6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting The Piano

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thank you for watching and hope it is helpful! What are your practice techniques and strategies?

[@richard135b7]

I will now move beyond the Key of C thanks to you. My strategy is to learn the 12 major scales, each of their diatonic chords and inversions of 1-4-5 progressions in each scale, all within the next 30 days. I am no longer intimidated by keys with flats and sharps. Your insights and direction have freed me to allow myself to do that. That may sound a little dramatic but it's true. Keep making those Awesome videos!

[@kathleencook3060]

Love your tips. Love the tips on Practice.! I really love the tip: Practise Slowly!!!.

[@JamesMichael-qy3bl]

My strategy is to enjoy the piano! I’ve started learning at 64 and the resources for learning piano now are wonderful. And coming across videos like yours.. well, I can’t praise you enough, you really have the ability to teach and the generosity that’s needed in order to teach. That’s very rare. Thank you. All the best for the future!

[@jeannettestuckelschwaiger5071]

Yes you have worldwide audience. Im from France and I listen to you with great interest. Your teaching is high level cristal clear and your english is so perfect that even foreigners understand. Thank you for taking time helping.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

@@jeannettestuckelschwaiger5071 I'm thrilled to know that you find the lessons clear and helpful, and that the language barrier isn't a hindrance. It's a priority for me to make these lessons accessible and understandable to as many people as possible, regardless of their location or native language. Your kind words and appreciation mean a lot. They encourage me to continue this work and strive to keep improving the quality of these lessons. If there are any specific topics or techniques you'd like to learn about, please don't hesitate to mention them. Thank you for being a part of our global community of learners. Keep enjoying your musical journey, and happy playing!

[@13Moondancer]

Wow, all the years I’ve practised scales and never realised the C and the F thumb - strewth, I’m enlightened. You are truly a gifted tutor. 🙏

[@harmonyrose856]

I checked this out and whilst it's true for many scales, it isn't for all of them. I wish it was, would make things simpler.

[@JamesMichael-qy3bl]

Thank you. You actually want to impart your knowledge and love of music! That takes kindness and generosity. This is a great lesson for all those wishing to teach, let alone wanting to learn the piano!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

I'm glad to hear that you appreciate the intent and effort behind my teaching approach! Many thanks

[@MrPianist7]

First time I've really looked at your videos and looking through the comments I'm just going to add the sentiments already made. I've being playing or trying to play for nearly 70 years and never properly grasped a technique. Looking forward to working with your methodology.

[@stephulph1646]

Really appreciate your videos. I originally only bought a keyboard to do scales along with singing and have really enjoyed simply learning circle of 5ths and improvising each scale and working out chords within scales and improvising with each bit of new knowledge. I find this fun and intuitive, only thing is I do find I lack structure a little and have to sort of figure out what I need to learn next. Grateful to come across a method of teaching that I relate to. You're an excellent pianist and teacher.

[@edwardhenderson3580]

There are many teachers, but you make it all simple and doable. I am pleased to learn from your method. I look forward to more ways to improve my playing. Thanks. Ed.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Many thanks Edward for your kind words.

[@Rollinglenn]

I am 68 years old. I wish you had been my piano teacher! In fact, I wish you had been my mother's piano teacher even more! She was so afraid that I would grow to hate piano lessons that she never sent me for lessons - we didn't even have a piano in my childhood home!😥 Only my hanging out at my neighbor's house, trying to replicate the lessons that Elissa and Karen played, got me into trouble with their parents - I was keeping the girls from practicing! They told my parents to get a piano so I would get out of their house! My parents agreed, and I started learning piano, but only with my mother's lesson books! Nonetheless, I majored in theory & composition at uni, became a church organist, and currently work on research projects based internationally. How I wish scales were explained as beautifully as you do. I am an analytical person, and your explanations make perfect sense. I will now practice all major scales more easily - then the minors! Thank you again, and please send me your free reference materials. I will share them with others who need them, too!

