Why Most Beginner Pianists Fail & Give Up (And How to Succeed)

[@nhankhanh3502]

piano beginners in a nut shell: try to play synthesia on youtube -> fail -> learn sheet music basic and jump to hard pieces -> fail -> back to happy birthday

[@Fabdinoalgodoo]

This video comes at the exact same moment I was telling my mom I wanted to learn scriabin sonata no.2 next despite currently learning Alkan barcarolle in G minor with my teacher. Pain…

[@PianoTechSupport]

Haha coincidence???

[@Fabdinoalgodoo]

@@PianoTechSupport though the hardest I’ve done is Pathétique sonata by Beethoven… do you think I can approach the 1st mov of scriabin 2 ?

[@larghedoggo9607]

G minor lol.. I learned G minor ballade by Chopin as a self taught beginner. Pretty much pain, but big gains as well.

[@RadarAustralia]

Solid advise for the classical guitar as well.

[@bh5606]

Jungle of notes….love it.

[@dalcassian8351]

Totally agree. I think nowadays a lot have unrealistic expectations. They don't seem to realise that top artists have started about five and have had years of great tuition plus years of correct practice. You see in comments of people saying theyre starting at sixty etc and lots of well meaning praise saying they can do it. Of course it depends on their expectations and what they want to learn

[@kumau1890]

Goodness me. Thank you for this. I was just thinking: perhaps Im moving ahead too fast. Need to own my basics and grow that way.

[@matthewlloyd3255]

I started learning piano as an older adult in 2016. I got a few lessons in but as soon as they introduced the pedal - I was already uncoordinated enough in life - I realised I was never going to be able to do this. Gave up about then. For a while I could play whatever that beginner Elvis piece is (can't remember the name) and then forgot it too. (I remember it now - Aura Lee was the name of the tune)

[@peterkohout7901]

Even shorter summary for this brilliant video: "No pain, no gain".

[@PianoTechSupport]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting:)

[@ricardorivas5955]

i learned very hard pieces (for my level) when i began and i think it helped me a lot because easier pieces i just couldnt learn because i didnt like them enough to play then over and over again.

[@larghedoggo9607]

It's possible but not automatically. As least you need to figure out what technique it requires on the piece Search lectures on youtube, learn with slow tempo and analyze the piece. At least learning the scale in that piece's tone. It's indeed important to like the stuff you play because it's part of reward system with brain learning. But there are some enjoyable pieces which are also not hard and able to teach you techniques.

[@h.p.734]

I'm curious what you think, as a professional pianist, would happen if someone decided to learn a piece way too difficult for them, but instead of giving up, they just stuck to it, finished the piece, and kept moving on to other difficult pieces. Each taking months/years to learn. What if this just continued for years, maybe decades? Would this also result in a "shallower" depth of playing compared to someone who's been playing an equal amount of hours but from the beginning, step by step?

[@DanielSilva-gc4xz]

It would result in a lot of tension and bad habits.

[@h.p.734]

@@DanielSilva-gc4xz ​Ah? That sounds oddly familiar haha. But wouldn't you think years of praciticing very difficult pieces and trying to match the sound to pianists' recordings would sort of "iron out" the bad habits? Because bad habits can be heard, maybe not immediately, but it'll show eventually throughout the piece. So in an attempt to match the pianist, wouldn't these bad habits naturally devolve? (with enough practice)

[@DanielSilva-gc4xz]

@@h.p.734 I think before that, they get some serious injury and have to stop playing.

[@DanielSilva-gc4xz]

@@h.p.734 You learn what you practice. If you start with something that is just out of your level, you will just learn how to play with tension.

[@h.p.734]

@@DanielSilva-gc4xz hmm.. That's food for thought. But I suppose it is often easier to adapt to existing bad habits than to force them to change indirectly; by playing difficult pieces at tempo. Which would indeed probably result in an injury.

[@Joseph-mv3rz]

I definitely did this. Luckily my teacher guided my back a couple of progression steps (with tact lmao). And now I'm infinitely better than my moonlight sonata days.

