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by Jenny Leigh Hodgins
Did you know that playing piano improves your wellness? Learning piano benefits both adults and children. From physical health, to slowing the aging process, improving cognitive and problem-solving skills, to improved mood and reducing stress, research has proven the benefits of piano study no matter what age you start. Click the video above for Tip #4 and learn how piano playing helps your hearing, thinking, and emotional well-being! If you're interested in starting piano, checkout my new short video series for quick and easy, actionable tips--something you can use immediately to bring you closer to your goal of piano learning. Each short video offers a nugget of valuable knowledge for you to apply toward a solid, productive musical learning experience. My video tips summarize the useful and much more in-depth information from my new ebook, What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! My new ebook has answers to every question you have about starting piano. CLICK BELOW to learn more and get ALL you need to start playing piano the right way! What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! Ebook
$11.98
A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. BONUS GIFT: As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with a self-care affirmation. Get Everything You Need To Start Piano With My Ebook, "What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right!" A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. Topics include what kind of keyboard is necessary, how to find a quality instrument and piano method, whether you need and how to find a good piano teacher, whether online tools for piano learning are valuable, what’s needed for a successful start to piano learning, and how to maintain continued piano progress. This ebook provides answers to those seeking a successful start or greater momentum for piano progress. As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with an affirmation. The affirmation poster is completely free to download, print, use as a desktop wallpaper or screensaver for your computer. The beauty of nature and positive words brings inspiration. We all need reminders. May this small gift of beauty and positive thought remind you of your immense potential for creative energy and inspire you to tap into your best self.
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Neither of my parents had any musical background. (I took the group piano class while having nothing to practice on during the week between lessons!). I begged my parents to buy a piano and they relented when I was seven. My mother sold Tupperware to pay for a Wurlitzer console piano from the local music store. She found a graduate voice (not piano) student at the local university to teach me. That young teacher was smart and kind. I enjoyed her lessons a lot! I found great relief in learning music throughout my youth. Music soothed my emotional confusion and allowed me to express my true feelings with anonymity. I relished solitude and musical expression as an introvert. I still do! Contrary to my dark moods as a child (don’t worry, I’ve lightened up!), I distinctly remember having incredible fun in my elementary music classes. My first music teacher was Dorothy Smith (now deceased). She was the funniest, most animated, openly warm-hearted and embracing teacher I’ve ever had in my life. Sometimes she would sing and play cute, comedic songs on piano for us that she had composed herself. She would help us put together musicals—including our parents as cast members! Her infectious enthusiasm and complete warmth were my catalytic hook to music. The fact she shared her love of creating original songs and using music as a way of community-building and fun ingrained in my heart the value of music as a communication method. She was a role model of using creativity to harmonize with others. I quickly outgrew my first piano teacher and spent a few years waiting for my parents to find another. When we found one, I went through everything that teacher could offer within a year. This went on in the same pattern until I started college. So I had a spotty, inconsistent and generally lacking in educational quality piano history before college. My College Years After a difficult period in my personal life, I moved myself from Kentucky to Florida when I was 23. I was happily able to receive both piano and vocal scholarships at State College of Florida and University of South Florida. However, I had a tendency to practice my original music and neglect my classical piano pieces until a week before jury time. Then I would cram all day piano practice sessions for a week to pass my juries. Miraculously, I always did well except for my nerves. It was a stressful situation full of stage fright. I don’t recommend it. The stage fright I experienced was traumatic and held me back for many years from being able to pursue music performance. My stage fright and approach to music learning were a reflection of my life choices to that point and my lack of disciplined training. I hadn’t yet learned good piano practice habits. I had to learn quite late, and definitely the hard way about the importance of consistent, disciplined effort and preparation in music practice. Although I got both piano and vocal scholarships and was leader of the jazz, madrigal and full college choirs, I didn’t opt for a vocal degree, and ended up changing my initial major from piano performance to music composition. Although I was capable as a soprano and pianist, somehow creation itself always had a stronger voice within me. What’s Most Important About Your Musical Experience The memory association that first teacher gave me about music has been a huge factor in my ability to not give up on my musical growth despite struggles with stage fright and inconsistent training. I share the detail of my spotty musical background as a way to encourage anyone reading that piano is for everyone. You don’t have to have the fortune of high profile credentials to learn piano and gain the tremendous benefits of music education. I’m grateful for my first teacher’s influence in that regard because I feel she showed me what’s most important early on. That lesson carries me through to this day. As a result, despite my obstacles, and with gratitude for my teachers, I made a 30-year career out of piano and music teaching, as well as performing professionally as pianist and vocalist. Knowing How To Practice Piano Effectively Is Key In college, one of my piano instructors, Dr. Charles Turon, gave me a complete understanding of how to practice piano effectively. He taught me the