{"id":7086,"date":"2020-08-05T11:57:08","date_gmt":"2020-08-05T09:57:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edwinm29.sg-host.com\/?p=7086"},"modified":"2025-09-30T13:52:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T11:52:40","slug":"i-cant-play-piano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/i-cant-play-piano\/","title":{"rendered":"I can\u2019t play piano is something you\u2019ll never say again"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #103133;color:#103133\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #103133;color:#103133\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/i-cant-play-piano\/#Why_is_this_important%E2%80%A6isnt_it_just_a_word_a_label\" >Why is this important&#8230;isn&#8217;t it just a word, a label?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/i-cant-play-piano\/#%E2%80%9CI_cant_play_piano%E2%80%9D_%E2%80%A6_%E2%80%9CBy_whose_standards%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;I can&#8217;t play piano&#8221; &#8230; &#8220;By whose standards?&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/i-cant-play-piano\/#Mindset\" >Mindset<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/i-cant-play-piano\/#Flow\" >Flow<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/i-cant-play-piano\/#Top_Tips\" >Top Tips:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t play piano&#8221; ?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>There are two reasons you&#8217;ll never say this again. Firstly, because by the end of this article you will have played music, even if you don&#8217;t have a piano. Secondly, because this article will turbo charge your learning, by exposing common limiting thoughts and replacing them with empowering ones. This is done through exploring:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>what it means to be a pianist<\/li>\n<li>the impact of your personal motivations, values and goals<\/li>\n<li>the purpose of piano in your lives<\/li>\n<li>the role played by those who listen to your music<\/li>\n<li>mindset and how it influences practice<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As always, there are plenty of opportunities to practice as you read with tips, links to several Skoove songs and other resources.<\/p>\n<h3><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5557\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/separator.png\" alt=\"separator\" width=\"400\" height=\"108\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/separator.png 725w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/separator-300x81.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/h3>\n<blockquote><p>From day 1 you are a pianist! &#8211; Roberta Wolff<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>This is a mantra I share with every new student; &#8220;from day 1 you are a pianist!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Pianist, as defined in the Cambridge dictionary, simply means &#8220;someone who plays the piano&#8221;. There is no reference to level, frequency or capacity in which the playing is done. This presents an interesting question. If level of achievement or earnings are not factors in calling one&#8217;s self a pianist then what are?<\/p>\n<p>For me the answer is engagement and commitment. I do not believe that there is some invisible point that needs to be reached before the noun &#8216;pianist&#8217; is ascribed. For some, though, it is preferable to distinguish between &#8216;amateur pianist&#8217; and &#8216;professional pianist&#8217;.<\/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><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_this_important%E2%80%A6isnt_it_just_a_word_a_label\"><\/span>Why is this important&#8230;isn&#8217;t it just a word, a label?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It comes back to engagement and commitment. In adopting the title &#8216;pianist&#8217; or &#8216;amateur pianist&#8217; you are acknowledging your commitment to your learning, growth and a journey that has the potential to enrich you whole life. Piano playing is no longer something you <em>try to do<\/em>, it becomes <em>a part of who you are<\/em>. This level of identity with your passion places you in the strongest position to explore and develop it.<\/p>\n<h3>The subtle shift<\/h3>\n<p>I hear this all the time:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t play piano&#8230;well I am trying to learn, but I am not very good&#8221;. This thinking reinforces the message &#8220;I don&#8217;t measure up&#8221; it also undermines the learning process.<\/p>\n<p>My challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to use this instead:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I am an amateur pianist and I love exploring the instrument in ways that are meaningful to me.&#8221; As well as empowering the learning process, this makes it more fulfilling and from that positive place results are achieved more quickly.<\/p>\n<h3>Time to Play<\/h3>\n<p>If this is the first time you are exploring playing the piano the Skoove app is a great place to start. It provides all you need to know in small chunks. It also offers autonomy in how you learn. In this piece you become familiar with finger numbers while playing the opening of <a href=\"\/blog\/lean-on-me-piano-song\/\">Lean on Me piano song<\/a>. Enjoy the start of your journey as a pianist.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/370325292?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 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Go to the lesson\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/redirect?page=50\"><span class='mb-text'>Go to the lesson<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Take this opportunity to reflect on what you have just done. What curiosity has the experience kindled in you? This is your project and so the path you take will be unique to you. Will you explore another piece, read a Skoove blog or continue reading this? If you are hooked, <a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-choose-a-piano\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this article<\/a> on choosing an instrument might be just what you need.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CI_cant_play_piano%E2%80%9D_%E2%80%A6_%E2%80%9CBy_whose_standards%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;I can&#8217;t play piano&#8221; &#8230; &#8220;By whose standards?