Category: Learning

A Discussion On Where You Can Take Music Lessons Online

Published by UnderLearning on

When it comes to learning music, there are many options available to you. Of course, one of the first things you need to do is determine what type of instrument you’d like to learn. There are lots of options to choose from such as the guitar, piano, cello, violin, drums etc. Once you’ve decided on a specific instrument, then you can look into specific music lessons. Of course, you can hire a tutor, however, this can be quite costly. One alternative is to look for music lessons online. We will now take a closer look at the options available to you.

If you’re looking to learn to play piano online, there are many free and paid options available to you. As a matter of fact, you can learn music without ever having to buy lessons. There are hundreds, if not thousands of websites that offer completely free music lessons that range from beginner to intermediate and even advanced tutorials. Many of these websites offer extremely detailed tutorials that will not only teach you how to read music but every step of playing a specific instrument. If you’re more of a visual learner, then you can check YouTube for video lessons that are also free of charge. There are many channels that offer completely free music video tutorials that are suited for students of all levels. This is also a great option if you want to learn to play specific songs using specific instruments.

Next, in addition to free options, there are also many websites that offer paid music tutorials. These websites usually specialize in a specific instrument and offer extremely detailed lessons that will take you from being a beginner to a professional. One of the best things about these paid sites is that they often have a very active community where you can interact with other students and musicians. You can also post your questions and even concerns and receive almost immediate responses. Also, in addition to the written and video lessons, you are usually also assigned to a specific music teacher that you can contact if you have any questions. They are also typically available on Skype in case you need help with any lesson.

We have just covered how you can find music lessons online. However, in order to get better at any instrument, you need to actually practice. This means that you should be less concerned with your teacher or method of learning and rather your own commitment to music. It is essential that you set aside at least an hour every day in order to practice playing your instrument and going through your music lessons. This is the only way to actually get better and move from a beginner to an intermediate player.

In closing, there are many ways that you can learn music online as well as what you need to do in order to succeed. Learning to play an instrument takes time so make sure and be patient and you will certainly achieve your musical goals.

A Beginner’s Top Tips For Learning The Piano

Published by UnderLearning on

Learning to play an instrument is always an exciting, interesting, and highly fulfilling experience.

While there are many important lessons to complete along the journey of learning, many of these lessons tend to come upon reflection. A teacher may attempt to encourage particular practices, but you may not see the value of these practices until much later. Below are some top tips for learning the piano for beginner players from a seasoned pianist.

The Different Tips For Learning The Piano

1. Have A Balance Of Pieces For Beginner And Advanced Levels

Contrary to belief, a person can benefit a great deal from having a balance of pieces for their level and more advanced levels. This is important because you will be able to focus on the pieces for your level, but have some challenging items to keep your mind “sharp”. Of course, there is no point in tackling the more advanced pieces immediately as these will be too difficult to perform. It is also possible that you will lose confidence in your abilities if you try advanced pieces are able to play them. While you should keep a variety of pieces, it is also important to take a break from strenuous pieces and not push yourself too much.

2. Always Practice Scales, Arpeggios, And Chords

As the cats in Disney’s film ‘Aristocats’ state, you need to practice your chords and arpeggios. This is one of the most important aspects to learning the piano and, unfortunately, it is considered a tedious task by many students. Despite its tedious nature, practicing these elements is essential to developing dexterity and skill on the piano. It is recommended that you incorporate a routine of practicing scales, chords and arpeggios at each practice session before playing any pieces. It works!

3. Have A Disciplined Schedule For Piano Practice

To improve your skill on any instrument, it is essential that you have a disciplined practice schedule. While some individuals feel that longer practice sessions are more beneficial, this is untrue and shorter sessions can be more advantageous. It is recommended that one keep practice sessions short and regular allowing you to extract knowledge (and remember it!). The ideal session routine is thirty minutes per day, but each individual has a unique learning method and you need to find yours.

4. Concentrate On Sight Reading Skills

When you concentrate on only a few piano pieces, it is easy to commit the pieces to memory quickly. Once this is done, you will no longer be reading the sheet music but playing from memory. While this can be a beneficial ability, it can cause your sight reading skill to weaken which is detrimental. Sight reading should be kept sharp to allow you to read different music pieces with ease. Working on sight reading skills can be done my consistently performing new pieces that are a few levels below you focusing on the sight reading aspect exclusively.

5. Using The Correct Piano

When I began learning how to play the piano, I was unsure if the piano I was using was suitable for me. When learning an instrument, it is important that you consider the type of gear you use and this is the case when learning the piano. Choosing a piano with a reduced number of keys, semi-weighted keys, and no touch response can influence your future playing dramatically. Fortunately, there are several guides available online that can help you determine the most appropriate piano for your needs.

The Different Mistakes Beginner Piano Players Make

1. Not Practicing

Both adults and children live busy lives in the 21st century making it difficult to prioritize certain tasks, and one of these tasks tends to be piano practice. While some people feel not practicing regularly is not a large problem, this is untrue. To ensure constant improvement in piano, it is essential that you allocate a certain practice time to make it part of your regular routine.

2. Placing The Piano In An “Out Of Sight” Location

While placing a piano or keyboard in an “out of sight” location could maximize space usage in a home, this is not recommended. When placing the piano in an area where you are unable to see it on a regular basis, it is unlikely that you will be encouraged to practice. Instead, it is advised that you set up the instrument in a prominent position where it is easily accessible.

3. Practicing What You Already Know

While it can be enjoyable to play pieces you are familiar with, this can be detrimental to your progression. Many students become excited when they make progress; therefore, it is recommended that you make it your goal to try a new piece during each practice session to keep your mind sharp and continue piano playing progression.