importance of ‘mind spent’ versus ‘time spent’. He also taught me the importance of mindfulness and breath in regard to awareness of physical tension and placement in relation to piano practice. That was a huge lesson for piano progress, and Dr. Turon’s lessons are the basis for both my teaching strategy and my personal piano practice sessions. Immersed In The World Of Negative Musical Experiences Unfortunately, not having a solid musical training led to a lack of confidence in myself as a musician. In college, I had such low self-esteem that I felt inadequate and out of place in the music department. I had a few piano teachers there whose intellectual snobbery and emotional distance kind of perpetuated my negative feeling. I had two female piano teachers, but both were reserved and stoic. Fellow pianists were stand-off-ish and mostly concerned with flashy technique versus authentically musical expression. So my whole college experience was a world of musical snobbery and intense judgment. I know many musicians who’ve experienced the intellectual egoism in the classical music world, too. I also think this negative experience influenced my decision to get my degree in music composition versus performance. How You Can Have The Joy of Solid Piano Study I wrote this ebook for the same reason I taught piano for decades. I want to help you get started in your musical journey with a positive foundation. My desire is to give you an incredibly warm, heartfelt environment where you feel confident in your musicality and self-expression. Giving others what I didn’t have on my own musical journey until much later is extremely important to me. I offer this ebook and all my content on piano learning so that no one else experiences the snobbery, intellectual ego, or educational gaps I’d endured. There are so many people who are looking to start piano lessons for themselves, a friend, or a child. However they don’t really know how to start or even what basics are truly essential for a successful piano education. Many people are intimidated by the prospect and give up even though they really want to play piano! There’s a lot of noise out there offering quick tricks or gimmicks to learn piano faster than before. I’m not saying that some things available online or elsewhere aren’t offering any value. The truth is that these don’t work in the long run—or at least not as a foundation—for those who truly want to progress in playing piano successfully and continue to progress as a musician. My ebook is meant to dispel the myth—that piano playing can be accomplished with a fast, easy trick or gimmick—through straight talk from someone who has taught and played piano for 30 years. I’ve retired from one-on-one piano teaching, but I want to offer value to my online audience at YourCreativeChord.com. Over the years, many people asked me the questions featured in my new ebook! I’ve written several blogs answering a lot of those questions from new or returning piano learners. I decided to offer an all-in-one, easy-to-read resource where those interested in starting piano lessons can find all the answers to their questions about how to successfully begin and forge a strong foundation for continued piano progress. For anyone who’s interested in exploring piano learning, this is the ebook that gives you everything you need to get started learning piano right. ‘Right’ means with the confidence that you’ve got the right teacher, method, instrument, setup, routine, advice, age and anything else needed to successfully begin piano! What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! Ebook
$11.98
A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. BONUS GIFT: As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with a self-care affirmation. Get Everything You Need To Start Piano With My Ebook, "What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right!" A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. Topics include what kind of keyboard is necessary, how to find a quality instrument and piano method, whether you need and how to find a good piano teacher, whether online tools for piano learning are valuable, what’s needed for a successful start to piano learning, and how to maintain continued piano progress. This ebook provides answers to those seeking a successful start or greater momentum for piano progress. As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with an affirmation. The affirmation poster is completely free to download, print, use as a desktop wallpaper or screensaver for your computer. The beauty of nature and positive words brings inspiration. We all need reminders. May this small gift of beauty and positive thought remind you of your immense potential for creative energy and inspire you to tap into your best self.  by Jenny Leigh Hodgins The quote in the above headline is from percussionist/composer, Joshua Sohn, of Salt Lake City, Utah, after he read my new ebook, What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! I appreciated getting this feedback from a fellow composer/musician because this is exactly what I intended my ebook to provide! Through my 30-year piano teaching career, I’ve taught countless students who initially came to me without a clue about what’s really necessary for piano success. They didn’t know how to prepare for their lessons, much less what kind of instrument to use, or how to practice piano for developing their musical skills. Fortunately, as their piano teacher, I was able to guide them on all these points until my students created a healthy physical and instrumental setup, practice routine and strategy. The majority of my students acquired consistent musical improvement, and developed the confidence to perform regularly in recitals and group classes. More importantly, their confidence, from understanding how to practice effectively with a healthy physical and instrumental setup gave them tremendous joy. THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR PIANO SUCCESS Sadly, most people who want to start playing piano don’t really know what’s most critical to setup for successful piano learning. I often see teens and adults online who futilely hunt for quick tricks, flashy apps, or follow glamorous video tutorials to start their musical path. Unfortunately, these folks quickly lose their enthusiasm, as these gimmicks often prove to be short-lived entertainment rather than a fool-proof method to advance musically. I watch the initial excitement of these potential piano players fade, as they unfortunately develop poor piano technique, weak or painful fingers and hands, increased frustration due to the lack of a qualified instructor’s guidance. They also typically have a keyboard setup that’s inadequate for piano skill development, and no understanding for practicing piano effectively. Regrettably, there are folks claiming to be piano teachers, whether online or locally, who don’t actually offer a solid foundation for piano beginners. This is why many adults return to piano much later in life, wishing to start again. This is why I’ve met many adults who were confused about the absolute basics necessary for steady piano progress. This is why many young teens give up too soon, thinking they’re not capable or musical. Whether you want to try learning piano for the first time in your life, return to the piano after a long gap, or explore setting up piano lessons for your child, my new ebook has “everything you need to know before starting piano.” My new ebook covers the things any new piano learner needs to consider for successfully starting piano:
