28 January 2021 5 Secrets Most Piano Players Never Learn

5 Secrets Most Piano Players Never Learn

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Want to learn the secret to becoming a great piano player? Actually, no one way works for everyone. 

But if we had to share a few tried and true secrets that separate average piano players from great ones, we have a few ideas in mind. 

1. Great piano players look for great teachers

This isn’t saying you find one teacher you love and stick with them for life. Eventually, you’ll find yourself stuck in a rut, always working towards the same goal. Instead, great piano players know they have to move around and learn from a variety of places. They try online resources as well as working one on one with someone in person. They ask for recommendations to find teachers that can take them to the next level. 

2. Great piano players perform regularly 

Don’t think your skills are good enough for a performance? Think again. Performing gives you an opportunity to reach for bigger things, and demonstrate the skills you’ve already learned. They help you plan for a goal, motivate yourself for preparing for a recital, and learn what it takes to perform in front of a group. It gets your heart racing – and that’s a good thing!

3. They learn to sight read and play by ear

Often, a piano player perfects one or the other, but not both. To be a truly great piano player, it’s important to pick up both. Learn to pick up a score and start to play just by reading the notes. Practice listening to a song on the radio, and playing it by ear as best you can. This takes skill, but it’s something you can pick up over time. 

4. Pay attention to theory

Music theory helps you understand your instrument better. It helps you understand how music is created through notes and scales and chords. It guides you through the purpose of structuring music in different ways. It allows you to learn about how the greats created certain rules, and where it’s okay to break them. 

5. The art of playing in a group

A lot of piano players spend their time practicing alone. To take your music to another level, it’s important to move into playing with a group as well. It allows you to hear your music performed in an entirely different way. 

Have you made “playing the piano” a part of your New Year’s resolutions this year? It starts with a desire to learn, and a piano that allows you to practice and improve your skills throughout the year. 

If you have any questions about improving your piano skills, give us a call. We’re here to help you with all of your piano needs. 

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21 January 2021 What To Do If Your Piano Skills Aren’t Improving

What To Do If Your Piano Skills Aren’t Improving

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Learning to play the piano isn’t an easy endeavor. You can’t perfect your skills overnight. 

Most of us realize that. If you’ve seen a musical prodigy on stage at your local concert hall, it’s easy to fall into the trap of expecting more from yourself than is possible. But it still can be frustrating to want to achieve certain goals, only to find yourself stuck in a position where you see little or no improvement. 

What do you do? 

Your first step is to try something new. Everyone falls in a rut occasionally, even people that enjoy playing the piano. If you’re practicing the same way day in and day out, your habits aren’t changing. 

Looking for ways to change up your daily routine? Consider one of these ideas. 

Pick up another instrument

Piano playing may be your passion, something you want in your life for decades to come. Yet challenging yourself in new ways can bring a fresh perspective to your life. Why not pick up the guitar? Or maybe the violin? Or the ukulele? While you don’t have to master all different kinds of instruments, switching things out occasionally can increase your enjoyment of music. 

Take in a concert

Sometimes we forget how piano fits into the world. While you might love listening to your favorite music, when is the last time you experienced music in person? Expand your horizons. Check out your local orchestra and experience how all instruments come together to create sound. 

Use visualization techniques

If you’ve ever read biographies into some of the greatest success stories of our time, you might have ready how visualization can work. Sports figures often will state they’ve “won” major accomplishments in their minds long before they ever took the field. Visualization allows you to “see” yourself in action long before you sit down at the piano. Picture yourself playing music that’s been difficult for you. See yourself accomplishing it. See yourself performing it. Then sit back down at the piano. 

Play different types of music

Do you focus on specific types of music? You may be getting tired of familiar rhythms. Change it up a bit. Play classical. How about jazz? Or maybe it’s time to pick music from your favorite musician. If you stick with one genre, they often repeat patterns. That means you can feel like you’re never moving forward, almost stuck in a rut with what you’re playing. Pick up something new and enjoy making music again. 

Try something new

Maybe it’s time for a new teacher. How about adding group lessons to the mix? Or maybe it’s time to try a software program that can help you learn something new. We’re not meant to stick with the same things throughout our lives. That stunts our growth. Look for new ways to challenge yourself – you might end up liking piano playing even more. 

If you feel like your piano skills aren’t improving, the most important tip we have for you is to try something new. It’s the easiest way to get your creative juices flowing, and start loving music once again. 

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7 January 2021 Easy Ways To Ensure Piano Practice Is a Part Of Your Day

Easy Ways To Ensure Piano Practice Is a Part Of Your Day

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Life is busy. Even here in the middle of a pandemic, when we’re spending a lot more time at home, it can seem as if there aren’t enough hours in the day. 