[@velcroman11]

Those adds telling viewers that they can learn the piano in a ridiculously short time. I am 72, I play 7 instruments including piano. I have never learnt any single one instrument in a short time. It is said that the late Yehudi Menuhin (1916 - 1999) not long before his death said to a companion after a rigorous practice session playing a piece that few others could play. “I think I am finally learning to play the violin. Nothing worth while can be achieved over night. There are no words to describe the poor character of the claimants.

[@larghedoggo9607]

You are absolutely right about learning basics and fundamental techniques first and pick some suitable pieces which are playable and enjoyable at the same time. However in my case is kinda special I started with G minor ballade from Chopin right away!(literally from zero) Before touching this piece I started with.... note names, chords, and some music theories, gestures for around 2 weeks. And actually I just wanted to play the octaves intro for fun. I still could not read sheet music right away and "draw" the note down with midi dropping style(if you know the channel piano secrets) Half of A4 paper is for 1 page, it took 34 pages to finish this ballade, it actually helped me analyzing the structure ironically lol) Every sections are so hard and everytime looks completely impossible. But I sink into this mode, which is"feel so hard but enjoy the practicing and actually improving" It is ironically going well with huge improvement(plenty hours per day, and lectures on youtube, probably watched "all" video existed related to this piece on youtube) I know it is not a Czerny etude, but I learned chord inversions, arrpegios, scales, big jumps, inner voice, dynamic, fast octaves, fingering change or omit certain note if need based on my 20cm not comfortable octave tiny hands, chromatic scale, fast passages with decoration notes. Countless technique, it's more like learning 10 pieces all together. At 4th month mark, I add 2nd movement of his 1st piano concerto(,which is..actually easier😃) And I kinda "finish" the ballade at 6th month mark(without refining it ofc) Coda takes me 2+ weeks to able to rememer the notes and play slowly. But I spent so many mind and learn it seriously(without teacher but many gold videos on youtube) And I attend a 2 hours private lesson before moving to another city. Still remember that female teacher spent almost all the time correcting my hand gesture(I even hadn't reached the 2nd theme through whole class xD) But this class is so inspiring of my self taught journey. I learn to relax and weight using with proper hand gestures by exploring and watching more video. Then it helps me learning following finish his romance movement piano concerto, Liebestraum No.3 and Claire de Lune. (And ironicallt they are much easier then Ballade No.1) Then I was dare to try the intro of 1st movement of E minor piano concerto at Chopin's birthday, which I never think it's possible to do. It has been over a year, I bought a Kawai digital piano and keep practicing daily. Never regret my crazy decision. BUT, I do agree not many people can replicate from my story. I don't think people, especially beginner love a classical piece that much so they can stand those impossible challenges taken with hours(it's enjoyable though, Chopin is magical😉) But don't blame people want fast result with over ambitious, people don't have much time nowadays abd no one want to play Hanon or boring Czerny etudes. I know they are not always neccessary and having substitutional pieces, which are more musical. P.S (I don't deny they are useful anyways)

[@eugenelevin9809]

Folks saying they learned an advanced piece as a beginner is like folks saying they’re benching 405 after a year of lifting. Upload a video so we can see how far you stretch the definition of “play” because otherwise you’re ACTIVELY HARMING beginners by setting unrealistic expectations.

[@larghedoggo9607]

@@eugenelevin9809 I didn't have that kind of intention, and I admit my case is quite a special situation, I also do not encourage people to do that at all. It's more like a personal "adventure". kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIWrgZyap5V9j7M It was my recording at 6 months mark last year, and last day at my hometown with my upright. I was afraid my technique would fall apart without piano daily, so I decide to record it before moving at that point. I was quite nervous and having time pressure before bed(I don't play over 10 pm in order not to disturb my neighbors), so that probably showed my 70% technique.(You could tell intro and 1st theme are played too fast due to loss of my patience after 7th time of recording) But I know nervous effected performance is another sign of not mastering a piece. Anyways, that's how I do it. Then I chose another pieces like 2nd mvt of Chopin's E minor piano concerto(that was the only one mvt I can play lol), Liebestraum No.3, Clair de Lune(They are easier but not easy ofcourse) and one modern piece beauty and the beast. Ofcourse I am still practicing constantly with my new purchase digital piano and still haven't "mastered"it(it would be bold if one could say so). I am in the internship of medicine now, so I have no time to do such crazy thing(i.e. picking another Ballade) again for short. But I didn't regret such decision, especially it drags myself into world of piano and music. Thanks for listening to my story.

