Piano Lessons,
The Reality Check.

Piano lessons. Oh, what a great idea!

I remember thinking that. The bottom line? It really is a great thing. The reality? Though I became a professional teacher and performer, I almost quit 100 times in the first two years.

Why would a web site about learning piano make such a hard statement? It's just a very likely truth for many people and I believe it's good to know that first.

OK. Are you still here? That is a very good sign; for you. You are grounded, and realistic. Which means you'd prefer to know the truth up front rather than to get a nasty surprise later on.

What exactly are piano lessons?

Piano lessons are teachings and demonstrations of musical knowledge and skill in performance on the piano. The real term would be private piano lessons. The one on one aspect is a necessity born of the multiple and simultaneous details that must take place when someone plays the piano. When someone is learning to play there are a few more complications for the teacher. And that is watching the student's hands and eyes, knowing the music, and having a sensitivity to the individuality of the student.

Group Lessons

Group lessons are always less expensive. There's just no way that a teacher can watch so many details in more than one student at a time properly. A lot of people like to use videos and to do things on their own all or most of the time. You do need to do things on your own. However, without a skilled teacher listening and watching on a regular basis you couldn't possibly catch all the errors and inefficiencies that may be taking place while you play. This translates into wasting a lot of your time and energy when you're practicing or learning on your own.

Getting Personal Feedback

Even skilled performers and experienced pianists often will play for a more experienced performer or teacher to gain an observation and further refinement.

So, as we say at learn-piano-and-shine.com, this website is not meant to replace your private teacher. The methods, tips, and techniques offered here are meant to assist, enhance, and augment your learning experience.

More On What's Involved

Piano lessons will typically involve technique, sight reading, ear training, and repertoire. Some teachers will also have the skill of improvisation to contribute.

Technique is sometimes known as keyboard exercises and will involve scales, chords, arpeggios, and other musical devices.

Sight reading will involve the very particular skill of playing a piece of music with little to no practice at all.

Ear training will involve being trained to identify by ear individual notes, chords, melodies and more.

Repertoire would be a list of songs, pieces, or tunes that a pianist is familiar with.

A Brief Summary

Given the many levels of difficulty possible and all the different strengths and weaknesses that each person has, you can imagine why private lessons with a good teacher are a must. I have seen too many talented people get discouraged and even quit out of a feeling of being overwhelmed. I have even seen very smart and talented people put themselves down, feeling like they may not be so smart because the work is so massive. That's where good guidance from an experienced person comes in extremely handy.

So if you are thinking of learning piano you may want to get yourself a good teacher. Interview more than one qualified person, and go with your own gut feeling. You can always supplement this with books, videos, sound clips, and the experiences of others.

For more details visit the Piano Lesson page.

The Keyboard Lessons page has handy tips if you're wondering about the difference from lessons on a piano.

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