My new ebook offers you practical guidance on what and how to take action toward getting your piano journey started successfully. Everything in my ebook comes from my experience as a piano teacher, and from my own journey as a professional pianist and composer of piano-based music. I put “everything you need to know before starting piano” in my ebook to take all the guesswork and mystery out of the process for you. I wrote this ebook so that people like you can start your piano learning story with confidence. When you read my ebook, you’ll know how to get everything setup properly as a solid foundation of support for you to enjoy achieving success as a piano player. GET MY NEW EBOOK! 👇 What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! Ebook
$11.98
A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. BONUS GIFT: As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with a self-care affirmation. Get Everything You Need To Start Piano With My Ebook, "What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right!" A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. Topics include what kind of keyboard is necessary, how to find a quality instrument and piano method, whether you need and how to find a good piano teacher, whether online tools for piano learning are valuable, what’s needed for a successful start to piano learning, and how to maintain continued piano progress. This ebook provides answers to those seeking a successful start or greater momentum for piano progress. As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with an affirmation. The affirmation poster is completely free to download, print, use as a desktop wallpaper or screensaver for your computer. The beauty of nature and positive words brings inspiration. We all need reminders. May this small gift of beauty and positive thought remind you of your immense potential for creative energy and inspire you to tap into your best self.  by Jenny Leigh Hodgins What to do next if you’re interested in piano. Even without getting my new ebook—you can take one actionable step toward your dream of playing piano. Setup a meeting with a local piano teacher to assess whether that is the right way for you to learn piano. Start with a google search for local piano teachers. Select one piano teacher and call or email to see if you can setup a time to meet. Before the appointment, find their website and read through their policy and any blogs or other free content offered. This will give you a good assessment of their general style. During this first meeting, pay attention to whether or not you feel comfortable with the interaction. This is a good sign that the piano teacher would be someone you (or your child) could learn from. However, if you get my ebook, you will have loads more insight and the exact information that will help you find, ask effective questions, and determine whether the piano teacher is a good fit for your learning style, budget, musical goals and personality. In my ebook, I break down multiple ways to find quality piano teachers, and what specifics to look for and assess before deciding to more forward with piano lessons. Having that knowledge will save you time, money, and possibly disappointment. Alternately, you could spend some time surfing the internet, searching through YouTube tutorials, or looking for Amazon books on the topic of piano learning for beginners. But there is so much information to sift through, and it may take a good chunk of time to find anything that will help you learn the best way to play piano. It is rarer still to find offers of quality instruction, an effective learning method, and a foundation for consistent piano progress and proper technique. Sadly, a lot of things available online are gimmicks that don’t work for anything but lining the pockets of those promoting them. If you’d rather save your time and energy, and get all the answers you need in one handy download from a qualified piano educator, pianist and piano composer, click here to get my new ebook, What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! Ebook
$11.98
A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. BONUS GIFT: As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with a self-care affirmation. Get Everything You Need To Start Piano With My Ebook, "What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right!" A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. Topics include what kind of keyboard is necessary, how to find a quality instrument and piano method, whether you need and how to find a good piano teacher, whether online tools for piano learning are valuable, what’s needed for a successful start to piano learning, and how to maintain continued piano progress. This ebook provides answers to those seeking a successful start or greater momentum for piano progress. As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with an affirmation. The affirmation poster is completely free to download, print, use as a desktop wallpaper or screensaver for your computer. The beauty of nature and positive words brings inspiration. We all need reminders. May this small gift of beauty and positive thought remind you of your immense potential for creative energy and inspire you to tap into your best self.  by Jenny Leigh Hodgins Who is my ebook for? My ebook is for you if you:
What's included in my ebook? My ebook covers:
