Just like sports or subjects in school, some people naturally pick up the ability to read notes and play the piano faster than others. However, that doesn’t mean that you should give up just because you are unable to play an entire classical piece a week after your first lesson. Even the most renowned pianists need to practice.
Mastering the piano, says Michelle Koch of Piano Teacher USA, is a gradual process. The piano teachers at this NYC location are experts at sparking the interest of students and making playing the piano fun. Some students want to go the traditional route and learn classical music, Koch explains, while others enjoy more modern music and want to play the same songs that they hear on the radio. Therefore, Koch must match new students with the teachers that will best meet their needs. But while the instructors vow to do their best at teaching you how to read notes, play the piano, and make music your own, developing your skills also requires you to practice regularly.
When you train for a marathon, Koch says, you need to practice every day. The same can be said for the piano as well. It’s not enough to practice for a chunk of time only once a week, she explains. Instead, you need to sit down at the piano and work on the homework you’ve been given every day.
When you’re having an off day and don’t feel excited about playing, consider these tips to make your practice sessions as productive as possible:
- Eliminate distractions. You’ll be able to get more done in a shorter period of time if you aren’t distracted by background noise. Therefore, you should turn off the TV, radio, and your cell phone while you practice.
- Start with warm-ups. Depending on where you are in your practice, Koch says that this could include finger warm-ups to strengthen your muscles and scales to get your fingers ready to play.
- Practice around the same time every day so that it becomes a priority and not another part of your day that you try to cram in at the last minute.
- Take the time to read over the music and familiarize yourself with tempo changes and areas that are particularly tricky before you start to play.
- Begin by practicing each piece in sections and work through the difficult areas slowly and carefully.
- Don’t allow yourself to play the wrong notes. If you mess up, go back and try the section again until you have gotten it right.
- Incorporate your teacher’s suggestions into your practice.
Practicing the piano, Koch says, is about much more than playing a piece from beginning to end. If the middle sounds shaky, she explains, pause and work through that area until you’re confident enough to move on. Most importantly, if you ever start to feel like your practice sessions just aren’t helping, then discuss your concerns with your instructor to make your time at the piano more effective.