{"id":1599,"date":"2020-12-28T13:10:40","date_gmt":"2020-12-28T12:10:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edwinm29.sg-host.com\/?p=1599\/"},"modified":"2022-08-08T12:57:35","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T10:57:35","slug":"five-piano-beginner-mistakes-to-avoid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/five-piano-beginner-mistakes-to-avoid\/","title":{"rendered":"Five of the most common piano mistakes beginners make"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learning to play the piano offers you wonderful opportunities for <strong>personal expression<\/strong> and enjoyment. Balancing this with familiarity of the most common mistakes on piano empowers you to speed up your progress!<\/span><\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\"><!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}--><\/style>\n<p><span data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;&lt;div class=&quot;componentContainer&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;row&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;column&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;h2Notable&quot;&gt;Start your musical journey&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fall in love with the music -&lt;\/strong&gt; Learn your favorite songs, at a level suitable for you.&lt;\/span&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Enjoy interactive piano lessons -&lt;\/strong&gt; Explore courses covering music theory, technique chords &amp; more.&lt;\/span&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get real-time feedback -&lt;\/strong&gt; Skoove&#039;s feedback tells you what went well and what needs practice.&lt;\/span&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;&lt;\/ul&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;column&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/optimized\/iPhone15-1A-3-800.webp&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; width=&quot;1024&quot; height=&quot;846&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-large&quot; \/&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;small&gt;&lt;\/small&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;skooveButton skooveButtonWithin&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; title=&quot;Book a trial lesson&quot; href=&quot;https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=btf&amp;utm_campaign=7d-blog-npd&amp;t=Start%20a%207%20day%20free%20trial&amp;st=No%20credit%20card%20required!&quot; rel=&quot;noopener&quot;&gt;Book a trial lesson&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;small&gt;No credit card details required&lt;\/small&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:769,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;11&quot;:3,&quot;12&quot;:0}\"><div class=\"componentContainer\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"column\"><div class=\"h2Notable\">Start your musical journey<\/div><ul><li><span><strong>Fall in love with the music -<\/strong> Learn your favorite songs, at a level suitable for you.<\/span><\/li><li><span><strong>Enjoy interactive piano lessons -<\/strong> Explore courses covering music theory, technique chords & more.<\/span><\/li><li><span><strong>Get real-time feedback -<\/strong> Skoove's feedback tells you what went well and what needs practice.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"column\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/optimized\/iPhone15-1A-3-800.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"846\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/div><\/div><small><\/small><a class=\"skooveButton skooveButtonWithin\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Book a trial lesson\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=btf&utm_campaign=7d-blog-npd&t=Start%20a%207%20day%20free%20trial&st=No%20credit%20card%20required!\" rel=\"noopener\">Book a trial lesson<\/a><small>No credit card details required<\/small><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>1. Placing note accuracy above all else<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is not only about playing the right note at the right time. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pianists move between prioritizing:\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? A<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ccuracy of notes<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listening skills<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technique<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A keen ear is developed by keen listening. At first, it will be easier to repeat a song three times focusing on one type of listening at a time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>?<em>\u00a0Bill Wither&#8217;s &#8220;<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lean on Me&#8221; in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/redirect?page=beginnerone\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Skoove\u2019s Piano Songs Beginner Course<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a good one to use.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/351381763?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Listen for note accuracy<\/span>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. L<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">isten to the quality of the sound being produced<\/span>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Listen to the body &#8211; hopefully shoulders, wrists, jaw are free from tension and moving with ease.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good technique gives a beautiful sound.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>?\u00a0<em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Re)visit the lesson on hand and sitting position in the <\/span>Beginner 1 Piano Course<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 for a reminder on good posture:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe title=\"How to sit in front of the piano with good posture\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/461391950?h=798e50d48d&amp;dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Develop technique by focusing on areas of the body in turn, include wrists, arms, fingers, shoulders, neck. Look for ways to make flexible, <strong>coordinated <\/strong>and controlled movements.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>2. Reading by finger numbers or keyboard image<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of a pianist&#8217;s chief goals is to develop the ability to read music. Too much reliance on the keyboard image or finger numbers can hinder the development of note recognition and pattern reading. (Pattern reading is recognizing whether the music notation is moving up or down or whether it is moving by step or by leap).\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At first, you may watch the keyboard more than the notation. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the next step involves turning your attention to the notation and working with this until the piece can be played just as well from the music notation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Learn more about\u00a0<strong>How To Recognize Notes Quicker<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Looking down at the keys too often<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, pianists keep their eyes on the music only glancing down occasionally to spot a note. For learners, the temptation is to look down to check note accuracy before playing. With Skoove, pianists have a huge advantage in knowing exactly how the piece should sound. Therefore, they don\u2019t need to make the visual correction by looking down, they are alerted to an incorrect note by the Skoove app or their ear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>4. Moving on too soon<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learning continues, after the notes of a piece have been mastered, in the experimentation stage. This comes naturally to younger learners (recall a young child doing the same puzzle repeatedly). In comparison, adults frequently skip this stage, not aware of what they are losing out on. Piano mistake number 4 gives permission to indulge in some creative, obsessive playing. Include experimenting with different speeds, different volumes (dynamics), with added notes or anything else engaging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some pieces become favorites; pianists who play these regularly to family and friends develop their repertoire and performing skills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>5. Waiting for the right mood to practice<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to get down to regular practicing is to make it a daily non-negotiable, much like brushing teeth. The most efficient learners set a daily minimum amount and do it without question. Some days they do more and other days the daily minimum is a squeeze, but it is done!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Practicing becomes enjoyable and rewarding to those who do it regularly. Their routine is driven by habit rather than mood. That way if frustration or distraction threaten to derail a piano journey, a routine is in place to keep them on track.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>A final word<\/h2>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.\u201d \u2015 John Powell.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recognizing piano mistakes is the first step. Taking the time needed to discover the best correction is where the deepest learning lies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">More beginner tips:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/piano-posture-and-technique\/\">Beginner tips for good piano posture<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/three-technical-piano-warm-up-exercises-for-beginners\/\">Three technical piano warm-up exercises for beginners<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/bass-clef-notes-on-piano\/\">Bass clef notes: how to easily read notes for the left hand on piano?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 46.21% 0 0 0; position: relative;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/479012867?autoplay=1&amp;loop=1&amp;title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0&amp;muted=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/api\/player.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Start free trial\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/en\/app\/account\/promotion\/ONBOARDING\/12-month?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=contextual&#038;utm_campaign=free-trial&#038;utm_content=contextual-link-free-trial\"><span class='mb-text'>Start free trial<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Author of this blog post:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6933\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Author-Box-Roberta-Wolff-2-291x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"213\" height=\"220\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Author-Box-Roberta-Wolff-2-291x300.jpg 291w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Author-Box-Roberta-Wolff-2.jpg 668w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 213px) 100vw, 213px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Roberta Wolff started piano lessons at the age of five and is still enjoying learning! Currently, she teaches piano pedagogy and performance pedagogy at post graduate level in the UK. Her other work includes running a private teaching practice for students of all ages and abilities and creating learning and practice resources. Roberta loves writing as a means to supporting others on their piano journey.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learning to play the piano offers you wonderful opportunities for personal expression and enjoyment. Balancing this with familiarity of the most common mistakes on piano empowers you to speed up your progress! 1. Placing note accuracy above all else It is not only about playing the right note at the right time. Pianists move between &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"\/blog\/five-piano-beginner-mistakes-to-avoid\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Five of the most common piano mistakes beginners make<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":11250,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"%%title%%","_seopress_titles_desc":"Learning to play the piano offers you opportunities for personal expression. 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