5 Common Mistakes All New Pianists Make

[@jazerleepiano]

🕘 Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:19 Mistake Number 1 2:25 Mistake Number 2 4:17 Mistake Number 3 6:04 Mistake Number 4 7:55 Mistake Number 5

[@jannowak-y6p]

hey mate, how and why did you get polish book (2:29) :-) ?

[@marykeppen3373]

After taking piano lessons for one year as a child, I lost interest, even though I had made some good progress. Sadly, my Kimbal upright was abandoned and then given away. At 71 years old, I bought a $100 keyboard and a simple piano theory book. I had to relearn ALL the basics including where to place my hands on the keyboard and how to properly play a scale with the correct fingering. Now, after four years (75 yrs. Old), I can play literally hundreds of songs at an intermediate and some beginner advanced pieces and many I can easily accomplish after only playing through a few times.... and with very few mistakes. I try to challenge myself daily without losing the joy of simply playing for my own enjoyment. I recently purchased a Yamaha clavinova baby grand and I'm having the best time of life! Playing the piano has become the light of my life. Thank you for all your tips!!!! I watch all of your videos. You are amazing.

[@2011watchman]

Hello, and thank you for sharing a part of your piano learning journey here in the comments. My adventures in learning to play began a year ago, October, at 68 yo, and after one year of somewhat irregular practicing, I am nearly finished with Alfred's Adult All-in-one level one method book. I try working through different pieces in early Faber, Bastien, Fletcher, Schaum and other resources for variety. Like you, I am using a Yamaha clavinova(a decades old model). Also, like you, I am grateful for the enjoyment such an undertaking has added to my life. All the best in your ongoing journey!

[@marykeppen3373]

@@2011watchman Great! I find that choosing music I love is a key to success. Enjoy!

[@dogmonday]

That comment absolutely made my night. Thank you both.

[@pambeals3254]

I too have returned to playing the piano after decades of neglect. (I am 67). I try and play every day. It is very relaxing for me and it is so gratifying to see the progress I am making. Nice to know there are others on a similar path. Best wishes.

[@alexgoriatchenkov]

@@pambeals3254 Same age, started 8,5 month ago. Love it !

[@jacquelinelawrences9219]

Hi Jazer. I am very lucky to have found you at the start of my piano journey. I am 53 and started learning in January this year. I combine your helpful tips with formal lessons. I passed my Grade 1 exam earlier this month with a distinction. That was no doubt in part down to you and your "Absolute Accuracy Rule/play sections 7 times correctly rule". I think you are an absolute genius. Your clarity, your love for playing and for teaching, is second to none. May you forever be protected at all cost, for the sake of the piano playing community.

[@gracegeorgeson9686]

Was feeling frustration after about 6 months. Like “why am I not learning ?!” Is how it feels. That you for the encouragement and to focus on the basics !

[@princessaKLG]

These videos kickstarted my piano journey after an abscence of about 35 years! I’ve made a lot of progress and was surprised at how quickly it all came back to me. I only wish my parents were still alive to see that indeed their hard earned money was not wasted!

[@jacquelinelawrences9219]

Thanks for helping me get a distinction at Grade 1

[@jazerleepiano]

Thank you so much for the support! I really appreciate it!

[@pasadenaphil8804]

First week. Spending most of my time studying the first section (15-17 pages) of Albert's Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences. Good lessons to practice while trying to absorb the Circle of Fifths. Also collecting sheet music to review for selecting songs for later. Sticking to Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy for now. Making progress developing a plan. I'll plow through the music theory and basic skills work as I ease into a regular routine of drills. I figure another week which is also when I expect to have everything set up (I don't have a piano stand which is annoying). This was only my 4th day but I feel like I am learning fast.

[@denisehill7769]

Big yes to the last tip - as someone who sat for far too long with the same "comfort pieces" I forced myself to start playing more (and more varied) pieces. The benefits are amazing; and my practice sessions are far less boring!

