Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum The best thing I've learned on Piano World....

Ok, list the one thing you've learned here (in any forum) that you think did the most for your piano playing.

For me it was, if you are using a digital piano turn the volume up as far as it will go to help learn dynamic playing. For me this made the difference in playing soft and/or hard with either hand.

I realized that the very loud sound of hitting the keys with the volume turned up became a "shock" and my hands/fingers adjusted very quickly to that "danger".

I play with headphones and thought that I needed to turn down the volume to protect my hearing (and maybe in the first six months that wasn't a bad idea), but I wish I would have done this at the six month stage and not the year and a half stage.

Really this advice was so simple that I thought it couldn't work (who ever posted this I'm sorry I can attribute it too you because I can't find your post). But this is by far the best advice I've gotten here or anywhere else.

Thank you, whoever you are.

A friendly fellow member PM'ed me with a link to what is now my teacher.
The best thing that ever happened to my piano playing

All the other things I've learned here (and there are many) will have to fight for a close second.

I think the best thing I've learned is how much people pay attention to detail.

I'm kind of a damn-the-torpedoes-full-speed-ahead kind of person.

Taking the time, discipline, and focus to work/pay attention to details has made a huge difference in my musicality.

It's still fun to play piano, tho

Cathy

Sounds like: As effective as getting slapped on the fingers by a ruler in the "good old days", by the piano teacher.

I'll be a contrarian and say the lack of advice here has been the most beneficial. I raise the odd question hoping to have a straightforward "this is the route, start at A, go to B and finish at C" type answer. This is never the replies I get, more often than not they are usually "it comes with practice". This has been most helpful as I stop looking for solutions in a book or method and start thinking about my practice regime more.

Seems that "it comes with practice" is the answer to most of our questions
It's maddening, but nonetheless true.

....when someone mentioned local colleges or community colleges as a place to look for teachers. Actually, I went to the local community college to *ask* for advice about good local teachers, and the answer was, "Look no further." The first teacher I had there was very good; the second one is excellent.

Though not specifically "piano" related, the best thing I have learned on Piano World is how to record myself on the piano. People here pretty much walked me through the process of choosing a recorder, what settings to choose when recording, software questions answered about Audacity, etc, etc, etc. I know very well that I would not have my Zoom H2n and be making recordings of myself were it not for the people on Piano World. Being able to record myself has opened up the possibility of participating in the online recitals. This has been a huge boost to my motivation as well as providing a sense of belonging on PW.

Really, if you are not recording your playing it is so very worthwile to do so. There are posts and threads on the forum that cover just about everything "how to". The recorders these days are not so very expensive. And, if I can learn how to do it, anyone can. I am no techno geek AT ALL!! And yet, I now have a recorder and pretty much standard set up and process for getting myself recorded. It is so much FUN!!!! So, if you are thinking about it, just do it!!! And I really thank the people on PW for helping me.

Best tip was to slow down, or as Graham Fitch phrases it: slowly, separate, sections. Related to this is to practice in short time windows of 15 to 20 minutes each, and to try and practice every day.

There have also been some good resources that I found through PW such as free online courses on Coursera.org, a free Yale music appreciation course, and a few Youtube tutorials. I also found the book, The Musician's Way through PW. Even though the book is more for university level music students, as a beginner, I still got one or two very valuable bits from the book that have shaped my practice habits, and my performance routine.

These indirect tips include balanced approach to time management, and what I see as several important though common sense tips for performing, such as packing the night before, arriving early, taking a deep breath, rehearsing fall back starting points in the middle of a piece in case of a fault.

Without PW I doubt I would have ever bought a digital piano, instead settling for a low priced keyboard. Participating in the recitals has also helped me.

I think one of the most important things I've learned is that "it isn't just me" -- it really does take a lot time to gain the necessary skills, and I have to be patient with myself. Knowing that others struggle with the baby steps and are impatience with (lack of) progress, really helps me hang in there when I feel I am crawling rather than stepping. It helps me keep my perspective.

(Yes, ok, I still need reminders every now and then!)

The best thing I have learned is to get a teacher.

I would prefer to say it comes with experience. Practise should be something deliberate.

Like dynamobt, I think the recitals are the best thing. There are several resources on the 'net for increasing the efficiency of our practise but the one I remember most begins with "Listen!" (Dr. Brent Hugh).

There's nothing that lifts our performance or ability more than careful listening and nothing that makes us listen more than making a recording for others.

I couldn't limit it to just one thing.
Right now, the top two are:

Do what your teacher tells you.

and

Go ahead and get the best piano you can afford.

I've learned many things on Piano World, but the most useful thing I've learned hasn't been 'how to do something', it's been learning that piano playing isn't easy, it's hard, and it requires multiple skills. It's been learning that every difficulty I have faced, hasn't been peculiar to me. Everyone else seems to have had the same hurdles to overcome, sometimes in exactly the same places. It's hard to overstate how encouraging that has been! It's an extraordinary motivator, to keep going, and perhaps vary my practice according to the tips I have picked up here.

Posts by zrtf90

F

I have given that advice, as have others. You're very welcome, and thank you for the praise.

. Charles

I've learned that unlike other facets and pursuits, piano takes an unparalleled commitment. I love measuring my progress annually. However, I'm in awe that my daughter plays for hours daily without prompting. Imagine having to tell a kid, "Enough!" Piano is an art that evolves after years of commitment. I've also learned that my bulldog is partial to Beethoven. Bach makes him anxious.

I may not post often but I read posts faithfully. I've learned a lot from PW and from those who post regularly. You all motivate me!

This is an excellent reflection. I've learned many different things ranging from the technical, business, harmonic analysts, playing technique, business, recordings, digital pianos, hybrid pianos, experimental and development pianos, and the list goes on.

For me it's just great to share my love of keyboard music with so many wonderful people.

There are so many things, it's impossible to say that any one is subtstantially the best.

I am not alone in my pursuit.