Does my ebook teach you how to play piano? My ebook gives an overview of everything you need to start piano with the best foundation prepared for success. The specifics of how to play piano, in a step-by-step lesson format are not included. However, I do cover a few critical basics on how to practice piano for the most progress. My upcoming second ebook, My Best Tips On How To Practice Piano Effectively, will provide a more detailed strategy for practicing piano effectively. My ebook is not intended to teach how to play piano, but rather, how to setup everything you need for successful, lasting piano progress. Through teaching piano for more than 30 years, I've found that those who had these elements prepared and maintained throughout piano study enjoyed the most consistent and successful piano progress. I've also discovered that many people who were frustrated by piano lessons prior to studying with me, were those who did not know about the things I cover in my ebook. This is a huge motivating factor for writing my ebook. Why Is The Price Of My Ebook Higher Than Many Online Related Ebooks? My ebook is priced according to the amount of useful information and strategies within it. I didn’t write any extra words as filler. I packed my ebook with direct value that will help anyone interested in piano learning get started with everything needed for consistent, long-range, successful piano progress. There may be other ebooks that are cheaper in cost, but don’t pack in as much relevant information, or aren’t as clearly organized or focused on offering the exact answers my readers need. Why Should You Buy My Ebook When You Can Search Online? There’s a wealth of info available online. Unfortunately, it takes a huge chunk of time to sort through to find something applicable to you. Even if you find something that applies to your unique learning situation, the source may not be qualified to help you in the best way. I have posted blogs about many of the topics I cover in my ebook. But you can save time, and get my organized, more-in-depth, all-in-one resource at your fingertips when you buy my ebook. 🎈I'll Show You The Way To Start Piano Right!🎈 You can be confident that you’re getting an ebook written by someone with 30 years experience as a pianist, piano and music teacher, and composer of piano-based music. The information I provide in my ebook is a summary of my years of experience in successful piano education. It is also full of strategies and information I’ve personally used within my piano practice sessions and musical journey. What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! Ebook
$11.98
A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. BONUS GIFT: As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with a self-care affirmation. Get Everything You Need To Start Piano With My Ebook, "What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right!" A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. Topics include what kind of keyboard is necessary, how to find a quality instrument and piano method, whether you need and how to find a good piano teacher, whether online tools for piano learning are valuable, what’s needed for a successful start to piano learning, and how to maintain continued piano progress. This ebook provides answers to those seeking a successful start or greater momentum for piano progress. As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with an affirmation. The affirmation poster is completely free to download, print, use as a desktop wallpaper or screensaver for your computer. The beauty of nature and positive words brings inspiration. We all need reminders. May this small gift of beauty and positive thought remind you of your immense potential for creative energy and inspire you to tap into your best self.
Here's a two minute video I made with a tip for you from my new ebook!
Just click the video play button to watch!
How Can Piano Playing Nurture Your Creative Energy?
I've launched my first ebook, What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! (The crowd roars.) On the surface, it’s a book geared toward piano beginners or those who want to return to piano after a gap of time. But how is my piano ebook relevant to my brand about nurturing your creativity and inspiration through positive self-care? Oh, good. I’m so glad you asked. Self-Care Is The Source Of Your Muse Having interviewed creatives from artists, writers and composers to educators, I've learned something about the connection between self-care and creative inspiration. As a creator myself, I know that no matter what creative outlet manifests for you personally, there will be no creative energy unless you take care of yourself first. I’m introducing this first ebook about piano because I know from playing and teaching piano for more than 30 years that developing piano skills is a huge positive for the self-care department. Are You Wondering If YOU Could Learn To Play Piano? Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn piano, but you’ve followed a different creative route as a visual artist. Or maybe you’ve had a family and have been on a busy trek with adulting. Or maybe you’re a musician who wants to add keyboards to your music or compositions. Maybe you’re retired and are looking for rewarding things to do in your golden stage of life. Or, you played piano years ago, and are yearning to play again. I’m here to tell all of you—every single one of you—that now is the time to go for it. Playing piano is for everyone. I’ve taught students from four year old children to 90-year seniors, from one-on-one private lessons, to small groups, to large classes of more than 40 students. And I’m telling you, playing piano is something anyone can learn. Why would you? Do You Want To Improve Your Quality of Life? Making time for yourself now to finally learn the piano can bring tremendous emotional, physical and mental rewards. In my new ebook, you’ll learn a great deal more about the benefits of piano. But let me go on record here to say that playing piano has incredibly positive effects on your mood and emotional well-being. Research on piano study has proven additional impact on academics and learned discipline for children. Research on piano study also shows it develops and prolongs memory, and other cognitive skills for all ages. Learning piano can even benefit you physically by warding off hearing loss, and decreasing aches and pains! How Can Playing Piano Improve Your Confidence? Playing piano is a powerfully therapeutic tool. Playing music allows you a safe place to express yourself authentically. Where there are no words, playing piano rises to fill the need for spiritual connection and emotional expression. Playing piano is a beautiful way to nurture your self-care. It allows you to improve self-confidence by developing the ability to overcome self-limited thinking patterns. As you gradually develop piano skills, your sense of accomplishment transforms your outlook on your future success. That is a powerful tool for self-esteem. How Can Piano Playing Replenish Your Creative Energy? If