Learning how to play the piano can be a fun and fulfilling experience. However, the keyboard is not necessarily an easy instrument to learn to play, and many beginners struggle with the same ongoing problems. As you get used to reading sheet music and familiarizing yourself with the keys, you could be making costly mistakes that will be hard to knock later down the line.
We put together a list of the common problems beginners run into so you can keep them top of mind and correct the behavior before it turns into a habit.
Here are the top 5 mistakes:
1. Moving too quickly
It can be easy to get ahead of yourself when you finally feel comfortable with the keys on a keyboard. Sometimes, you may even push yourself to play quicker. However, beginners should learn to take things slow and not get too ahead of themselves.
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When you take on a new piece slowly and gradually, you’re able to lock in your muscle memory correctly. If you’re constantly moving quicker and moving at a high tempo, you’re more prone to making persistent errors than your muscle memory is used to. The best way to tackle the keyboard as a beginner is to take a song piece by piece. Once you feel comfortable, you can slowly pick up the pace.
2. Not paying attention to the details
When you’re just starting to learn how to play an instrument, it can be challenging to try to remember everything. From the different keys to the music sheet, learning how to play the keyboard is a hands-on experience that teaches you how to multitask to create beautiful melodies. One thing to remember with the piano is that the beauty is also in the details.
As you try to balance everything, keep in mind that playing the keyboard is about more than just pressing the right keys at the right time. It’s also about weight and dynamics. You’ll need to learn how to stay with the tempo and notice the crescendos, diminuendos, fortissimos, and staccatos. Every detail matters and is there for a reason. If you fail to pay attention to every detail, you risk falling flat.
3. Forgetting to practice
It’s true what they say: Practice makes perfect! Beginners just starting out on the piano often forget to make time for practicing every day. Practicing helps you improve your accuracy and overall performance.
When individuals skip one day, they usually forget to practice the next day and then the next. Make time for your passions and make piano and keyboard practice part of your daily routine. Even if it’s only 20-30 minutes every day, every minute you dedicate matters. By doing this, you can grow your skill set and work towards your talents.
4. Only focusing on one song
Beginners often forget that they need to be pushing themselves to learn more and do more on the keyboard. Once you’ve successfully mastered a song, it’s time to move on to the next. If you get too comfortable with one song and only practice with it, you won’t ever be able to move on to the next difficulty level. This way, you can successfully take your skills to the next level and not plateau.
5. Always looking down at the keys
This is a common mistake that beginners make that often sticks with them. We get it, it’s what you’re comfortable doing! However, you’ll want to ensure you’re taking the time to look up the music. The best way to do this without disrupting your playing is to practice with your eyes closed. Once you feel comfortable and you think you have the hang of it, slowly look up at the music every so often.
How the Musicians Institute can help
If you’re passionate about learning the piano and want to sharpen your skill set, you’ve come to the right place. We offer a comprehensive keyboard program that provides an innovative approach to an instrument that is both deeply traditional and constantly evolving. Request more information today to see if the program is right for you.