Yet this time in history is also doing something else to our goals and desires; it’s giving us a chance to determine what’s most important in our lives. 

For many, this is a chance to touch base with what’s most important, what nurtures your soul and helps reduce stress. For many, that includes learning to play the piano.

But that doesn’t come without a whole lot of piano practice. And if you’ve ever tried it before, you know that playing the piano doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it takes a lifetime to master. 

How do you ensure your piano practice helps you achieve your goals? 

Schedule your piano practice

You go to work or school at the same time every day. You sit down for dinner with your family at a prescheduled time. You make appointments for the dentist or doctor. Let’s face it, our lives work best when we schedule it. 

Why should piano practice be any different? 

If you play at the same time every day, it will become a normal part of your routine. Try using it as a wakeup strategy, to help you add creativity to your day. Or play right before or after dinner. Choose a time that works well with your schedule, and helps you enjoy the experience rather than feel rushed to fit it in. 

Give yourself a time slot

Don’t just sit down at a specific time, ensure you have a specific time slot for uninterrupted practice as well. 

Households are busy, and with lots of commotion, it’s easy to get distracted from the task at hand. Put away all distractions, such as your smartphone. Use a timer so you won’t be watching the clock. 

Establish a practice routine

Top athletes know before any workout, you need to warmup, practice, and cool down. 

To musicians follow the same routine. Spend the first few minutes of your practice session with a warmup routine – scales are a good bet to get your fingers moving. Then spend the middle section with core practice. Set goals at the start of each week and track how much you learn. Then finish by playing what you enjoy. This is the perfect way to unwind and let go of stress. 

Piano practice doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, if you learn just a few tricks the top pianists use to stay on track, you’ll love what you do even more. 

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14 December 2020 Perfect Christmas Gifts For The Piano Player In Your Life

Perfect Christmas Gifts For The Piano Player In Your Life

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This year we’re all being a little more practical with our gifts. If you’re looking for the ideal Christmas gift for the piano player in your life, consider one of these options.

Piano stool

While your piano may have come with a bench, it might not be the perfect one to suit your needs. Why not upgrade and get one that’s more comfortable and sits better too? Try one with a hidden storage compartment; it’s the perfect place to stash your music. 

Popular music books

No matter what level of talent your gift recipient has, why not get a music book that contains their favorite tunes? Whether they love the Beatles, think Coldplay is their jam, or prefer the modern beat of Ed Sheeran, you’ll find a compilation of the best songs they’ve produced. And give the piano player in your life more reasons to play. 

Headphones

While not every acoustic piano has the option of being playable with headphones, some do. If your loved one has a digital piano, why not give them a decent set of headphones? It makes the piano more playable – they can play it no matter who else is in the room. 

Metronome

While many piano players today have a metronome app, upgrade it and give them one they can include in their music room. There are many visual advantages to having it nearby as you learn new songs. It’s a must-have for any musician who hopes to be better at playing. 

Keyboard

While having an acoustic piano is a big benefit to increasing your talents at playing the piano, having a keyboard too can increase the amount of time someone spends playing their favorite tunes. Is your child going to college? Do they want to start a band? A portable keyboard that matches the quality of an acoustic may be just what they need. 

Digital piano

While you may love your acoustic piano that is on display in your family room, there are many times adding a digital piano to your household just makes sense. It combines the nuances of acoustic and digital into one. It allows the piano player the ability to bring their music online, have more control over what they play, and make it more playable in the busiest rooms in your home. 

What’s the perfect gift for the piano player in your life? 

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2 December 2020 Playing The Piano By Ear

Playing The Piano By Ear

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There are two ways people play the piano. One is by reading sheet music, the other is by ear. 

Reading sheet music is a practiced skill. You learn to read the notes, learn the placement of your fingers, and put the two together to make music. 

But playing the piano by ear takes talent. It takes great listening skills. And it takes lots of practice. But this isn’t a skill you have to be born with. This is something you can learn on your own. Here’s how. 

Start by picking out a familiar song. If you know it well, and can sing along easily, you’ll be able to pick the melody out on the piano. 

Find the starter notes. You can usually find the range or scale to which the song is set. This gives you the ability to pluck out the tune. 

Once you have figured out the first three to five notes, it’s easier to find the rest of the notes in the song. Most songs are built on a few chords, so once you get the first few notes down, it’s easier to continue on with the song. 

Reward your success. Once you’re able to pick out a few tunes, you can challenge yourself to do this with other songs. This is a talent that can build quickly if you pursue it. Younger kids may need help and encouragement at first, but once they have the ability to play full songs, they will enjoy this method almost as much as learning how to read music. The two can complement each other and build to make them a better piano player overall. 