[@larghedoggo9607]

@@ciararespect4296 It's far from scratching by my self. Lectures from masters on youtube are actually super helpful with musicality and techniques. I am not that dumb and think it's possible to learn such piece way much beyond my level without any extra knowledge from people. Besides of playing piano and exploring by my own, I watched ALMOST EVERY lectures or tutorial on youtube and ofc performance from almost all masters. Piano secrets, Jane, Paul Barton, Robert Estrin, Josh Wright, Michael Lewin, Denis Zhdanoc, ShiJun Wang. I couldn't thank more of these generous and grand people sharing their knowledge free on internet. I admit when I finished when I "finished" this piece(not clean at all), I even didn't play smooth scales and arrpgeggios. It has been another 8 months. I still haven't mastered it but I am also learning another pieces from romantic era. Besides of learning this piece, I also spent tons of time on basic techniques like using my weight, arrphegio, scale, proper gestures, removing tensions and ofcourse music theories. Thanks to youtube(yup I don't have money to afford private lessons), I attend only one private lesson about 2 hours at 5th month, that teacher corrected my finger gesture in entire class, that I even haven't played to 2nd theme. However, it really helped my massively, reminding mysefl to care about my hand gesture more and more. I would say I have improved a lot till now.

[@charmquark6366]

I just saw your video of Ballade No. 1. I am in awe of your intelligence and perseverance that enabled this feat! I’m a pianist/teacher myself and definitely went through the rigorous training of skill building through my childhood. While your video clearly shows lack of finger independence and agility, the notes are mostly correct and your concentration is incredible. I listened to a self-taught person play the whole Liszt B Minor Sonata many years ago, and realized that the music was far greater than our preconceived notions that it needs to be played a certain way. Who cares if it takes 45 minutes instead of 30 minutes to get through? It’s a great masterpiece and every person should partake in the journey. I’m sure your Ballade speaks to you and nurtures your soul as you pursue your profession. It’s awesome! Thank you so much for sharing your story!

[@larghedoggo9607]

@@charmquark6366 Thanks for your comment! Indeed I had so much problem unsolved, it's even hard to see for me now. But it was 6 months and I am actually satisfied for my progress considering start over from 0. It's been a year since that video, I still come back to this ballade sometime when my skill improved a bit(e.g. my arpeggio), now coda is easier when adjusted. I know many people would criticize my dicision, but I really do not regret at all! I am appreciated that you try to watch and listen my play and maybe you also imagine my picture/understanding to this master piece! I will keep practicing and improving!

[@Sunkem1Not6Hacks]

Hah after 2 and a half years of playing on a keyboard and never performing in front of an audience, I managed to learn an intermediate piece that I could perform with another musician(actually trained). Though it was only 1/3 of the piece and my first attempt was bad, though my second was a lot better because at that point I had more time to practice on the piano and wasn't stage frightened! All in all I discovered that I never really mastered any of the pieces I knew how to play. So I will need to go back and re learn everything... Which I don't mind but maybe others would

[@PianoTechSupport]

Good point, I think a lot of people dont know what its like to really master, 100% know a piece. It is a whole different experience (and extremely hard to get there)

[@847x]

Intermediate piece i recommend if playing isn't fun/u were forced by parents or whatever- the lord of the rings suite by lieki ueda, it's easier than it looks and really really fun to play (and pretty impressive)

[@noble5342]

Stupid question, but how do I find songs that are my level?

