Getting Better At The Piano

Being a beginner piano player seems like the beginning of an endless journey, especially if you're looking to become a great instrumentalist in the world of complicated genres like genre or jazz.

The first thing you want to do is accept that the journey will be long and challenging, but it will be really fun and rewarding throughout! 

If you're looking for ways to help your child get better, the good thing is that there are TONS of good options out there to help you no matter what age you're starting the journey at. 

You can learn the basics if you need to start as if you don't know anything about the piano. You could also start a little further, depending on your past journey as a musician. 

Here, I'll point you toward great piano-playing resources and sprinkle in some advice that I think applies to all types of musicians out there looking to better their craft. 

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Find A Local Piano Teacher 

Finding a local piano teacher is optimal for those looking to learn how to play the piano as an adult or as a child. It's my top recommendation for getting effective results. 

Pros:

• This is the best option for those living in an area with access to several piano teachers that they can choose from.
• It's also a great choice for those with a large budget to do piano lessons over a long period.
• A local piano teacher is also a good idea for someone who can consistently meet with their teacher every week to work on their musical skill. 
• A local piano teacher can get to know you personally and work with your individual needs in person. 

Cons:

• This can be the most costly option and not a good choice for those with a very tight budget. 
• This may seem like a large step for someone who is starting from scratch as a beginner, especially if they are an adult.
• You may have an overwhelming number of choices to go through to find a good fit in your area. 

Where To Start

You can find a local piano teacher through a service like Thumbtack. Sites like these sites allow you to find professionals in your area that are currently available for new clients. 

Find A Virtual Piano Teacher 

Finding a virtual piano teacher is a great choice for those who are also learning to play. It's a great choice if you find yourself unable to meet with a pianist in person.

Pros:

• This is the best option for those who are living in an area that has limited access to piano teachers that they can choose.
• It's also an excellent choice for those with a large budget to do piano lessons over a long period.
• A virtual piano teacher is also a good idea for someone who can consistently meet with their teacher every week to work on their musical skill, but you can be a little less strict with your meeting times. 
• A private virtual piano teacher can get to know you personally and work with your individual needs. 

Cons:

• You will need to have your own piano or keyboard to practice with.
• This can be costly and not a good choice for those with a very tight budget. 
• This may seem like a giant step for someone who is starting from scratch as a beginner, especially if they are an adult.
• You may have an overwhelming number of choices to go through to find a good fit when choosing from online options. 

Sound delays and low audio quality from wifi and other technical aspects can often interrupt lessons. 

Where To Start

You can find a virtual piano teacher through a service like TakeLessons. Sites like these sites allow you to find online professionals currently available for new clients. 

Follow A Piano Training Course 

Finding a virtual piano teacher to provide you with a prerecorded training program is a solid choice for those who are also learning to play. It's a great choice if you find yourself unable to afford a private teacher. 

Pros:

• It's a great choice for those who don't have a large budget set aside to do piano lessons over a long period of time.
• A virtual piano teacher is also a good idea for someone who can't consistently meet with their teacher every week to work on their musical skill.
• It's a good choice for someone who is starting from scratch as a beginner, especially if they are an adult.

Cons:

• You may have an overwhelming number of choices to go through to find a good fit when choosing from online options. 
• A prerecorded virtual piano program can not get to know you personally and work with your individual needs. This is a big con, so don't be fooled by this shorter con list here! 

Where To Start

You can find a good piano lesson program through a service like Piano For All. Programs like this allow you to find professionals online that are currently available for anyone. 

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Performances

There will be some things you won't be able to hear and improve without some outside ears and outside opinions. Get a friend or family member to sit in on your practice sessions every once and a while and ask them for honest, constructive feedback.

The less likely they are to sugarcoat, the better. More obviously, the higher their music skill level is, the better. The more ears, the merrier.

Here's a little warning about this tip, though. Music is a very subjective thing, so don't get too confused if you hear very conflicting feedback from different people.

Studying The Greats 

Thanks to Youtube, you can watch countless hours of stars playing, teachers giving tips, and everyday hidden musical geniuses providing you with musical gems.

Looking for ways to spice up your chords? Go to Youtube! Looking for cool ornamental runs, riffs, and improvisational playing tips that you can incorporate into your playing style? Go to Youtube!

Looking for exclusive tips from the best pianists in your particular genre? Chances are, you will find all of this on Youtube!

Hell, just watching beginner lessons from talented pianists on Youtube and you can learn tons of songs and slowly get better at your craft for free. 

You also want to dive into other genres outside of your field of expertise here and there to get perspective from other cultures and styles that you can incorporate into your own sound.

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Emotional Energy

One of the most common things I hear about new pianists is that they are afraid to show different sides with dynamic changes in their tempo, volume, and even their body language while playing.

You also want to switch up your emotional energy depending on the song or section of the song. You don't want to seem stiff and nervous in front of your lovely instrument! 

Some songs call for you to play straightforwardly, while others have tons of room for emotion and unique interpretation through your own unique style of playing that you have been developing over time as you keep practicing. 

Study Advanced Music Theory

Studying the greats is a good idea, but they won't be able to tell you the technical must-haves when it comes to music theory and education. It's always a great idea to learn the building blocks of your career.

Ear training and notation can get very complex, so I'm sure there are new things for you to uncover in the theory side of it all. 

Learning music theory concepts can help take your playing style to the next level and help you gain a unique edge in the industry.

While many people learn and utilize music theory concepts like 1 4 5 1 in a chord progression, you could be having complex progressions in your head that can be catchy and never-before-heard in your genre. 

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Ear Training

Ear training is training your ear to be able to mimic, understand, and even anticipate a variety of pitches in music. This type of training focused on music scales and chords.

A lot of very talented professional pianists and singers are as musically talented as they are today, thanks to the ear training they went through in their school years.

Obviously, the younger you begin studying scales and chords, the better you will grasp the concepts and strengthen your understanding of music, but it’s never too late to start.

The ear training resources I used the most heavily over ten years ago are magically still available online and through an app called MusicTheory.net. 

This is a free resource you should take advantage of right now!

Thanks to ear training, I am able to sing and create melodic lines and riffs that people still, to this day, have no idea where I pull ideas from.

Play Collaboratively 

Performing with other musicians in your area or with a virtual collaboration to get new ideas and perspectives that you would have never been able to see on your own.

Music performances with friends can be a very fun process, in addition to giving you a chance to make your talent levels grow stronger as you continue in your journey.

Playing collaboratively can also help your networking and career opportunities in general. If you're a pianist that's used to writing on your own, step out of your shell and try something new.

You may still prefer to create and perform independently after the experience, but you will appreciate the process and learn about a whole new set of pros and cons when doing a group project. 

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