[@timallen6025]

This channel is an absolute find. Empowering enthusiasm and serious sensible ( etc etc) I could add words but it just encourages me to add PRACTISE and practise ideas and routes. Thank you so much , phew.

[@mclricardo]

Sometimes the thumbs fall on the C and F, but sometime the thumb is placed on B and E. Wonderful lesson!!

[@zamar2158]

It's that natural "missing" semitone at those keys.

[@jaykim9365]

I've been watching countless videos of piano theories, but none of them explains the theories in ways that makes it easy to actually put them into practice as you do. Your lessons make it easy for my fingers to learn. Thank you for these videos.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Wow, thanks!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

I've been playing for 2 and a half years, and keep coming back to certain of these videos since they are gold. I only recently started singing with confidence, and it has helped with musicality. I loved the topic of slow practice, and have been listening to Wim Winters at Authentic Sound about the Whole Tone Metronome Beat. He thinks people are playing most music twice as fast as composers wanted it to sound. I've listened to several videos about Chopin, and when it is played at "Practice Room Tempo", it soiunds great. And musical.

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

You last point was a huge revelation for me. I only started piano at 65 years old, and had joked that I was born with two left ears. My choir classes were a breeze since every teacher from 3rd primary until 2nd secondary told me to move my lips and not make a sound. My voice helped me develop my comedy chops. And for 8 months I'm trying to change that. But I don't have music in my head when I play piano. Until now the technique was filling my brain with music, and I need to learn to reboot my thinking. I am listening to lots of piano music now, and I know if a note or chord is wrong. I'll try to practice differently from now on. Merci beaucoup.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thanks for sharing your story Lawrence.

[@richard135b7]

The incredible insights and advice you provide in this video are beyond comparison. I've watched 500 or more piano- instruction videos on KZbin and none of those have had an impact on me like this one. To borrow one of your thoughts, now I have a clear picture of how to get the sound out of my head that I am chasing and working on enabling my fingers to achieve that sound. Thank you!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Many thanks for your kind words Richard.

[@salpotkoman]

Same take away for me. Hope i can act on it and achieve my goals this time. Thanks a lot for this

[@philchernin9808]

Thank you so much. This was generous and heartfelt. Oh, and helpful too!😉

[@marphilremoto4341]

I don't usually comment, but I find your content actually helpful. I also watched your tip on sightreading I'm blown away. In this vid you made me realize the keys are related. I'm interested in the fingering where you mentioned there are about 3 types of scales to hand positions. Can you elaborate on that and of possible show? I have a feeling it would finally solve my fingering challenges. Thanks, Tom

[@StefanGBucher]

Seconding all this!

[@CalvRobb]

Thanks for this video Tom👍🏾👍🏾

[@edgarsnake2857]

Years ago I had brain surgery that wiped out 40 years of music. I decided to start from zero and learn to play piano but minus the fear of sharp and flat keys. The impact has been dramatic and I am a far more sophisticated musician today. Thanks for the great tips.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

That's an incredible story, would love to hear more about it. You can reach out to our team anytime, www.contemporaryschoolofpiano.com

[@winnielim80]

How did you do that?

[@malandshardonald4455]

Thank you Tom....a bit of a lightbulb moment for me. I'm off to stack some scales!

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Same here. This was a thought provoking video.

[@christinacortez-zb2qx]

All of the music teachers that trained me in sight reading had us learn a measure at a time. Piano was my first instrument that I learned how to play but I also played B flat and alto E flat clarinet and bass clarinet in Jr high and high school. And all of my teachers made us play our music a measure at a time until we got pieces flawless. The same principles are applied to piano as well. When I play a piece on piano I play a measure at a time until I have gotten the whole piece down. This method works well for me. I thank all of my music teachers for teaching me strong study habits of learning pieces each measure at a time.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

That's a good approach, breaking down the piece, bar by bar.

[@NebkadBible]

Great video. Thank you so much!!!

[@mapzitm]

Great video, great teacher. Thanks.