you’ve checked out any of my blogs or podcasts on YourCreativeChord, you’ll know that an aspect of creative rejuvenation involves challenging new experiences. Whether it’s driving home a different route, trying a new cuisine, learning a new language or cooking with a new recipe, exploring a new thing is a profound catalyst for sparking creative energy. So if you’ve been wanting to learn piano, or you want to come back to piano lessons, know that this musical journey brings the wonderful benefit of boosting your creativity. The rewards of playing piano also extend to the personally gratifying experiences of accomplishment, improved mood (can you imagine how that helps your relationships with others?), and the joy of self-expression. How My New Piano Ebook Benefits Your Creative Life These are all part of the interconnected ocean of self-care. Learning to try new things, do the things we always wanted to, and challenge ourselves are fantastic ways to develop self-care. Self-care as a way of life allows you to awaken new thought processes, generate fresh ideas, replenish your energy and live a more inspired and balanced quality of life. So, this is how my ebook, What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! can benefit your creative life. I hope you take the leap of faith in yourself to try this new thing. I know you’re gonna love it. WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MY EBOOK: "What a great resource for potential piano parents to have." ~-Krista Schupbach, PIANO TEACHER "Excellent e-book! EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING PIANO. There is just about everything you can think in [this ebook], like a bible of what you should know. I also enjoyed previous articles and links from [YourCreativeChord.com] blog -- which only strengthens [the author] as an authority on piano. Great job!" --Joshua Sohn, FILM & GAME COMPOSER "A great book that will inspire many people to take up piano lessons. It inspires me to continue playing and composing. Many people [will want] to start piano studies after reading [this] ebook. Looking forward to [the author's] next ebook." --Alex Dawson, RETIRED PIANO TEACHER "Genuinely, this is a good resource, and a reassuring one to someone coming at the piano with some trepidation, intimidation, or wondering, Am I too old to start?" --Tracie Callahan, COMPOSER, MUSIC EDUCATOR What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! Ebook
$11.98
A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. BONUS GIFT: As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with a self-care affirmation. Get Everything You Need To Start Piano With My Ebook, "What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right!" A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. Topics include what kind of keyboard is necessary, how to find a quality instrument and piano method, whether you need and how to find a good piano teacher, whether online tools for piano learning are valuable, what’s needed for a successful start to piano learning, and how to maintain continued piano progress. This ebook provides answers to those seeking a successful start or greater momentum for piano progress. As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with an affirmation. The affirmation poster is completely free to download, print, use as a desktop wallpaper or screensaver for your computer. The beauty of nature and positive words brings inspiration. We all need reminders. May this small gift of beauty and positive thought remind you of your immense potential for creative energy and inspire you to tap into your best self.  Summary of Effective Piano Practice Strategy  Photo by Jenny Leigh Hodgins by Jenny Leigh Hodgins This is the second part of a series offering my best tips on how to practice piano effectively. If you missed Part 1, you can find it here: My Best Tips On How To Practice Piano Part 1 How To Achieve Your Most Effective Piano Practice I mentioned the importance of choosing relevant practice goals. Having goals for each piano practice session is crucial for both fast and lasting progress. Surprisingly, many piano students completely neglect this important step! Spending time at the piano without locking down on a goal is just spinning your wheels. It may be pleasurable for a short while, but in the end those who omit goal-setting will eventually stall musical progress. Let’s begin with the understanding of how influential your goals will be toward your piano progress as we launch into an effective piano practice strategy. You can use this strategy for any piano practice session at any level of musicianship or piano skills! Practice Piano Using Your Full Focus On Your One Goal Start with one goal for the current piano practice session. It’s pivotal that you select only one goal to begin your piano practice. Limit yourself to think only about this one goal. While deeply listening and looking at the musical notation or your hand (s) at the keyboard, place your full mental effort on the one thing you’ve selected as your goal. This is where multi-tasking goes out the window! Looking Ahead To Be Better Prepared Let’s say you’ve selected the goal of playing the correct fingering, for the right hand only, through four measures of notated music. Start by visually reading the selected fingering without touching the piano. Take note of any opportunities for making a mistake. Analyze that situation. Question why it would be a challenge and look for a solution around it. Once you’ve found the solution, decide your course of action (back to setting your first goal). Looking Before You Leap Prevents Falling The point is to think about the one goal of playing the right hand’s fingering through the four measures of music. Do not yet play the piano. Think through it first. Taking the chosen passage, let’s say that while you visually read through the fingering, you discovered one of your fingers would need to stretch to reach its key to accomplish correct fingering. Now that you’re aware of this potential problem, you’re better prepared to adjust your hand, wrist, arm or posture to assure you’ll be able to play the designated fingering. Play While Focusing On One Goal After this period of visual and mental preparation, begin toward your one goal of playing the musical passage mistake-free (with correct fingering in the right hand). As you play the passage, listen carefully and pay close attention to achieving the goal (correct fingering). During this time, do not focus on anything else. Don’t add the left hand. Don’t think about dynamics, the rhythm, or tempo. Just concentrate fully on the one goal (playing correct fingering) for the selected musical passage. Evaluate