1. If you're learning a piece that you find complex, learn each hand's part separately. Learn piano from one hand to the other for a much easier learning curve. Once you've mastered playing each hand separately, it will seem like you are playing without even thinking. This will make it much easier when you combine both hands to coordinate them both because you won't be trying to think about two separate processes at once time. 2. Change your practice routine every three to six weeks. While it is important to have a consistently balanced practice routine, that doesn't mean you have to practice the same stuff in the same way forever. Learn a different style or piece now and then. You may Continue Reading
Piano Lessons: Submitted by Student
One of my students performing Pomp and Circumstance from the Learn Piano Curriculum: Continue Reading
What are the piano pedals for?
There are three pedals that are standard on the piano, I will only address the the that is most widely used: The DAMPER pedal is often called "the sustain pedal". This is the pedal most commonly used and the only pedal option when you purchase a keyboard. When you have three pedals, it the pedal furthest to the right. To know how the damper pedal works, play any key on the piano and let go. Do you hear the note still ringing? Now, press the damper pedal down with your foot, and then play a key on the piano and let go of the key, but don't let go of the pedal. Do you hear the note still ringing? The answer is yes. When you press the damper pedal while playing the piano, the Continue Reading
How young can I start teaching my child?
Piano lessons for the very young I would only recommend a parent to teach a two year old how to play the piano. A LOT of patience and repitition on a daily basis, is required. A two year old would not benefit from a weekly lesson, and the parent would be paying for a lot of repetition. So, I say it's doable, but I recommend that a parent does it. At this early stage, the parent needs only to follow the curriculum, they don't need to know how to play the piano. If a parent really wants their very young child in piano lessons, then I would do it with the parent included, and explain that the lessons will not be effective without the parent at every lesson, and that the parent Continue Reading
Banging on the Piano Syndrome
Question from a student: I am on Level 5 and happy with my progress. However, when I listen to your audio support the sound is lovely and "soft" - I seem to play the keys much stronger and harder. Do you have any tip(s) as to how I can train my fingers to be more gentle. (I work on a computer keyboard all day so I suppose I have learned to hit the keys hard!). Lisa's Answer: When I was learning, my mom always yelled at me about "banging" on the keys. It's a natural beginner tendency. It's good you are aware of it, because you will naturally work on it. ~smile~ It's being aware, controlling your muscles, and over time you will start to know how hard and soft to hit the keys Continue Reading
Can I learn piano on a keyboard?
Many students ask me if you can use the lessons to learn the keyboard. The answer is absolutely! The piano and keyboard have the same notation structure. The only difference is in the weight of the keys and obviously, how many keys there are. If you are using a keyboard for learning, then I recommend at least 61 keys and touch sensitivity. Touch sensitivity, sometimes also called touch response, allows you to control the volume of each of the keys that you play by playing it hard or soft. (Just like on a piano.) I hope you are enjoying the lessons and making progress! Lisa Continue Reading