How to improve efficiently in piano playing? Tips for beginners?

[adam94]

Hi all

I have been playing piano 2 weeks ago, i never played before. I just learn on the internet, because i haven't got enough money to take piano lessons (but i really want to). I think I'm in love with piano really loves the sound of it, but i still have just a keyboard, i want to replace it with digital piano as soon as possible, i already put my all stuffs on ebay, to get money for them.

I want your advices, how to improve in future, efficiently day after day.
I always practice daily 2-3 hours, but if i have more time i practice 4-5 hours.(i never miss a day, i know its really important to practice constantly)

My practice time included mainly in the past 2 weeks(i do my practice with both hands, i think its more beneficial):
-All Major, Minor scales in parallel and contrary motion.
-The triads, Major and Minor chords practice, with their inversions.
-Arpeggios(with easier chords like C major), Chromatic scales in parallel and contrary motion.
-Getting acquainted with Dim 7th, Dominant 7th

I learned to read music on beginner level, rests, key signatures, accidentals, notes in bass and treble clef, intervals. I learn just from music sheets, i know its the best way to be mentally good, and it will be good for sightreading.
I didn't sightread yet, i need some more reading practice, maybe 1-2 weeks later.

I want to ask, is it good to practice like this, or i just do wrong stuffs, what i shouldn't do?
There is any good tips what should practice now, or later some months?
And especially i want to learn pieces what absolutely good for improving dexterity, so what is really beneficial. Any reccomendation?

I don't mind, if my all time just go for practicing scales or etc. i really like them, and if that will show big improvements, its totally worth it
Im not that guy, who prefer just playing on piano, before get know everything about piano, and music theory.
I want to get my skills good first, and just after play some harder music, what will be easier by this way.(I really like Chopin, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven but i know im not ready for playing their big pieces, thats not come with just 2 weeks )
I know learning pieces very important, thats why i ask your help, recommendation

I want to learn by the best way, please help me big pianists !
(Any tips can be good)

P.S: I am 19 years old, if it matters.

[liszt85]

Some tips:

1) You can never really learn how to play the piano on an electronic keyboard that doesn't have weighted hammers.

2) Once you get a digital piano, you will realize that spending time on developing good form for your hands and fingers is the first important step.

3) Scales and arpeggios are all good but like I said, there are things that you need to do before that. 2) is one of them. I also teach my students some basic theory to get them familiarized with the layout of the piano. Only after that do I tell them about scales (and I make it a point to talk to them about intervals and how scales are constructed).

4) No, all of your practice time need not and should not go into practicing scales and arpeggios. You need to have some fun too by playing simple pieces to develop reading (among other things that you gain by playing actual music).

There are far too many things that can be done wrong if you are attempting this by yourself and so for that reason, I'll recommend very highly that you find a teacher. However, if you can't afford one at this point, I guess the next best thing would be to take all of this very slow! There are plenty of adult beginner method books available that you can use to guide yourself. Those books introduce material in a logical manner, so you will not be stuck with playing scales right from day 1 (which isn't what you should be doing really).

[faulty_damper]

My only tip is this: memorize everything. Small note patterns, extended note patterns, etc. all with different fingerings.  Guaranteed to improve your performance or I'll slit my corneas out.

[bronnestam]

I second about those adult beginner's books, I know they are really good. Be careful to follow their instructions precisely. One lesson a day, not two!
Also take care not to overpractice in the beginning. Your brain needs time to process what you have learned, your muscles and tendons need time to get used to playing, or you might experience pain and fatigue that will lead to injuries that are not fun to have. NEVER keep on playing if you feel some kind of fatigue. This also goes for your brain ...

And as usual   I recommend Bach's Inventions in order to improve your technique. Nice pieces, also suitable for performing.  

[outin]

And as usual   I recommend Bach's Inventions in order to improve your technique. Nice pieces, also suitable for performing.  

To an absolute beginner with no teacher? Please don't 

[adam94]

Thanks for every replies guys I keep in mind your all tips, i found them really helpful
Btw i found this Yamaha YDP-162 digital piano, i thinking about to buy it if i have the money, is it good digital piano to start with? It sounds really cool.And it has graded hammer key.
If anybody knows better digital piano for this price, please share with me

[fore]

If I'm allowed to ask, what's the average cost for a piano teacher..in home or at their home?  I'm reading these beginner threads and it seems pretty universal that a teacher is recommended.

[francisco40295]

This is all nonsense if you're just looking to have fun.

Step 1) Forget all rules imposed by teachers. Altough they are certainly the right way, they are      not the fast nor the funniest.

Step 2) Listen to me, I'm not extremely talented and I can play many pieces by now, it's only been 2 years and my repertoire includes Tempest mov 3 and 1, moonlight mov1 3, pathetique mov 1, chopin preludes and nocturnes, bach fugues and one invention. And of course, a little of k331.

