Learning Piano on Your Own
No self-study program can provide the benefits of a private piano teacher, yet some people may lack time, funds, and motivation to hire a private instructor. So these folks usually try to learn on their own through software, video or other modern learning aids. The problem with this method is that the student is not able to evaluate the effectiveness of the learning materials nor is there anyone to whom they are accountable.
That’s not to say that you can’t learn piano on your own. However, there are some tips to follow in order to avoid the pitfalls that seem to besiege self-training programs.
There are multimedia software programs that can be useful for learning to play at home. Assuming that time and motivation are not factors, then finding the right software to use becomes the major challenge. Not every program works the same for every user and software is not as flexible as a private teacher, so researching to find the best program is the first step.
Finding articles and reviews on these programs is best to see which ones are recommended by other users and trade magazines. If possible, find ones that have been tested by piano teachers and are determined to be productive. While reading reviews is not going to help you learn to play the piano, it can hopefully help you from buying the wrong software for your lessons.
Video courses and books are also available to help you learn to play. Used at a pace that is helpful for you, the books and videos can give you the visual aid that you need to learn. However, you have to watch out for ones that tout “learn to play piano in a [day/week/month]” as these are generally incomplete lessons and provide instant gratification only – not long term knowledge. A good program will teach music theory, sight reading, and technique and will do so over a long period of time.
Criteria to look for in any “learn on your own” program should include: level at which the lessons are taught, manner in which the lessons are taught, and types of music taught. The program should emphasize reading music as opposed to position playing (moving the hand to span five notes at a time). A program worth checking out is supported by a money-back guarantee, in case you don’t feel that it’s working for you. A company that is confident of its program will endorse it in such a manner as to pass that confidence along to their customers. You should also be able to contact the seller directly with any questions. If their programs are for sale with no contact information, then they don’t want to be contacted which sends a red flag.
Whether you decide to go with a learn on your own program or hire a private teacher for a short time, you should be able to determine rather quickly if you have the determination and perseverance required for learning piano. You should not have to spend much money either way to find out. |