Your Performance Think about whether you either successfully met your goal or not. If not, you must stop. If you didn’t succeed in reaching your goal, you must stop. Do not continue through the passage or beyond it. CLICK HERE FOR MY RECOMMENDED MUSIC RESOURCES! Stop. —If You Make A Mistake Or Lose Your Focus There are only two reasons to stop practicing. The first is if you make a mistake in regard to your goal. In this case, you weren’t able to play correct right hand fingering through the four measures of music. The second is if you lost mental concentration. If you have lost your ability to mentally focus on your goal, you must stop. Continuing without a goal in mind is wasted time at the piano. This is one of the most important aspects of effective piano practice that so many piano players ignore, resulting in lack of progress, repeated mistakes, hitting musical plateaus and boredom. But if you are proactively and cognitively engaged with your goal, your piano progress will rapidly improve! You must THINK! As simple as that sounds, it is the essence of successful piano progress! It’s challenging to keep yourself intellectually disciplined. It’s also tiring. You are the best judge of your ability, so when you lose mental focus, the best course of action is to stop. Reset Back To The Beginning Once you’ve evaluated yourself to determine if you need to stop due to a mistake or a lack of attention, you must reset. Go back to the start and try again. Recenter your mind on the one goal and make a fresh attempt at it. How You Can Avoid Wasting Time At The Piano The point is to prioritize exactly one thing to practice and put your entire attention to that goal. Like walking a balance beam, if you lose your balance, you fall off. There’s no point in continuing. Just go back and start again from the beginning. When you choose one defined practice goal and create the restriction of not allowing yourself to continue unless you are successful, you will make faster and better piano progress. Repeat Your Effort To Focus On Your One Goal & Do It 3 Times In A Row! Once you are able to successfully reach your specific goal as you play the musical passage, go back to the beginning and try again to complete your goal. Stop each time you lose focus or make a mistake on your goal. Start again. Repeat this process until you’re able to successfully play through your passage with your appointed goal three times in a row. If you play successfully through twice but make a mistake or lose focus the third time, you must start completely over from the beginning! Do not move forward until you are able to succeed three times consecutively. When you’re able to play through your selected goal successfully and consecutively several times, your correct habit is solidified. This confirms you are ready to move on to the next goal! The Benefits of Attending To One Goal At A Time You will find that honing in on a specific task in this manner will get you much further in piano skills that mindlessly repeating your music multiple times. Using your entire effort to think about what you are trying to accomplish makes a huge impact on piano progress. If you apply yourself to this kind of full-on thinking strategy while at the piano, your piano skills will improve more quickly. Your improvement will boost your confidence in your piano playing abilities. This will motivate you to continue building your skills. The fluency you will gain from attending to each practice goal will give you an edge of greater musicianship. This leads to greater enjoyment and inspiration at the piano. When It’s Ok To Play Piano For Enjoyment Many piano players waste time by playing music without thinking about any particular goal. Or they lose their focus on the goal while playing. Or they become distracted by other musical aspects (like dynamics, rhythm, tempo, expression). This leads to wasted time at the piano and leads to little or no improvement of piano skills. There will be plenty of opportunity to play piano for enjoyment, and you absolutely should do this. But your piano practice session is not the right time for that. Reward yourself with playing piano mindlessly only after you've dedicated time to effective piano practice. First, give your all to reaching the goals you’ve chosen for your practice session! After you work hard in your practice session, treat yourself to the fun of playing through previous assignments, or improvising on the keys. You’ll feel a difference in your mastery of the music after having worked consistently within your practice routine. The key is to balance your practice between great concentrated effort, followed by the reward of relaxation and enjoyment of piano playing for fun. I’d love to hear from you. It means a lot to me that my content is helpful and empowers you. Please take a moment to join the conversation below to let me know if this blog is helpful to you, or if you have questions or suggestions! If you’re a piano teacher, feel free to leave one of your favorite piano practice tips in the comment section! Read My Best Tips On How To Practice Piano Part 3 for more details on how to evaluate your piano practice... Annnnnd...if you loved this blog don't forget to show your awesome support by Liking the link, Subscribing for more updates and adding your comment below! What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! Ebook
$11.98
A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. BONUS GIFT: As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with a self-care affirmation. Get Everything You Need To Start Piano With My Ebook, "What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right!" A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. Topics include what kind of keyboard is necessary, how to find a quality instrument and piano method, whether you need and how to find a good piano teacher, whether online tools for piano learning are valuable, what’s needed for a successful start to piano learning, and how to maintain continued piano progress. This ebook provides answers to those seeking a successful start or greater momentum for piano progress. As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with an affirmation. The affirmation poster is completely free to download, print, use as a desktop wallpaper or screensaver for your computer. The beauty of nature and positive words brings inspiration. We all need reminders. May this small gift of beauty and positive thought remind you of your immense potential for creative energy and inspire you to tap into your best self.  Photo by Jenny Leigh Hodgins By Jenny Leigh Hodgins This is Part 1 of a series offering my best tips on how to practice piano.