Step 3) Don't force yourself to play the piano, if you follow my approach you'll want to learn.
           I've recently started learning scales and arpegios, but that's because I feel it's helping me in the long run. This is boring, and I can play better than many seasoned pianists who know their technique and all. As to learning how to read, I want to because it's easier for me now to practise scales and arpegios with a sheet. I still use synthsia for learning. In fact, after 2 years I'm really fast learning in synthesia, it's like getting used to sight reading. Probably worse in the long run, as the software isn't optimized specifically to read while playing, nor is the traditional system of musical notation, something I'm very much a critic of.

I learned all on a shitty 51 key non weighted keyboard, so altough people tell you you'll get the wrong technique you just ignore them. It's very easy to make the change, it's only frustrating on the first two days. Learning technique and reading is boring and will slow your initial progress, I've stated the reasons I'm learning and the reasons for you not to learn. Without learning these traditional things you'll not only be able to play well, you'll be able to play well faster in the beginning.

Step 4) Download synthesia and midi files for it. It's the best program to learn music out there.
           I learned fur elise on my 2 month, and I still can't sight read it well. ( Because I learned
           it on synthesia, which is perfect for learning, trust me.) Download it and you'll understand, I have over 1000 midi files there and I can send you many.

Step 5) Follow my advice, download synthesia, and only play pieces you like. Ignore every bit of advice that's not logical. If people tell you you need to how to read music to play you tell them they're wrong! There are many good reasons to learn musical notations, and scales, and all the regular approach. But they are of no importance if you're just starting.

[sucom]

The only thing that a keyboard and a piano have in common is that they keyboard is laid out the same.  This means that if you are beginner practising on an electronic keyboard, you will be able to learn to read notation and your co-ordination will definitely improve.  There is no doubt about that.  You can build up quite a few useful skills on an electronic keyboard so don't worry too much in the beginning, especially if you are enjoying it!  Don't forget, enjoying what you are doing is the number 1 reason for playing any instrument and if this means practising on an electronic keyboard then so be it.

If the keyboard is touch sensitive (I don't think they call it that anymore but I can't remember the word they use now) then you will have the opportunity to develop a certain amount of expression.  However, this really is where the similarity between the two instruments ends.  In an ideal world, if you are hoping to play the piano well, then obviously practising on a piano is the best way forward.  But.... if this is not yet possible, then practise on a keyboard, because you will be going in the right direction and learning some skills at the same time.  I would never suggest to someone not to play because they don't have a piano because you CAN learn skills from the keyboard, but it's not an ideal way to start if you really do want to play like the pros. 

One of the most difficult problems a new player faces without a teacher is how to play legato and how to play with expression.  The expression may be within you, but you may find it difficult to realise 'how' to express with your hands what you would easily say with your voice or what you hear inside your head. This is where a good teacher comes in really handy.  And because of this difficulty, many players who teach themselves eventually find themselves hitting a brick wall where for some reason, they can't quite move forward and improve as much as they would like.  This is another situation where a teacher comes in really handy.

But if you can't afford a piano, and/or you can't afford a teacher, and you really want to play, then no-one, but no-one, should deter you.  Don't listen to anyone who tries to put you off  because the whole purpose of learning an instrument is to bring you personal joy and no-one has the right to take that from you for any reason.

So you have to say to yourself, how far do you wish to take your skills?  A teacher will teach you how to sharpen your tools.  Remember that the sharpest tools create the most detailed work which allows the ultimate free expression.  If you have blunt tools, you may still enjoy playing, but you will find the ability to express what is inside you that much more difficult.

There is no reason why you shouldn't begin with your keyboard and move forward from there.  Just by opening the first door, many other doors may suddenly appear.

 

[stevenarmstrong]

If you want to play, as you say, Bach, Chopin, Beethoven etc, I suggest:

1) get an acoustic piano.
2) get a teacher (with at least a tertiary education)
3) you would do well to practice scales and arpeggios but don't overload with them but there's very little technique to be gained from playing them on keyboards.
4) take 5 minute breaks every half hour you practice. Practicing beyond 1 hour straight is counter-productive. 

[toby1]

 Throw in some simple pieces for fun. Lots of music available on IMSLP or here on pianostreet there's a nice selection of music suitable for beginners even with a silver membership. Ie Minuet in G here:

https://www.pianostreet.com/search/freesheetmusic.php

[etoapps]

Hi there, we are musicians and music educators ourselves and have recently started publishing our own piano practise Apps that are now selling in some 32 countries. We believe these Apps help you read music, perform music, practise correctly as well as enjoy yourself.
One new App is Scott Joplin's The Entertainer which is very popular the other App is Bach 2 Part Invention.
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/entertainer-piano-practice/id773598917?mt=8

Description
The Entertainer. Ever since it was used as the theme tune for the film Sting Scott Joplin's The Entertainer has been the Ragtime piano piece that everybody wants to play.

The usual WebPractice facilities are included; to practise along with a performance at various tempi and be able to repeat individual bars and/ or sections.

The ability to separate the audio and notation of each hand allows you to practise the vamping leaps of the Left Hand whilst the Right Hand is played for you and the syncopation of the Right Hand whilst the Left Hand is played.
You can also choose to see the fingerings for each note for both hand together or separately.

All this can be done at a tempo to suit your needs. Start slowly, master the notes and rhythm until you can play it at a speed which swings.