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Reshmi Patel • July 7, 2020
How We Can Support Students Who Learn the Piano
This is for all you beginners out there! There are certain things beginner piano players should practice to see results fast and avoid frustration (and quitting).
When you start learning the piano, it can be really hard to know WHAT you’re supposed to practice, especially if you don’t have a teacher to help you. This article will help guide you through 3 exercises you can start practicing RIGHT NOW to help you get comfortable at the keys and help your fingers connect to your brain.
1. Keyboard Geography
When we first sit at the piano as a beginner it can sometimes be overwhelming. Whether you have a small keyboard or a full-size grand piano you are sitting in front of a load of black and white keys which quite frankly all look the same!
A few ways you can begin to familiarise yourself with the layout of the keyboard is by spotting patterns. For example: notice how the black key come in sets of two followed by a set of three.
Once you’ve done this you can then begin learning the letter names of the white keys. In traditional music we only use the letter names in the alphabet ranging from A – G. After this, we repeat this pattern as supposed to using the rest of the English alphabet.
This can be illustrated in the images below.
2. Try A Variety of Warm Up Exercises
One of our favourite exercises is called ‘Pencil Balance’.
If practiced regularly, this exercise will help you master your hand position when playing the piano.
Typically, when you’re playing the piano you want to keep the wrist and arm flat so that the weight from the shoulders and back can come straight down right through the tips of the fingers. To help keep your wrist in a good position, try to balance a pencil on your hand so that your wrist is in line with your knuckles. The reason we believe this is the perfect exercise for pianists, is because it doesn’t involve too many complications. If your wrist is slightly too high or drops too low, the pencil will not balance. Therefore, it’s easy to spot when your hand position is incorrect.
3. Recap Theory Material
Often, students can forget how important the theory elements are in music.
The reason learning the theory can improve our playing is because this teaches us why and where the music is written in a particular style. Therefore, we can spot patterns quicker when reading, writing and performing the music.
Today, we are fortunate enough to have many online and physical resources which can help boost our music theory knowledge and understanding.
Online Apps we’d recommend:
- Flowkey
- Music Tutor
- ABRSM Theory Works
- Metronome
- Notes Teacher
When it comes to physically learning the material, we’d recommend using posters or flashcards which you can have a flick through regularly to either read and/or test yourself. You can either make these yourself or use the ones we’ve created on our shop page.
Reminder: 'Practice is the repetition of an action with the goal of improvement and it helps us perform with more ease, speed and confidence.' – TED Talk on How to Practice Effectively
If you wish to know more about these warm up exercises and resources, feel free to take a look around our website or connect us directly.
Learning to play the piano is an exciting journey, and many students choose to follow a structured grading system, such as ABRSM, RCM, or Trinity College exams. These exams provide a clear roadmap for progress, but are they the right choice for every pianist? Let’s explore the pros and cons of graded piano exams to help you decide. Pros of Graded Piano Exams 1. Structured Learning Path – Grading systems provide a clear syllabus, ensuring students develop technique, sight-reading, and theory in a progressive manner. 2. Motivation and Goals – Exams give students specific targets to work towards, which can boost motivation and a sense of achievement. 3. Recognition and Credentials – Successfully passing exams provides certificates that can be useful for academic applications or music-related careers. 4. Feedback from Experts – Examiners offer constructive criticism and professional feedback to help students improve. 5. Skill Development – Preparing for exams builds discipline, performance confidence, and time management skills. Cons of Graded Piano Exams 1. Pressure and Stress – The exam environment can be stressful, which may discourage some students from enjoying the learning process. 2. Limited Repertoire – Grading systems focus on set pieces, potentially limiting exposure to a wider variety of music styles. 3. Focus on Technicality Over Creativity – Exams emphasize technique and accuracy, sometimes at the expense of creativity and personal interpretation. 4. Not Suitable for Every Learner – Some students may thrive with a more flexible, self-paced approach rather than a rigid grading structure. 5. Cost and Time Commitment – Preparing for and taking exams can be expensive and time-consuming, which may not suit every student’s lifestyle or budget. Grading systems offer a valuable framework for structured learning and skill development, but they are not the only path to mastering the piano. Some students benefit from the discipline and motivation that exams provide, while others thrive with a more flexible, exploration-based approach. Ultimately, the best path depends on the individual’s goals, learning style, and personal enjoyment of music. Get in touch to find out more information here: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact
Parental involvement can significantly enhance a child's learning experience, particularly when it comes to music education. If your child is taking piano lessons, whether through home visits or at a teacher’s house, attending their lessons can have a positive impact on their progress. Here are some key benefits of sitting in on your child’s piano lessons. 1. Encourages Consistency in Practice When parents observe lessons, they gain a better understanding of what their child is learning. This enables them to reinforce concepts and techniques during practice sessions at home, leading to more effective learning and progress. 2. Strengthens Parent-Child Bond Sharing in the learning experience helps build a stronger connection between parent and child. It allows parents to show interest in their child’s musical journey, which can boost the child’s enthusiasm and motivation to improve. 3. Provides Support and Encouragement Children thrive on positive reinforcement. When parents are present, they can offer immediate praise and encouragement, making the learning process more enjoyable and fostering a sense of achievement. 4. Enhances Communication with the Teacher By attending lessons, parents can directly communicate with the teacher about their child’s progress, challenges, and areas for improvement. This creates a collaborative learning environment and ensures that both the teacher and parent are aligned in their approach. 5. Helps Create a Comfortable Learning Environment For children who receive lessons at home, having a parent nearby can provide a sense of security and comfort, especially for younger students. Similarly, if lessons take place at the teacher’s house, a parent's presence can help the child feel more at ease in an unfamiliar setting. Whether your child is learning piano through home visits or at a teacher’s house, sitting in on their lessons can be incredibly beneficial. From reinforcing practice habits to strengthening your relationship with your child, your presence can make a significant difference in their musical journey. By being actively involved, you can support and inspire them to reach their full potential while making music a more enjoyable and rewarding experience. Get in touch to find out more information here: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact
Learning piano is an exciting journey, but beginners often run into the same challenges. Don’t worry—every pianist makes mistakes! The key is knowing how to fix them early. Let’s look at the five most common mistakes and how you can avoid them. 1. Skipping Warm-Ups Warming up might not seem exciting, but it’s essential for improving technique and preventing hand strain. Fix: Start each practice with simple finger exercises like scales and arpeggios. 2. Ignoring Posture & Hand Position Bad posture can cause tension and slow down your progress. Fix: Sit with a straight back, relaxed shoulders, and curved fingers. Ask your teacher to check your posture! 3. Relying Too Much on Sheet Music It’s tempting to read every note instead of listening and feeling the music. Fix: Try memorizing small sections and playing by ear to develop musical intuition. 4. Playing Too Fast, Too Soon Rushing through a piece leads to mistakes and frustration. Fix: Start slow! Gradually increase speed once you can play accurately. 5. Not Practicing Consistently Cramming hours of practice into one day won’t help—you need steady, regular practice. Fix: Even 10–15 minutes a day is better than one long session a week. Action Tip: Pick one mistake to focus on this week and make a small change to improve it! Get in touch to find out more information here: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact .
