9 easy piano songs to learn for beginners

Learning to play the piano can be hugely rewarding, but it also takes practice. To supplement your piano lessons, we’ve chosen nine piano songs for beginners that are easy to play and will help polish your skills. Mastering them will take you forward on your journey from a complete beginner to an accomplished player. 

Twinkle Twinkle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9tW3n6aO9Q

Because this nursery rhyme is so memorable, it’s easy to follow the online piano tutorial. The sheet music is quite simple, and if you do lose your place, it’s easy to catch up. 

Starting with a simple piece is good for your confidence. In mastering the hand placement and keystrokes, you’ll improve your posture and build your skills for more complex pieces.

Happy Birthday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY5aPKLVnkw

Happy Birthday is another well-known tune that’s quick and easy for beginners to pick up. Like Twinkle twinkle, this starts with your right thumb on the C but includes an octave jump and a B flat. This Bb is in the piece as its using the scale of F major.

Try arranging your fingers so that they are over the key before you need to play it. These finger placements are vital, so try and reach the higher C with your little finger whilst leaving your thumb on the lower C, so the next set of notes are within your grasp.

Hallelujah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT3YH5NjPxs

Once you master the basics of playing with one hand, you’ll want to move on to playing with both hands. This version of Hallelujah is fairly easy and with basic keystrokes and no complex chords. Therefore, it is a fairly straightforward song so long as you approach it hands separately.

Tempo is the musical term for speed (or literally time in Italian). The tempo is pretty slow anyway so you have plenty of time to master the song. However, you can change the tempo of the video making it even slower by clicking on the cog in the righthand corner. Follow the video above to learn to play the notes in the bass notes with your left hand and the melody with your right hand. 

Swan Lake Theme

https://youtu.be/3yqCj4q_qWA

Playing Tchaikovsky is surprisingly easy with this tutorial. Start slowly and pause the video if you need to after each phrase. Learn it, practise it and then move on to the next part of the music. 

Remember, you don’t have to learn the entire piece in one day, but the more you practise, the easier playing this piece will be.

Fur Elise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbRnXArYa5o

Once you’re comfortable playing with two hands, the first part of this famous Beethoven piece is surprisingly easy to play. It has been simplified to make it easier for you to play and the originals has a few more notes. Although the second part is more technically challenged, the opening section is the most well-known of the piece, so focus on playing it to the best of your ability.

Heart and soul

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2gWwTOnu1c

If you’re ready for a new challenge, this version of Heart and Soul introduces you to the concept of playing a duet. If you learn one of the parts by pausing the video, slowing it down, watching and repeating, you can then play a duet with a friend or your piano teacher. Perhaps you can then switch choosing to focus on playing the chords or the melody, depending on which you need or want to practice on.

Once you’re comfortable with playing Heart and Soul, you can teach it to someone else, which helps to reinforce the skills you’ve learned.

Jingle Bells

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sckulAoUyo

Everybody knows this popular Christmas song and the repetition of keys in the chorus makes it an easy piano song to learn and memorise. 

However, the verses are complex . Once you get the melody you can work with your dpiano teacher to add the chords from the key of C major, perhaps making a jazz version which would be more advanced than the standard one. This will help you to take your playing a step further, bit by bit, without the song being too tricky from the start.

Prelude in C Major

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BoD-qrM3To

If you’ve already tackled Fur Elise, you’ll know there’s nothing to be scared of when it comes to tackling classical music. This piano tutorial is a little step up. With both hands playing more than one note it is a bit more advanced. 

Although it might look like a complex piece of music, the piano video will take you through what each hand plays, including the repetition, making it a much easier piano song to play and master. 

You’ll also notice that the tune is divided between two hands meaning that each note will be played at a separate time to another. So, although you’re playing with two hands, you’re only playing one note at a time. And the central figure is repeated twice and this will reinforce your memory of the piece and therefore your playing. 

We can help you further with a few techniques to bring out the musicality of this beautiful Bach prelude in C major. As once you’ve learnt the notes there is a world of expression and musical techniques to explore. As a starting point, try to consider where the peak of the piece is and allow the music to rise to these points, with one being the main focus, and let the prelude’s intensity fall after each point (as a general idea).

Havana

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBN80hv4HS0

Havana is a great song to learn if you want to transition from the easier songs on this list but don’t feel ready for the classical pieces. 

The left-hand plays a repeated phrase with a chord at the top while the right-hand plays the melody. A chord is when you play more than one note at the same time. The melody is the part of the music that has the tune. The part you might sing. The song is quite challenging for a beginner, but so much fun to play, and this piano tutorial is simple to follow for great results. 

If you’re looking to improve your playing and master new skills, why not book your free lesson with a local piano teacher or perhaps online through PLUK? We show you a number of different ways that we can learn music using videos above such as these or perhaps you might want to learn how to read music notation too. Either way, the choice is yours.

How to use improvisation to write a piano song

Author - Daren Kay

PR trailer for The Brightonians – a novel by piano student, Daren Kay. Directed by Dan Turvil. Voiced by Hugh Ross. Soundtrack composed and played by the author himself.

Hello. My name is Daren Kay and I’m a writer. Not of music. Of stories. But, when I needed music for a little film that I commissioned to build excitement for the launch of my debut novel, I realised the solution was right at the end of my fingertips. Quite literally!

I began learning to play piano in 2015. But it wasn’t until I left my job as Creative Director at a digital ad agency in London that things really took off. Now studying for my Grade 5, I’m at that level where sheet music is no longer just dots and lines, and the name of scales and chords doesn’t sound like an alien language. But write my own music? That wasn’t something I’d attempted before.

So where did I start?

Over the last few months, I’ve used a number of apps and platforms - Lumen 5, AdobeSpark, iMovie - to create moving images. And while all of them come with soundtrack options, for this project, I really wanted to draw on my own skills. I had a piano and my phone – all I needed was an idea of the sound I wanted to create. 

Who or what was my inspiration?

In a word. Seagulls. Like the one on the front cover of my book, seagulls are a big presence in Brighton. In both senses of the word! Not only are our gulls larger than most, but they are everywhere! I call them Mother Nature’s CCTV cameras. Always watching, always listening (yes, they do have ears!). In my novel, the seagull (I call him Charles de Gull) is the voice of Brighton itself. And in the short publicity film, his is the voice you hear.

Chords and melody

While the music is improvised and I wrote nothing down, I did have a relatively clear idea that I wanted the chords to be in a major key – comfortable on the ear and grounding to the listener. With that in mind, I stuck to a few basic triads in my left hand, allowing my right hand a little more freedom. Anyone familiar with the ha-ha-ha cackle of a seagull will know that they are not the most tuneful of birds, so, striking the odd concordant note would be quite in keeping with the dulcet sounds of our chip-stealing feathery friends!

Novelist Daren Kay’s piano music for the Brightonians

Don’t forget the sea!

The shriek of the gull may be the prevailing sound of Brighton - with the occasional siren, skateboard and general traffic noise thrown in for good measure. However,  romantically speaking at least, we like to associate seaside towns with the gentle splish-splash of a bit of light paddling. This I achieved with the trill I added towards the end. It’s something I’d come across in a piece I’d learned for Grade 3, which also evoked the sound of water. 

What role does the piano play in the novel itself?

Perhaps the most significant way that learning to play piano has influenced my novel is that Izzy and Ken, two main characters in the story, live on the same road that the Director of PLUK, Kevin Matthews, used to live when he was a Brightonian. His home, situated opposite Brighton’s historic cemetery, certainly gave me plenty of time to absorb the sights and sounds of this part of Brighton as I was waiting to go in for my lesson each week. Indeed, at one point Ken was called Kevin! Though that is where the similarity ends. Ken is a philosophy lecturer and in his mid 50s. The story itself is about the bitter rivalry and social one-upmanship that fuels the lives of a group of socialites that includes Izzy and Ken. Already vying for supremacy of their circle, when a 50-year-old letter belonging to a local drag queen turns up out of the blue, their sparring is catapulted to increasingly ridiculous new heights.