[@ChocolateJewels]

Holy s$it! This makes so much sense! Your way of teaching has been the missing piece for me all these years (I'm 53, started with piano at 12, then a hate/hate/hate/like/hate/hate relationship on and off, but I couldn't let it go completely)... to be able to make the piano "my own", it's the scales and chord progression where it's at. Dissecting a piece, practicing in sections, etc. OMG, a whole new world with the piano has opened up to me these past few years, especially this last one. I "happened upon" you a few days ago. I'd love to learn with you.

[@Gilloringsend]

Yes deep down I always believed there was an easier way to “see” and play music. A little of the old style I believe is a good basis but then to quickly move on to something like you show now. Thank you for sharing.

[@bencenlove]

Thank you, I have pop music degree but I abandoned my musicianship as I have always struggled with theory. I thought I just wasn't smart enough so I gave up. Watching this video has helped me to grasp the things that I had been taught, but have never truly understood. Thank you, thank you and thank you again maestro. I will be back on my dusty keys this evening and recommencing my journey re-invigorated.

[@CalvRobb]

Hi Tom, thanks for this video, as its very enlightening

[@dr.aspalls]

Great stuff Tom - thank you

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

It's a pleasure.

[@2002jorgeparr]

SIMPLY FANTASTIC SIR!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@dennyps1]

Thanks so much for simplifying what traditionally is very confusing about playing piano. Got a quote for you. Technique is the mind telling the body what it should sound like, and when muscle memory is trained to the point of achieving that sound, then you will have good technique

[@keithwilkinson5707]

A ton of useful advice. Also a nice sounding outro Tom.

[@mellyju]

Thank you so much for this video, it really made sense. Now, I must start to play slowly! Very difficult, but it probably will sound much better with less mistakes!!

[@sweatcentralny7749]

Another wonderful video lesson. I can’t say enough how terrific you are at teaching piano in a holistic way.

[@bumblebee58134]

This video is so insightful, I didn’t expect finding so many new and useful tips. Thank you for sharing, I hope your channel will grow!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Glad it was helpful!

[@andreagosto]

You are so expressive in teaching things.. happy to have met you!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thanks and welcome

[@jeremywaller9234]

really helpful Tom, as always. I was just going to skip thru it then was hooked by the scales and insights there that were so helpful. As always you manage to distil what is important and are able to communicate it. I am listing the 6 points as a permanent reminder on my practice notes and making a map to guide me and help discipline my errant ways....! Jeremy

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Great to hear from you Jeremy!

[@frederickk2852]

Excellent video Tom. The thumb on C and F really breaks down the scale theory and practising slowly is a piece of advice that always seems to be avoided for some reason. It develops finger memory and gives time and space to soak up information.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Yes, slow practice is not a "sexy" tip. Not in this internet world of "learn piano in 5 days!" But when you learn it's power, then is becomes more sexy than any latest fad!

[@CalvRobb]

Hi Tom, thanks for this video. It's a very enlightening demonstration.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Lovely to hear from your Calvin. It's always lovely hearing you play as well.

[@user-qc2zf9wf8d]

Fantastic, thank you

[@NeilRMac1]

Thanks

[@smileydoug]

I cannot emphasize enough the value and impact of the insights presented in this video/lesson, "6 Things I wish I knew..."! Amazing! Liked! Subscribed! I would fly to London to shake your hand and hug you, if I was financially able!

[@JoeMama-nk9xk]

Thanks! You are a phenomenal teacher!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thankyou very much appreciated. Reach out to me at [e-mail], we have a little treat to say thank you for your support.

