So you want to learn to play piano?
It’s a long road ahead, and not all smooth. Not everyone has the passion or courage to stick with it. But I’m confident that you have what it takes. In the end, it’s absolutely worth it.
I’ve been playing piano for more than twelve years, and in that time I’ve seen both the great and the ugly. There have been countless times I’ve wanted to quit from an absolute lack of satisfaction. I’m here to tell you that if you stick with it, if you push past the hard days, all your work will pay off.
I’ll be telling you what you need to know to get started learning your first piece and quickly master the basics of the keyboard. I’ll be speaking from my own experience as to what works, what doesn’t work, and the best resources out there for beginners.
Best Advice for Beginners
This section works for beginners, but the tips are great for intermediate and advanced players as well. At the end of this article, I’ll provide a list of recommended resources for absolute beginners. If you’ve never so much as touched a keyboard, you may want to check those out first. But be sure to return to this advice. I’ve distilled years of guidance from various books and instructors into the most important tips for learning and sticking with the piano. Ready? Let’s go.
Be consistent
As I mentioned earlier, not everyone has the courage to stick with the piano. I certainly know a number of people who quit early on in their journey. Let me tell you something: there’s no better way to ensure that you’ll never impress anyone with your playing. Fortunately I can promise you that if you put in the work consistently, you can make it happen.
Consistency is the most important point in learning anything, whether it’s a new instrument, topic, or skill. I want you to carve out time daily to practice—it’s genuinely the best way to improve. Even if it’s just 15-20 minutes per day, consistency is key for building a foundation of improvement. You want to get to a point where you don’t even have to think about practicing—it’s just something you do.
What I DON’T recommend is not practicing during the week, then trying to make up for it by practicing for hours on the weekend. Not only will this stop you from properly processing what you’ve learned, but it’s a fast road to burnout. Trust me, I’ve been there.
While you can certainly work up to playing for longer periods of time, it’s best to start with something you know you can manage daily, then gradually adding on more as you see fit. Jumping right into the deep end—especially if you’ve never played before—can be jarring and is a fast way to quench motivation. Over time, you’ll build up patience and capability at the keyboard—but for now, keep it short and consistent.
Being consistent will help you enjoy the process. Will every moment be pleasing? Of course not. But by making practice a part of your routine, you’ll eventually find aspects that you genuinely enjoy. If this is something you really want to do, you shouldn’t have much trouble coming back to it day after day.
Take it slow
I mean literally. Slow down your playing. No one expects you to be Mozart at the start—and you’ll never reach the speed at which a piece is “supposed” to be played without a great deal of slowed-down practice. This can feel painful or unfulfilling—especially if you’ve listened to your piece and intuitively know how it should sound. But you’ll never improve by stumbling along. If you’re consistently making mistakes, you’re doing it too fast.
If you don’t practice realistically, you’re not making good use of your time. It may seem counterintuitive, but slowing down your pieces can be the best way to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your 15-20 minutes. By only increasing your speed when you really feel comfortable, you’re making sure you know the piece by heart and setting yourself up for success down the road when you perform in front of others.
This advice applies at all levels, no exceptions. A good music teacher will always tell you to take it slow.
Listen to your pieces
This one took me a while to realize, but once I started doing it consistently, it proved invaluable. Excluding only consistent practice, the best way to learn a new piece is to listen to a professional recording. Fortunately, if you’re reading this article, you should have access to such a recording of any popular piece via YouTube, if not in a downloadable format like on Spotify or Apple Music. Listen in the morning, listen at night, listen when you’re going for a walk. The more, the better. I recommend making a playlist of all the songs you’re learning or want to learn. This will ensure that you’re primed whenever you start learning a new piece. I guarantee you’ll notice the difference.
Find a teacher
And I don’t mean a human teacher, necessarily. While it can be ideal to receive instruction from a professional, it is by no means required. I have friends who have self-educated with great success. Here are some ideas to get started:
- If you have friends or family who have learned piano, talk to them to see what’s worked for them. What books or programs have they used? If you can get them to teach you some of the basics, great!
- Find an instrument you can access consistently. Obviously an actual piano is ideal, but electronic keyboards are also an excellent option. If you’re part of a church group, school, or similar organization, you may be able to use one of their pianos. If you can practice on a baby grand or grand piano, all the better—though it’s certainly not necessary. I didn’t touch either until years into my playing.
Recommended Resources
Here are some resources I recommend for beginners:
- For a more structured approach, Piano Adventures (for kids) or Adult Piano Adventures. This series is tried and true by multiple piano instructors I know, as well as by myself and others who have learned the instrument. The kids series also includes books on theory, performance, and technique.
- For beginners all the way through advanced players, the Suzuki Piano School is my personal favorite series for learning new pieces quickly. Demanding but well-paced, this is where I’d go once I know the basics. From “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to Mozart’s Sonatas, it’s fully comprehensive.
Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step in your journey learning the most complex and versatile musical instrument on the planet. Stick with it, take it slow, and enjoy the process, and you’ll be playing in front of crowds in no time.