[@GiacomoPhilipp92]

Playing the piano is such complex, that it depends on too much things to answer this properly. The best thing you can do is finding a really good (with an exam, concert experience, kindly to you and loving the music) teacher that guides you. Otherwise there are tons of opinions about the difficulty of most of the pieces. The problem is that you will not expose your technical or musical issues and misconceptions for yourself enough to learn to prepaere (and then interpretate) pieces in a professional way.

[@h.p.734]

Ah yes!! This really cannot be said enough. Rome wasn't built in a day. Beautiful things take time to build.

[@tyson464]

It makes sense of course, why would anyone start from scratch with something like La campanella ☠️ I think that's why it's important to get a real life teacher, if you can. They will give you basics and show the proper way to learn and progress.

[@PianoTechSupport]

You'd be surprised 🤣 But it's not just la campanella . This same principle applies to intermediate pianists picking repertoire that is way too hard for them and getting nowhere.

[@DanielSilva-gc4xz]

@@PianoTechSupport Hey. I'm an intermediate student and have been learning for 2 years and 10 months. I picked the Etude Op 10 n 5 and have been learning it for 1 month and 1 week. I'm having diffiult at getting it past 90 bpm, 100 bpm is manageable but I end up messing up somewhere in the piece or my rhythm becomes unstable. Is it because I'm too inexperiened for it or I just don't know HOW to make is faster? I think this is a good topic for a video maybe? How to know if a piece is actually too hard for you or if it just needs more work? Love your videos btw. They are really helpful.

[@BOTNPC]

@@DanielSilva-gc4xz I'd say it's most likely because of inexperience. While i don't play the piano, i have been playing the cello for 5 years and i've encountered the same problem before.

[@PianoTechSupport]

@@DanielSilva-gc4xz Hey Daniel, i have made an in-depth guide of the Op 10 5 etude on my channel with exercises and tips how to make it faster kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHTNfneqjriCgrM

[@sagelaw5997]

I'd say the biggest hindrance for me is the feeling that playing simple pieces makes me feel somewhat... pathetic, I suppose. For some context, I briefly studied the piano some years back, when I was around ten or so I'd say. Given how brief my experience in piano was, the last piece I ever practiced enough to master was 'In May'. I'm almost embarrassed to say I still have the muscle memory to play the piece, as it makes me quite the bare faced liar when I say I can't remember how to play any pieces. Grade 1 little piece, it'd almost be comical to ever try playing that again. There's this expectation, I suppose, that you get from people, when they say you play an instrument. They expect something more, intermediate, something far more than Happy Birthday or In May. It feels like singing a nursery rhyme to answer people's requests for a song. Let's just say knowing how far down I am on the rung is discouraging to say the least.

[@littleripper312]

People who play an easier piece really well sound WAY better than someone who plays a hard interesting piece poorly or even above average. Also it's really embarrassing to play a piece above your skill level because it basically tells everyone around you you're extremely low on self-esteem. It's so embarrassing to watch someone who can't even play on tempo trying to show off a hard piece.

[@simonspiano2460]

This was me at 15, but I was more successful than I should have been, haha. When I found a teacher, I think she balanced giving me 1) pieces with some real meat to them, and 2) scales and other exercises to learn the fundamentals. Otherwise I would have lost interest for sure - why play little Mozart pieces when I can already *sort of* play Ravel? That being said, if I was more disciplined and had learned the fundamentals first, it would have saved me years worth of time in the long run... I'm now 37 and *finally* sorting out my awful technique, haha.

[@jaquetpotato813]

after 2 years my teacher gives me bach prelude and fugue to learn by myself lololollol

[@42ott90]

Just learn some simple pieces and then get harder and harder , some hip hop shit etc. But i just practiced and played 5 hour's per day in my first month to play the first 40 sec of la campanella (with synthesia)😂😂 my hands hurts so much 😢. I dont recommend this...

[@OfficalFlowKingz]

👍👍👍

[@jannis11]

NoIce

[@PianoTechSupport]

thx