Many people love nothing more than to listen to a well composed piece on the piano. Usually, these same people would like to be able to play these pieces, as well.
There is nothing worse than having the passion and ambition to learn something, but not knowing where to begin. This happens often when someone wants to learn how to play the piano. There are also those who have gone through several lessons, but gave up because they got bored, or just couldn’t get it. The good news is that with the right guidance, anyone is capable of learning to play piano.
First, you need to know that there are two ways to play the piano; by note reading or by chords. Ideally, you would learn both, but to enjoy playing the piano for fun, you only need to learn the style that you prefer. If you want to play music that has already been written, you will need to know how to play by note. If you want to be able to write your own music, you will need to know piano chords.
Again, learning both is usually the best option, if you have the patience. Plus, you can always learn the chords first to get a feel for the sounds that they produce, and move on to note reading at a later time.
Once you have made your decision, it is time to find instruction. The most traditional method is to hire a private teacher. You will have to ensure that your instructor is reliable and qualified, and you should find out whether their lessons are chord based or note based. Most often, you will take your lessons in a studio or music store. Occasionally, you will find a teacher that will come to your home, but this is usually more costly. If you choose private instruction, you should choose a comfortable option where you won’t feel pressured.
If your motivation for taking beginner piano lessons is simply for fun, or if you are on a tight budget, the large expense of private instruction will not be your best choice. There are several good books, CDs and DVDs that can be used to learn from, as well.
The final option that you have is piano lesson software. This can be either on or offline, and it combines the thorough lessons of an instructor with the reduced cost of other home-based learning systems. With computer piano courses, you can choose to learn at your own pace, and your own convenience. Computer lessons are usually designed to be accelerated courses, meaning that you will save time, as well as money. This is an excellent option, as long as you can stay motivated to work on your own.
The most important thing to remember when learning any instrument is to have fun. The learning process should be exciting. Don’t get discouraged if you make mistakes, everyone does. Mistakes are part of the learning process, and you must learn from them. Stay positive. If you keep trying and still can’t get it, you may not be using the right learning method. Feel free to explore new avenues, or even mix them.
