If you are finally going to learn piano or your child is ready to start to learn piano, it’s helpful to know what to expect in your beginning months of learning. Before you officially start taking lessons, it’s good to familiarize yourself with what to expect as a beginner. This article will give you an idea of what to anticipate, but it will be ideal for you to look up “piano lessons near me” so you can find the optimal piano teacher for you or your child. Researching online can be overwhelming, so we’ve condensed the basics in this article for your convenience. Here are a few things to help you navigate learning the piano.
1. Buy a piano
You can’t learn the piano if you don’t have one! If you own one already, that’s wonderful! If you don’t, you should look into purchasing one. It doesn’t have to be a standard upright piano. You can also buy a keyboard; just make sure that it has 88 keys (standard, full-sized). If purchasing a brand new piano is not feasible at the moment, try looking for one that has been used before by looking for used pianos for sale on websites that allow people to sell their items online. There are many ways to select the best piano the will fit you or your kids’ lessons.
2. Learn the notes on the piano
Do you know the notes on the piano keys? Before you can master any song or even learn finger positioning on the keys, you need to know the notes each key plays. When sitting in front of a piano, you can find the middle C note in the middle of the set of keys. The white notes to the right of middle C will follow as D, E, F, G, A, B, C and will continue in the same pattern to the right. Going to the left of C, the keys will descend in the order of B, A, G, F, E, D, C. If you can write on your piano keys or put stickers on each key with the corresponding note, you should do so to help you remember the notes. Over time you will memorize the notes and where they are located.
3. Practice proper positioning
To play the piano, you need a piano, of course, and something to play it with — like your hands and fingers! When we talk about positioning, we are referring to both finger positioning and hand positioning. When you’re learning to play the piano, it’s essential to know where your fingers should be placed on the keys. Memorizing finger placement will make it easier to play songs. A simple way to remember finger placement is to number your fingers — on the left hand, number your fingers from 5 to 1 (5 being your pinky, and 1 being your thumb). Do the same thing with your right hand — your right thumb being 1, your index being 2, and so on. Practice your finger placement with this little exercise: Place your right thumb (1) on middle C and let your other fingers rest on a key. Press each key at a time with each finger. Now place your left hand next to your right hand, allowing your left thumb to rest on B. Press each key at a time with the fingers on your left hand. You can easily find resources online to help you better understand finger placement. Having a piano teacher show you proper techniques is even better.
It’s also crucial to learn the proper hand positioning over the keys. Not keeping your hands in the correct position can slowly damage your wrists and forearms over time. DON’T let your hands rest on the keys. Instead, keep your palms hovering over the piano, and allow your fingers to curl down, and let your fingertips gently rest on the keys. Make sure to keep your wrists and hands at the same level; don’t let your wrists dropdown.
4. Jump into learning
Of course, the best way to start learning is to begin! Once you have a piano in your home, you can start learning to play the notes, practice finger positioning, and hand positioning, and explore playing the keys. Having a piano tutor will also be significantly helpful as they can provide you with a hands-on learning experience. Your piano teacher will assess your child’s abilities and will help point them in the right direction for the best learning.
Ready to start lessons?
If your child is ready to start piano lessons, you need to find a fun and passionate teacher for them. Don’ hesitate to ask us to help find an instructor and lesson time that works best for you. At Lessons In Your Home, our instructors are thoroughly vetted, professional, and passionate about music. Our teachers will come right to your home for every lesson, plus we offer virtual music lessons, too. Our online music lessons are taught by local music teachers who plan their lessons to suit your child. Contact us today to learn more.
