Top 5 Myths of Learning How to Play The Piano

Source:Internet    Posted by:Learntopianoonline.com   Date:2009-12-16   Click:

Do you ever wish you could learn how to play the piano?  Well, there are many misconceptions and myths out there.  They need to be cleared up in order to truly get an understating of the piano and how to play it.  Here are 5 myths about learning how to play this instrument: 

1.       You need to be born with natural abilities.

As one of the top five myths, this one may have you condemned before you even begin!  Everyone can learn how to play, just as long as they exercise the required amount of practice and patience.  The piano is, in fact, designed in such a way that it is pretty easy to learn.  That is, of course, when comparing it to other instruments out there.  

There are no keys like the ones found on a piano.  There are no frets like the ones on guitars, and there are no dots.  Violinists have to memorize their notes, and a large part of their training sits in trial and error.  

2.       Learning the piano is easy.  

Contrary to what is mentioned above, learning isn’t necessarily simple, either.  Yes, the design of pianos helps facilitate learning, but mastering it requires a lot of practice.  It also requires a good deal of dedication.  Despite what you may hear or read, you can’t play complicated pieces of music after just two or three lessons!  You have many scales to learn, rhythms to play, and chords to master.  Additionally, you must learn all the variations of all of these, which can take a lot of time and dedication! 

3.       Playing piano by ear is easier than reading notes.

Let’s start by saying that absolutely nothing could be further from the truth.  In actuality, neither approach is harder or easier than the other.   Both of these approaches are so different that comparing them would be like trying to compare apples to oranges.  It is therefore crucial to learn your preferences.   If you would prefer to play from sheet music, then do so.  If you want to play by ear, then you can do that.  Each method requires equal amounts of dedication.

4.      Everybody should study classical music before attempting anything else.  

All music begins with the basics, no matter the genre or style.  Those who claim that classical music lessons should precede anything else don’t realize what each genre has in common:  our favorite chords and scales.  Only through the intermediate and advanced stages of lessons will you start to see how classical, jazz, and gospel differ from one another.

So, learning how to play piano from a beginner’s point of view can be done in the same way, no matter what genre you want to ultimately end up playing.

5.       Children usually catch on more quickly than adults.

Many people tend to credit children’s brains as being a faster learning tool in almost any area, but the reality is that there is no real difference.  What does make a difference, however, is dedication.  It is dedication and not age that matters when it comes to learning how to play piano.