Are you curious about what it really takes to take your piano playing to the next level? Perhaps you’re considering Denver Piano Lessons to help you grow as a pianist but you want to learn about some of the secrets of the experts first. This article covers a few important tips that will help you become a seasoned professional on the piano.
While there are many different ways that a piano player can become great, the meat and potatoes behind becoming successful on the instrument lies within these three points: learning music theory, challenging yourself, and practice practice practice!

Learning Music Theory

Music theory can best be described as the language that music speaks in written form. When you understand music theory, it becomes much easier to grow as a piano player. Without music theory, piano players are forced to guess which keys are going to sound good together instead of knowing where to place their hands right off the bat. Learning piano without music theory will also take a lot longer because you’ll be forced to recall your progressions from memory instead of being able to replicate them! Understanding the basics of music theory allows you to recognize key signatures, formulate chord progressions, and move about on the piano more comfortably.
The key to learning music theory is to start somewhere simple and take it one step at a time. You don’t want to try and digest it all at once – that can lead to more confusion! Instead, try starting with learning how to form chords. This will start you off on the right foot by giving you the essential tools that are necessary for writing your own music. Once you comprehend the theory behind chords and intervals, you can dive deeper! The more you know about theory, the better you’ll be on a piano.

Challenging Yourself

This is an important one! A trap that too many piano players and even Denver piano teachers at time fall into is the ever-feared “comfort zone.” They learn how to play a few licks, then they stick with those licks because they’re familiar. They don’t push themselves to learn more and become complacent. This leads to becoming disappointed and eventually giving up because they don’t feel like they’re getting any better. One of the pillars of becoming a better piano player is constantly challenging yourself to play things that may be above your skill level.
The science behind this point is undeniable – our brains are able to adapt to challenges when we put in the effort to train them. Let’s say you want to learn a classical piece of music that seems way above your skill level. Well, maybe it is above your skill level – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try anyways! Break it down into small pieces and practice them, one step at a time, until you become fluent. Then move to the next piece. With a little bit of patience and a lot of dedication, you’ll be playing the entire piece in no time, and you will have become a more competent piano player because of the effort that you put in. Don’t become complacent! Dedicate yourself to the instrument by constantly challenging yourself.

Practice, Practice, Practice

While this point is somewhat similar to the previous point, it still deserves a category of its own just because of its extreme importance. Did Beethoven become the master composer that he was by only practicing every now and then? No way! He put in hours of practice every single day. Now, I know what you might be thinking – “I don’t have time for that!” We have busy lives and oftentimes we are unable to dedicate ourselves to practicing as much as we might want to. Don’t worry! Consistency is key. Determine how much time you are able to carve out for piano practice, and stick to it! Whether it’s 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or 2 hours, the best way to see results from your practice is to do it every day.
Practicing for 15 minutes per day is better than practicing for an hour every other day because it allows our brains to form a routine. Think about the benefits of repetition that showcase themselves in our everyday lives. We get better at driving by doing it every day. We get better at our jobs by doing it every day. The same concept applies to the piano. You get what you give! Dedicate yourself to practicing every day and watch how quickly you become a better pianist.

Conclusion

The piano is a beautifully versatile instrument that allows musicians to express themselves. It is a challenging instrument to play, but the reward of being able to sit down and make music vastly outweighs the work required to get there. The fact that you’re researching how to become a better player is a great sign!
Teachers at Lessons In Your Home provide students with exercises and techniques that they can implement in their spare time to speed up their learning. They can either come to your home to teach or can also provide online music lessons. Our virtual music lessons are taught by local music teachers who plan their lessons to suit your child. Contact us today to find an instructor near you who will help your child master their skills.
By Caleb Hicks