[@AyyyyUhhhh]

One of the most real and true ways of approaching learning piano, it has made me excited to learn more then just songs I like at the piano! Where the teaching service I paid for started me off in that same way with C maj playing simple versions of songs i wasn’t interested in and was very off putting, made me feel like I was years off from even starting to look at the music I actually wanted to play, I’m going to start with all major scales and that alone will free up the keyboard for me, thank you so much!!!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

I'm thrilled to hear that this approach has reignited your excitement for learning piano! It's so important to connect with the music you're playing and feel that your practice is leading you towards your personal musical goals. Starting with all major scales is an excellent strategy. It will indeed open up the keyboard for you and provide a strong foundation for understanding and playing a wide variety of music. Remember, every bit of progress counts, and you're never as far off as you might think from playing the music you love. Your feedback is really valuable as it highlights the importance of learner engagement and interest in the teaching process. I'm glad you've found a path that resonates with you, and I'm honored to be a part of your musical journey. Keep up the great work, stay curious, and enjoy your exploration of the piano. I'm here if you have any questions or need further guidance. Thank you for your kind words, and happy playing!

[@bobgastineau9948]

Bravo! and thankyou for the great overview!

[@BraddersMusic]

Great video Tom thank you. You referred to technique and I think to begin i need to focus on literally using the Left hand correctly and also being able to play without looking at the keyboard as I currently do!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Yes, looking away gives you the opportunity to train your muscle memory. Though, for large leaps, I wouldn't get too caught up in looking away for those sorts of tricky passages, just focus on the simple stuff first, playing scales and melodies, and finding chord shapes using more of your muscle memory, and not just the visual. All of these components are important, think of them like pillars. Hope this helps!

[@CharlesAustin]

I agree totally that the flat keys should’ve taught from the beginning. I really “arrived” at the piano when I learned Db Major and the natural placement of the thumbs. ‘Love the videos !!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

I'm glad you had that experience with D flat major!

[@seyibasorun5575]

Very useful content. Thanks for sharing important points

[@michaelwaskiewicz1]

These are all excellent points that I needed to hear. Thank you.

[@liriosanz]

No soy pianista pero aprendí mucho de tus consejos , me gusto mucho . Espero el próximo vídeo . Gracias

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

¡Me alegra mucho saber que encontraste útiles mis consejos! No necesitas ser pianista para disfrutar y aprender de la música. El objetivo es compartir conocimientos que puedan ser beneficiosos para todos, sin importar su nivel de habilidad.

[@GuruBobBreen]

Excellent tutorial. Many thanks. Illuminating. B

[@fredericklane745]

We're nearly all busy people, and to make piano feel productive and therapeutic, we need to intersperse our playing between all the other stuff we do. So for example, I work from home and, with my physical exercise, I schedule training. The same applies for piano. I need routine where sometimes I'm practicing and sometime I'm just playing 'pop'. For example, I am learning the Eminem rap song with my daughter '8 Mile', and I realise there is a very nice paino ref to loop. So, I just want to jump on to taht and teach here and then we're having fun. In the venings, I like to lock-away and work on my learning, which in my case is blues piano. So, this is what I need help organising ans structuring.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Some very useful observations here!

[@W020-j9o]

Just solid gold. I took notes during the whole video, and I NEVER do that. And then I listened to it again. You hit all the areas I am having trouble with. More info in my message to your website. Thanks.

[@bencenlove]

Currently rewatching to do the same, this guy is soooo good.

[@davidnhanack5841]

Very interesting and well explained. I like it. Thank so much.

[@margueritechippendale8844]

Hello Dear outstanding Tom ! I didn’t do rabbit holes! I have learned the piano as a child and as an adult for more than two years - bought many books , watched hundred of KZbin videos , I thought that I know scales, chords , extensions,alterations ,different Voicings etc…. But I still don’t know how to GROOVE, how to INTEGRATE the notes together in order to improvise and harmonise - The door and windows of my dark room starts to open slowly now thanks to your generosity Gratefully Yours, Marguerite

[@ant7936]

Excellent teaching. THANKS.

[@baruchben-david4196]

One of the tools that I found very helpful or me to get over my uneasiness with accidentals was Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier. This is a work in two books, each book having a prelude and fugue in each major and minor key. I highly recommend it.

[@rachelcorns4180]

Just love everything about your teaching. Thank you.

[@CalvRobb]

Thanks, Tom for this!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Lovely to hear from you Calvin. Hope you are well.

