Learn Piano – Two Best Ways

When you first begin learning to play the piano you’ll probably get a little overwhelmed. The challenges to becoming a truly competent pianist, are something that most people never consider. But that certainly doesn’t mean that it’s impossible. As a matter of fact, there are two very different ways of approaching piano learning. Everything is predicated on the level of piano skill you hope to attain.

If you’re serious about getting really good at piano going the classical route would be the best option. If you’d like to be able to play almost anything, then it’s essential you have an understanding of music theory, and the ability to read music. Learning the piano is like moving to a foreign country. Wthout being able to speak the native language, you won’t make significant progress. You wouldn’t move to Paris without learning at least a few basic words and phrases in French, would you? It’s the same way with the piano or any other instrument on the face of the planet. Without knowing how to read music you’re really not going to get very far or get very much out of piano lessons of any kind.

Although there are some gifted indiviudals, like Mozart, who have the ability to play perfectly without instruction, you obviously don’t fall into the prodigy category. If that’s not the case, and you want to be able to play classical music, learning to read music is mandatory

On the other hand, if all you want to do is play your favorite songs, there is a faster and easier way of going about learning to play piano. The other style is called chording. Keep in mind that melody and rhythm are the basis of every song. There are 12 major and 12 minor keys in music. Classical piano is built on running scales within each of these keys. The advantage of using chords is that it allows you play music without considering the scales.

Almost every piece of sheet music includes the specific notes required to play the song as it is written including the keys to the chords that the scales are built around. In other words, just by learning how to play all the chords, you can make it sound like the song. Without actually having to play the song precisely the way it was written.

Even though chording is much faster and easier to learn than classical piano, only by acquiring the ability to read music can you hope to advance to a level of decent piano skill. Again, it all depends on what kind of pianist you want to become. Obviously, consistency is the most essential consideration. Daily practice in a quiet well lit place will advance your piano skills far faster than several hours one or two days a week. Sometimes, practicing will be the last thing you feel like doing. But, remember, that old joke(“How do you get to Carnegie Hall?…..answer : Practice, Practice, Practice”) is true.