Beginner's Guide to Piano
- Ellie Brock
- Jun 15
- 3 min read
Should you own a piano? and what would you recommend?
To progress in this instrument it is recommended to own a piano. If you do not own a piano progress will be much slower. Many individuals are concerned about the investment, if there is enough space in their home, and even the noise when practicing! There are solutions to all of these.
If your concern is space and noise then an electric piano is perfect for you.
When beginning the piano a five (5) octave piano will do just fine, and you can plug headphones in when practicing! You can find many electric pianos online or at your local music store.
There are lots of pianos for resale online if your concern is cost. Often you can find acoustic pianos for free if you look for them! When looking at used pianos ensure all the keys and pedals work, it can cost a lot of money to fix broken keys. Another thing to keep in mind is that acoustic pianos are very heavy and will likely require tuning once moved. If you can move the piano on your own and you are patient when looking this can be a very effective way to save money!
If you are nervous about buying a used piano there are options on Amazon for under a hundred dollars.
How often should you play piano?
It is recommended for beginners to play piano for 30 minutes a day. Piano sessions can be divided into smaller portions to avoid fatigue. I suggest spending no more than 10 minutes per piece during a seated session. I recommend spending 5 minutes on warmups, 10 minutes on a new piece, and 15 minutes on old and fun pieces. Practice journals can be a great way to keep track of your progress.
Try to never play the piano when you are not feeling it! This can lead to a negative experience that your body will remember. That being said this is not to be an excuse, if
you are finding that you are not feeling like playing the piano often maybe you need to change the way you play and practice.
Do I need to use a method book?
Method books are nice to have but not needed depending on your goals. If I believe a method book will benefit you then I will recommend one. Method books are great if you intend to learn everything you can about the piano or if you learn best through structure and discipline. I have had lots of students succeed with and without method books
Are apps and online tutorials okay to use?
Apps and tutorials are a fun addition to learning the piano but should never be your sole method. What I like about apps and online tutorials is that you can learn exactly what you would like and sometimes include some fun games. It can make learning fun, which is great! The down side is the lack of technique being taught. You won't have someone teaching you correct posture and hand placement. Technique helps make playing easier and more effortless, technique also helps you avoid any long term hand injuries.
How long are lessons?
Lessons are usually thirty (30) minutes in length. I do offer longer lessons by request and depending on your goals I may recommend a longer lesson time
Can I learn piano on my own?
This all depends on the individual. Some people are excellent at holding themselves accountable while others may not. A downside to being self-taught could be poor technique, posture, and relying on google to answer all your questions your method book may not. I do believe you can learn piano on your own and it can be very rewarding. The benefit of having a teacher is that they tailor the lesson to you. They will know what you can skip, what you may need more time on and other resources that may help your learning.
