| You may not be aware that there are many methods | | | | type setting. |
| of instruction for teaching and learning how to play the | | | | Some people like to grasp the whole of an idea |
| piano. It is not a given that the teacher you choose or | | | | before breaking it down into parts. Some people |
| the method they use are the best ones for you at this | | | | approach knowledge verbally, some with pictures. |
| time in your life. Sometimes, we need to see things | | | | Some people like to write about their experiences |
| many different ways before we understand them. | | | | before they seem real. When I approach the teaching |
| Perhaps we need to hear a song before we can play | | | | of piano, I seek results quickly. I seek a program that |
| it correctly, so we know what we are aiming for. | | | | has stages or steps that I can quickly master one |
| Perhaps we would like personal instruction or perhaps | | | | after the other. There are a lot of activities competing |
| we would be more comfortable learning without | | | | for my time on any given evening, and I would look for |
| anyone watching us. Sometimes, the only way to | | | | piano instruction that could fit into my schedule |
| know is by trial and error. | | | | whenever I had twenty minutes or so to devote to it. |
| But you might be able to knock out some ideas for | | | | Recognizing that my time limits would likely limit the |
| what would work best for you based on what has | | | | complexity of the piano pieces I could learn, still I think |
| worked in the past. When was the last time you | | | | that the best way is a few minutes a day rather than |
| learned something? Did you enjoy learning? Chances | | | | an hour at greater intervals. |
| are you needed to hear the new material many times | | | | If you want to learn how to play piano, or any |
| for it to sink in fully. Mastery can take years, it's true, | | | | instrument, you need to learn what might best work |
| but perhaps you don't need to be a master, you just | | | | for you in terms of instruction style. |
| want some fast gratification. Maybe you only want to | | | | Give this some thought before you commit to a |
| learn a song or two to play at a wedding or other | | | | program of study. Decide how much time you want to |
| special family event. In that case, starting out with | | | | spend on this and how often. Create some goals |
| months of music theory would not be a smart way to | | | | around what would qualify you as a successful |
| go. If you decide you love music, then you can get | | | | student and I think you will find that the entire |
| further into it. But maybe you don't want to jump off | | | | experience goes a whole lot smoother and is more |
| the deep end. If you did decide this was really the thing | | | | enjoyable for you overall. |
| for you, you could probably study music in a college | | | | |