If you’ve ever wanted to learn to play piano, you are in good company. Many people list “Learn to play the piano” on their New Year’s Resolution lists, or have it as a goal for their future. However, not many people take the steps necessary to learn how to play.

The sad part is that taking the time to learn to play piano has many advantages. In all actuality, with the right method, learning to play doesn’t take as much time as most people expect.

I believe that everyone can benefit from having some musical ability. The piano is one of the most versatile instruments. With a few simple lessons, you can learn to play:

• Classical
• Swing
• Jazz
• New Age
• Rock/Pop

I can guarantee that you will never get bored playing the piano. There is always a new style to try, or a new song to master. Plus, sheet music is most likely available for your favorite songs, which makes the process even more fun.

Playing the piano is seen as a very intelligent skill, and with good reason. The skills you master when you learn to play piano will help increase your hand eye coordination and improve your left and right brain thinking. There is always something new to learn when you learn to play piano.

Just by learning a few songs on the piano, you’ll exercise your brain and gain a reputation as a semi-genius!

One of the fastest and most satisfying ways to learn to play piano is taking a chord-based approach. Most piano teachers will teach from a classical method. This includes those infamous scales, learning to read music, playing Fur Elise again and again…all the (boring) things we typically think of when we picture piano lessons.

The classical method does work, but it takes forever…which is why most teachers focus on this approach. Think about it. If you were a teacher, charging $40 an hour, would you go with a method that will take your students years to master? Or would you choose a method that has them improvising their own music and understanding musicianship within a few months?

I’d personally go with the option that will guarantee me long-term clients who will pay me $40 a week for years on end.

Learning to play by chords, however, is better for the students and not the teachers. If your goal is to learn to play piano, a chord-based approach to learning will give you more satisfaction, more quickly than the classical method. Your time-spent learning will be greatly reduced and, better yet, you’ll actually understand how music is created.

So find a teacher, or website, that focuses on chord-based teaching, and you’ll be able to finally reach your perpetual “learn to play piano” goal.

About the author: Claim your free Piano Lessons eBook! Get ready to add a new dimension to your life. Everything you need to learn piano is right here. And new articles are added each week, so keep coming back for all the free tips, lessons and and helpful advice you can handle!
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Music lessons are a sure way of your child achieving confidence, concentration and math ability. One of the best ways to begin is by playing the piano. However, it can be a little frustrating if your child is not quite ready. Listed below are five questions which should be asked before beginning piano lessons.

1. What age is your child?

Although it is not always down to the age of your child as to whether they are ready for piano lessons, a majority of children are at a suitable age to begin piano lessons between the age of five and seven. There are those children that are ready from as young as three years old, and there are those that should wait until they are eight years old.

Even if your child meets all of the relevant criteria but remain to be young, they can begin piano lessons.

2. How Long Is Your Child’s Attention Span?

It is essential that your child has a good attention span as they will need to have the ability to sit and pay attention for approximately half an hour for the lesson. Aside from this, the child will also need to practice for a minimum of 15 minutes every day.

If your child can patiently sit for approximately 20 minutes and read a book or color, then they are most probably ready to begin piano lessons. However, if your child can not sit still and pay attention to anything for any length of time then it is advised to wait a little longer. Once your child is in the first grade at school, then they will certainly have a long enough attention span for piano lessons.

3. Does Your Child Play One Note at a Time On the Piano?

Children will more often than not simply pound piano keys, when playing for the first time, or they will play many notes at one time. However, as they develop control, it will be possible for them to play one note at a time.

It will be possible for a child to play one note at a time as they develop the art of writing. However, your child can begin piano lessons if they start to play one note at a time on the piano before they have the ability to write.

4. Does Your Child Recognize Letters and Numbers?

It is essential that your child knows the difference between their left and right hand, the number 1 to 5 and the letters A to G before beginning piano lessons.

Your child will learn these skills very quickly once they are attending kindergarten. If your child recognizes these letters and numbers before kindergarten, then you may begin with piano lessons.

5. Does Your Child Have an Interest in Music?

It is possible that your child is ready for a more formal music instruction, if they are constantly playing the piano, banging on pots and pans or dancing to music. Weekly piano lessons need to be undertaken, therefore it is essential that the child is interested enough in music in order to continue with the lessons.

If your child does not show an interest in music, but appears to be ready in every other way, then it may be better to wait until they are a little older before beginning piano lessons.

Therefore, if your child recognizes letters and numbers and is interested in music, can sit for the 30 minute lessons and is playing individual notes on the piano, then your child is ready to proceed with piano lessons regardless of age.

A majority of children are ready for piano lessons during their first grade. However, if you think that your child is not yet ready for the lessons, for whatever reason, then it is recommended to wait a while longer.

About the Author: Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of MusicianHome.com, a site that provides information and articles for musicians at all stages of their development.
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Imagine being a proficient musician, not just able to play piano but able to play any piece of music you want to play. Sound like a pipe dream? If you have always had the itch to perform but don’t want to invest a lot of time into lessons, I have great news: you can learn to play songs on the piano in relatively no time at all.

Pop music, for example, can be played in a simple chord-based method. You could teach yourself to play some Top 40 hits in a matter of minutes once you understand the basics.

Now, some genres will take longer than others. Jazz and Classical piano music, for example, requires the greatest amount of discipline, talent, and commitment. These arrangements tend to be complex, note heavy, and expressive. Yes, you can learn to play classical piano, but be prepared to invest your time into learning to play it correctly.

That said, you will find how easy it is to accelerate the learning process and reach your goal as soon as possible. Depending on what kind of learner you are, and any prior background you have in music, piano is one of the easiest instruments to learn.

Why? Because hitting a piano key is a lot like pressing a button. If you can dial a phone, operate a vending machine, or type on a computer keyboard, you are using the basic skill required to play piano. All you have to do from there is learn a few rules about how to put together combinations of notes and you’re ready to break into song!

Here are my tips for you:
1) Think about how much time you can devote to practice and set up a schedule that you know you can stick to. You never want piano lessons to become a chore. As soon as you resent the time commitment, you will likely give up entirely.
2) Try to practice for some time…any time…every day. Even 10 minutes a day works better the one hour once a week.
3) Be patience with yourself. Allow yourself to make mistakes and stumble as you learn. Trust that you’ll amaze yourself – and your friends – soon enough.
4) HAVE FUN!

With your practice schedule worked out, a musical genre, and an instruction method, you’ve got all you need to move forward with your exciting, new talent. Can you learn to play piano? What’s stopping you?!

About the Author: Claim your free Online Piano Lessons at http://www.piano-lessons-central.com/! Get ready to add a new dimension to your life. Everything you need to learn piano is right here. And new articles are added each week, so keep coming back for all the free tips, lessons and helpful advice you can handle!
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