[@HorsehairBraider]

Every time you have a video about mistakes, I can raise my hand and say, yes, that's me - I do or did that. Good to know one can correct them! My struggle at the moment is to learn to sight read better. Trying to get so I can look at least a little bit ahead, and get a phrase instead of just one chord. I've got some very simple music to work on for this, stuff that's below my level (I think you said to do that in one of your videos) and although some people might find it frustrating to go backwards like that I'm finding it very helpful indeed. Hopefully I'll "get" reading at some point but I've learned: this is a journey, not a destination, and I'll be on this journey my whole life.

[@vincentmaloney5835]

You're right. I am the beginner, and I wanted to play a complicated piece. After trying it, I realized my hands are not ready for it yet. My teacher gave me 'Close Your Eyes' by Dennis Alexander to learn. After I learned it, I got addicted to the piano. Now I ordered some books from Amazon with beautiful pieces for the beginners. The main Method Book is important but boring, so I add those pieces to my "repertoire''. One piece a week. In other words, hold your horses. Play the pieces for your level. Otherwise, you might be discouraged.

[@sandrahicks9444]

After reading comments-yes i agree -some insights on how to avoid arm pain. I'm also 71 n having lessons-my retirement promise to myself . But I've reluctantly stopped learning Bolero ! -because my left arm cramps. Love your lessons-reminds me of what my teacher says. Thankyou 🎹

[@lb6034]

Great ideas! Even an ‘old’ player can use these as a good reminder to continue growth as a player.

[@jeelssadjukebox3261]

Hi Jaze, will you talk someday about the books you have behind you? Any recomendations? Is there a good book for piano players?

[@davidbowman2035]

Most of them are business books. I know one of them is 'Start with why'

[@jazerleepiano]

I will be talking about them soon and you can browse the titles on my website once the page is done.

[@deericcio3379]

On thanksgiving I played a bit for my family , ( I am a newbie , about 17 months in , self taught old lady ) my daughter took a pic of me , side view , I didn’t know she did , and when I saw it I was SO pleased to see I was sitting up straight , head straight ahead , eyes on the sheet music and wrists straight , I had gorgeous ergonomics! Now get the songs down !

[@jarrettpang1020]

Thanks for the wonderful video

[@jennifermateyabram8480]

I just love your videos and appreciate them so much. I've been playing for 60 years. Even though I study at a conservatory I find your videos, basic, constructive, organized, universal, and the point driven home. When I studied as a 7 year old, for instance, the teacher never emphasized fingering or timing. I struggle to this day. SO important to get the basics. Thank you, thank you!!!❤

[@HiCy2012]

Just noticed this channel as I'm learning piano along with my son. I myself learnt accordion and flute during school years. So I'm quite strict on beats or pulse, which makes my son quite frustrated because he has to pay attention to it besides playing the notes. I thought about giving up picking his beats. But once I heard the performance of other kids of friends and neighbors who (parents) are lack of musical training, I know I have to stick to the beats. Totally agree with the first advice. Will pay attention to other advice in this channel ❤

[@kaleimaile]

Thank goodness I learned as a kid. I never had to think about the placement of my hands nor the fingering as the teacher made me do the fingering with the notes (lol)!

[@christiancampbell6170]

I am learning my 1st song speed of sound by Coldplay the intro is what I am having a hard time with learning and the piano chords in the song I am learning the song off the Rocksmith plus subscription a great learning tool for learning the piano for people with autism like myself because what really helps me the notes are color coded

[@Fortnite19965]

Hey could you make a video on how to maintain the pedal sound while doing quick jumps on the left hand?

[@mariasolidum1779]

All you said on your video are perfectly true.

[@Patrick-md1uy]

Hello Jazer. My biggest obstacle is the pain in my left arm, in my wrist. I've already spoken to my piano teacher and a physiotherapist about it and worked on it. It's probably mainly from all the time I've spent practising, using too much force when I play chords, for example. It seems to be that I always press a bit more into the keys than necessary. At the moment I'm doing a lot of stretching exercises, massaging my arm and focussing on better playing technique, which seems to be working. Maybe you have some tips or more advice on how to play properly to avoid pain in the long run. Maybe that could be a topic for a future video?

