Approaching Piano Learning & Skill Building

Learning piano can be approached in many ways. It can be learned as a hobby or in a professional pursuit. Some musicians have a university degree, some have studied privately, and others self-study using books, videos and online resources.

Especially at the beginning stages, I encourage anyone considering learning piano to be thorough at every step. Be diligent and do your research, asking questions and seeking relevance around what to learn and how to learn.

Here are several questions that can aid in identifying your learning approach.

• What style of music do you want to play?
  

• What artists are significant to you and how did they learn?
  

• Is private tuition in your budget and if so how regularly are you able to take them?
  

• What teachers are in your community and which ones are better suited to the sound you want to pursue?
  

• What are your expectations on the time frame and commitment needed to achieve your objectives?
  

• What research have you invested into other peoples experience and advice on learning piano?
  

• If a piano is required, what kind of piano is suitable and what are the options for your budget?

Asking questions like these will not only build a better perspective around efficient learning, but also within the process of finding such answers will expose you to even more perspectives that you may have not have considered.

Learning will become exponentially more efficient the more it is done. Slow, steady and meticulous learning is better than fast and superficial learning. Our brains are wired to identify systems and patterns. Once you connect with logic deeper learning is achieved. When mistakes are made this is where the learning begins, and skills start to be assembled.

A complacent mindset needs to shift to a methodical explorative mindset to gain value in all your experience of the learning process. Finesse will be achieved by attention to detail, logic, problem-solving, repetition, and a passion for not only the end goal but also the journey.

Checklist for Sustainable & Efficient Learning

My philosophy is that if you enjoy the process, then a life long habit of music exploration will be created. Create a space in your schedule each day to touch the piano even if it is for 15 minutes on those busy days. By being accountable to your practice affirms your goals and objectives for music. Create an environment that you are at peace in allowing focus and concentration. Go in with a strategy and always finish with something that you enjoy. Be realistic with your objectives and be methodical and build out from there.

Here are some of the priorities I promote for sustainable and efficient learning.

• Create time in your schedule

• Create an environment free of distractions and that is comfortable

• Find succinct exercises, repertoire and teachings to build skills

• Implement a planned practice session (no longer than 45 minute periods at the piano at a time)

• Be an intricate problem solver, experiment with different approaches

• Be patient

• Enjoy and acknowledge both large and small achievements in your practice

Focus on the skills you need

There are only so many hours in a day. Based on the style of music that you want to play should dictate what areas of music you should prioritize and focus first. If you desire to play classical music, then dexterity exercises and sight-reading may be a priority for you. If you want to accompany yourself singing, then learning left-hand bass options and right-hand chord voicings and rhythms may the priority. I spent six months focused on ii-V-I “Rootless Jazz Voicings” only to realize that the kind of music I wanted to play at the time used different principles to build chords. Sure, I would have gotten to those voicings eventually, but in hindsight, I would have prioritized my practice much differently. Know the context of what you are learning and how it fits into both your sound and your objectives.

Building Skills

Below is a simplified method of learning that I found success with. Be meticulous with your approach. I guarantee once you successfully navigate learning a new skill, however small or large that puzzle is, the reward will be worth it.

• FIND THE INFORMATION

• PROCESS THE LOGIC

• STRUCTURE MUSIC & EXERCISES INTO CHUNKS, BARS, SECTIONS

• VISUALIZE & AUDIATE THE MUSIC & CO-ORDINATION

• IMPRINT THE INFORMATION TO MIND & ACTIONS AT THE PIANO THROUGH MINDFUL REPETITION

• APPLY IT IN MUSIC

• ADD IT TO PRACTICE ROUTINE UNTIL RETENTION IS SUCCESSFUL

• REVISIT TO COMFIRM ACTION IS SOLIDIFIED TO MIND