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13 Tips for Your First Piano Lessons in Chelsea

If you’ve stumbled on this article, the chances are that you’re ready to take the plunge and start Chelsea piano lessons. With the help of a Chelsea piano teacher, learning the piano can be easier than you think. It takes consistency, commitment, and patience to learn how to play the piano.
As a beginner, there are tips that you want to take with you to every piano lesson. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with hundreds of books and techniques to learn about. This guide keeps it short and simple.
We’re sharing practical tips that your Chelsea piano teacher will want you to know. The early days of your piano lessons form the foundations for a lifelong passion.
Read on to find out our thirteen top tips for every piano student in Chelsea and beyond.
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1. Your teacher matters

You want to find a Chelsea piano teacher that you can form a relationship with. Your teacher is someone who will be there to support you through every step. They’ll be there to spot mistakes, praise you on a job well done, and help you grow as a pianist. Take the time to find a talented piano teacher that you think you could work with.

2. Experiment with music you enjoy

There are thousands – if not millions – of different pieces of music in the world. The best way to practice is often to choose a piece that you know and love. Whether it’s classical or pop, choose a piece that is easy but that you have a connection to. It will help you form a connection to your music to encourage you to practice between piano lessons.

3. Don’t be overwhelmed by techniques during piano lessons

It’s easy to get caught up in the dozens of technique and method books out there. The best way to establish a good technique is to practice and be consistent with your piano lessons. Don’t rely on method books at the expense of practical lessons.

4. Practice, practice, practice

One piece of advice that every piano teacher in Chelsea will give you is to practice. It’s no lie that practice makes perfect. You want to practice as much as possible, fine-tuning your skills.
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5. Listen to piano music between piano lessons

Becoming familiar with piano music can help you develop an ‘ear’ for music. Sit down and study the music. It’s usually best to listen to live performances – with the sheet music in front of you. You can follow along and listen to the music in real-time. You can also listen to different interpretations by other pianists.

6. Take it slow

We get it. You’re impatient, and you want to learn overnight. The best things in life are worth waiting for. Take your piano lessons and practice slowly. Gradually building up your practice and skills will help you be more accurate and avoid mistakes.

7. Understand the theory your piano teacher teaches you

Some pianists go their whole life without understanding the theory. You’re more likely to assail at your piano lessons if you understand the basic theory. You need to know how music is structured. You can ask your piano teacher for recommendations on books and resources for basic theory.

8.Learn to memorise your sheet music

It’s easy to become reliant on sheet music during your piano lessons. Yet, it can often ruin your performance. This is because your head is buried in the sheet music, and you can become distracted by the notes. Focus on memorising your pieces so that you can play without the sheet music.

9.Don’t forget sight-reading between piano lessons

As a beginner, you want to get to grips with sight-reading. While memorising music is helpful, you need to be able to sight-read. Here is where your basic theory comes in. You need to be able to know how to identify key signatures, notes, and rhythms in the music. Between piano lessons, take the time to practice sight-reading.
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10. Improve your posture

Something you can do every day is improve your posture. Your arms should be parallel with the keys, with your upper body straight. It’s easy to get into bad habits. Beginners struggle with their posture, which can impact their performance. You can be proactive and get your posture under control from day one.

11.Use the right fingering technique

Your fingers are the vehicle through which you produce music on a piano. Every piano teacher in Chelsea will strive to teach you the correct fingering placement. Your fingering will determine how the music sounds. After you understand fingering techniques, your choreography and music will improve instantly.

12. Stop looking at your hands

We get it. You can become distracted by your hands while playing the piano. You want to avoid looking at your hands while in your piano lessons. If you stare at your hands, it’s easy to mess up once you break your gaze. Instead, you want to move your body around and take in the space around you. Your memory and musical ear should carry the piece.

13. Don’t be afraid of singing with your piano teacher

Don’t be caught off guard when your piano teacher asks you to sing a melody. Singing the melody can help you keep your place in the music and improve your memory of the piece. When you understand the melody, it can help you visualise the music in your head and transform it off the page.
Are you ready to take the jump? You can start your piano lessons in Chelsea today by getting in touch with our team. You can email us at info@kensingtonpianolessons.com or call us at 020 3745 2868. Do you want to get started right away? You can book your lessons with a Chelsea piano teacher directly through our online booking page.