[@deericcio3379]

I had this trouble for first few months or more in , I am beginner , it is usually tension, if you are right handed you are not used to using your left hand and arm as much . I learned to relax after a while , get my body in proper position and I don’t have any pain any more .

[@Zarunias]

It's all about the relaxation after you pressed the key. You are allowed to use some force to press them down (how else would you get a forte?). But immediately after the sound is produced you have to relax. Tension will lead to unhealthy pain if it's permanent. If you are a beginner, don't overpractice (not more than half an hour per day for your first year - especially stop if it begins to hurt). Your hand and fingers have to slowly get used to all the new movements.

[@amandaforshort]

It's really learning a new language. You have to learn to read, write, and "speak" with hands all over again. I'm finding it a fascinating and rewarding process and I appreciate how it simply can't be rushed. I would love a compilation of music for beginners organized by skill level attributes. I've seen your video about songs you should know year one year two etc. But would like dozens of suggestions for each year. Or maybe a skills checklist. "Skills you should know by year one, year two, etc." Some times I try to play a certain song and then hit a wall realizing I haven't got to that level yet. I'm not able to play a song that has drastically different hand changes and big arpeggios even if it has few notes just yet. I'll practice what I can hands separate but don't know how to get from here to there.

[@andrek85]

Super Jazer, another really interesting video, thanks a lot.

[@birgittnlilli9726]

For me a kind of guidebook would be helpful, like.. do this and then that... I started only a month ago and maybe next year I will go in search for a teacher. At the moment I am training chors and scales and play simple songs from the paper. I would love to play Pop and Jazz, any chance for someone who starts at 41 (and has no time to train for hours daily), what would you think?

[@Byulbitmusic]

Thanks for the lesson. this is really good for the beginners. ❤

[@edithcayunda]

Hello Jazer thank you for this video your a good maestro👋

[@MamaDee249]

Hi Jazer, Do you have any suggestions for a song book (or sheet music) for working on chords? Recognizing chords quickly is a weak area I need to concentrate on. Any suggestions?

[@ladyp5511]

My biggest struggle is proper fingering. Are there any books you can recommend? I find it slows me down not knowing proper finger placement. Love your enthusiasm and all your videos! 🎹

[@Valdore1000]

I play about 2 years, I got keyboard only but now I got electric, relatively expensive piano and it changed my view. I am still about to learn notes and other stuff but I am finally beginning to take it seriously (I had a lot of breaks from it) . So my bonus advice is, buy a proper instrument from the beginning, it will triple your motivation. It did for me.

[@geraldquist2209]

Many thanks! This is great and practical information.

[@maxriviere7523]

Little trick for keeping your fingers curved my old piano teacher thought me was to put your hands on your knees and the putting them on the piano, your fingers will naturally curve over your knees

[@margaretmckay5491]

Explained so well, thank you 💚

[@repent2293]

Can you do a video on all chords

[@milos.rajcic]

Right now I'm working on scales, cords and arpeggios. Can you tell me some estimate, how long should I be learning that? I know that there isn't some exact number, but I'd like to keep some time frame in my mind. Thanks! Love your work btw ❤

[@akshatshah4124]

I'm learining piano from last 3 years but still I'm not progressing because whenever I try to play exercises my hand pain a lot they are veryy stiff while playing pls guide me

[@makermelissa]

I definitely fell into the last mistake trap for years. Now I’m finally expanding my repertoire and taking a slow and steady approach by following a course and practicing daily.

[@tallgail79]

My biggest struggle is timing. I simply can't count and play. I will try the clapping method. I also stay in comfort pieces which are usually slower pieces.

[@JoelBergmark]

the 7 year old just started, I played abit while young but major issue is left hand and base play, not enough coordination and independent playing, which is somewhat wierd as I also played guitar and didn't have similar left hand issues

[@t1gfanelo868]

Great video!!