For all these scenarios, I have some useful suggestions. Why Should You Believe I Know How To Make Piano Progress? I’ve taught piano for more than half my life. Piano is a way that I best express myself, whether through performance or my original compositions. I performed as a pianist (and vocalist) and owned a private piano teaching studio for 25 years. I taught group piano (Musikgarten methodology) to kids from 5 to 11, too! If you’re interested in checking out my piano-based original music, or looking for proof to believe me when I say I know how to make piano progress, go to: JLMusicStudio.com Or have a listen to: My Piano Performance of Clair De Lune. Why Does Your Piano Practice Make You Feel Like A Loser? I know from my early piano practice sessions what it feels like to be overwhelmed, or stuck, or frustrated by a particular musical challenge. I was familiar with spending chunks of fruitless time at piano, not being able to accomplish something. I’d practice musical passages, scales, etudes, fingering, rhythmic patterns, or dynamics relentlessly and repetitively, only to hear myself play the same mistake after mistake. I’ve had some great piano teachers, though, and one of them was quite instrumental (What? A musical pun here?) in teaching me how to make progress with learning piano. I finally learned how to practice piano effectively. I’ve seen this dilemma from both sides. Having taught piano and music for 25+ years, I’ve met many piano students who felt overwhelmed by piano practice. I’ve had students come to me with angst from their lack of progress with former piano teachers. I’ve had adults come to me with feeble hopes after quitting piano lessons as a child. I’ve had teenagers joining my studio initially complain that piano was boring and they couldn’t get any better at it. How To Practice Piano With Confidence I learned to practice piano effectively. My private piano students overcame issues with getting stuck or insufficient progress, too. They succeeded because the driving point I taught in each piano lesson was how to practice piano effectively. Do You Know Where The Musical Magic Really Happens? First, you need to know that the magic never happens in the piano lesson. You will not be illuminated musically by exposure to the brilliance of your piano teacher. Sorry, no unicorns here. Piano improvement comes directly from the student. So… You. You, as the piano student, or you as the parent of the piano student, are the key to continuous piano progress. The piano student has full responsibility for developing piano skills. Having that self-motivation is 90% of the musical betterment battle. Of course, a quality piano instructor will be critically helpful as an experienced guide on your musical journey. A good piano teacher can inspire your consistent piano progress. Your piano teacher can help you avoid mistakes or break habits that stunt your piano development. Your piano teacher can use your strengths to help you advance more dynamically, or help you polish your weaknesses into tools for improvement. But the real result is up to the piano student. Not the teacher. If that has fully sunk into your brain, now you are ready for my piano practice tips! Please first take a look at these blogs if you are just beginning piano: What Do You Need To Know, Have, Or Do To Begin Piano? What Keyboard Do I Need For Successful Piano Lessons? How To Find A Good Piano Teacher Necessary Steps To Achieve Your Most Effective Piano Practice Having read through the blogs above, hopefully you’ve found a great piano teacher, have a quality instrument or a plan to upgrade to one, and have sorted out a regular practice routine that is supported by those in your home. Now you must begin to establish an effective piano practice strategy that produces progress within your regular practice sessions. In my next blogs of this series, My Best Tips On How To Practice Piano Part 2 & My Best Tips On How To Practice Piano Part 3, I walk you through my effective piano practice strategy in detail. Why You Need To Choose A Goal Relevant For Your Level Before you begin toward your daily piano practice routine, you will need to define the goals you will concentrate on. As you read through these piano practice tips, it will become evident that your goals will change and develop as you practice. Choosing and changing goals helps keep your interest and promotes the greatest progress while practicing piano. The most critical part that will vary from student to student, or from one practice session to the next, is choosing relevant practice goals. The goals you select depend on your level of musicianship, and will vary from beginner to advanced levels of piano skill. Beginner to intermediate level piano students will typically have a few piano goals assigned by their piano teacher to achieve before the next piano lesson. As you advance in piano proficiency, you’ll be able to use more self-volition in selecting appropriate piano goals. As you advance, and with the guidance from your piano teacher, you’ll learn the art of narrowing your focus to what goals are necessary for your current piano playing level. Before you begin, you must determine your specific goals for each piano practice session. You’ll need to break your weekly goals down into smaller, digestible chunks. Either using what your piano teacher has offered, or devising your own, make a list of targeted piano practice goals you will work on during your piano practice session. In the next blog, I will offer a few examples of relevant piano practice goals. Checkout next steps in my effective piano practice strategy in My Best Tips On How To Practice Piano Part 2, & My Best Tips On How To Practice Piano Part 3. I’d love to hear from you. It means a lot to me that my content is helpful and empowers you. Please take a moment to join the conversation below to let me know if this blog is helpful to you, or if you have questions or suggestions! If you’re a piano teacher, feel free to leave one of your favorite piano practice tips in the comment section! Annnnnd...if you loved this blog don't forget to show your awesome support by Liking the link, Subscribing for more updates and adding your comment below! What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! Ebook
