Piano is one of the most psychologically and emotionally beneficial instruments to learn. Aside from allowing users to produce beautiful music, it can also have positive effects on brain development, memorization capabilities, and stress levels. However, practicing the piano in a way that yields noticeable results in a short period of time can be difficult, even for those who have months or years of experience with the instrument. Fortunately, there are several simple tips that can help intermediate to advanced piano players practice the piano more easily and efficiently in order to master songs and become an increasingly well-rounded player more quickly.
1. Be Consistent
One of the most important and effective ways to improve at playing the piano is to practice every day. This unfailing consistency will help you build and maintain the necessary muscles in your hands, fingers, and wrists, as well as allow you to get more comfortable with the songs you strive to master and the instrument itself. If you are inconsistent with your practicing and continuously skip days or even weeks between practice sessions, your piano skills will likely not improve very quickly.
2. Break it Down
When you are attempting to master a piece of sheet music on the piano, there are bound to be certain notes, rhythms, scales, or measures in the song that are especially difficult for you to play. When you come across these difficult parts, it is important not to become frustrated. If you try to play the whole song through at the correct tempo, you will likely stumble more slowly over the measures that are difficult for you, thereby throwing off the rhythm and timing of the entire piece. A more efficient way of getting past difficult areas in your sheet music without disrupting the rest of the song is to repetitively practice only the challenging part at a slower tempo. Then, gradually increase your speed and slowly add in the easier measures until you are able to play all parts of the sheet music together with the correct rhythm and timing.
3. Analyze your Sheet Music
Before you jump right into playing a new piece of sheet music, read through the entire piece carefully. As you read, keep your eye out for any unfamiliar terms and symbols; if you find any, research them until you become more confident with their meaning and how to adjust your playing to accommodate them. Pay special attention to the key in which the sheet music is written and ensure that you understand which notes need to played sharp or flat. Reading through and analyzing your sheet music before you play it will allow you to master a song more quickly and smoothly and help you avoid making unnecessary mistakes during your learning process.
Even after you have advanced from a beginning level, mastering the piano can be difficult. By using the simple tips in this article, however, you can learn to play the beautiful instrument more smoothly and efficiently while improving your skills at an increased rate.