added boost of being held accountable for your practicing routine, and provide you with additional elements of technique that are sometimes lost in transition with an online program.
Software will allow you to learn at your own pace. But if you lack the discipline to push yourself to the next level, extra guidance will help. It also helps you overcome frustrations when you simply don’t know what you’re doing wrong.
There are no shortcuts to learning to play the piano proficiently. In most cases, it takes combined effort of a great learning process and regular practice to keep you motivated and inspired to move to the next level. If software can be a part of that process, why not incorporate it into your routine. The most important step is to get started, and do a little more every day.