Part mystery. Part comedy. It’s a gentle read that I think is reflected in the music that I improvised for the trailer. 

The Brightonians is available via the usual online retailers and can be ordered at all good bookshops. And if you happen to live in Brighton & Hove, there is a limited number of signed copies available at City Books, Paxton & Glew, the Museum and Nice ‘n’ Naughty (which features in the book). For more information about the story, news, reviews and blogs – please visit www.darenkay.com

If you want to know more about learning to play the piano, contact PLUK today to book a free piano lesson.

What are the pedals on a piano for?

When you start learning the piano, your focus is firmly on the keys. But the pedals are just as important when it comes to enriching the sounds you can produce. 

Knowing what the pedals can do could help you improve your playing and create changes in tone and dynamics. 

What do the pedals do on a piano?

It is important to note that many pianos can have different functions for the pedals. Those listed below are common for a Grand Piano which has three pedals (a modern acoustic piano can also have up to three pedals although these may perform different functions):

• The sustain pedal (right)

• The soft pedal (left)

• The sostenuto pedal (middle)

Sustain pedal

Position: On the right of the three pedals

Function: The sustain pedal is also known as the damper pedal because it removes the damper from the strings allowing them to continue to vibrate. 

As a result, every note can resonate for even longer, which creates a richer and more resonant sound as if you were playing in a cave. Each string has a relationship with several a number of other strings. For example, a low C on the piano, when played and held, will make all of the other C strings on the piano want to vibrate too. This effect is known as sympathetic resonance. When the dampers are off, all the strings that who have a relationship with another string that is vibrating enough will also vibrate. 

Soft pedal

Position: On the left of the three pedals

Function: The soft pedal on a piano is also known as the ‘una corda’ pedal meaning ‘one string’ pedal. 

In an acoustic piano, each hammer hits a varying number of strings when the key is pressed. We usually have one string in the bass register, two strings in the mid register and three strings in the treble. The hammer will normally hit the string/s when a key is pressed. 

When you depress the soft pedal (una corda) the piano’s mechanism shifts to the right. The result is that the hammer strikes less than the full number of strings, although in the bass there is only one string so this would remain the same. However, as the striking position has changed there would be an alteration to the sound.

Sostenuto pedal

Position: In the middle of the three pedals

Function: The sostenuto pedal works in a similar way to the sustain pedal. The difference is that this pedal only sustains the notes being played when you use the pedal. That allows you to add a sustained effect without muddying the overall sound.

The third pedal is a relatively new addition to the piano and can have several functions. It can be replaced by a bass sustain pedal. In an upright piano a practice pedal, allowing the piano to be played softly so it stops people banging on the walls when you’re practicing.

How to read pedal notation

Knowing when to use each pedal will add an extra dimension to the sounds you’re able to produce when playing. 

Some composers include pedal notation so you know exactly when to add your pedal effects but some leave it up to the performer’s experience to know what to do. These markings show you when to press the pedal and when to lift your foot again.

The sustain pedal is annotated in three ways:

1. Ped. indicates when to press the pedal down, an asterisk * indicates where to release the pedal.

2. A line before the staff shows you where to press down and release the pedal. A notch in the line means you should release and immediately press down on the pedal - this is called overlapping pedalling.

3. The instruction ‘con pedale’ at the start of a piece of music means the piece can have sustain pedal where you feel it might be appropriate. 

For a piece of music using the soft pedal you’ll see the annotation ‘una corda’ to indicate when to press down on the pedal and ‘tre corda’ when you need to release.

The use of this sostenuto pedal is annotated as ‘sost. ped’, ‘S.P.’ OR ‘ThP’ to press down and asterisk to lift your foot.

How to use the pedals

Before you start to play with the pedals, make sure you’re sitting with your feet flat on the floor with the stool at the correct height and position. Line up your big toes with the left and right pedals. 

When you want to use a pedal, your heel remains on the floor and using somewhere between the big toe and the ball of the foot, you press the pedal. Try and make the motion as smooth as possible, much like the pedals on a car.

As you become more confident in your use of the pedals you might like to try the following techniques:

• Legato/delayed pedalling: press down the pedal after you play a note, release and press down again after you play the next note. This gives a smooth and continuous sound to your playing, although it should never replace legato movements made by the fingers, hands, wrists and arms. The pedalling action and the resonance of the pedal should be closely connected. 

• Preliminary pedalling: Try pressing down the sustain pedal before you play the note. The damper will be off the string before the note is struck, giving a satisfying richer tone when all the strings sing in sympathetic resonance.

• Simultaneous pedalling: Also known as direct or rhythmic pedalling, you’ll press and release the pedal at the same time as you play a note or chord. This gives a rhythmic emphasis to your playing.

• After pedalling: For example, after the performer has played a chord the pedal could be applied a half- beat later adding further resonance and another rhythm, at that point, to the chord. 

• Half pedalling: partially pressing down on the sustain pedal means the damper doesn’t fully connect with the strings, this can enable the performer to take the energy out of some of the notes, perhaps allowing a low bass note to ring out without blurring. This technique can be used in Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.

• Diminuendo pedalling: by slowly releasing the sustain pedal the dampers would gradually dampen the vibrations of the strings creating a gradual diminishing in volume.

As you can see, mastering the pedals can make a huge difference to the way a piece will sound. Just be careful not to overdo it - make sure the music always comes first!

If you want to know more about how to use pedalling to improve your playing, contact us for a free piano lesson. We’ll put you in touch with the perfect piano tutor for you, so you can make the most out of your piano. 

What is the best piano for children?

Piano lessons for children

Have your little ones recently started piano lessons? Or perhaps you might be thinking the time has come for them to start their musical journey?

Children can start learning from the moment they start hearing and feeling the world around them. It’s true that this foundation stage can start as early as before birth, but we tend to suggest that lessons start from 3 years old. But, it’s never too late to start, and older children will be able to progress rapidly.

At PLUK, we offer specialised children’s piano lessons for total beginners (usually age 3-8) as well as beginners piano lessons (usually age 8+ or for those able to play with two hands). With benefits such as improved focus, listening skills, patience, mental health, confidence, and hand-eye coordination, who wouldn’t consider piano lessons for their children a priority?

Once lessons start, they will need an instrument to practice on. Buying a piano can feel overwhelming. This simple guide will give you an overview of what to consider and suggests 5 great beginner pianos that might get you started. 

Acoustic, electronic, or digital piano for children?

There are two different types of pianos to consider: acoustic and digital. 

Acoustic piano

An acoustic piano is the classic style of piano favoured by most pianists. It is full size, has weighted keys, and is the type used for examinations. Acoustic pianos produce the best tone and sound, are beautiful pieces of furniture, and create a statement of intent for you and the learner.

The very fact that it’s there in the room acts as a silent reminder to practice as it can’t be put away. The mechanism inside creates a great curiosity for most learners, but especially children.

In order to experience the beautiful sound that they make to the utmost, you will have to service and tune the piano annually. We might be romantics, but there is a wonderful quality to a slightly out-of-tune piano. It’s as if you can experience aging and the passing of time in one moment. However, it’s not the best to practice on!

Digital piano

A digital keyboard/piano is one that recreates the sound of a real piano. They are often portable, can be used with headphones (meaning practice sessions don’t have to be endured by the entire household), and vary in price.

The most important thing to consider with a digital piano is the keys. They can be semi-weighted (very light) or weighted (emulating a real piano action). Semi-weighted is often easier for very young children, but you may find that they struggle to transition to an acoustic piano later.

A digital piano with weighted keys provides a good compromise. The sound quality can be quite similar to the acoustic piano. Generally, they are smaller than acoustic pianos (useful if space is an issue at home) and are kinder on the wallet too, if you are buying it new.

How much should I spend on a child’s first piano?

