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Learning to play the piano is a fulfilling and rewarding experience that can bring joy to your life and those around you. Whether you are looking for a creative hobby or a challenge that can take you far away around the globe, you will start from the same books and the same lessons!
In order to make you fully informed and prepared for your first steps, this time we will share with you 5 things you can expect to learn on your first piano course.
1. Reading Notes and their Position on Piano
The first thing you will learn in your piano lessons is how to read notes – the music language. And let us make something straight from the beginning – it is much easier than the alphabet! Music has different 7 notes that are repeated in different registers. Seems already easy, right? But, here is something even more easier – all the notes have a very similar shape which makes your learning even more faster.
But, if all notes look similar and if we only have 7 notes, how come the piano has so many keys – you may wonder? There is a special place where those notes are placed – the music staff – and their position suggests which key you need to press. So, in the first 15 minutes, your instructor will teach you the rule on how to read and write notes, but also how to find them on your piano. That’s right – 15 minutes, and you will be able to read any note when you have that rule upon your sleeve.
2. Proper Hand Position and Piano Technique
Proper hand position and piano technique are essential to playing the piano correctly. Your instructor will teach you how to sit correctly at the piano bench and position your hands on the keys. The most important part about this part is how to keep your fingers curved and your wrists relaxed. Setting up a proper hand position and piano technique at the beginning will assure you the ability to play any song you like in the future – without that, you might encounter many difficulties in the future, so listen carefully!
3. Music Terms
Music has its own language, and your instructor will teach you the essential music terms and the symbols you need to know to read and play music, like tempo (speed), dynamics (volume changes), and articulation (the way we play the notes). For example, you will learn what it means to play a piece of music allegro, which is fast, or adagio, which is slow.
Music is much more than just playing the right notes and if you carefully listen to any of the songs, you can notice that mentioned terms are used all the time! So, the more you understand and interpret those musical terms while you are playing, the better your song will sound!
4. Of Course, Lots of Songs!
Learning to play the piano is not just about reading notes and playing scales. You will learn to play lots of songs, from classical to contemporary music. Your instructor will choose songs that are appropriate for your skill level and musical interests.
Here are a few beginnes songs you can expect from your first lessons: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”, “Yankee Doodle”, and “Mary Had a Little Lamb”. As you progress over the months, you will learn to play more complex pieces, like Beethoven’s “Für Elise” and Mozart’s “Turkish March”.
5. Practice Makes Perfect
Finally, with piano lessons, you will develop a sense for discipline because this skill requiers frequent practice! The more you practice, the better you will become at playing the piano and the faster you will progress. Your instructor will give you specific practice assignments each week, and it’s essential to practice regularly to improve your skills. You will learn that even a few minutes of practice each day can make a big difference in your progress.
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning to play the piano is a wonderful journey that can bring you endless joy and satisfaction. If you’re ready to take the first step towards your musical goals, San Ramon Academy of Music is here to support you:
Free 1-on-1 Piano Lesson: We’re offering free online piano trial lessons with our experienced instructors, so you can experience the joy of playing the piano for yourself. Sign up for a free trial lesson here!
We also recommend checking out James Daly’s Udemy Course Piano and Music Theory for First Time Beginners! James will guide you through the basics of playing the piano, including how to read notes, proper hand position, piano technique, and more than 20 songs. With 4 hours of lesson footage, 9 downloadable resources, as well as Udemy’s flexible learning platform, you can take the course at your own pace and on your own schedule. Get your course here!
We believe that learning to play the piano is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Sign up for your free online trial lesson today or start your piano journey purchasing the course with San Ramon Academy of Music.
