This short guide is for beginner or intermediate piano students who want to progress and really master the art of piano playing or keyboard playing. It will cover the journey from beginner piano player through intermediate and advanced and then on to master level. A journey where many fall at the first stage and never move on to the intermediate level or further.
The first levels of piano or keyboard playing can be grouped into two different types, those who learn to read music and those who learn to play by ear without music. The beginner piano player who learns to read music will first learn to find all of the notes on the keyboard and associate them with the written notes on the musical staff. Then simple melodies can be played by reading the music. The player who learns to play by ear will also learn how to find the notes on the keyboard and might even learn some basic chords at this time too.
Once the basic notes have been learned then the student will advance on to a more intermediate level. This will typically entail learning to play some more complex pieces for the pianist who is learning to read music. They will involve reading off two staves and playing with both hands together. The student who is learning to play by ear will learn some chord progressions and will also be suing both hands to play more complete chords and rhythms.
When the student moves onto more advanced levels of playing the music reader will get to play some very complex and taxing pieces which will stretch their abilities of coordination and dexterity. The student who has chosen to play by ear will by now be playing melodies integrated into the chord progressions. They will probably be able to take most songs they hear and instantly play them with full chords and melody.
To advance on to master level the two different methods of learning are usually combined. The true master be comfortable both reading music and playing by ear. Each of the two methods have their advantages and disadvantages. It can be that when you learn to play by reading music that you are technically very adept but as far as feeling and expression goes then it can be very difficult to express yourself. The opposite can be said for the person who learns to play only by ear, they might find it difficult to be more technical and will lack the discipline that makes the student who has learned to read music. The true master will be able to naturally combine these two schools with no real problem.
If you are just starting out or if you would like to pass on to more intermediate levels of piano playing then there are many home study courses available on the Internet which will help you. The beauty of these courses is that with modern technology you can be taught with video and sound files as if you had a piano teacher on hand in the comfort of your own home. Most important of all however is that most of the best courses will teach you how to read music and how to play by ear at the same time. This makes it much easier to advance on to higher levels at a later date and ensures for a really solid foundation for the beginner piano player.
About this Author
We have reviews of the best home study courses available and beginner piano videos at our Learn Piano web site. There is also a free chord sheet and beginners piano videos.
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