| There are many myths surrounding the ability to | | | | those that have mastered the skill, they have |
| play the piano. For example, many believe that it | | | | been playing and practicing for a number of years. |
| requires a special talent to master, when in reality | | | | In fact, many got their start as very young |
| all it takes is some hard-work and dedication. Don't | | | | children. It normally requires that you play |
| get me wrong, there are some who are naturally | | | | anywhere from 1/2 hour to an hour a day to |
| talented when it comes to playing a musical | | | | really learn how to play. If you are serious about |
| instrument, but most have learned through their | | | | learning how to play, you must be committed. |
| own perseverance. By understanding the reality | | | | Another piece of advice-don't expect to play full |
| behind learning to play the piano, it may help you | | | | out songs right away. Learning to play the piano is |
| decide if you want to take the time to learn. Who | | | | a step by step process. You must become |
| knows? Maybe you have a hidden natural talent | | | | familiar with keys, chords and scales before you |
| for it, and it just needs to be dug up. | | | | learn how to play Canon in D. |
| Because so many believe that it requires a natural | | | | Many secretly have the desire to play the piano, |
| talent to play the piano, many don't even attempt | | | | but don't give it a try because they believe that |
| to learn. Like any skill we develop, it requires | | | | they are too old to learn. Even though I stated |
| hours of practice repeated continuously. The good | | | | earlier that most who have mastered the skill |
| thing about the piano though, is that it is a little | | | | started out young, it is not a requirement to learn. |
| easier to learn if you are a little tone deaf. Unlike | | | | As long as you are willing to do the time, age |
| most string instruments, that piano has specific | | | | doesn't matter much at all. (Unless of course your |
| notes you will hit to play a tune, whereas other | | | | fingers are too crippled to move, then it might |
| instruments require that your ears tell you when | | | | matter.) |
| you have hit the right note, and there are no | | | | There are many piano styles but the basics for all |
| specific keys to hit for a certain tone. The violin is | | | | piano styles, whether it be classical, jazz, or |
| a good example of an instrument that requires | | | | gospel are the same. Learning to count and |
| you to hear the note, rather than just know that | | | | rhythm can sometimes be a challenge, which is |
| you hit the note that the sheet music told you | | | | why learning the basic counts is essential. Like |
| too. | | | | anything else you attempt, take it one step at a |
| Don't get me wrong, playing the piano is not a | | | | time and before you know it you'll be playing like |
| walk in the park. It is by no means easy and for | | | | you never before imagined. |