Fundamental Practice Tips for an Absolute Beginner

[tomewer]

Hey!

I started learning piano about three weeks ago. Although I've tried it a couple of times before (going back 10 years or so) this is the first time I've felt really excited about it and committed to it and I've not got this far before.

I have read a lot of information about how to practice -- I've read some of C C Chang's book for instance. I'm suffering a bit from information overload and I was wondering if you guys could offer some basic and fundamental tips for practicing for beginners?

At the moment I'm practicing short pieces from "It's Never Too Late to Play Piano" by Pam Wedgwood -- I've just finished Unit 5. I generally start by getting up to a decent tempo hands separate before combining hands and increasing tempo gradually. I do struggle to discipline myself in not playing stuff too quickly before I am able to do so.

Cheers!

Tom

[pianoplunker]

Hey!

I started learning piano about three weeks ago. Although I've tried it a couple of times before (going back 10 years or so) this is the first time I've felt really excited about it and committed to it and I've not got this far before.

I have read a lot of information about how to practice -- I've read some of C C Chang's book for instance. I'm suffering a bit from information overload and I was wondering if you guys could offer some basic and fundamental tips for practicing for beginners?

At the moment I'm practicing short pieces from "It's Never Too Late to Play Piano" by Pam Wedgwood -- I've just finished Unit 5. I generally start by getting up to a decent tempo hands separate before combining hands and increasing tempo gradually. I do struggle to discipline myself in not playing stuff too quickly before I am able to do so.

Cheers!

Tom

you are doing great already knowing the difference between practice and playing. Hands separate is something that you should figure on doing forever as far as practice. Your playing will catch up. 

[bronnestam]

Yes, hands separate is very good!

One of the best pieces of advice from the "Fundamental ..." book is this: always finish your practice session by playing SLOWLY. Yes, also if you switch hands for a while - always play slowly before you switch.

I can also add from my personal experience: ALWAYS end your sessions in a good mood. ALWAYS note your progress, no matter how small. NEVER scold yourself for mistakes you make. (It is easier than you think to do that.)

Playing the piano is like having a love affair. You must constantly renew and take care of your love in order to keep it alive. So, when you make mistakes in your practicing, just see it as a opportunity to spend more time with you love. Sometimes we get impatient, because we expect fast progress and we are eager to reach our goals. But don't. Enjoy the learning process instead, your brain is amazing. NOBODY on earth is born a "natural piano player"; everyone, even the so called masters, has to learn the skill from the beginning. It is, when you think about it, a fantastically complicated process which demands most of your attention - so, be truly happy for everything you learn.

As you can see, I'm taking this post-processing thing very seriously ... But it is about preparing for your next session right when you finish your present one. If you don't do that, you will sooner or later "hit the wall". You must keep the momentum up in your learning process.

[tomewer]

Thank you both for your tips!

[bernadette60614]

Something I would add as an adult beginner on sustaining interest.

I like to note the date that I started working on a piece. Those moments when I feel I'm not moving forward, I can refer back to those dates and see that I have, in fact, progressed to more complex pieces.

For me, at least, there is a strong temptation to focus on how long the road is ahead as opposed to appreciating how far I've traveled.

[tomewer]

Thank you -- that's a great suggestion. I've actually taken this a step further by creating an online journal of my learning. I plan to regularly record videos of my playing etc so I can keep track of how I develop over time!