How to learn to play the piano

The piano is royalty in the world of musical instruments. Those who have studied music say that those who have mastered the piano find it much easier to learn to play any other instrument. What’s more, learning to play the piano can be a wonderful hobby for you to enjoy alone, or even in the company of others.

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Many experts argue that learning the piano has many intellectual benefits. In fact, for a long time it was a symbol of cultured people and even of a certain social level. But this has changed a lot and nowadays, the piano is very accessible, playing it is within everyone's reach and the benefits go far beyond cultivating the intellect. You can do it for the enjoyment of music, and it will also open doors to many other instruments.

Benefits of playing an instrument

Playing the piano requires a basic knowledge of music theory and how to read sheet music, so if you want to play something else, it will be much easier. Playing any instrument has many advantages and benefits.

• It reduces stress: the moment we learn to control an instrument, we take the musical experience to another level. Listening to music can be relaxing, but when you feel the music coming from your hands, the effect is much greater and richer.
• Improve coordination: Playing an instrument requires a series of skills that, even if you don't have them at first, you will improve after a while. Motor skills that you will also see improved in your day-to-day life.
• Improves memory: In the same way it also stimulates the brain and prevents some diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
• Expression: It's a way to bring out all those things you have inside, ideas or feelings. A way to open yourself to the world and open your mind, music fights sadness.
• More social life: Playing an instrument can open many doors for you, as you will start to share a hobby with many other people and who knows if one day you might play in public and make your friends' day.

Types of piano

The biggest disadvantage of the piano is that, unfortunately, it's known to be expensive. However, it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. There are several options and some of them are cheaper, for that we have to know what kind of pianos exist.

• Grand piano: the classical piano is the reason why people often think that it is an instrument for the rich. And the truth is that a grand piano is very expensive, in fact some of them are real luxury items. There are several types of grand pianos, with different sizes. It is something that not many people can afford and only expert pianists usually have it, but the results it gives are spectacular.
• Wall piano: This is a not so expensive option, but it is usually for those who are serious about it. Wall pianos are also usually quite expensive, but they are not something that only a few people can afford. The cheapest ones are around 1,000 euros and, like grand pianos, there are some for those who are looking for luxury at astronomical prices.
• Electronic pianos: The most common and affordable option. It is the same as an upright piano but its sound is electronic and is not produced by strings. The features it offers are very similar and only an expert can really tell the difference. Even so, its price is not comparable to other instruments and ranges between 300 and 900 euros.
• Keyboard: The cheapest option, its price is around 100 euros and on the second hand market you can find it for less. There is a big difference between a keyboard and a real piano, for example the keys are not heavy and that is a big disadvantage. But if you are not very determined and want to try it out, it is a very good option. There are very professional keyboards that offer advantages over electronic pianos, as they usually have other sounds, apart from the piano sound. They also include weights on the keys.

Advice

Learning to play the piano by yourself is an almost impossible task. But that doesn't mean that you can't do things outside of your piano lessons or academies. There are some tasks, apart from the ones your tutor tells you to do, that you can do.

We recommend a series of exercises that may be of interest:

• Find a song you like and find its piano version. It doesn't necessarily have to be a song composed for piano, it can be a pop song, which is probably simpler, and you can search the internet for its version.
• Separate the score into small parts. Make each part no longer than 10 seconds, and practice it over and over again until you get it down separately. Do not progress until you are sure you have mastered it.
• Don't get ahead of yourself. Don't advance until you are sure, don't use both hands if you don't think you can do it. When playing the piano, it's very important to go step by step from the beginning.
• Practice every day. This is something fundamental, even if it is only for 15 minutes, but sit down in front of the piano and play it a little every day.

Where to take piano lessons

It is undoubtedly something absolutely essential when learning, it is necessary to know solfège to play the piano and although it is not the most complicated thing in the world, to understand it well it is necessary that someone explains it.

There are three popular options; conservatories, academies and private tutors. Three options that ensure that you learn to play, but all three are a different path and you should take the one that suits you best.

The conservatory

It is the option oriented towards becoming a professional, music conservatories are the largest institution in terms of musical education and it is oriented towards creating a career. But not everyone who does it is going to dedicate themselves to it.

There are people who enter the conservatory for the sheer pleasure of it, and it is undoubtedly the best training you can get. But it is not for everyone, when you enter, and especially as an adult, they give you a level test that you have to pass in order to start taking lessons.

Music schools

Music schools are a very similar option to conservatories but they are not as professionally oriented. You will find all the advantages of group classes, although it will not be as complete but it will be more personalised than a conservatory.

Private tutors

It is undoubtedly the best option if you want to learn to play the piano when you are older and do not want to dedicate yourself to it professionally. You can have personalised learning and learn only what you are interested in and with the intention that you want.

If you are going to learn to play the piano from scratch, the best thing you can do is to have the help of a private tutor. They will teach you at the pace you need and you can ask him or her any questions you may have. You will undoubtedly get the best results.

There are several ways to learn to play this wonderful instrument, but what you really have to keep in mind, in all instruments, but especially in this one, is perseverance, as it requires a lot of effort, but it will surely be rewarded