How much to spend depends on what your child’s musical goals are. If ABRSM exams are in the pipeline, we recommend investing in an acoustic piano as it will prepare them for exams and encourage practice. 

It may not be feasible to invest in an acoustic piano, particularly if it’s not clear whether or not your child will take to playing. It’s worth getting an age-appropriate instrument for your child – toddlers usually start with a basic keyboard with 25-35 keys, whereas children over 8 years old can usually handle a full-size piano. One option is to start with a keyboard or digital piano and move to an acoustic piano when the time is right.

5 great beginner pianos for kids

Here’s are our top 5 beginner digital pianos to get started with:

1. The Melissa and Doug Grand Piano mini grand piano has 30 colour-coded keys. Designed for 4-6-year-olds, this piano will positively introduce toddlers to playing.

2. The Yamaha PSR-E263 Black Digital Keyboard is a great entry-level keyboard with 61 keys to play with. It is compact and portable and even runs off batteries for portable playtime!

3. The Roland Go Piano GO-61P Digital Piano has 61 keys and can seamlessly sync with your smartphone, making learning more accessible and fun! 

4. The Casio CDP-S100 Compact Digital Piano is a fantastic affordable option, with 88 weighted keys offering more ‘realistic’ playing. 

5. The Yamaha P-45 Digital Piano Keyboard is full size with a Graded Hammer Standard keyboard, meaning the keys play just like an acoustic piano. 

If you’re still unsure about which piano is best suited to your child, you could discuss options with your piano teacher. We quite often have a number of relatively cheap acoustic pianos (between £200-£1000), so give us a call and we’ll see what works for you.

At PLUK, our teachers receive support and training to ensure they are well equipped to deliver an excellent standard of teaching on our children’s and beginner’s courses. 

We also offer lessons in person in Bristol, Brighton/Hove, and online. Get in touch with us to find out more.

Keys on the piano - a beginners guide

How many keys should be on my piano?

Understanding the keys on a piano is an important part of learning how to play. It can seem daunting, but it’s worth investing the time to learn as you embark on your musical career as a piano player. Pianos come in a range of sizes with different numbers of keys, depending on your needs. Read on to understand all about keys on the piano.

What are piano keys made of?

Historically, white piano keys were made of the - now highly controversial - ivory and black piano keys were made of ebony, a dark hardwood. The piano industry abandoned the use of ivory in the 1970s and so it is unlikely your instrument has ivory keys! Today, most white keys on acoustic pianos are made with wood with a thin plastic veneer on top, which is both durable and affordable. 

How many keys does a full-sized piano have?

A piano is considered full-size when it has 88 keys. These are made up of sets of 12 keys which repeat to make up 88 keys. There are fewer black keys than white keys on a full-sized piano with 36 black keys and 52 white keys. The black keys on a piano are skinnier and shorter and are known as the flat and sharp keys. This means they play a semitone higher (or lower) than their corresponding white key.

Most modern acoustic pianos - including grand pianos - have 88 keys, which is the standard amount on a piano and therefore ideal for those wanting to play classical music or take piano exams. Pianos with additional keys (taking the total to as high as 108!) do exist, but this number of keys are not necessary for most people.

Are pianos with fewer keys for beginners?

There are many pianos you can buy with fewer than 88 keys.

Digital pianos, keyboards, and synthesisers often have a built-in amplifier so you can adjust the volume to your needs. They can also have many sound functions (instrument sounds, in-built metronomes or sequencers, to name just a few), making them ideal for beginners and pianists leaning towards electronic music. 

Digital pianos with weighted keys, which are designed to emulate a real piano, are also popular with beginners as the sound quality is more aligned to classic acoustic pianos and the keys are more similar to an authentic playing experience. They come in a variety of sizes, with piano key numbers ranging from 32 to 88. 

A keyboard with around 60 – 70 keys is a great length for beginners although 88 keys are eventually what you'll need. As your skills evolve, you can always sell and upgrade your instrument accordingly!

How to learn the piano keys

The best way to learn the piano keys is to remember the names of the notes that correspond to the white keys. 

This can be best achieved by:

• Recognising the patterns of the black keys 

• Incorporating a multi-sensory approach (such as trying to find the keys with your eyes shut)

• Learning music that adds new keys incrementally to avoid stressing the learner out

Try to avoid putting the sticky labels telling you the notes on the keys of your beginners piano, as you’ll start to rely on them and feel lost when playing a different piano. Instead, keep working at visualising and reciting the notes, before you play them.

Remembering piano keys

In each set of 12 keys, there are 7 white keys (sitting next to each other) and 5 black keys (arranged in sets of 2 and 3). Only the white keys are named using the letters of the alphabet A-G. To learn the names of the white keys, start by finding C (to the left of a set of 2 black keys). It is an easy one to start with.

To the right of that, the next white key is D and the next is E, F, G. The next two are A and B, and then you start at C again. It might appear confusing, because you start with “middle C” not A, when you’re learning, but essentially the notes are in alphabetical order:

A B C D E F G/A B C D E F G/A (etc...)

Learning the keys on a piano is not as daunting a feat as it may seem!

At PLUK, our piano teachers will work with you to understand your learning style, helping to keep you engaged to reach your musical potential. We offer lessons in person in Bristol, Brighton, and video classes online. Get in touch to find out more. You’ll be playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata in no time!

How much do piano lessons cost in the UK?

The piano is one of the most popular instruments for beginner musicians to try. But just how much do piano lessons cost and is it affordable?

It’s important to keep in mind that investing in piano lessons is investing in so much more than just the lessons. Not only will you learn music theory (a great foundation for learning other instruments), you’ll also develop other skills such as enhanced concentration and increased confidence. Perhaps you need no convincing! There are many ways to keep costs low when starting out on your musical journey.

The average cost of private piano lessons

The national average cost for piano lessons ranges from £25 to £35 for an hour’s lesson. These rates depend on various factors including location: the cost of lessons varies city by city, with the most expensive lessons in London. 

When budgeting, include other costs, such as buying an instrument and travelling to and from lessons. Fortunately, there are some excellent electric keyboards on the second-hand market, usually starting around £100. It’s reassuring to know you don’t need a grand piano to get you started! Our guide to buying a piano has more information on this. 

How much do beginner lessons cost?

Beginner piano lessons are in some ways the most challenging aspect of teaching piano. This is because a beginner is the most likely student to give up as they have invested less in the learning process.

The teacher needs to:

• Create a positive relationship and a structure that keeps the student interested

• Offer the student relevant subject matter offering an insight into a broad range of music that doesn't overstretch the individual but gives them the skills they need. Often, a beginner is unsure of exactly which direction they might want to go in, so it’s the teacher’s job to find a genre that encourages the student to learn.

• Introduce technical, aural, compositional, practical, and improvisational skill sets, where suitable, to provide a holistic approach to learning. If introduced at the right time, then it will help to avoid having to go over these things again later on.

This approach will keep the lessons interesting and reduce the level of stress. Stress is the main cause for someone quitting any activity and it is much more common for a beginner to give up as they have less to lose.  

As a beginner, it’s important that you are provided with long and short-term musical goals. Learning to play the piano for fun versus wanting to pass your ABRSM exams will require piano tutors with experience and qualifications in both areas. Therefore, it is beneficial to have someone with a broad musical knowledge so that you can keep your options open.

Children’s piano lessons cost

Piano lessons for children can cost between £15 to £35 depending on location, the tutor’s experience and the session duration. The lessons must be fun and motivating! As children can find it more difficult to sit and concentrate for longer periods of time, thirty minutes is the average class duration, but it could be longer depending on your child’s experience or attention span.

A good piano tutor will want to know about your child’s learning style and work with this to help them excel. 

Online piano lessons cost

Online piano lessons can be carried out in the comfort of your own home, at your own pace, on your own piano. As there is no requirement to travel, you can save money and avoid the stress of fighting traffic to arrive on time. Opting for online piano lessons widens your options in terms of selecting a tutor, as you are not limited to location. All you need is a device with a camera and a high-speed internet connection that allows good quality video calls.