&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Once learning has begun, many pianists become quite apologetic about their music making. This is grounded in a feeling of having to measure up to some external standard or work to some predefined process. In fact, this is not always helpful. The benefits of expert guidance are not being disputed. However, I am acknowledging the relevance of <em>your<\/em> motivations, values and goals in the learning process. Read <a href=\"\/blog\/best-songs-piano\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this article<\/a> if you want to think a little more about curating your own learning experiences.<\/p>\n<h3>The Power of Personal Goals<\/h3>\n<p>Clear personal goals provide a success criteria enabling you to evaluate your own progress. They also help you choose what to learn when. This is very motivating. Here are some common reasons for learning:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>to express yourself beyond words<\/li>\n<li>to communicate with friends and family<\/li>\n<li>to have a creative outlet<\/li>\n<li>to have an escape<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>None of these reasons require advanced level technique. However, they all ask the pianist to explore human emotions and express them in music.<\/p>\n<h3>Time to Play<\/h3>\n<p>The Skoove app provides arrangements of popular songs. This means that from the very start of your learning you are able to engage with pieces which have emotional substance. Give yourself time to become familiar with the piece and then play it with the intention of communicating what it means to you, Fly me to the Moon:<\/p>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/445576141?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 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Go to the lesson\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/redirect?page=413\"><span class='mb-text'>Go to the lesson<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Exercises and scales are useful as a way of developing keyboard skills, theory knowledge and technique. You can explore them <a href=\"\/blog\/piano-scales\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here<\/a>. However, none of these elements will move a listener. It is what you bring to the music and how you communicate it that makes the music moving. One of the first means to achieve this is to experiment with playing louder and softer.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a video on artistry, expression and enjoyment.<\/p>\n<p><center><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-4TAlcCQbWw\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">The Skoove app also provides songs that you can play with a backing track. This supports rhythmic playing, additionally, getting lost in the full sound is the perfect way to experiment with artistry and communication. Here is We will rock you.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 56.25% 0 0 0; position: relative;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;\" title=\"We will rock you - Queen\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/362564359?background=1&amp;h=e4fadfaf96&amp;badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479\" 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=\"Go to the lesson\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/redirect?page=567\"><span class='mb-text'>Go to the lesson<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>If you are playing piano for your own reasons and pleasure then you are already fulfilling the purpose of music making. If you are sharing your music making with your family and friends, it worth remembering that what moved you to learn is the same as what moves them to listen. That isn&#8217;t note perfection, accuracy of fingering or posture, standard of instrument. It is commitment to the message of the music.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mindset\"><\/span>Mindset<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In addressing the power of thoughts we look to mindset. &#8220;I can&#8217;t play piano&#8221; or &#8220;I can&#8217;t play piano but I try&#8221; are limiting thoughts from a fixed mindset. They dis-empower the learning process. Choosing a growth mindset puts you in a great place to learn.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>A fixed mindset is, \u201cbelieving your qualities are carved in stone,\u201d while a growth mindset is \u201cthe belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts\u201d &#8211; Dweck, 2016. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. pp. 6-7.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Developing a growth mindset internal dialogue around your piano learning is a huge advantage. Here are some comparisons to get you started.<\/p>\n<h3>Fixed Mindset<\/h3>\n<p>Here are some examples of fixed mindset and how it is communicated in piano.<\/p>\n<p>? My potential is predetermined &#8211; There is not a single musical person in my family.<br \/>\n? Failure is the limit of my abilities &#8211; I will never be able to play for others without messing up.<br \/>\n? I avoid challenges &#8211; No I don&#8217;t want to try that.<br \/>\n? I stick to what I know &#8211; I don&#8217;t want to play jazz I have only ever played classical music.<br \/>\n? I will never improve &#8211; If I am lucky I might get to level 1.<br \/>\n? I am either good at it, or I am not &#8211; I will give it 1 month if there isn&#8217;t progress I will know to stop.<br \/>\n? There is no point in trying &#8211; I always wanted to play but now I am too old to learn piano.<\/p>\n<h3>Growth Mindset<\/h3>\n<p>Here are some examples of growth mindset and how it is communicated in piano.<\/p>\n<p>? I can learn to do what I want &#8211; I know that effort and commitment to practice will make the difference in my learning<br \/>\n? Failures offer opportunity and growth &#8211; I was not pleased with how that performance went. What can I learn from the experience to make it better next time?<br \/>\n? My skills can be developed &#8211; I am going to read and watch everything I can about learning piano.<br \/>\n? I embrace challenges &#8211; I am curious in trying out different styles of music.<br \/>\n? I learn from feedback &#8211; So you think that improving my sight-reading will help? Ok I will give it a go, what do you suggest?<br \/>\n? I keep trying &#8211; My mistakes now will help me learn and grow, and they won&#8217;t be my mistakes in a month.<br \/>\n? I am inspired by other people&#8217;s successes &#8211; I will speak to my friend who started learning a year before me and get some advice.