Moving fingers and reading notes: *There is so set answer to how to move your fingers on a certain song...it does change with every new song that you learn. In time you will feel more comfortable with your hand location and fingering on the keys. Start simple and take your time. *Reading notes faster is a process much the same... start with simple songs that have only a few notes, then gradually adding more notes, complexity and repetition will increase your instant recognition of notes, enabling you to read music quickly. *Learning time is very varied. Depends on how much your practice, how fast you retain what you are learning, and how motivated you are. *The beauty about these Continue Reading
Practice Piano Lessons in just 10 minutes a day
A note from Lisa: I realized that if my students just took 10 minutes out of every day, and only practiced for 10 minutes every day that they would learn so much more because they would not forget what they learned yesterday and they could build on what they had just learned. At the same time they would build a good habit that would make them yearn to learn how to play the piano. Everyone can make 10 minutes by going to bed 10 minutes later or getting up 10 minutes earlier. You see what I mean? You can do it! Without the thought of 10 minutes a day, in their minds it is just too hard to squeeze it in. It really isn't hard if you really want to learn. If you have any questions 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
Switching Smoothly Between Chords with Video
Chord switching can be frustrating, but after teaching for 22 years, I have never had a student who did not stuggle a bit, NOR have I ever had a student who cannot do it after some practice. Each student is different, therefore, each student takes a different amount of time to master it. The good news is,that once your fingers master it,you will be able to do it without thinking. Your finger muscles will develop it's own "memory" and your fingers will form the chord changes without much "brain" concentration. This, I promise! Just hang in there and allow yourself to move along in the lessons. Just take a few extra minutes before practice to concentrate on just switching back and Continue Reading
Why Notate Notes?
It's not about writing music. It's about using a different way to impress a memory into your mind, which results in higher retention of what you learn.The actual act of drawing a note on the correct line or in the correct space, opens up a powerful realization and gives you a more exact knowledge of where that note is located on the staff. Seeing it, notating it, playing it, identifying it are more powerful together than just to see it and play it. Continue Reading
Why is beginner music limited to 5-finger songs?
First of all, don't let that question scare you... in my curriculum you won't be limited to 5 finger songs... I have remedied that and you will be able to play some familiar songs right away. However, aside from my special "remedy" I do start with teaching you a few songs in the 5 finger position. The reason you won't find the songs you want to learn in an easy 5 finger format is because most songs have a broader reach of notes than just the 5 fingers. You won't get into the more familiar songs until you have increased your knowledge of notes. In a well thought out curriculum you will be introduced to reading notes a few at at time so that it is not overwhelming. Think of it like Continue Reading