How to save money on piano lessons

Taking group piano lessons may be cheaper than private piano lessons. This could be more motivating for you, although you will receive less 1:1 time with the tutor. It is worth talking to your tutor about possible discounts if multiple members of your family are taking lessons or if you would like to make a block booking of lessons in advance.

Online piano lessons are certainly a cheaper way to learn than 1:1 lessons. Whilst there are many online learning resources on websites such as YouTube, they cannot give the expert feedback and personalised teaching that a piano tutor can!

At PLUK, we recommend a camera set-up for our online lessons to ensure we have the best viewpoints to analyse how our students can improve technique. We offer online or face to face sessions in Bristol and Brighton. Contact us to find out more!

What are the easiest instruments to learn at any age?

It is often assumed that learning an instrument as an adult is too challenging. Mastering an instrument indeed takes time, commitment, patience and practice – but it is never too late to learn! Nothing beats that feeling of satisfaction when the piece you’ve been working at comes together. However, choosing the right instrument for you is vital.

Top 5 easiest instruments to learn

Ukulele

With soft strings, a low price, and lots of online resources to help you learn, the Ukulele has a lot going for it. Learning simple chords can be achieved quickly and it can be a nice prelude to learning to play the guitar. 

Bongos/percussion/drums

If you want to jam with friends, learning a percussive instrument may provide the fun you’re after. Be warned – learning percussion is hard! They are great instruments to practice for any genre. Even if you don’t have a band to jam along with, you can put on your favourite music and play along.

Piano

With all of the notes laid out in front of you, you’ll find it easy to learn all about music and could soon be tunefully singing along to a few chords for your friends! You can even take lessons online and learn to sight-read music. 

Recorder

The recorder is fairly simple for coordinating breath, tongue and fingers so can be self-taught, but is popular amongst both beginners and professionals. It gives learners a solid musical foundation from which they can progress on to other wind instruments.

Harmonica

With the choice of blues, jazz, rock, or country music to practice, playing the harmonica is a great choice for an inspired adult beginner. It’s cheap, portable and, most importantly, it’s hard to sound bad as it’s always in tune!

Is it easier to learn guitar or piano?

These are popular instruments for budding musicians to start with. The initial learning period for the guitar can be a challenge - fingers may hurt and it can take a while to master that first chord. 

Conversely, learning seems to progress quickly when learning the piano – you may pick up chords and be able to play simple pieces of music relatively quickly. However, as learning progresses so does the need for greater hand coordination - a skilled teacher can assist here. 

What instrument is right for you?

Working out which instrument is right for you depends on what your musical goals are. If you want to learn a few songs to sing along to consider the piano, keyboard or ukulele. 

If your goal is to be a concert musician, consider formal lessons on the piano. If you want to be able to jam along to music with friends, go for something percussive. 

Whatever you go for, learning an instrument is hard work and choosing an instrument that gets you excited each time you pick it up is key to success!

What music do you want to play?

Consider what music you’d like to play. If the piano or drums are dominant in your chosen music, then choosing to learn the piano or drums is logical. 

Learning an instrument is a fun and creative process. And, as many of the skills you learn are transferable, if your musical tastes change you can always change your instrument too!

How much do you want to spend?

Starting out learning an instrument doesn’t have to be expensive. A range of second-hand instruments, including pianos, electric keyboards, guitars and drums are available. Starting with a few lessons with a qualified teacher will surely prove its worth! 

At PLUK, our excellent piano teachers will work to understand your learning style and musical style, helping to keep you engaged to reach your musical potential. We offer lessons in person in Bristol, Brighton, and online. Get in touch with us to find out more. 

How to learn to play the piano

Learning to play the piano is both challenging and rewarding. This guide explains how you can teach yourself to play the piano by creating a plan and having goals in mind. Today, online piano lessons are a popular way to learn the piano from the comfort of your own home.

How can I teach myself to play the piano?

Learning the piano solo is much like teaching yourself to achieve anything else - it requires dedication! When going to the gym, or learning a new language, one of the main things we are trying to achieve is to form a history of positive experiences. These are the result of trying, finding something suitably challenging, and then succeeding. 

We all have days when the trials and tribulations of life become a bit much and we want some time off. Without the history of success and the dopamine boosts which come from that, a new learner won’t have the incentive to approach these new skills unless the majority of the list below is in place.

1. Appropriate materials

   You may be cruising along playing some easy tune and you think to yourself ”I’ll try playing the moonlight sonata”. However, if the piece of music is too long and too difficult then the point at which you’d receive your dopamine hit by succeeding would perhaps be far off in the future. It is important for that reason to choose each step up in difficulty carefully.

2. Positive reinforcement

   Although learning how to play the piano on your own is possible, it is important to understand the value of receiving positive feedback. If you are choosing to do this without the support of a teacher, perhaps you can achieve this by playing to your friends and family, posting on Facebook, or perhaps starting a Facebook group where other people who you know and trust will be able to offer you positive feedback.

3. A plan of action

   We are all busy people and we are much more likely to be able to prepare for something which occurs at a regular time and day each week. Set yourself a schedule, both for your practice and for your theory, and stick to it.

How long does it take to learn to play the piano?

Understanding how long it takes to learn to play the piano is about understanding what you want to achieve. I have been playing the piano for 35 years and there are still many aspects of it which I am still discovering. Therefore it is a more useful approach to consider what your goals are. 

Do you want to learn how to play the blues? Do you want to learn how to produce a piece of music? Write a symphony? Learn how to play Fur Elise? etc. Only then can you set a realistic time frame for yourself.

Set yourself learning goals

All learning should be broken up into short-term goals, encompassed by long-term ones. As a beginner, it can be tricky to know what you want to learn, which is where a teacher who knows you will come in handy. 
As a beginner, a good place to start is a piano course, which can give you an insight into the different facets of piano music. The Beginners Piano Course, which I wrote, does just that. It is completable within 40 lessons and a minimum of 40 hours of practice. This piano course will enable you to be able to read, write, and improvise music. You’ll also learn how to play chords and play scales, whilst learning piano music which you’ll know and recognise.

Piano courses

A few other useful piano courses to consider are:

ABRSM syllabus

Although this is not a path that everyone wants to take, it is commonly used by many piano students. It is very thorough and the Grades go from 1-8. I have personal experience of taking a number of piano students from complete beginner to Grade 8 in 5 years. 

They also have a Jazz option, as well as a classical one. The Jazz syllabus incorporates improvisation and the broad range of styles that you can find within that genre. 

As previously said, there really is no better way to set these goals, other than having a piano teacher.

Written by Kevin Matthews - Director at PLUK 

Your guide to buying a piano

What should you think about when buying a piano?

When buying a piano, there are many elements to consider. To start with, there are two main choices; digital or acoustic. Let’s start by looking at the differences between a digital piano and an acoustic piano.

Buying a digital piano

A digital piano is essentially a smarter version of a basic keyboard. It will have a better sound quality than a keyboard though, and you will be able to vary the volume of each note depending on how hard you press the keys. Digital pianos also include a variety of extra features, such as an in-built metronome, automatic transposing, and a useful replay function so you can work out how to improve. Another benefit is that you can plug in your headphones, so not everyone has to hear you run through your scales every day!

The keys on a digital piano can range from those that have a slight resistance (semi-weighted), to keys that imitate the feel and resistance of an acoustic piano’s keys (weighted). We ideally want weighted keys. This increased resistance will help the student to strengthen their muscles. However, very young students (under 5) or those who are more experienced (over 75) may need a keyboard with a lighter touch to accommodate their physical needs. 

Digital pianos are normally sold without a piano stool, stand, pedal and case but package deals can be found. It is best to inquire as to what is included with the purchase. All digital pianos vary in size but can normally be packed away discreetly.

