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Like all the Guides at About.com, I'm a real person. You can email me at piano.guide@about.com.
F.A.Q.
- Q. How hard is it to learn to play the piano?A. Learning anything new is always a challenge. It takes time, determination and a bit of willpower. But it can also be a lot of fun.
The most important thing to remember is that you have to keep going. Everyone is different, and we all learn in slightly different ways. The trick is to stick with it and not to be discouraged.
- Q. Is one style of piano playing easier to achieve than another?A. Not really. Some people might prefer one type of music to another, but you still have to know which notes to play.
- Q. Is it better to start learning on a keyboard or a piano?A. The simple answer is that it doesn't matter. However, electronic keyboards and pianos are not the same. The layout of the notes might be similar, but pianos have weighted keys and their own unique action. While the keys on an electronic keyboard might be easier for young children to press and control, they offer little resistance to the fingers. That means someone could find it difficult to move on to piano at a later stage.
- Q. How old do you have to be to start playing?A. This sort of links up with the previous question and answer. If you start learning on a keyboard, it's possible to start at any age, playing tunes and experimenting with the keys. If you start learning on a piano, however, you need to be able to reach the keys comfortably and -- eventually -- the pedals.
It's really a question of personal development. Personally, I started playing when I was 3 years old. :)
- Q. How often should you practice?A. Good question! The answer is not so easy to explain, though. It depends on a number of factors, such as:
- How old the student is
- How long the lessons last
- How difficult the music is
- Whether or not you're practicing for a concert
In general, you should practice until you've gone through everything your teacher asked you to work on. If you don't have a teacher, practice until you're bored. Then you'll know it's time to stop. Visit "Top 10 Practice Tips" for more information.
- Q. Is it better to read music or to play by ear?A. I started playing by ear, and then moved on to having lessons. I still play by ear, but I can also read music. I believe that both skills are rewarding and valuable ones to have.
- Q. How do you go about buying a piano?A. You'll find information and advice on buying a piano in my article entitled "How to Buy a Piano" under the Buying Advice category on my site.
- Q. How do you organize piano lessons?A. If you want to start having piano lessons, then you need to find a good teacher. Ask around and get advice from teachers, piano tuners, music shops, or people who already take lessons. See my article about "Choosing A Teacher" for more details.
- Q. Where can you find music for the piano?A. You'll find music for the piano in book stores, music shops, and online. From time to time I'll also recommend music to you, and I'll also direct you to free sheet music sites whenever possible. You can see what I mean by visiting my "Famous Piano Pieces" category.
- Q. Where should I go to hear other people play?A. There are lots of places to catch performances. These include concert halls, local schools, bars, restaurants, libraries, churches, and so on. Look out for posters advertising musical events or subscribe to your local arts magazine. Check out this "Venues" link on my site for more information.