Everyone begins piano lessons for the same reasons: they want to learn how to play familiar melodies, they want to be able to play for family and friend, they want to play with other musicians and accompany singers. But most piano players also fall into the rut of their lessons and forget how to be successful in their lessons and practice at home. Here are some tips to help you have successful piano lessons continuously!
- Choose a teacher who is perfect for you. Interview several and find one that fits your goals for playing the piano. Make sure you choose someone you get along with!
- When you decide to take lessons, make sure that you have enough time in your schedule for both lessons AND time to practice. Also make sure you know how to use your time wisely when it comes to practicing. You need to be mentally present when you are learning new material. Give yourself goals for each practice session and focus on the assigned practice material first. Then you can have fun and play whatever you want for the last part of your practice session.
- Know what your goals are for learning to play the piano and share them with your teacher. They are not mind readers. If you have something specific you would like to learn or play, let them know! But also keep in mind that your teacher is going to choose music for you to play that you will not love playing, and that is ok. They know best what will challenge you and help you to grow musically.
- You need to trust the teaching techniques of your teacher and use them. Teachers are taught to develop an understanding of their students’ different learning styles.
- Invest in a metronome! It will be your best friend when you are practicing. You can create games with yourself to see if you can keep up with it or pretend that the metronome is a drummer in your band. Stay positive about using your metronome and it will be a big help to you!
- Remember that no one is perfect and you will not be perfect in playing the piano. Playing the piano will help you to learn about yourself in terms of how you relate to your imperfections, how you face challenges, how you work towards goals, and how you deal with emotions. You are a work in progress!
- Engage your brain whenever playing the piano. They say that playing the piano will raise your IQ by 7 points and nothing in the world engages so much of your brain at the same time as playing an instrument. It is pretty apparent that your whole brain is involved when you are playing music!
- Parents, you too can motivate your children when it comes to piano lessons! Keep on them to practice at home around 5 times a week. Listen to them when they are practicing and make encouraging remarks about the progress they are making. Ask them how their piano lesson went after they come home. Show them you are excited about them playing the piano too!
