How to Practice Piano

As with any skill you want to learn, practice makes perfect. The more you play, the better your playing will become and - the most important thing - the more you will enjoy it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pianos
• Sheet Music For Piano
• Keyboards
• Piano Stool

1. Play every day. It will improve your playing much more than just practicing once a week.

2. Flex your fingers to make them supple before starting to play.

3. Warm your hands if they are cold.

4. Choose times to play when you can be by yourself. Nothing is worse than having other people listen while you are learning to play.

5. Start playing everything slowly. When you can play the piece evenly and smoothly, gradually work up to the right speed. You won't get it right if you start out too fast.

6. Try to learn something new every week. Don't be discouraged if you are not getting everything right the first few times around.

7. Be patient. Make sure you can play every piece smoothly before you go on to the next tune.

8. If you have problems with one particular part, practice that part separately until you've mastered it, then try the whole tune all the way through.

9. Try to play keeping your eyes on the music, not on your hands or the keyboard.

10. Polish your playing. Correct mistakes before they become bad habits.

11. Relax by playing music you already know. Enjoy yourself.

[dolcetta1]

on 6/26/2008 Keep your eyes on the music?? It's memorization and keeping focus on the hands that takes real effort

on 8/8/2006 Always practice first what you don't know, while your mind is fresh and you are alert.

on 8/8/2006 Playing the piano is all or nothing. If you aren't willing enough to give 120%, then just forget about being a musician!

on 8/8/2006 Promise yourself that you will practice for the same amount of time every day for two weeks or a month. This kind of goal should keep you motivated, since there is a sense of achievement and completion at the end. This kind of goal may also help you to practice more than usual for the duration of your practice period. Fulfilling your promise may involve a certain amount of sacrifice, such as watching less television.

In North India, classical musicians have what is called a cilla (pronounced chill-AH), a period of forty days in which one practices every day for the same amount of time in the same place at the same time of day. These chilla can be observed as often as possible. Such devotion and discipline is what enables the best musicians to attain great heights.

on 8/8/2006 About 5 years ago, I despised practicing the piano. I was so angered that I started thinking about quitting. However, I didn't want to give up because all that time that I had wasted trying to learn it would be for nothing. So I started practicing as much as I could, and to my surprise, I found interest in many different things. And if I still didn't find interest, the least I could do is started playing a different genre. So whatever you do, don't quit until you give it your best try.