Music is an art, and learning a piece of the instrument to play your favorite tunes is a skill that follows you for a lifetime. Piano is a top priority for many kids and adults because of its versatile melodies and presence in every other instrument. Familiarizing yourself with the chords and basic techniques is the key step to start your journey. With patience, practice, motivation, and support from your fellow novice musicians and loved ones, you can become a professional pianist.
Over the past few years, the music industry has evolved into a new trend where people learn the same basic instruments over the internet. As COVID-19 has restricted us within our homes, it has also brought a wave of innovation and learning music much more comfortable. As the 19th most populous city in the US, Denver has seen a tremendous rise in online classes to learn musical instruments. Other than being innovative, it is a facilitating method for children to make good use of technology.
8 Tips to Excel in Piano Classes
Learning anything requires utmost determination and willingness, but with a few simple steps, you can become a professional pianist among the lot. The following list features the top things you need to keep in mind when starting a piano class.
Train Your Ears
To become a good musician, one has to listen, listen and just listen. Ear training is a critical component of becoming a professional pianist as it opens a gateway to learning. Even in introductory classes, your teachers, along with some basic techniques, recommend that you listen as vigilantly as possible. Besides being an excellent technique to master the craft, it also lets young pianists decide their favorite music and the style and hand movements. If you are an online student, always opt for an area with a stable internet connection and a teacher with a good quality camera to thoroughly observe the skill they are presenting in front of you.
Be Flexible with Keys
We all love watching Mr. Bean the Animated Series thumping his fingers on the piano to create the perfect notes except the last one, but that’s so not the reality. Amateur pianists are known to apply a lot of pressure on the instrument, which leads to unpleasant sounds and cramps. Instead of hitting the keys for the purpose of style or to produce energetic music, glue your hands softly and in a relaxed manner. A comfortable hand with thoughtful notes is much easier to control, and you can catch up with your teacher without lagging behind. The key of playing the piano is like typing on your laptop – vigorous typing might produce noise, but it can damage the keys as well as your fingers. Moreover, you look really elegant by pressing the keys softly, so it is always ideal to play an instrument of such a classical and genuine era with such class.
Maintain Rhythm and Tempo
The success of a pianist is determined by their ability to maintain tempo and rhythm. They are essential elements of any music; therefore, attaining a grip at the early stages of your learning process is mandatory. Practice the rhythm of the song, and notice the chords and notes involved. One thing to understand here is that you need to stay in touch with what you are being taught in the class. Moving a few steps ahead may cause you to skip some essential lessons. Therefore, it is highly recommended to keep momentum with the class and focus on managing your basic tempo and rhythm before moving on. One of the most significant advantages of taking zoom music lessons is that the teacher provides relatable lesson plans for the student to enjoy.
Memorize the Lessons
The basic lessons include memorizing a few terminologies, key numbers, the notes produced by each key, components of a piano and their function, and the chord structure. It might be a lot for beginners to absorb in one session; therefore, teachers divide the chapters for a better learning experience. Memorizing everything taught in the class not only helps you keep up with things, but you can also apply their function during lessons to play the best version of the piano as per your skill level. Moreover, people who memorize the basics mentioned above can handle complex lessons way before those who don’t.
Find a Piece to Play
Music tutors suggest suitable pieces to practice as your progress. If they don’t, there are plenty of pieces free of charge on the internet. From PDF to e-books and online, you can find something suitable to play and excel in according to your level of skill and ability to learn. From melodies to popular songs along with instructions on how to play, these lessons are full of helpful information that can help you launch a cover of your favorite song one day. To obtain maximum efficiency, begin with the black keys while maintaining accuracy with each note. Make sure that all your fingers are involved along with your thumbs so you can obtain maximum efficiency.
Be Accurate, Not Speedy
Most people focus on increasing their playing speed instead of accuracy. While speed playing the piano is a skill that comes with a monumental amount of practice and determination, your first preference should be hitting the right notes and knowing when to change tempo. Dedicating your energy to achieve accurate and efficient notes along with a surpassing tempo should be your top priority. As you progress and understand the instrument better, speed will also improve.
Sight Read
Sight-reading is a highly appreciative art where the musician performs a piece without previous practice or knowledge. While most pianists keep their heads in the notes, adding sight reading in the learning process can be a breath of fresh air to your otherwise very standard techniques. Additionally, you can develop proprioception skills, better cognitive function, and even mind-to-body coordination. Students with regular sight-reading during piano lessons in Denver can also plan the notes and understand what’s coming next.
Practice a Lot
From learning the best techniques to playing the right notes, practicing what your music instructor has recommended, along with unique additions, helps you go a long way. Always start with simple melodies and gradually opt for more complex sessions that improve your speed, accuracy, and power to retain good music. Now practicing doesn’t mean that you can play any piece inaccurately. This is why having a good piano teacher is mandatory.
Conclusion
The piano is a versatile instrument that goes way back. If you are planning to learn it, there are plenty of face-to-face and online sessions to help you achieve something big. A piano novice must have a few tips in mind to start a worthwhile journey that starts by training your ears to help you understand better. Focus on the accuracy of the notes instead of speed to get the perfect rhythm and tempo of what you are learning. A lot of individuals just devote the class timings to music but going an extra mile with additional practice, and research can truly help you shine as a passionate pianist in the making. Just focus on excelling in your step by step journey, you will be surprised at your skill.