How much does a digital piano cost?

As you can expect, the instruments vary in quality and price with the spectrum being £50 – £14,000+. You can get a good digital piano for £300, brand new, from one of our partners.

Buying an acoustic piano (also referred to as a “piano”)

However, digital pianos do not have the range of expression that an acoustic piano has. The touch can be emulated up to a certain point but I have yet to feel one that is 100% convincing. 

Why is this? When a key is pushed down on an acoustic piano, it lifts a piece of felt which has been resting on the strings. This also triggers a number of levers and mechanisms which make a felt-tipped hammer strike the string/s. This makes the famous noise. This noise now echoes around the casing and soundboard of the piano. When the key is released, that original piece of felt now returns to dampen the vibrations of the strings which stops the sound. 

There are thousands of different makes and models of piano. All of them, although similar or even the same in design, will always be varied by the very nature of their construction; and the materials that are used to build it. Not everybody will like the same piano. 

To find the one you like, the best thing to do is to sit and play or have someone do it or you if you are short of experience. It’s a personal thing. Even two of the exact same make and model would be very different in tone and touch from each other. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some have light keys and some have heavy ones. The heavier an acoustic piano’s key is, the more it will strengthen the user’s muscles. However, we still need to take into account the age and strength of the student, as previously discussed. 

The wall of sound produced by an acoustic piano is not currently able to be replicated by a digital piano. To imitate the vibrations of an acoustic piano, would require a very large and complicated speaker; as the sound is created from such a large body of strings, wood, and other resonant materials. 

There are two main types of acoustic piano. The grand piano and the upright. The grand piano is a lot bigger and only suitable if you have loads of space. 

You may also get a piano with a digital system added to it, giving you some of the features a digital piano has. All pianos can be fitted with this system to some extent.

How much does an acoustic piano cost?

As you can expect, acoustic pianos vary in quality and price with the spectrum being from free up to £300,000+. I would be confident in saying that we can get you a good or great upright piano for £700 second-hand.

A summary of what to consider when buying a piano

Why buy a digital piano?

• Compared to acoustic pianos, digital pianos are generally less expensive when you buy them brand new. Second hand, the prices vary a lot but on average they probably cost about the same. 

• Most models are smaller and considerably lighter, but larger ones exist. 

• They have no strings and therefore don’t need to be tuned. 

• Depending on the model they will have a number of other sounds that you can play. 

• Learners with weaker muscles will find it easier to play on semi-weighted keys. 

• It is a lot more likely that a digital piano will be compatible with a computer via midi or USB (this is useful for recording, producing music, and other more complicated functions). 

• You will be able to practice quietly on almost all models of a digital piano using headphones or by turning down the volume. 

• The delivery cost will be lower and perhaps free. If you are buying an acoustic piano, then you need to consider the size and how often you may be moving as it costs £50-£250 to move it, depending on how many floors it needs to go up.

Why buy an acoustic piano?

• The sound quality on most acoustic pianos is superior to that of a digital piano. This in turn can promote practice and greater enjoyment from using the instrument. 

• There are techniques that are taught on an acoustic piano that can’t be replicated on a digital piano. 

• With that in mind once a student gets to a certain level I’d recommend that it’s beneficial for all students to learn on a piano eventually. 

• Acoustic pianos have an aesthetic value that digital pianos don’t. 

• It’s much easier to find a piano that you will really love playing. Each piano sounds different due to their varying materials and methods of construction. 

• You can also buy a piano which has a silent system put into it. This system enables the user to play it either as a digital piano or an acoustic piano. Once installed you will be able to use headphones. This system can be fitted to any piano (so I’m told!). 

• A piano very rarely goes wrong. If something is spilt on it, then it will survive (not recommended). Most pianos last for a hundred years or so. 

• An acoustic piano doesn’t need electricity to work.

What is the best digital piano to buy?

Semi-weighted keys

These instruments are probably best suited for someone with a limited budget; or of a very young age. These instruments have lighter keys and as such are easier for younger learners to play. This is probably the cheapest digital piano you’ll find of good quality without weighted keys.

Weighted keys

If you can spend more, say £300+, I’d go for a digital piano with weighted keys – Yamaha digital pianos are great. The P series has a good selection of instruments at different prices. 

GAK are Brighton based and they will match any price you find online. They also offer a 0% finance deal, so you can pay small amounts monthly. We also get a discount on their digital piano range. If you want to go for this option let your Headteacher know and they can arrange a reference code for you. A great starter instrument is the Yamaha P-45.

Second-hand digital pianos

When you purchase a digital piano second hand, it will be cheaper; however, you often won’t get a warranty. You will find these on Gumtree, Friday Ad, and eBay. Again, if you spot something in your budget let us know and we’ll advise as to whether we think it’s a good purchase.

What is the best acoustic piano? A new piano

There are thousands of piano brands but the industry standard is Yamaha. Almost every music school in the world will have a Yamaha upright piano. The key action is excellent. The U series is the most common and is of excellent quality. Yamaha’s build quality is very consistent but every piano has its unique character and will sound different. New, they are quite expensive and unless you have a lot of money we would suggest that you buy a second-hand piano.

Second-hand acoustic pianos

There are hundreds of them out there and with our expertise, we can find you something that in a shop would cost you £1500 for about half of that price. We will go and try the piano out for/with you and arrange delivery and tuning too. If you contact your Head Teacher with a budget, then we can definitely find something to suit. The more well-known pianos such as Yamaha and Kawai are harder to find a deal on but there are many really great pianos that people don’t know about.

Delivery and tuning

We’d recommend that all acoustic pianos are delivered by an expert with insurance. Anything other than a ground floor delivery will require 2 people. You will also need to tune the piano two weeks after it’s been delivered. The piano’s tuning will change in accordance with the new temperature and environment of your home. An expert can also do a setup to improve the action and key response. 

The average price for these services: Delivery £50 - £250. Tuning £60. Setup £60 (not always necessary). 

Although we know a lot of people that can provide this service, we don’t do it ourselves.

Buying a piano in installments

In Bristol, Mickleburgh offers 0% finance on acoustic pianos as well as digital ones. 

In Brighton, the Piano Warehouse also does a government-funded loan scheme as well which is worth checking out.

This scheme from UK Pianos allows you to pay the cost of your instrument in installments.

As a rough guide, I’d recommend that the following groups of people purchase the following instruments. 

• Young pianists (under 5): Yamaha Piagerro NP11 with semi-weighted keys (or something similar) or a piano with lightly weighted keys 

• Aspiring midi composers/producers & pianists: Midi keyboard and a piano (weighted keys) 

• People with not much space (or who are moving soon): A digital piano with weighted keys 

• Anyone else: An acoustic piano (although this is a pretty good option for anyone) 

Good luck, and if you need any further assistance we’d be delighted to help. You can also contact me at contact@pianolessonsuk.co.uk or find out more about our free online piano lesson.

Written by Kevin Matthews - Director at PLUK.

Online piano lessons - a simple guide

Online piano lessons are interactive and a great way to learn to play the piano. In this guide, we will take you through how they work, what you need, and the benefits of virtual lessons. We also explain the pros and cons of free piano resources online. 

If you are considering online piano lessons, why not take advantage of our free first online piano lesson to see if it’s right for you?

Can I take piano lessons online and what will I need?

Piano lessons adapt well to an online platform, so it won’t take long for you to master your pianist skills. To get the most out of learning online, there are a few things that you will need in preparation for your lesson. 

To have online piano lessons, you will need:

• A keyboard or piano - read our article regarding which piano to buy 

• A desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone - or a combination of the two

• An internet connection - 60mbps and above is preferred

• An email account - Gmail is preferred as your teacher will use this to send you a link to the video stream where the lesson will be

• To have downloaded your chosen video streaming app (only necessary for phone or tablet)

You have two options regarding the camera setup: 

1. A single-camera: 

   This would involve a singular camera that would either be placed in front of you or to the left of you. Of the two, in front is the preferred option. 