[@lizweekes8076]

Thank you for all this information. 🎉🎉🎉

[@charlottesimonin2551]

Really Clear and understandable. Very useful for me.

[@anonymous-dz7yl]

Where would you start or what would be the best way to learn starting completely from scratch. Can strum chords on guitar and could read music a bit 20 odd years ago but have never touched a piano. Not particularly interested in going through grades etc or learning anything classical. Thanks in advance.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

You sound like many of our students. So the 3 steps that we recommend. Learn by playing chords (playing from lead sheets). 2nd step start with basic improvisation theory and jamming to your favourite tracks and the 3rd step is learning groove patterns and rhythms. We've got a whole bunch of videos on YT that cover these topics. www.contemporaryschoolofpiano.com

[@philipowen9202]

So good!! Thank you, Tom.

[@Germany_Wormany]

You teach very well

[@peterbenoit6210]

Great teacher

[@rainsilversplash4376]

Thank you for a wonderful video. The Pianist who inspired me to take up piano at 68 years old is Elton John. I have always been enchanted by Chopin. Just by the way, you have a beautiful voice! I watched your walk through of "Your Song" :)

[@winnielim80]

Well done Tom ❤

[@orchard800]

You're right. Practice makes permanent, not necessarily perfect.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

So true!

[@sfl8646]

Thanks!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Thankyou very much appreciated. Reach out to me at [e-mail], we have a little treat to say thank you for your support.

[@paulmarkmoffat4638]

Thank you

[@andreagosto]

Grazie.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Many thanks for your kind donation, we have a gift for you please email us at [e-mail]

[@jonnylawrencekeys]

You're an amazing teacher!!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Many thanks, JL Music.

[@marcroberts9002]

On guitar, they had a different approach. C mexalidian (sp?) has a flat 7. That’s one flat, which equals F major. So we play an F major scale in the eighth position (where C lives) and it’s the same box pattern as every major scale on the guitar, but in a different place on the neck. Can that apply to piano?

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Short answer, yes!

[@juanmanueltellechea4981]

So glad to find this channel ❤ What a good teacher, so important knowledge you are sharing. Thanks a lot!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

You're very welcome!

[@AV-MusicMan]

Your videos are a fresh perspective on playing the piano!

[@deetee5156]

Wow! Brilliant!!! Thank you. I’m just starting to play piano. This will be good.

[@marktanney3347]

Excellent video. Thanks

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Glad you liked it!

[@545lemonde3]

So interesting. Thank you!

[@ClamHammer-rn3rg]

Nice video! When I started I just learned c major scale to learn crossovers then every week I would add a new major scale to add then every minor scale added one at a time then every blues scale then pentatonics major/minor. Then learned them all over 2- octaves to gain more freedom up and down the keys. With these scales I started recognizing the same patterns. Then the modes I started realizing were just the same scales starting with a new tonic, made modes extremely easy to learn. I think the biggest thing that blew open my door of improvisation was when I figured out the pentatonic scales can be played over any chord in the same key and sound great. I’m not big on reciting though, i actually don’t really like classical heh, I like noodling so not sure how this applies to anyone else🤷‍♀️

[@michaelsylvester4321]

Good morning Tom thanks for the piano tips it's a good lesson I saved it and even though I Play the drums and sometimes I Arranged my music with my keyboard and I got 7 albums it's never to later to learn this is very helpful thanks Mr Michael Sylvester

[@billhasty5197]

Very good information to apply.

[@TheAntea]

Fascinating! Thank you!

[@billycm8370]

Remarkable You are on your way to encompassing the beauty while teaching music and piano Thank you I am endlessly amazed and dazzled by the patterns and merging of one scale into a minor into major and exploring adding notes and renaming the chord and key ( learning some Jazz adds much ) I have found kindred souls who share a way forward that makes sense and tunes it up a level

[@perryching]

Would you please let us know what software you use to capture you fingering on the keyboard and showing the Staff, the Chord, the keys and foot-paddle, please. Thanks much!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Yes the software is My Music Staff!

