Have you ever thought about learning to play piano? Well there are many myths out there. Here are the top five myth about learning to play piano:
1) You have to be born with natural ability.
As one of the top 5 myths about learning to play piano, this myth may have you condemned before you even start! Everyone and anyone can learn to play piano as long as they exercise the required amount of patience and practice. The piano in fact, is designed in such a way that it's fairly easy to learn! That is of course, when the instrument is compared to all the others out there. If we take a look at the violin for example, we can see that there are no markings that indicate notes. There are no white or black keys like the ones on pianos, there are no frets like the ones on guitars, and there are no dots. Violinists have to memorize where these notes exists and a large part of their training rests in trial and error.
2) Piano is easy.
Contrary to the above, we don't mean to suggest that you can sit down and play Gershwin within an hour. Yes, the design of the piano facilitates learning, but mastering it requires more than patience and practice. It also requires dedication. Despite what you may hear or read on the Internet, you can not play complicated pieces of music after only two or three lessons. You have after all, numerous scales to learn, chords to master, and rhythms to play **in addition** to all of their multiple variations! These variations are what makes music so entertaining, but it's also what can extend a single piano lesson into an entire college piano course.
3) Playing by ear is easier than reading notation.
Let us start by saying nothing could be further from the truth. In our opinion, neither approach is easier nor harder than the other. Both approaches are so different in fact, that comparing them would be like comparing apples to oranges. It's therefore important to understand your preferences as a pianist. If you prefer to play from sheet music, then do so. If you prefer to play by ear, then do so. Each requires equal amounts of hard work and dedication.
4) Everyone should study classical music before attempting jazz or gospel music.
All music starts with the basics regardless of the genre. People who claim that classical music lessons should precede jazz or gospel lessons just don't realize what all of these genres have in common: our favorite scales and chords. Only through intermediate or advanced stages of lessons will you start to see thee genres deviate from each other. So although you may want to master jazz piano or play piano for the hottest gospel choir, studying from a beginner's classical music book certainly won't deter you from your plans.
5) Children learn faster than adults.
People tend to credit the younger brain as a faster-learning tool in almost any subject but the reality is there's no hard-core difference. What makes a real difference in learning ability however, is dedication - not age. |