[@elixerprince_art]

My 3 main issues were not learning the basics, neglecting fingerings (albeit due to my lack of sheet music and theory), and focusing on songs I'm good at already. I've recently started to self-learn sight reading and sheet music because that would greatly speed up my learning rather than using Synthesia. It would also help my fingerings as I'd be able to get those if I used sheets.

[@bartvandijk668]

I’m interested in your thoughts about piano learning apps. Like, SimplyPiano

[@vanityshop5155]

Jazer, In your opinion, are those online games/quizzes that have a note pop up on the staff, and you have to quickly name the note, a good way to practice sight reading or does it foster bad reading habits?

[@shankeyboard]

You are great

[@nathannate]

Hi mate, I know i only just sub to you like 1 day ago and i got better by watching your vids man, you made me get really better at my skill of learning the ways of piano^^ have a great day!

[@calebb8355]

You probably won’t see this, but do you have an opinion on Simpli Piano app? Or could you make a video with exorcises that help make finger independence?

[@Tomy_Yon]

I play like exerpt 1 in mistake 1, I feel you. 😊

[@DevvyaniVora]

Some advance level's piano tips , exercise... how to make more beautiful the song?

[@samuelrowan9212]

I'm a young pianist and ever since I began piano it has always been a hustle to learn semi quavers which has sometimes scared me from playing pieces like Turkish March

[@Mikozee]

Hi Jazer, would love to hear your thoughts on something. I have about 8 years of experience, but as a child; I haven't touched a piano in about a decade. That puts me in a unique position, as I'm not a total beginner, luckily techniques are etched into muscle memory, but that's all I have. I'm not sure on how to start back up; beginner courses are too easy, but intermediate is too difficult because I neglected music theory and can't sightread. I only excelled at the technical aspect of playing, while brute forcing through sheets. So music theory is top priority, but I also want to leverage what I already know for the right level of challenge. I'd love to hear your thoughts on where you think would be an appropriate starting line.

[@catlady9123]

I'm in a similar boat. What I'm doing is I bought a level 1 conservatory book (I'm using the Canadian Conservatory ones) and am working through all 31 songs in it 1 by 1 (when I manage to get it 100% accurate at the right speed once, I move on, while also playing the others daily to cement them in long term). It's basic enough to help me with my sight reading (only a week in and I'm noticing a vast improvement), I'm forcing myself to use the fingering from the book as well (a lot doesn't make sense to me as a self thaught pianist in my youth, but I'm gonna trust the process here lol). And I'm forcing myself to use the metronome (didn't even own one as a child). I played from ages 3-19 by myself (parents didn't have the money for lessons) and now picked it back up at 39 when we bought a piano for my youngest child as he's now taking formal in person lessons (my oldest has been taking formal guitar lessons for 5 years now).

[@amyhood6562]

I’m in the same situation. I had some lessons in my younger years until it became too expensive and have picked it back up about 30 years later. I still had some old music books. I found that the scales and finger exercises have been really helpful in getting my fingers to cooperate with my brain. It’s pretty cool that I’ve been playing consistently for about a month and I’m really enjoying my time at the piano.

[@likwaiw]

Self-taught for 14 months. Learned about 10 songs. Found that fingering is really important for playing at the correct rhythm. So getting back to every piece I learned to correct my fingering for those parts where I get the wrong rhythm and time. That took me so much time to make the correction especially since I needed to find out what is the correct fingering about that part. Finally, I get help from the piano teacher for those parts. Piece by piece and hope all the pieces I am playing will be fluent and nice. BTW, where to get sheet music with the fingering note? I got it from Musescore and Flowkey, no fingering note there......>_

[@Makankii]

how about rubato?

[@elissahunt]

At the moment, my biggest problem is my fourth and fifth fingers on my right hand. They are clumsy and weak. I am doing lots of slow practice with a metronome, especially scales, and I hope this will help.