[@2bglad]

So glad I landed on your channel. You took both the venom and the teeth out of the snake! I like the way you approach learning the piano. I will continue to follow your lead. Thank you. 💯

[@jorgeparr3002]

Back from Morocco and happy to hear you AMAZING MUSICAL ADVICE 😊😊😊😊 THANK YOU SIR!

[@CharlesAustin]

Practising slowly with phrasing dynamics and phrasing direction dynamics with a sense of rhythm with subtle accents gets a great result if included. That way it might end up being consciously more musical. Your videos are important to anyone at any level. Thank you !!

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Many thanks Charles

[@dimitribernardi2963]

I love you approch.. I'm blind and I whanto tò compose and improvising 9n piano. Fan you give me a Plan strutture ti match chor harmonie

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Yes ofcourse, we'd love to help, drop us an email: www.contemporaryschoolofpiano.com

[@Winngnuttz]

Tom…this is excellent. Thank you brother.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Pleasure 🙏

[@kevintarrant3616]

Excellent Tom, many thanks.

[@dougwuitschick5760]

So good,thank you

[@jacquelineusher5313]

Thank you so much for the lesson. Learned something new. I love how you teach, very well explained....😊

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Many thanks Jacqueline

[@jhtrvs]

Oh yes! Wish this was shown to me 60 years ago, but it still important now. Thanks.

[@MiMMiMMiMMiM]

Great, thanks !

[@YouTubeBotUser]

What program are you using? seems like something nice to look at whilst improvising.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Classroom Maestro. Fantastic software, works with MIDI.

[@BlurredTrees]

Love your videos. I’m nowhere near your level and I’ve been saying how incredibly the setup of the piano is. And in a physical sense a baby and a cat can play a piano even by accident it’s that easy. Compared to say a trumpet or guitar. So easy to make beautiful sounds. 😊

[@BensMusicDojo]

Your points on theory are so true. I’ve played guitar for a long time and am still decidedly amateur, but I spent a long time thinking about learning modes and patterns and it never ended up making any sense. At one point, I realized that it all boils down to do Re Mi Fa so La Ti Do. I started studying Solfege utilizing moveable Do, and now I have a much better command of the fretboard, chordal harmony and arpeggios, and intervallic relationships. My friends can ask me what the Solfege notes are for any chord, and I can tell them instantaneously. That said, my time would have just been so much better spent copying licks off of records. I started piano about six months ago, and upon first impressions, it appears piano learners are even more fixated on learning theory and drilling scales. I’m not an advanced piano man, but I think that is just not the right way to learn an instrument.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

It's great you've used your own instincts to develop your musical abilities. That's so important. Keep up the good work, perhaps you are a pianist !!

[@JessicaMan-b8c]

Thank you so much❤

[@Learn_Listen_Love]

You’re amazingly great at teaching !!!! Thanks

[@Harrysound]

I really enjoy your playing. Been playing guitar for 30 years, want to learn piano , massive light bulb moment the other day in visualising the keys in a more guitar like fashion.

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

Yes, taking a guitar like approach is perfect for piano!

[@Feldspar__]

Thanks Tom. Looks like you didn't care for that bench in the corner. I've recently been trying different benches and am currently on a 760mm Ergo Hidrau. Do you prefer your office chair to a bench?

[@contemporaryschoolofpiano]

That's an old music school bench, sat on by hundreds and hundreds of students. Recently had it restored and it's still a good workhorse. However, regarding my own piano stool, it's only for my beloved Blüthner Model 6 where my own practice takes place. This particular chair, is a composer's, producer/recording studio, ergonomic multipurpose contemporary setup. Different chairs, different context (no I won't be producing a tutorial on chairs) so enjoy these precious gems ✨️

[@RealmsOfThePossible]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@jasonbourne488]

Tom your tip of thumb always landing on C and F is brilliant. Another thing I realized is that the 3 black keys match up to the three longest fingers on your hand (index, middle, ring).