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Those with a growth mindset are more likely to see every environment as a learning environment and scan for opportunities to improve their skills and enhance their knowledge &#8211; Positive Psychology.com<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>You can read the full article, Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset <a href=\"https:\/\/positivepsychology.com\/growth-mindset-vs-fixed-mindset\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Time to Play<\/h3>\n<p>Let&#8217;s play Beauty and the Beast. The Skoove app will take you through step by step, starting with the right hand and then moving to the left. Take the opportunity to become aware of your internal dialogue. What is your dominant mindset at this moment?<\/p>\n<p>This piece presents a challenge in the quaver notes, E, G, B, C. Experiment with a flexible wrist, aligning your arm behind the finger playing to provide the best support. Consciously adopt growth mindset thoughts as you work with this challenge.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/445576140?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 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Go to the lesson\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/redirect?page=464\"><span class='mb-text'>Go to the lesson<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>There are always ways to support the learning process, check out <a href=\"\/blog\/how-to-label-piano-keys\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Flow\"><\/span>Flow<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The state of flow offers potential for a rich learning experience. If you have ever been so absorbed by what you are doing that&#8230;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>time seems to disappear<\/li>\n<li>you are completely engaged in your process<\/li>\n<li>you are focused on the moment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8230;then you have experienced flow. This is a great place to practice from. Not only are you working efficiently but it is a highly enjoyable state, one you are eager to return to day after day.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>the holistic sensation that people feel when they act with total involvement. &#8211; Csikszentmihalyi PositivePsychology.com<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>You can read more about flow in <a href=\"https:\/\/positivepsychology.com\/what-is-flow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-7129\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/miguel-angel-hernandez-x6Zk6qpNKoI-unsplash-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/miguel-angel-hernandez-x6Zk6qpNKoI-unsplash-1024x684.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/miguel-angel-hernandez-x6Zk6qpNKoI-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/miguel-angel-hernandez-x6Zk6qpNKoI-unsplash-768x513.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/miguel-angel-hernandez-x6Zk6qpNKoI-unsplash-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/miguel-angel-hernandez-x6Zk6qpNKoI-unsplash.jpg 1384w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Reaching Flow<\/h3>\n<p>There are two important factors that you control which determine your potential to reach a flow state during piano practice. They are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the level of challenge &#8211; it needs to be well matched to your skills. Too easy and you are not absorbed, too hard and frustration takes over.<\/li>\n<li>the quality of internal dialogue &#8211; highly self-critical dialogue will lead to dissatisfaction which moves the experience out of flow. An internal dialogue based on curiosity and growth mindset moves towards the flow state.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Time to Play<\/h3>\n<p>You have already practiced with growth mindset. Now it is time to work towards flow state. To do this go the Skoove course that you think presents just the right level of challenge to you. Choose a piece that you are motivated to learn. Begin learning it. The Skoove app will wait for you as you find the notes for the first time.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Top_Tips\"><\/span>Top Tips:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>?\u00a0 Focus on the process not the goal<\/p>\n<p>?\u00a0 You can always choose another piece if the level of challenge is not quite right<\/p>\n<p>?\u00a0 Heighten awareness in your fingertips, to the sound you are making and to your movements. This will add depth to your experience as it takes you beyond the cognitive task of playing the right notes and ignites the aural and kinesthetic sense also.<\/p>\n<p>?\u00a0 Enjoy being at the piano rather than pushing for a perfect performance.<\/p>\n<h3><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5557\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/separator.png\" alt=\"separator\" width=\"400\" height=\"108\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/separator.png 725w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/separator-300x81.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/h3>\n<p>Improvising is a wonderfully creative activity and because there is no &#8216;wrong&#8217; it is very conducive to flow state. If you want to learn more about improvising read<a href=\"\/blog\/chord-progressions-on-piano\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Playing piano combines knowledge, skill, communication and expression. The most moving performances say something about what it is to be human. Accepting ones current level is a prerequisite to moving on. I hope you feel empowered to say:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8220;I can play the piano!&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;I am happy with where I am now!&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;I know curiosity and effort will get me to where I want to be!&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And most of all, enjoy the process!<\/p>\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 loading=\"lazy\" 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>&#8220;I can&#8217;t play piano&#8221; ? There are two reasons you&#8217;ll never say this again. Firstly, because by the end of this article you will have played music, even if you don&#8217;t have a piano. Secondly, because this article will turbo charge your learning, by exposing common limiting thoughts and replacing them with empowering ones. This &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"\/blog\/i-cant-play-piano\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">I can\u2019t play piano is something you\u2019ll never say again<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":7120,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"You CAN play piano and it is important that you do. 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