$11.98
A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. BONUS GIFT: As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with a self-care affirmation. Get Everything You Need To Start Piano With My Ebook, "What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right!" A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. Topics include what kind of keyboard is necessary, how to find a quality instrument and piano method, whether you need and how to find a good piano teacher, whether online tools for piano learning are valuable, what’s needed for a successful start to piano learning, and how to maintain continued piano progress. This ebook provides answers to those seeking a successful start or greater momentum for piano progress. As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with an affirmation. The affirmation poster is completely free to download, print, use as a desktop wallpaper or screensaver for your computer. The beauty of nature and positive words brings inspiration. We all need reminders. May this small gift of beauty and positive thought remind you of your immense potential for creative energy and inspire you to tap into your best self.  My Baby Grand Piano Speaks. By Jenny Leigh Hodgins This is a poem I wrote from the viewpoint of my piano instrument. My piano is encouraging me to make time for music-making despite my busy schedule. Responsibilities can pile up but regular music-making has tremendous benefits. I look rusty, dusty, cold and untouched You’ve been away from me far too much I have voluminous sounds to reach your ear A wealth of richness for you to hear But you have left me in the corner Covered up, like some kind of mourner Grieving death with silence Leaving me in the distance While you scurry and scamper around Burying your heart deep underground Look this way! You'll miss me, friend! Recall the melodies we have penned! Rhythms pulsing, drumming, beating Music flowing, moving, defeating everything that tried to bring you down Remember me--our joyful sound! That's it--I see I've caught your eye-- You know you need me as well as I So meet me here upon this bench Sit down, relax, release, unclench Share with me your hidden story Tap your creative repertory at once, when you connect with me with fingers placed on key to key Of bliss, of love, and spiritual height When you release your inner light to me--I'll feel your every thought, Kindly untie the angry knot That's twisted up your soul And spun you out of control If you would meet me here again You'd alleviate your abysmal yen Cathartically, simultaneously, Immediately and beautifully Bringing dimensions to life from experiences inside to fruition, realization satisfaction, revolution. Just sit with me and feel The true, authentic, real. And when you open up to this, The flow of music's gentle kiss upon your fragile heart will mend the broken, then you will transcend beyond confusion, doubt or fear illuminating perfectly clear; Your strength, your power, Your Treasure Tower-- As you listen from within. How does your piano speak to you? Share in the comments! I’d love to hear from you. It means a lot to me that my content is helpful and empowers you. Please take a moment to join the conversation below to let me know if this blog is helpful to you, or if you have questions or suggestions! If you’re a piano teacher, feel free to leave one of your favorite piano practice tips in the comment section! THANK YOU FOR SHARING this with a friend on social media or email! What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right! Ebook
$11.98
A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. BONUS GIFT: As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with a self-care affirmation. Get Everything You Need To Start Piano With My Ebook, "What You Need To Know, Have & Do To Start Piano Right!" A practical, down-to-earth, all-in-one resource and easy-to-read guide for anyone interested in getting started or returning to piano lessons. Topics include what kind of keyboard is necessary, how to find a quality instrument and piano method, whether you need and how to find a good piano teacher, whether online tools for piano learning are valuable, what’s needed for a successful start to piano learning, and how to maintain continued piano progress. This ebook provides answers to those seeking a successful start or greater momentum for piano progress. As my gift to you, with every purchase of my ebook, you'll automatically receive a FREE download of my original photo with an affirmation. The affirmation poster is completely free to download, print, use as a desktop wallpaper or screensaver for your computer. The beauty of nature and positive words brings inspiration. We all need reminders. May this small gift of beauty and positive thought remind you of your immense potential for creative energy and inspire you to tap into your best self. |
PIANOIn my PIANO blogs, you'll find ways to overcome boredom, get past musical and mental blocks, explore the creative process with piano, and improve musical progress through piano teacher recommended best practices and effective piano practice tips. Archives
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