How to Focus While Playing the Piano

Concentration is vital to play a piano piece perfectly, and crucial if you are playing to an audience. Focus on the melody, chords and timing to play music error-free. For the professional player or the hobbyist who takes piano playing seriously, focus is essential to playing music from deep within your soul.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Play scales to warm up. An experienced player will play scales effortlessly. Continue practicing until the scales play perfectly at varying speeds and octaves.

2. Focus on the melody. When playing a piece of music for the first time, play the melody several times until you become familiar with it.

3. Practice the entire song. Note where you make mistakes and practice those areas of a song until perfected. Play the song continuously until it becomes effortless.

4. Lose yourself in the song to where you are unaware of your surroundings. You and the music should become one and your own personal style will come through, whether playing classical or popular music.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave the piano if you are unable to concentrate. Take that time to do chores or be with family. A dedicated pianist is a person who can easily stay focused because that is his passion, and it won't take long before you're back at the ivory keys.
• Move to another song if one is not playing well. Go back to it at another time; review the areas that need correction and practice again.
• Practice. A musical artist reaches success through years of practice and study. Find a quiet time to practice every day, or practice in a soundproof room.