Good beginners practice schedule and goals?

[kiwipiano]

Now that my earlier situation of a defective keyboard has been sorted out and the replacement works I am eager to start learning. I really can't afford lessons and have always done well "self learning" with books. I actually got quite good at keyboard playing by ear as a kid, but want to learn more of the theory rather than just listening to music and figuring it out. I am wanting to learn for fun, no intention of ever making it a career or playing for a crowd or anything like that. I have a basic 61 key keyboard. I'm a stay at home wife so I have lots of time to practice but don't want to overdo it and burn out.

What I am curious about is what is a good practice schedule as an adult (26) "beginner" and what are some reasonable 1 month, 3 month, 6 month and 1 year goals? Thanks!

[riouds]

Hey! Good luck in your path! I dont have the answer to your questions, but i think that if you want to learn music theory, i would suggest to you this website : https://www.dolmetsch.com/introduction.htm
Its very nice

[adodd81802]

Hi Kiwi.

I would first start by saying that there are no set goals as such within different time periods. You could pick up some concepts very quickly and others you may struggle with. From a beginner point of view I would say set your own goals and be realistic within your own ability.

Dont look to practice more than 3 hours a day and almost always spend your allocated time learning something. Whether or not you want to read up on a composer, whether you want to learn a scale, whether you want to read theory on Baroque music, just be learning. Playing the piano is as much in the mind as it is in the fingers and the more you understand about this, the more the you will be able to work out just from looking at a piece the structure the key the mood of the piece. Its essentially the grammar of learning a language.

Next always push yourself. If you are learning a piece, id say the general rule is learn the notes at a quarter of the speed of the final speed you want to play, once you have learnt the notes, try to play at half speed to practice. If you cannot play a piece at even a quarter speed then it's probably out of your technical ability at this time. You can work out your ability by your sight reading. If you can pick up a piece and see the notes for the first time and play it then you should probably up the difficulty. That being said sight reading itself is a skill so dont be put off if you would struggle even to sight read twinkle twinkle it all comes with practice.

Although you said you don't want to make a career or learn seriously, it can always be good to look at doing your grades as its the best way to show that you progressing, even if you dont want to take the exams take a look at the ABRSM books from grade 1 to 8 you can usually purchase the last year syllabus very cheap.

If you practice hard and practice well you certainly wont burn out in 10 years you can still be learning let alone 1! The hardest thing about being an adult beginner i think is not getting put off by just how much there is you can learn, but with the piano its definitely very rewarding.

I am not sure what level you are now - beginner can be taken very vaguely but a year of good practice can see some very good results. Feel free to ask more questions theres many areas you can develop that couldnt be answered in one general question but i'm happy to advise more that may help you.