Reshmi Patel • February 22, 2021

3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting to Learn to Play the Piano

When we learn the piano it can be fun and exciting experience, but it’s important to remember that there are a tonne of challenges. Therefore, it’s important for students to know what to expect.

The good news is, there are multiple ways we can prepare ourselves for these challenges and take the necessary steps to overcome them!

1. Consistency

A consistent practice routine is more productive than sessions you do ‘once in a while’ – short term sprints and tricks don’t last very long.

Three ways you can remain consistent with your practice routine are: 

1) Practice the same time on the same days you have set out e.g. Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7:30-8am.
2) If you are finding a practice session difficult keep it short and sweet – 5 mins to check the box on the difficult days are fine!
3) Find someone to hold you accountable – this can be a friend, family member, colleague or teacher.

2.    Various learning methods


To improve in your piano playing isn’t solely about piano practice.


Here are three ways you can improve are by exploring different learning methods, here are some examples:


1)     Play a music theory activities available online that is suited to your level.

2)     Attend a virtual or live concert.

3)     Speak to a musician who is more experienced than you are – this could be your teacher, friend or family member.

3.     Visualisation


During challenging experiences at the piano we can feel frustrated. One way to overcome this mentally is through the power of visualisation.


Visualisation is really quite simple. First, sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and imagine — in as vivid detail as you can at the process and the final result of your desired act.


To gain the most out of visualisation try to:


·       Pick the right time and place

Somewhere you can switch off and focus deeply. This should also be somewhere with as few distractions as possible.


·       Focus on your breathing

Before you begin try to ensure you maintain a regular breathing pattern and release any tension in your body.


·       Regain control of your attention

Focus on one thing. Whether that’s your instrument or hand position. Begin to picture this in your mind. You can then add more images as and when you feel comfortable.


·       Use all of your senses

Although the term ‘visualisation’ implies using our visual senses, according to leading performance psychologists: ‘you should be so immersed in a mental image that it seems as if it is actually happening.’ For this reason, we recommend using as many senses as possible.


Remember that when you are trying out these systems to write them out and look at them little and often but also be patient with yourself. If you wish to know more about these hacks and resources, feel free to take a look around our website or connect with us directly.

 

To find out more, feel free to get involved in our latest project “The Habits of the Top Performing Piano Players”, fill out our survey:

https://bit.ly/2FDs8rf. For your chance to win a Nintendo DS Lite or a £50 Amazon Gift Voucher.

Another Route For Young Beginners to Learn the Songs They Love on the Piano

June 30, 2025
We hear this often from parents: “My child loved the first few videos but then it all went off-track.” Most free and paid piano content online doesn’t follow a clear path. It might teach one song well, but the next video jumps to something completely different, leaving kids (and parents!) unsure what to do next. For a beginner, that lack of direction can be discouraging.  That’s why we’ve created a course for 5–8 year olds that keeps things simple and consistent. Launching at the end of July, it teaches foundational knowledge in small, achievable steps starting with letter names and hand placement, and progressing to slow and fast play with recognisable songs your child will actually want to learn. The result? Clear progression and a real sense of achievement. If you’d like to find out more or see if it’s the right fit for your child, just send us a message. We’re happy to talk through how the course works and how you can get involved. Contact us using our form: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact

Beginner Piano Players Frustrations and How to Fix Them

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If your child has bounced between piano apps, videos, or beginner books, you’re not alone. Many parents tell us the same thing: “They were excited at first, but then it faded.” The reason? Most courses aren’t designed with young children in mind. They move too quickly, expect too much too soon, or lack the structure kids need to feel like they’re making real progress. At this age, children learn best when lessons feel familiar, repetitive in a good way, and include songs they recognise and love. That’s the thinking behind our new online course for 5–8s, launching this July. It’s built around how young kids actually learn slow, clear steps; songs they already enjoy; and a friendly guide through every hand movement, letter name, and rhythm. If you're looking for something a bit more thoughtful than YouTube scrolling and random tutorials, feel free to reach out. We'd love to tell you more and help you see if this fits your child’s learning style. Contact us using our form: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact

From App to Actual Progress: When It's Time for a Real Piano Teacher

By Reshmi Patel • June 16, 2025
Piano apps are a brilliant way to get children engaged. They're interactive, colourful, and often the first step toward a real interest in music. At Key Sounds UK, we’ve seen many young learners light up with motivation after spending time on apps. They can boost early excitement, especially for beginners or those still deciding if piano is “their thing.” But for all their benefits, apps can only take a student so far. While they’re great for practising basics or learning short tunes, most apps don’t cover the foundational skills that support real, long-term progress like proper technique, musical interpretation, or deeper theory understanding. Many of these aspects are important for both students eventually interested in exams or interested in learning for expression. Students often hit a wall, becoming frustrated or bored when they don’t know how to move forward. That’s where a skilled, in-person teacher makes the difference. We don’t just teach songs we connect the why behind the music and adapt lessons in real-time to how a child learns best. Action Tips for Parents: ● If your child is using a piano app, ask what they’ve learned beyond the notes. Are they just copying movements, or do they understand what they’re doing? ● Not keen on apps? A simple trick: play your child’s favourite song followed by the word “piano” on YouTube or Spotify. Just listening and engaging rhythmically can spark interest and improve timing. ● If they’ve started learning via app and are now plateauing, book a trial package with us. We specialise in helping students connect the dots between what they’ve learned online and what they can achieve in person. Get in touch to find out more information here: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact
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