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Playing piano is an enjoyable and fulfilling craft. You can learn how to play, and it does not have to be an expensive undertaking.
Before you begin
- Make a commitment to learning piano. It will require time and practice and some expense. Learning piano takes dedicated work and discipline; you should be aware of that in advance.
- Decide what genre of music you wish to pursue. Classical music requires learning musical theory and the ability to read sheet music. Other styles of music such as jazz and rock can be more improvisational and are more suited to “learning by ear.”
- Set a budget. Both the short and long term expenses of learning piano can vary widely, and some monetary commitment will be necessary.
- If you don’t already have a keyboard at home, get one. A real piano is best, because it has the full 88 keys. However, electronic keyboards work just fine; it’s suggested you get a full-sized keyboard with at least 49 keys. The more keys, the better. A smaller keyboard will suffice early on, but as you progress it will become increasingly difficult to play.
Ways to learn
It’s not easy to become an expert in piano, but lesser levels of proficiency can be rewarding and fun. There are alternatives for learning, and the route you take should reflect the level you wish to achieve and the style you wish to pursue.
- Hire a private piano teacher. This is the conventional method, of course, and maybe the best. A private teacher is highly recommended if you want to learn classical music. And there’s nothing like a one-on-one jazz instructor to show you the chords and riffs involved with great jazz music. Most teachers specialize in one specific style. If possible, get recommendations before you choose an instructor.
- Take an online course. There are a lot of them available, and many are free. Online courses can show you the basics, and if you have a good ear for music you can develop a certain level of skill using online methods.
- Take classes at a music school. Local colleges offer courses, as well as individual music schools. It’s less expensive than a private teacher, but you won’t get the hands-on instruction a private instructor offers.
- Learn it on your own. A lot of excellent keyboard players had no formal instruction and learned to play “by ear.” But be warned: this method requires a substantial amount of inbred talent. It’s recommended to get some formal training first before setting out on your own.
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