   In front: smartphone or tablet 

   To the side: desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet (however a phone or tablet will need to be propped up) 

2. Two cameras:

   One would be placed in front of you and then a second one either above you or to the left of you. Of the two, above is the preferred option.

   In front: smartphone or tablet 

   Above: smartphone 

   To the side: desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet (however a phone or tablet will need to be propped up)

How do online piano lessons work?

To decide if online piano lessons will suit you, first, you’ll want to know how they work. A good and structured online piano lesson will consist of three parts; review, setting new work, and teaching you how to practice. Let’s explore these in more detail.

1. Review

   The online piano lesson provides opportunities for numerous camera angles. This gives the piano teacher an unrivalled view of how you have done in your practice session. 

2. Setting new work

   Your teacher will have set up several different camera angles so student has a clear view of what the teacher is modelling. This offers the student excellent insight into the work that has been set.

3. Teaching you how to practice

   Once you have been taught the required material, you will have to practice at home. Your teacher will be able to write up the lesson material and practice requirements. This will give you a great reference point the next time that you sit down to practice. 

As you can see, there are several positive aspects of online piano lessons which will improve your ability to learn. You will also be much nearer to the kettle and biscuit tin if the need takes you.

Can I learn piano online for free?

There are many places to learn the piano online for free; however, each of them has its pros and cons. Learning anything requires accurate information, which is described to you clearly, taking into account your needs and goals. 

If the information given to you is accurate but you misunderstand, then you could run into problems. You might end up developing a habitual feeling that the way you play is correct, even if it isn’t. This is why it’s always good to get feedback.

A piano teacher is much more than a provider of information. A good teacher provides the learner and the parents, with the support and insight into how the process is going and what can be done to improve it. 

A great teacher will also give you the flexibility to change the path of learning when required. I regularly adapt my goals within the lessons if I feel it’s time for the student to move on. Sometimes, remaining on the same piece for too long is detrimental to the progress of the individual. 

Although there are many free courses and platforms online, which have a wealth of information, every single student requires different approaches and a teacher is the best way to offer you that flexibility. 

All students respond in varying levels of success to four different approaches to learning: 

1. Kinaesthetic (movement) 

2. Visual 

3. Oral (spoken)

4. Aural (listening)

All learners have strengths as well as weaknesses and any learning needs to be reinforced with positive feedback, alongside solutions to any problems which may arise. Having a piano teacher who can adapt to your needs is the best way to ensure that your path of learning is as efficient as possible. 

Although platforms such as YouTube are excellent when you know what to look for, knowing the right terms to search for in the first place is very difficult. To save money, perhaps you should take a short set of lessons to get started and understand what you want to look for. Although you cannot beat regular (weekly) lessons, this would be the next best thing. 

Free piano lesson apps

With such a wealth of piano apps out there, it is useful to incorporate these into piano lessons. In fact, it’s very rare that I hold a piano lesson without one. Here is a list of some of my favourite apps that I use during my piano lessons. 

Flash note Derby

This app is a fantastic way to teach both children and adults how to recognise where the notes are on an enjoyable but competitive platform. If you get a note correct, your horse goes ahead. If you get one wrong, the other goes ahead. There is jovial booing and cheering with fireworks for victories. There’s even a winter format with reindeer racing. 

Here’s a link to download Flash note Derby in the Apple App Store. 

Metrotimer

Although there is a wealth of metronomes out there, Metrotimer is my go-to. Very easy to use. It has multiple time signatures, a light to help keep in time, etc… and most importantly, it’s free.

Garageband

The DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) of today are creeping into the land of the smartphone. Garageband, Apple’s native music-making program, is available in app format. You can program drums, bass lines, record audio from your phone’s microphone, use third party plugins and more. On top of that, there are also onboard effects that you can use. 

All of the above can be shared with a third party via the present screen function of your chosen video streaming app. 

Hopefully, this list of apps will be a useful addition to your piano lessons. If you need any help getting set up, please let me know.

How to find out more about online piano lessons

Here at PLUK, we have a number of highly experienced and trained online piano teachers who run courses every week. 

Whether you’d like to book an online lesson or just ask a few questions first, please get in touch by emailing me (Kevin Matthews) on contact@pianolessonsuk.co.uk and I’ll be happy to help. Alternatively, you can call 01172 510011.

Written by Kevin Matthews - Director at PLUK.

The benefits of learning piano

No matter how old you are, learning a new skill can be an awful lot of fun, whatever it is. If you’re considering taking up piano lessons here at PLUK, you’ll be pleased to hear that as well as learning how to play the piano, you’ll really benefit yourself in all sorts of ways at the same time. Don’t believe us? Read on!

Better hand-eye coordination

Your hands have to move quite quickly when you’re playing the piano, so your hand-eye coordination will certainly improve over time, while your hand muscles will strengthen. You’ll soon impress yourself with how fast you can move your fingers from one end of the keyboard to the other.

Improved memory

It’s important to note that you’ll only get so far with your piano playing if you don’t begin playing from memory at some point after you start learning. Learning scales and pieces by heart will certainly help give your memory skills a serious boost in other areas as well.

More discipline

By the same token, you’ll also plateau quite quickly with piano playing if you don’t practice on a regular basis. And in order to do that, given how hectic life can be, you need to be quite disciplined and ensure that you make time to sit down at the keyboard and go over what we’ve covered in your lessons with us.

Stress reduction

This is an excellent side-effect of learning piano, wouldn’t you agree? Playing a musical instrument can be a very mindful activity and because you’re concentrating so hard on what you’re doing, everything you’re worried about at the moment fades into the background for a while… which can really help with any stress or anxiety you might be feeling.

Encourages creativity

Once you know your way around the piano a little, you can start to improvise, make up your own tunes and really enhance your creativity very quickly indeed. You may find it encourages you to be creative in other areas of your life as well.

Boosting intelligence

A study published this year found that early music training could actually improve language skills in young children, so you may want to see if your kids are interested in learning the piano if you want them to be bilingual when they’re older!

At PLUK, we offer piano lessons online and face-to-face in Bristol or Brighton and Hove. Get in touch with us to find out more.

Grade 4 & 5 Sight reading - ABRSM

Welcome... :0)

The sight-reading for the ABRSM exam puts 21 points at stake. What is the examiner looking for? The original 3 aspects have expanded and we now have to consider the style and period.

1. Rhythm (Semiquaver developments, triplets, compound vs simple time developments)

2. Note accuracy (Spotting chord shapes, arpeggios, scale patterns, relative keys, key signature fluency)

3. Articulation and Dynamics (Pedal, and a broader range of musical terms)

4. Style and Period

How do we work on these features?

We would use exactly the same steps as previously laid out for Grades 1 and 2 with some adjustments needed for the variations in the aspects mentioned above.

Again, I would refer to Paul Harris’s Improve your sight-reading. It goes through key by key, adding rhythms and difficulty at each stage.

1: Rhythm

Semiquavers - These cause difficulty in counting as the student can shorten the length in the beat in a bid to develop rhythmic consistency. When sight-reading a piece that uses semiquavers in simple time, the student should always count 1 + 2 + 3 + etc...  in preparation for the bar ahead that contains them. For compound time this isn't necessary, but the distinction should always be made between the two.

Triplets - When counting triplets followed by notes which aren't, it's important to try and Imagine where the next main beat will fall. A special emphasis should be made on understanding how to move from semiquavers to triplets for Grade 5.  Count like this 1 +, 2 +, 3 - trip - let, 4 +, etc.

Another good exercise is to learn the rhythm with the counting and then try doing it just counting the main beats and imagining where the others will fall. A game taking it in turns to clap a straight rhythm with another person putting in the triplets is good too.

Compound vs Simple - This is again a development from what was introduced in Grade 3 but is introducing 6/8 time too. Make sure you test the ability to switch between simple time and compound time. Especially when counting semiquavers as mentioned before.

