As a beginner it’s your responsibility to make sure that you are prepping yourself up for all the challenges. Your preparation should not only include ways to hone your skills but you should also be focussed on avoiding some common mistakes that every piano player tends to make.
Ignoring the basics: When you first venture into the world of piano playing, the very first songs your piano teacher in San Jose will teach you are those children songs’ like, “Twinkle Twinkle little star”, “Jingle Bells” or “Happy Birthday”. You may find it really boring but believe it that these simplistic practice songs are an integral part of learning how to play piano because it has repeating patterns in it which will help you to learn these songs far more quickly than complex pieces.
Not using Metronome for practice: Metronome is one of the most useful tools available to every pianist. Generally piano players focus heavily on learning each part of the song but fail to give attention to when and how slow or fast a part should be played. This is where the metronome comes into picture. It makes it easier to learn a new song and is helpful in perfecting your muscle memory skills. Metronome allows you to adjust the beats so you can easily practice. Sure, it’s not fun to use a metronome but it’s helpful.
Incorrect posture: Don’t slouch! Yes, it’s as important of a tip in piano class as in any other class. Poor posture can create strain in the neck and shoulder which may lead to pain and discomfort in the long run. Make sure you are sitting nice and tall with your feet planted on the floor, wrists at a level to your arms. Furthermore, you should also be sitting at the right distance which is neither too far or too close to the piano because when sitting close you will find it difficult to move your hands properly and sitting too far will make you stretch. This is why piano teachers San Jose will always insist you focus on the right positions. The reason for this is that it prevents injuries which will eventually make you a better player because a healthy body means focussed mind.
Making haste while learning: We understand the temptation to move ahead at a fast speed but to excel in learning any musical instrument you need dedication, time and a lot of practice. Whenever you start learning a new song, always reduce the tempo so that you can closely pay attention to the rhythm and notes of a piece. Whenever taking San Jose piano lessons, always remember that you should not be playing the music but also feeling it. Also, sometimes you may feel the urge to try your favorite song but if it requires advanced skills, it’s better to wait patiently and stick to the level you are on.
Avoiding the proper usage of fingers: One of the most common beginner mistakes is not using their fingers properly. While playing piano, fingers should always be curved and not outstretched. Also, the force that is required to press the key should come from your arms and not your fingers because you don’t want to tire your fingers.
Always looking at the keys: Just as you shouldn’t look at your keyboard while typing on your computer or laptop, you shouldn’t keep looking down at the piano keys. It is not easy, we know. It requires continuous practice but you can only learn this if you try to build a habit of not looking down. Best way to make this viable is to practice a piece which is within your range of difficulty.
Not practicing enough: Learning piano may not always be as thrilling and exciting as you found it on the first day you started to learn piano. However, you need to be completely involved and prioritize practicing daily if you really want to become a successful pianist. As it is said, “practice makes a man perfect.” Fortunately, all these mistakes listed above can be fixed with little focus and effort, thus, reducing your learning curve.
