| The 3 step process outlined below is designed to help | | | | This is because music has a language of its own and |
| you get closer to your goal of playing the piano. It will | | | | you need to become familiar with this language in |
| help you learn to play piano by providing you with the | | | | order to play well. |
| essential questions you need to ask BEFORE you | | | | The language of music will take time to learn and you |
| start out on the exciting journey of becoming a | | | | will have to work on it. The good news, though, is that |
| musician. Learning to play piano is one of the most | | | | you don't need a complete knowledge of this language |
| enviable skills anyone can have and all you need is the | | | | to be able to play well, anymore than you need to |
| ability to put together a few simple tunes. And, these | | | | learn everything there is to learn about a foreign |
| days, there is more help available than ever for | | | | language before you can have a conversation with |
| budding pianists. | | | | someone in that language. |
| The piano is one of the world's oldest and yet most | | | | Learn to play piano by taking lessons and you will learn |
| modern of musical instruments. The first keyboard | | | | about the structures common to all forms of music |
| instruments date back to the 17th. Century. And yet, | | | | and be able to converse, musically speaking, across a |
| such is the versatility of the piano keyboard that, in | | | | range of different styles. All you need to do is learn |
| recent years, it has readily lent itself to the enormous | | | | the basics and, so long as you arrive at a fairly |
| advances taking place in music technology. As a | | | | comprehensive understanding of these rules and don't |
| consequence, digital pianos have been designed which | | | | get too ambitious,, you will be able to play the things |
| offer such a sophisticated playing experience that the | | | | you want to play. |
| piano has been reborn as an instrument of first choice | | | | 3. What sort of lessons should I sign-up for? |
| for increasing numbers of people. | | | | These days, piano lessons are not limited to classical |
| But there are 3 essential questions you need to ask | | | | music and you don't have to take examinations. You |
| before you take any action on obtaining, or on learning | | | | can shop around for a piano teacher who specialises |
| how to play such an instrument. Let's take a look at | | | | in teaching the kind of music you want to play. There's |
| each of these in turn: | | | | an increasing number of online piano lessons for those |
| 1. What kind of piano is best for a beginner? | | | | who don't want, or can't afford, a weekly, face-to-face |
| There are 3 types of piano: acoustic piano, digital piano | | | | lesson with a music teacher. Just do an internet search |
| and electronic keyboard. Which one is best for you | | | | under 'piano lessons', or something similar, and see |
| may well depend on the kind of music you want to | | | | what comes up. |
| play. For example, if you love classical music, you may | | | | Ask around for the names of potential music teachers |
| opt for an acoustic piano, whether an upright or a | | | | and put together a list of questions to ask them. The |
| grand, since these instruments will give you the richest | | | | good ones will be more than willing to provide you with |
| and most authentic piano sounds. If you want to play | | | | answers, such as how much they charge, what kind |
| jazz or blues, you might prefer a digital piano, as this | | | | of music they teach and so on. Some may even be |
| will enable you to experiment with a range of different | | | | prepared to offer you a demonstration of their playing. |
| piano sounds. Finally, an electronic keyboard might be | | | | This can really fire your enthusiasm for a particular |
| most appropriate for someone who wants to play in a | | | | teacher and make you want to sign-up then and there. |
| rock band. | | | | Of course, it's important you feel comfortable with |
| Of course, none of these categories is mutually | | | | your music teacher as well. His or her personality will |
| exclusive and many famous popstars who play | | | | play its part in generating your interest in playing. |
| electronic keyboards on stage, will have an acoustic | | | | Conclusion |
| piano in their studio. Similarly, an increasing number of | | | | So, if you want to learn to play piano, deciding which |
| classical musicians, who previously would have had no | | | | kind of instrument you want to play on, whether you |
| hesitation in choosing an upright or grand, are now | | | | need to have lessons and, if you do, the kind of |
| beginning to play digital pianos because of the growing | | | | lessons you should have, are all questions you need to |
| authenticity of the sampled piano sounds they can | | | | give some thought to BEFORE you actually start to |
| produce. | | | | play. Going through this 3 step process will ensure you |
| 2. Do I need to have piano lessons? | | | | learn to play piano from a position of greatest strength |
| If you are new to playing the piano, or someone | | | | and will ensure you really enjoy your new interest as a |
| coming back after a long lay-off, you probably need | | | | musician. |
| some kind of piano instruction, at least to start with. | | | | |