7 point Check list to guarantee success at the piano

​1. Choose a piano with a sound you (or your child) like
you will be spending hours hearing this sound, make sure you really like it! Read here about how to choose the piano that suits you best.

2. Find a piano teacher you trust personally and professionally.
There has to be a basic chemistry between the teacher and the student (and the parent) since these will be weekly one on one sessions. There are several ways to choose a teacher: You can visit a student recital of theirs or request to sit in a class of another student. The most effective way is to have a trial lesson (in person or on Skype) followed by a short discussion.

3. Place the piano in an inviting place at home.
I used to think it is good for the piano to be placed out of the way so the student will be able to concentrate without being disturbed. Actually, most kids feel a lot happier playing the piano in the middle of the family life. you may want to move the piano to a quieter place later on, but for the beginning stages it can be practice -encouraging to have it in the living aria.
Make sure there is enough light over the piano and that the piano bench is at the right height. 

4. Play the piano every single day.
Daily contact with the instrument is vital to success.
The following blog posts are about different aspects of practice
- How Much Practice Should  a Piano Student be Doing?
- What happens when we practice?
- The Secret of slow Practice

5. Play pieces you like.
You will expand your musical taste with time, but you won't sit down and practice if you don't connect to the music you are playing. Part of the motivation to practice comes from playing the pieces you would love to master.

6. Make sure you have 2-3 pieces you play well at any given time.
Whether it's  for yourself to enjoy and  relax with, or as spontaneous performance pieces for guests, friends and colleagues, it's important to have a little stock of pieces you can play well. I call these "The Triple A Pieces" : Pieces you can play Anytime, Anywhere, in front of Anyone. 

7. Connect with other people who play piano.
Meet up with others who are going down the same road as you, share the joys and challenges with each other and get inspired by other people's approaches.
Read more about this here 

Good luck!
Nurit Reuveni
​Pianoways on Facebook

Related Posts
- 7 Great Reasons for Learning the Piano
- Piano is a Social Instrument!
- How Much Talent do You Need to Play the Piano?
- Have You Considered Piano Duets?

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