You can also look for a variety of resources online that will help encourage your child to play. Realize that every person learns differently. If one method doesn’t seem to work, don’t be afraid to try something else. 

The key is finding ways to enjoy what you do.

Have you or your child ever played piano by ear? What strategy worked best for you?

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28 November 2020 Is Your New Year’s Resolution To Start Playing The Piano? Read This First

Is Your New Year’s Resolution To Start Playing The Piano? Read This First

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Have you started making your list for New Year’s resolutions yet? According to one study, only 7 percent of adults say they stuck to their resolutions and completed them all during the year. 

Yet every year we go through a ritual of making plans with the best intentions, only to find ourselves forgetting about them a few weeks after the beginning of the year. Is there a way to give yourself a better chance of completing your goals?

The problem with most goals is they never associate a why with it. 

For piano lessons, why do you want to learn? Why now? 

The stronger your why, the more chance you have of following through. Spend some time linking it to other areas of your life. For example, did you know that playing the piano is a great stress reliever? Did you know that playing the piano can help memory? 

You can also look back at what’s prevented you from starting before now. Piano playing is often a hobby that people put off. Have you found yourself saying:

I’ll do it someday. Like any activity, in order to bring it into your life, you have to spend the time on it. If not now, when? We’re always “too busy” or in “too much of a hurry.” The key is giving yourself the chance to bring it into your life. 

It’s too late for me to be good at it, why bother? Playing the piano isn’t something that comes with age. We all love watching the ten-year-old prodigies that have a special knack for playing the piano. But they are the exception to the rule. Anyone can start at any age and thoroughly enjoy their time sitting at the piano. Playing the piano is about enjoying what you do, not necessarily becoming a master at piano playing. 

If you want to play the piano, there is no better time than right now. 

The best way to get started is to start right now. Set up a goal, find a learning method that you can stick with, and reward yourself along the way. The more progress you see, the more motivation you’ll have to keep going. 

And have fun with it. That’s the whole reason to play the piano. Play the music you love. Challenge yourself to get better. And enjoy it every day. 

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24 November 2020 Don’t Make These Mistakes When Learning To Play The Piano

Don’t Make These Mistakes When Learning To Play The Piano

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As we continue to stay at home more, are you looking for more things to do in the comfort of your own home? 

Learning to play the piano can give you hours of enjoyment, and a lifelong love of the arts. 

Yet many people attempt to learn on their own. Thanks to the internet, you can find all kinds of training that can help you get started and improve your playing. If you choose this route, there are a few mistakes players make that can grow into bad habits that impact your playing. 

Fingering and hand movements

Most people assume you sit down and play; fingering and hand movements come naturally. That’s simply not true. Your bench should provide you with a comfortable seat, one that allows your hands to flow naturally by your side. Your wrists should be slightly bent, without overexerting your arms as you play. Each finger is meant to connect with the keys in a certain way. If you attempt to do this without focus, you won’t learn in such a way so that you can continue improving over time. You’ll have to unlearn bad habits to grow and play more difficult pieces. 

Piano placement

At a time where everyone is home, finding the time to play can be difficult. You might be tempted to stick your piano in the basement, or in a corner in a room people seldom visit. Out of sight is also out of mind. Your piano should be in a place you’re comfortable spending time in. You should place it in a room where you’re more likely to sit down and play. 

Sticking to a routine

Routines help us get more done in our busy days. Practice included. While you don’t have to play every day, it is important to create a regular schedule to ensure your ability starts to increase over time. Don’t focus on time – being rigid with 30 or 45 minutes of practice can lead to feeling overwhelmed. Instead, make it a goal to sit down at a specific time and establish goals for each session. Give your kids a goal to practice while you make dinner, for example. You can listen and be involved in your child’s learning while doing a chore you have to do as well. 

Relying only on yourself

While you may wish to start playing the piano through online videos or working on beginning books yourself, don’t discount using a teacher to improve what you do. Whether live or online, individual or group coaching, it’s always good to have an expert weigh in on how you’re doing. It can make your success happen that much faster, just by tweaking small steps as you make them. 

Are you learning to play the piano this year? 

What’s helped you become a better piano player?

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21 November 2020 Boost Your Brain – Play The Piano

Boost Your Brain – Play The Piano

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Why do people play the piano? For many reasons. 

Maybe to enjoy making music. Maybe because it’s fun. Maybe it’s to play like your favorite musician.

Or maybe it’s to activate your brain and help keep it strong. 

Yes, unlike other hobbies, playing the piano can provide memory boosters. If you’re looking for ways to stay young, playing the piano is a good place to start. Here’s why. 