2: Note accuracy

Spotting chord shapes, arpeggios and scale patterns - This is a very important skill to speed up your absorption the information. It is important to be able to recognise chords and their potential position or inversion. It is equally important to be able to recognise intervals and by the position of the two notes. A great app for this is called musical intervals.

Relative keys and key signature fluency - No extra keys are added from Grade 3 to Grade 4 but Grade 5 has a significant addition of keys up to 4 sharps not including C sharp minor.

Test the ability to quickly recall the 2 keys which have multiple flats and sharps. Start with the minor 1st as generally people refer to the major first and work out the minor from that. This should be done away from the piano as well as in front of it.

Try working backwards with this. E.g How many sharps does F sharp minor have? and What minor key has 3 sharps?

Also, spend a lot of time clarifying the role of the raised sharp in the harmonic minor as it can be visually confusing. E.g G minor having 3 black notes.

3: Articulation and Dynamics

This should probably be avoided till much later on in the process as rhythm and note accuracy are still the most important elements. That said it most definitely plays a stronger role, especially in Grade 5.

Pedal - This is added in Grade 5 and exercises at reading lead sheets can be a fun way to learn about sight-reading this, linking the chord changes with the pedal. This can also be tied in with an awareness of when chords change within notation. Go over a piece and see if you can spot the changes just by the notation alone.

A broader range of musical terms - This is something that is quite thoroughly covered by the ABRSM theory syllabuses and if you learn all of the terms with those syllabuses then you'll be fine. That said, Music Tools is a great app where you can look up any terms quickly and easily.

*Remember that accuracy of rhythm, notes and expression are more important than speed. If you can't play it vivace, don't. Take everything at a speed you can play it. If it says Roll... then take advantage of it and really buy some time.

4: Style and Period

This is an aspect that is covered very well in the Aural part of the exam and is probably more applicable to the Grade 5 than the Grade 4, but it plays a part in both. A good understanding of the characteristics of the 4 time periods of that part of the exam will ensure this is covered. Tie this in with the Aural test.

For example, do an example of a classical aural test for the C part of the test and then ask the student to do a sight-reading in that style. Refer to the pieces to help them to recognise the characteristics.

You can also use other examples and ask them to listen to other music relating to it.

Good luck :0)

Kevin Matthews,

PianolessonsUK, Brighton and Hove

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Sight reading tips for Grades 1 and 2 ABRSM

When accessing the sight-reading for the ABRSM exam there are 21 points at stake. The pieces and scales should be the main focus, as you know what you will be asked and you are pretty much guaranteed a pass by conquering these two parts. The sight-reading, however, helps to access the pieces faster and is where the really good scores come from. So, what is the examiner looking for?

The easiest way to think about it is to separate it into 3 aspects of musical fluency.

1. Rhythm

2. Note accuracy

3. Articulation and Dynamics

By getting all of these elements correct, you will get top marks.

Part 1: Rhythm

How do we work on these features?

First of all, we need a method book, and there is no better than Paul Harris’s Improve Your Sight-Reading. It goes through key by key, adding rhythms and difficulty at each stage.

I always ask my students to work on sight-reading the way I ask them to start learning new pieces. I give a set of practice steps which are specific and non-ambiguous. I am not a fan of ambiguous teaching instructions! A student should always know precisely how to practice.

These are the practice steps I give when a student first begins to sight-read. Probably for stages 1-7 of the Paul Harris book.

First set of steps:

1. Tap and count the rhythm of the exercise out loud

2. Work out the key and play the scales, 5 finger scales and arpeggios (if appropriate)

3. Find the starting position

4. Play through counting out loud

Notes: Tapping out the rhythm should always be worked on till there is no hesitation. Rhythm is learnt and recognised in the same way as any other vocabulary.

The 5 finger scales are the playing of a scale modally whilst also playing the 7 triads of each scale. (And naming them if possible)

Part 2: Note Accuracy

Once you’ve mastered all of the keys and rhythms that are tested within the grade, it’s time to work on note accuracy. This is close to what they’d do in the exam.

This would apply to stages 8 and 9 of the Paul Harris book. I would also recommend that the student buys the ABSRM specimen sight-reading tests for the relevant grade.

Second set of steps (to be used nearer the exam):

1. Key and starting position

2. Play through (silently) counting out loud (in your head)

3. Check for dynamics and in particular the starting dynamic

4. Play for real counting out loud and don’t stop.

The key and starting position is the most important aspect of passing the sight-reading test. Once you have this skill and you are able to find the position and key in under 5 seconds then you have a lot of time to play through the remaining music. I challenge students to a stopwatch like race. E.g: Find the key and starting position to exercise number 23 (In the already open ABRSM specimen sight-reading test)

Then I would do another and another.

It is important that the student counts out loud in practice as it makes sure they are doing it consistently and it gives it emphasis and importance.

Steps to be used in the exam

In the exam, the student is allowed to play the piece out loud as they prepare and they get 30 seconds. They should follow the below steps in the actual exam.

Third set of steps (for the exam):

1. Key and starting position

2. Play through (out loud), while counting out loud

3. Check for dynamics and in particular the starting dynamic

4. Play for real counting in your head and don’t stop.

These final steps should be practised at least 2 lessons before the exam. Also, encourage the student not to make any noises if they make a mistake as this can often give a mistake away that would have slipped through the net. Also, iterate that it is possible to make lots of errors and still get a great score.

Added exercise to improve the most important areas.

In all sight-reading exercises, the most important thing is that you don’t stop.

If a student plays the correct rhythm with completely the wrong notes but the correct dynamics and articulation they will get a score in double figures. If they play all the correct notes with no rhythm and no dynamics and articulation they will get a much lower score.

The main factor here is a fear of playing and hearing the wrong pitched note. For this, I have a very fun exercise.

3rd set of steps to conquer the fear of mistakes (to be used in the lesson but they can try at home too):

Step 1

1. Lay hands flat on the piano with no concern of which note they are on.

2. With no previous knowledge of the piece count them in and they must play the piano like a drum making a lot of awful noises. (They’ll love this!)

Step 2

1. Now try again but choose any 5 finger hand position again with no concern of which note they are on.

2. Ask the student to do the same thing but use their fingers

Step 3

1. Now try again but choose any 5 finger hand position again with no concern of which note they are on.

2. Ask the student to do the same thing but use their fingers and move in the general direction that the pitch of the music goes.

Good luck!!!

Exam Preparation - The final week!

Hello there Brighton pianists,

First things first - Congratulations on all your hard work!!! I'm sure you've been beavering away inside and outside of your piano lessons.

Here is a rundown for the week leading up to your exam - please get in touch via phone or email with regards to any specific details you aren't sure on. (contact@pianolessonsuk.co.uk)

One week and counting:

Only a short way to go so let’s go for it! It's time for lots and lots of practice.

• I would recommend doing one to three hours per day if possible. You should have all of the information needed.

• Whilst you are working and studying hard, try to remain calm. Think about posture - Is it stable and relaxed? Breathe with loose shoulders and supportive feet!

• Maintain slow, separate hands and up to speed practice.

• Focus on the small areas which may be shaky and correct with precise practice.

• Avoid booking other activities which will distract you immediately before or after the exam.

The day before your exam:

• At all points, project a positive outcome. Say to yourself "I will play great in my exam", "I rock" or "I will enjoy it and be calm" etc... Pick one you like and stick to it.

• Using your books I would recommend playing through the exam syllabus in your mind in the order chosen. E.g The scales first, then the pieces, and some sight-reading.

• Play your old pieces and exercises. Make up a song - Don't just play the exam bits!

• Do something fun if you have the time - watch a film, play a game, meet with friends etc... and try to get a good night’s sleep (exercise the day before is helpful).

• Make sure you know where the exam location is.

• The main focus is avoiding anxiety and remaining relaxed.

The morning of your exam:

Morning! This is the day that you will be amazing on!!

