Getting started with the piano ~ Basic knowledge of the piano dedicated to beginners~
Advantages of Starting to Play the Piano
Learning to play the piano can be a lot of fun. Why not take this opportunity to start playing the piano that you once dreamed of?
The benefits of piano are countless. Here are some specific examples
The Joy of Piano
The piano is an instrument that allows you to enjoy beautiful tones and diverse musical expression. By playing, you can impress yourself and others.
Joy in life
Learning to play the piano can enhance your ability to express yourself and develop musical sensitivity. In addition, through experiences such as practice and recitals, you will gain self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
High Applicability to Other Instruments
Compared to other instruments, piano allows students to learn basic music theory such as scales and chords. This allows students to acquire a foundation of theoretical knowledge and performance techniques when playing other instruments.
Advantages of Learning Piano as an Adult
When learning piano as an adult, you are free to use your own time and efforts. You can also learn at your own pace while balancing your studies with other hobbies and work. Furthermore, there are social benefits as well, as you can meet new people and make new contacts through piano.
As mentioned above, learning to play the piano has many benefits, including musical enjoyment and pleasure, improved self-expression, greater applicability to other instruments, and improved social interaction.
So, let's get started with piano. Self-taught? Private teacher? Major music school?
There are several ways to start piano: self-study, private teacher, or attending a major music school. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are summarized below.
Advantages of self-study
-You can learn at your own pace.
-Flexibility to choose your own teaching materials.
-Learn without being restricted by time or location.
-Low cost.
Disadvantages of self-study
-It is difficult to learn the basics such as correct posture and finger usage.
It is easy to develop self-styled habits, and it is difficult to correct them later.
-No one to help you with questions and clarifications
-Easily lose motivation
Advantages of working with a private teacher
-Customized instruction tailored to each individual.
-Ability to get immediate solutions to questions and uncertainties
-Correct posture and fingerings can be acquired from the very beginning of learning.
-Expand your musical horizons through dialogue with your teacher.
Disadvantages of studying with a private teacher
-You may not get along with your teacher.
-It is necessary to take lessons according to the teacher's schedule.
-The teacher's lesson fee may be high and it may cost more.
Advantages of attending a major music school
-Able to receive a wide range of instruction.
-Able to receive instruction from multiple teachers.
-Reservations for lessons are relatively easy to make.
-Group lessons are available, so you can interact with other students.
Disadvantages of attending a major music school
-Lesson fees may be higher than private lessons.
-Depending on the school, the number of students may be large and the density with the instructor may be low.
-It is difficult to take lessons according to your own schedule.
Beginners should start with Bayer?
Bayer has been a favorite for many years because it is a method that is easy for beginners to understand and helps them learn practical skills.
When you think of piano beginners, you probably think of Bayer! Many people may imagine that it is a good idea.
However, these days, it is often said to be "boring.
This is because Bayer tends to be monotonous and boring.
And since today's students want a more varied and exciting approach, there is no need to stick only to Bayer!
Even if you start with Bayer, it is a good idea to try other books and learning methods if you feel you are falling behind.
Bayer is a great book, but you don't have to stick with it! Take advantage of the variety of methods available and enjoy piano in the way that works best for you!
Recommended piano books for self-taught beginners
Here are some great piano books for adults who are self-taught!
The advantages, disadvantages, and estimated difficulty of each of these teaching books are shown below.
All of these instructional books are well-known, so whichever one you choose, it will not lead to a major mistake.
Bayer Beginner Piano Teaching Book
Merit: It is carefully explained from the basics for beginners, and helps students learn how to read music and develop a sense of rhythm.
Disadvantages: Many of the pieces are a bit old-fashioned or monotonous, and you may need to move on to other instructional books once you are comfortable with the notation.
Estimated difficulty: ★
Alfred Piano Library
Advantage: It covers a wide range of levels, from beginner to intermediate, and contains many fun songs.
Disadvantage: Not suitable for beginners due to insufficient explanations on how to read music and technique.
Estimated difficulty level: ★★★★
Bastin Piano Basics
Advantage: The book provides detailed explanations of the basics for beginners and includes many fun tunes.
Disadvantage: Not suitable for beginners due to insufficient explanation of how to read music and technique.
Estimated Difficulty: ★★★
Piano Adventure
Advantage: It is suitable for a wide range of levels, from beginner to intermediate, and contains many fun songs.
Disadvantage: Because the songs are original, you will need to familiarize yourself with the format of the sheet music when moving on to other teaching materials.
Estimated Difficulty: ★★★★
John Thompson Contemporary Piano Course
Advantages: contains many contemporary pieces and helps students learn the techniques necessary to play.
Disadvantage: Not suitable for beginners due to insufficient explanation of how to read music.
Estimated Difficulty: ★★★★
You can also learn piano on Youtube!
Many piano professionals now offer piano lessons for beginners on YouTube. Some channels offer videos explaining basic piano technique and how to play songs. Piano teachers and music schools also offer lessons online.
However, when learning on YouTube, it is important to choose for yourself which videos are reliable and to get proper instruction. In addition, playing the piano requires proper positioning and technique, and taking private or group lessons is an effective way to learn these skills. However, private or group lessons are costly, so for beginners, it is recommended to learn the basics on YouTube and then receive more detailed instruction through private lessons.
Repertoire collection recommended for those who get bored with instructional books alone.
We would like to introduce some sheet music and repertoire collections of simple pieces that can be practiced in parallel with the instructional book.
【Contemporary music】
Popular Piano Solo Series - This series contains many piano arrangements of contemporary popular songs, with a wide range of levels from beginner to advanced. From well-known songs to the latest tunes, you'll have fun choosing which songs to practice.
J-Pop Hit Songs for Piano" - This sheet music collection contains piano arrangements of Japanese popular songs. The songs are all contemporary, and you can improve your sense of rhythm and technique while playing them.
【Classical music】
First 50 Classical Pieces You Should Play on the Piano" - This is the perfect collection of sheet music for those who are trying classical music for the first time. It contains 50 easy-to-play pieces for beginners, from well-known pieces to pieces for beginners.
Piano Solo for Adults - Easy! Easy to play! Classic Piano Masterpieces for Adults
The feature of this music book is that the arrangements are easy to play even for beginners. Because the arrangements are simple, even beginners can start playing right away. It also has a wide variety of tunes, ranging from well-known classical pieces to lesser-known pieces.
Another attractive feature of this music book is that the arrangements are arranged in a way that is close to the originals. Since the arrangements are faithful to the originals, by playing them, you can enjoy the beauty and depth of classical music while learning basic piano playing techniques.
Finally, this music book is also attractive because it contains a wealth of information about the pieces, including beautiful illustrations and historical background. This will deepen your knowledge of the piece and your understanding of the performance, making your performance even more enjoyable.
These are a few easy music and repertoire collections of easy songs that beginners can practice alongside their teaching books to learn basic skills. It's important for beginners to pick songs they'll enjoy practicing!
How long does it take to improve?
The length of time it takes for a complete beginner to learn to play simple songs varies from person to person. Generally speaking, it takes a few months to six months for a beginner to be able to play a simple piece, assuming they practice every day.
Continuity is the key to practice, and rest assured that by continuing to practice every day, beginners will make progress, even if only gradually! It is good if you can practice just a little bit every day
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