Play the piano to increase coordination

Playing the piano involves hand-eye coordination. Your left hand plays independently of your right hand. Your eyes take in the musical notes from the sheet music. Together, each part does what is necessary to make beautiful music. This stimulates many different areas of the brain at the same time. 

Play the piano to become a better listener

When you play music, you start to listen better. You hear different parts of the song, evaluate things like pitch and voice. You pay attention to tonal quality. That translates over to everyday situations as well. It allows you to block out ambient noise, and recognize nuances of language better. You’ll have an easier time in a noisy cafe the next time you meet with friends. 

Play the piano to become a better reader

Music is a language all of its own. As you learn to read music, you’ll take in symbols and how they work together. Studies have shown that when children complement their education with music training, they display superior cognitive performance in reading skills. It’s also been shown they remember as much as 20 percent more of their vocabulary words. That continues as we age. 

Play the piano to improve memory

Piano instruction helps you improve your memory, in particular verbal memory. This is your working memory. It can also improve your mental health. Pianists experience less anxiety, stress, loneliness, and depression because playing is a great stress reliever. 

Whether you’re considering piano instruction for your child, or yourself, remember playing the piano is one of the greatest gifts you can give. It can help you live a long, happy, healthy life. 

Are you ready to learn to play the piano this year? 

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18 November 2020 It Doesn’t Take Natural Talent To Be a Great Piano Player

It Doesn’t Take Natural Talent To Be a Great Piano Player

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Too often, we associate creative hobbies and artistic endeavors to be associated with natural talent. You’ve either got it or you don’t. 

Child prodigies only make this belief even stronger. When children become known around the world for their talents before they are even in their teens, we ask ourselves: Should I even pursue my love of making music?

In short, yes. 

Sure, prodigies will always continue to amaze us. That’s the definition of being a prodigy. But that doesn’t mean you can’t pursue your love and do amazing things with it. You can play for enjoyment, or pursue it further and make it your career. There is more than enough room for everyone that chooses to bring music into their lives. 

You don’t need natural talent to be a great piano player. 

What you need is the mindset to become a great piano player. 

If you set your mind on becoming the best piano player you can be, you’ll have what it takes to put it in your life, for life, and do what it takes to get there. 

Do you think Warren Buffet had a knack for investing? Or Elon Musk had a talent for building better cars? Or the Beatles just knew how to create great songs?

Nope. How each and every one of them got there was with practice. And patience. And the ability to never give up. 

How much practice do you need to be great at playing the piano?

The answer is: Is there a time when you don’t have to practice to be at the top of your game?

The true leaders in every industry, every niche, understands that to be great, you have to work at it. Again and again. 

When you stop, you start losing your skill. You start seeing your talent fade. 

So the only question you need to ask now is: How great of a piano player do you want to be? 

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10 November 2020 Use These Motivation Tools To Keep Your Child Playing The Piano

Use These Motivation Tools To Keep Your Child Playing The Piano

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When you sign your child up for activities, you do so hoping to give them skills that will last a lifetime. While sports may teach teamwork, playing the piano can sharpen the intellect, calm the mind, and offer lifelong health. 

So how do you keep your child playing the piano? Invariably, there will come a point when they proclaim their boredness, and whine about wanting to quit. How do you encourage practicing when they don’t seem to show any interest? 

While there isn’t a foolproof plan to push them to the next level, there are a few things you can try. 

Monitor the way your child learns

We all learn differently. We all look back at our time in school and remember one or two teachers who stood out. That works for everything in life. Some piano teachers will connect with your child differently than others. It’s important to find one that works well with the way your child learns. Often, piano teachers can also make recommendations. It’s no fun for a teacher either if it always feels stressed throughout the process. 

Restructure practice sessions

The old method of timing your practice sessions is outdated. Setting a timer for thirty minutes, for example, will leave your child counting the minutes. Instead, structure lessons to encourage playing. Warm ups, goal-derived practice, and playing their favorites as a cooldown is a much better approach. For smaller children, even ten to fifteen minutes of structured playing can do wonders to keep them motivated and increase their skills accordingly. 

Encourage practice through rewards

What makes piano apps and games so exciting is the concept of winning rewards. You can do so in real life too. Set up a point system to allow your child to trade in practice points for small rewards. You can make them piano related – new sheet music – or expand it to bigger rewards, such as something PC related to encourage their music skills even further. 

This is about knowing your child and what worlds well for the way they learn. 

Kids today learn differently than we did as a child. Don’t be disheartened if they whine and complain. Instead, look for ways to encourage them, knowing playing the piano is a lifelong skill they can use in so many ways throughout their lives. 

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