The 7 keys to learning the piano

To learn anything, you need a system before going into any tactic, any method.

And keep this whole system in mind. So you will work on improving globally, not only in very specific details.

What will happen if you become very good at playing notes, but you are totally off rhythm?

I can tell you that it won’t be nice to listen to you!

Or if you have great ideas of a beautiful melody but your fingering technique is not good enough to play it?

Frustrating, right?

Here are the 7 keys to learn the piano!

1.Know your instrument:

Get to know the different parts, get used to the keyboards, the sound, the feel of the keys, their size, the positions of the pedals…

This is your partner for the coming months and years. Know it as your pocket!

To help you with that, here is a series of two videos explaining the different parts of a grand piano.

Part1:

And part2:

Of course, depending on the piano you have it will be different, but the basic elements should be there.

Even if you have a keyboard, you likely have a sustain pedal or button which simulate the actual piano mechanism.

[su_highlight background=”#f8ff01″]If you want to know more about the piano keyboard, read our guide ![/su_highlight]

2. Keep a good posture: body, hands, fingers

Know how to place your body, your legs, your hands, your fingers on the keys.

This will help you to play better and faster, with less fatigue!

Here is a very good video to explain how to place your body, arms, hands and fingers on the piano:

3. Know how to move: your hands, your fingers

When you play the piano, you need to move your hands to reach all the keys and your fingers to produce all the notes.

This is a major part of the skills you have to develop.

To start with, watch this video explaining 5 finger exercises:

Keep practicing regularly, with patience and you will move with ease and precision!

4. To beat or not to beat: learn and feel the rhythm

Learn and feel the rhythm in the music you play and in the music you listen. Listen to the noises around you and recognises the rhythmic patterns.

Rhythm is essence of life…and music!

5. Read the music

Learn to read music sheets.

This one is optional, only recommended.

Indeed, this is not mandatory to learn and play the piano.

There are piano methods that rely partly or totally on ear-training.

You will find the best selection of online piano lessons here where you can actually learn to play songs without reading music sheets.

One is totally dedicated to learn by hearing: HearandPlay.

However, to play certain styles at a more advanced level, like classical music, it is mandatory.

Don’t worry, it is not that complicated, just a matter of practice!

Watch this well-explained video to start learning how to read music easily:

6. Listen to music: you (record yourself) and others

Record yourself, even with your smartphone to get an objective listening to how you play.

And listen to other pianists, beginners as well as pros, to identify good and bad techniques!

You can also record videos of yourself playing.

A very interesting way to get feedback to yourself.

Because you will look and listen as if it was someone else playing (well, almost!!)

7. Enjoy playing and express your emotions!

Finally, the most important: have fun playing the piano!

This doesn’t to be hard to start having fun by the way, check out this:

To keep into your memory, you can save the following illustration. And you can even print it and display it next to your piano or your keyboard!

But things don’t stop there. There are many more resources below on learning the piano!

I can tell you that they could well transform the way you approach piano playing.

I am sure you will find more than one useful.

And more are coming regularly, thus keep this page in your bookmarks and come back!