Do You Want to Play Piano?
Do you listen to the piano and think, I wish that was me? Then why isn't it you? Everyone decides what they want to do in life and everyone is faced with the big hurdle: that is to start. Let us make no mistake that a concert pianist has spent a lot of time practicing, perhaps a very large percentage of their life. But also make no mistake that a moderate amount of time spent in well-guided regular practice will also bear fruit. This could be the new you.
Motivation to Start
When you depress a single key and play one note there is a musical quality associated with that note. It has a pitch and a resonance. from there you learn the progression of notes in a scale and eventually the association of notes yielding harmony in a chord, or if desired a discord.
By selecting a suitable learn to play the piano book or a suitable learn to play the piano software and setting aside perhaps just 15 minutes or 30 minutes a day you will find that as with most things the early learning curve is quite steep. I would be surprised if you are not playing some single note, melody, tunes within the first few days.
Decide now just how important it is to you to learn to play the piano. If it is worth a little time and effort you will be where I was when I decided to teach myself. I must admit that within a short time I became hooked, spending more and more time at practice. Often, after a challenging day at work and traveling I would sit at the piano. Because of the attention required, and as a result of the calming effect of the balance and harmony in the music that I was playing a sense of relaxation and peace took over. You see the bonus benefit that not only was I learning to play the piano, but I was also benefiting from the therapy of music.
This will not happen on day one, but just persevere and be a little patient, and it will happen soon enough.
A Few Words of Lesson
You will already know that it helps to be able to read music. Yes it does, and it is not all so difficult, although initially this can be daunting. Music in its simplicity is not much more than a step ladder that climbs from low notes to high notes. Some of the steps are reduced to a half step signified by a flat or a sharp, suitably represented by symbols. The step ladder spans groups of 5 spaced lines, called a stave. Another symbol at the start of these sets of lines indicates whether it is a higher treble clef, or a lower bass clef or perhaps another of the less numerous clefs.
The individual notes are coded A, B, C, D, E, F, G and then another set of A, B and so on.
Add a time signature, for example where a 4 indicates four notes in each bar segment. So a musician might well count 1, 2, 3, 4 and then 1, 2, 3, 4 and so on providing period and rhythm.
It is clearly impossible for me to teach you all about music in a few short sentences, however in a way it is almost just too simple, says one who knows. Just accept that you can do it, it is not rocket science, it is just enshrined in mystery, until the mystique is pealed away.
Playing by Ear, for Some
Quite apart from the need for music, many can play by ear. This requires attentive listening and keen hearing. You select the notes by their sound, you select groups of notes by the harmony of the notes you are seeking.
I would encourage you to start learning with music and a suitable course of instruction, and let the option of playing by ear be a consideration for the future.
Start Right
It is important to be guided and to have correct instruction so that just as music has its steps, so too you must take it a step at a time. This will avoid unnecessary frustration and it will enable you to progress. The measure of success will become obvious if you assess your progress over months or years of time. Looking back will give you satisfaction and surprise you. Even Mozart didn't start off without those early steps.
There is no doubt that if you put your mind to it, devote regular time each and every day you too will become a pianist, the measure of your talent and effort will be the only limitation on whether you become really great, or like me just enjoy the fun and wonder at how you ever achieved so much. Enjoy!
Ronald Heron plays several instruments, including piano and wants others to share in the wonder of music.
Website: http://www.urban-rise.com/
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