[@kjwong4730]

I’m guilty of all 5 mistakes, however that being said, it’s really hard to learn the fundamentals the right way when you start learning at age 39 from zero with a full time job and two kids and don’t live in close proximity to a piano teacher like Jazer. I just don’t have the patience or the time, so I basically just picked the pieces of music I wanted to play and dived directly into it. And like you said it was much harder than it would have been if I had some basics down… but that’s life

[@ylchen77]

純粹因為標題：5 common mistakes all new pianists make, 我反復查了pianist 的定義，發現它仍舊是很高門檻。似乎 ⋯students experience commonly更貼切， 以我一直以來的認知😅能冠之為pianist 者只該是具備國際公認水準的鋼琴演奏者。彈得不錯，或者好聽，當成職業，或教學生，或伴奏獨奏也不一定能稱為pianist.

[@palmereldrich]

Playing trite old pieces by rote is a death knell to making feeling MUSIC. IMHO Edit UNLESS YOU WANT to play them then Jazers spot on but i prefer MAKING NEW music.

[@bh5606]

Proper fingering leads to better timing and rhythm, I have discovered.

[@afrustana6576]

I want to learn the basic of how to learn and practice reading and reading sheet music. And I dont know how I can find sheet music. Idealy it should be for free. The sheet music has to challenge me in the right way. Not too easy not too difficult. Oh and Id also like to know a good way to practice writing sheet music. Purly to get used to writing notes on a paper. A need skill to have.😇 💯🎹

[@Angelo-z2i]

I agree that you should play with good timing, but imo that comes after the student knows the notes well. Otherwise, playing in time will make them overlook hard passages instead of fixing them.

[@musicalmystery1993]

#6 Placing too much importance on SPEED versus ACCURACY! It is FAR better to play something WELL, more slowly and not up to (target) tempo, than to play it sloppy and fast. Play it just under the speed at which you make mistakes. The speed will come on it's own naturally when you "feel" you are now ready. ❤

[@i.ehrenfest349]

Major problem is I can’t relax enough to do leaps right.

[@annemariekoppelaar-passiev5771]

Tip no. 6 make sure you have a good piano teacher who points these things out while you’re doing your absolute best but simply didn’t notice your pinky was flying up

[@mariasolidum1779]

I believe in every fingers has different sizes, lengths and shapes which has limited how to play. The bigger and longer fingers you have the more notes you can able to play widely.

[@darktrophies8244]

2:29 Poland Refrence

[@patriciadorman382]

I’ve been taking online courses for 4 years but not consistent. I still can’t sit at the piano and just plat a song perfectly. I need help.

[@frankiethetiger5748]

2:01 - POV: Your teacher is proud you played your first piece fully.

[@kararhodes6682]

My biggest struggle is my fingers hit the wrong notes. I have small hands and my fingers tend either to over reach or under reach the note next to the correct note. I have been playing for years.

[@nerdyabbyes7804]

I have a casio px770 digital piano at home that i think is great however, my teacher has a baby grand. When i play on his real piano i find it difficult to play the same as i do at home, is there any tips that could help this? Thank you.

[@palmereldrich]

I found the real secret is simply feeling the passion when your making music whether a phrase or current event. FEEL IT That and lots of practice and soon a torrent is unleashed. Through you each tone timbre rsonates a body part.

[@dafyddrees2287]

0:23 A lot of music sounds like excerpt one when played over zoom. Music that has been "buffered".

[@ToddlaT]

🎹🙏

[@郑猩猩]

为什么你没有皱纹😲😲😲

[@molikri4645]

What is about learning a piece that is too difficult for you?

[@gustough]

Bad Habit 1: Yes. Bad Habit 2: Yes. Bad Habit 3: Yes. Bad Habit 4: Yes. Bad Habit 5: Yes.

[@joanndigiulio9650]

Curve your fingers! Otherwise your thumb will hang off the keyboard.

[@patriciasaldanha7243]

Hi Jazer! You make it sound like you can make a baby in nine days - which is exactly what I needed to hear - things are difficult at the moment - very difficult - you did give me an idea though - Grazie infinite 🎹🎹🦬🎹🐗🎹🟥🦅🎹🐊🟥🐾🎹■☆🔹️🎅🍃💖

[@wineblader899]

Amazing video, really really good.