Common Obstacles when Learning Piano
Learning the piano can be a difficult but extraordinarily rewarding process. Common obstacles when learning piano include not having enough time for practice, getting impatient with your progress, and not utilizing all of the available tools. When you keep all of these various things in mind, you will often be able to take the steps that will help you overcome these obstacles. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are attempting to overcome common obstacles while learning piano.
Mindset
Your mindset is an incredibly important part of learning the piano. Many beginning piano players have difficulty maintaining a positive mindset when it comes to their piano playing. They allow themselves to get frustrated or impatient with their progress. By focusing on maintaining a positive mindset, you will be more likely to stick to your piano playing and practice. It is also important to note that motivation ebbs and flows and is rarely constant. Focusing on your mindset and remaining disciplined can help you to continue to practice even when you are feeling discouraged.
Practice
Practicing regularly and effectively is one of the most important components of learning how to play the piano. Many beginning piano players find that they aren’t practicing enough or are practicing ineffectively. Try to set a practice schedule, where you practice at the same time every day. Consistent practice over a period of time is much better than the same amount of practice all in one sitting. Many people feel as though they don’t have enough time to practice. Although the more practice you get, the more quickly your skill will grow, any practice is better than none at all. While an hour a day is ideal, if you can only find five minutes to practice daily, then practice for five minutes. You can also refer to our tips for practicing piano to ensure that your practice time is as effective as possible.
Going Too Fast
It is incredibly common for beginners to play too quickly through music. Not only do they play faster than the music was intended, but they also tend to try to play difficult pieces too quickly for their current skill level. When you start making mistakes during your piano playing, it is time to slow it down and work at a pace that is better suited to your playing level. Once you are more familiar with the piece, you can increase your speed until you are at the appropriate tempo.
Avoiding the Metronome
In relation to playing too fast, many beginning players avoid using the metronome unless forced. A metronome can be an incredibly valuable tool that helps you to gauge your speed and ensure that you are playing at the appropriate tempo. Different pieces will require you to play at different tempos. Taking the time to work with a metronome will enable you to get a feel at what each speed setting is truly asking for. This is especially important when you first start to learn a new piece, because it will prevent you from getting into the habit of playing the piece at the wrong speed.
Getting Impatient
It is common to get impatient when you first start learning to play the piano. After all, you want to be able to play all of your favorite piano pieces right from the beginning! When you are first starting to learn the piano, you will want to prioritize patience, even when it is difficult. Don’t be too hard on yourself and don’t allow yourself to get impatient with your progress.
Choosing Music of the Wrong Difficulty
Another common obstacle when learning piano is to choose music that is the wrong difficulty for your current skill level. Choosing a piece that is too hard can cause you to be discouraged, while choosing a piece that is too easy will result in boredom. When you focus on playing music that is the correct difficulty, you will make more effective progress.
Our team at Ogden Piano Gallery is happy to help you overcome your piano-learning obstacles! We can help to set you up with the perfect piano that will keep you playing for years to come. For more information about choosing the right piano to meet your needs and how to overcome common obstacles when learning piano, contact us at Ogden Piano Gallery today!