• Again project positively throughout, imagine a successful result (remember you can make a lot of mistakes and do very well in the exam).

• Please avoid playing anything related to the exam syllabus. Instead, run them through in your mind.

• Play some warm-up exercises.

• I recommend some light exercise if there is time before the exam to relax

• You may not feel like eating because of nerves, but try and have something.

• Do something fun if there is time.

• Make sure you have your pieces in a safe place

• Take a small towel with you as it may be hot. You can then dry your hands if you start to sweat! :0)

30 minutes before the exam:

You will be at the examination centre. 

• Only bring your pieces with you.

• Avoid talking to other people about your pieces, scales etc... You know what to do.

• Find a piano to warm up on. I would recommend playing some exercises you've learned during your lessons.

• Run through the pieces in your head and fingering of the scales only once.

• Focus on your breathing, relax and think about how you want to play.

5 minutes before: 

Focus only on relaxation and positive thinking.

• Close your eyes, breathe slowly and repeat in your head something positive such as "I am calm and relaxed"

In the exam: 

• Adjust the piano stool to the correct height for you, and make sure it is the right distance from the keys. This will help you settle in. Remember, take your time. It's your exam.

• In between each piece and scale take your time to prepare for your next performance. Never dive straight into a piece or scale.

• Ask the examiner to repeat a question if needed.

• If there are a few hiccups, don't worry. We can't affect the past just the future. We all make mistakes. I just picked up two forks for my lunch!

• Once performing, don't stop.

After the exam:

Well done, I'm sure you have done fantastically well. Keep a note of areas you feel were trickier than expected and areas you'd like to improve on. Equally, don’t forget to highlight areas that you really enjoyed and did very well on. 

• Eat something wonderful - Ice Cream????!!!!

Good luck!!!!!

Kevin Matthews

Is my child too young for piano lessons?

Many people contact us asking if their child too young for piano lessons. The truth is, children can start to learn music from a very young age, as long as the classes are adapted to their level.

Research has shown that very young children recognise and respond to music. When pre-speech children listen to music they have been observed to smile and move in time to it. When the children went out of time they stopped smiling. This shows an intriguing understanding and enjoyment of rhythm and timing.

Even from pre-birth we are aware of our mother's heartbeat and footsteps. People generally find 3/4 rhythms (like a waltz) more difficult to pick up because of this. People tend to put in a phantom fourth beat to represent the other “foot”, so to speak.

Teaching a very young child is about keeping it fun and accessible at their level. There is no point in trying to get a 1-year-old to read music straight away. You need to break up the core elements of music and teach them separately.

Core Elements

Rhythm, pitch and emotional expression

Every child develops at a different speed but in a very young child, there are certain skills needed for music-making that are yet to develop. We would develop these using fun activities and games, which would encourage a fast uptake of music. The lesson would be split up into maybe 6 different activities, all aiming to work on these elements. The majority of it would be non-instrumental.

The activities would enhance areas such as:

• Pattern recognition

• Note recognition (on the piano)

• Pitch awareness

• Rhythm awareness

• Musical expression

Kevin Matthews

www.pianolessonsuk.co.uk

What should I think about when buying a piano in Brighton & the UK

When buying a piano or digital piano there are many elements to consider- What is the difference between a digital piano and an acoustic piano?

Digital piano

A digital piano uses the recorded sounds of a piano and when triggered by the keys, reproduces them. This sends information (midi) to the built-in computer within the keyboard which makes the sound. This is then sent to the speakers (if there are any) or to your speaker system. This midi information can also be sent to an external computer to trigger other sounds (E.g drums, strings; whatever really).

They have all different kinds of sounds and key weights. The heavier the key, the more it will strengthen the muscles. However, it’s important to take into account age and strength when deciding, as the very young (under 5) or old (varies a lot but over 75/80) need a bit of help with their muscles. :0)

Digital pianos normally come separate to a stand, pedal and case. They vary in size but can normally be packed away discreetly.

Price

As you can expect, these elements vary in quality and price with the spectrum being from around £50 to £14,000. You can get a good digital piano for £400 second-hand.

Piano

On a digital piano, the keys can vary from something spring-loaded (basic) to something which imitates the feel of a piano. Piano keys are heavier in touch in the low end and lighter in the high end. There are also a lot of techniques that you can play on a piano that affect the sound produced, sometimes dramatically, sometimes very subtly. Digital pianos, although to most people sound good or great, do not have the range of expression a piano has. The touch can be emulated up to a certain point, but I have yet to feel one that is 100% convincing. Basically, it's not a piano.

When a key is pushed down on a piano it lifts a piece of felt which has been resting on the strings. It also simultaneously triggers a number levers and mechanisms which eventually makes a felt-tipped hammer strike the strings. This makes the famous noise! This echoes around the casing of a piano. When you release the key another piece of felt dampens the vibrations of the keys and stops the noise.

There are thousands of different makes and models of piano. The best thing to do is to literally sit down and play them to find the one you like. It's a personal thing. They come in all shapes and sizes from tiny to gigantic, with light keys to heavy keys.

Price

These elements as you can expect also vary in quality and price. If you’re lucky, you could get a second-hand piano for free, but you could also pay over £300,000 for a top-quality instrument. You can get a good upright piano for £700 second-hand.

Plus sides to buying a digital piano

• Compared to acoustic pianos, digital pianos are generally less expensive when bought brand new. If they’re second hand, the price is probably about the same.

• Most models are smaller and considerably lighter, but there are large ones as well.

• They have no strings and therefore don't need to be tuned.

• Depending on the model they will have a number of other sounds.

• Young beginners (under 5) will find it easier to play on non-weighted keys.

• It is a lot more likely that they will be compatible with a computer via midi or USB. (Useful for recording and other more complicated functions)

• You will be able to practice quietly on all of the models via headphones.

Plus sides to buying a Piano

• The sound quality on most pianos is superior to that of a digital keyboard. This in turn can promote practice and develop an increased enjoyment of the instrument.

• There are techniques that are taught on a piano that doesn't translate to digital pianos.

• Pianos have an aesthetic value that digital pianos don't.

• It's much easier to fall in love with a piano...

If you are buying a piano you need to think about the size and how often you may be moving house. After the initial move it is expensive moving pianos around.

Where can you buy a piano or digital piano?

Brand new

Digital piano without weighted keys

These instruments are probably best suited for someone with a limited budget or of a very young age. These instruments have lighter keys and as such are easier to play for the younger learner. This Yamaha NP11 Piaggero Portable Digital piano is probably the cheapest digital piano you'll find of good quality without weighted keys.

Digital pianos with weighted keys

If you can spend more - say £500 or more - I'd go for a digital piano with weighted keys - Yamaha digital pianos are great. The P-series has a good selection of instruments at different price points.  

Gak is Brighton-based. They will match any price you find online and do a 0% finance deal so you pay small amounts monthly:

Second-hand pianos or digital pianos

You can look for second-hand options which are cheaper (but you won't have the guarantee). You can also pick up free pianos from various sources, but the quality is generally not so good. Try Gumtree, eBay and Friday Ad to get you started.

Second hand and brand new pianos or digital pianos

These guys offer 0% Finance discount too on real pianos as well as digital ones:

Brighton Piano Warehouse

This scheme allows you to pay the cost of your instrument in installments

The piano warehouse does a government-funded loan scheme as well, which is worth checking out. I can't see it on their website but if you give them a call I'm sure they are still doing it.

Brighton Piano Warehouse

Please feel free to get in touch with us with any questions.

All in all, I recommend-

• Young pianists (5 years old) - Yamaha Piagerro NP11 non-weighted keys or light-weighted piano

• Aspiring midi composers & pianists - Separate midi keyboard (£20) & a piano

• People with little room or about to move - Digital piano

• Anything else - A Piano

Go to the piano warehouse in Brighton for all your piano needs to speak to Peter and say Kevin sent you. He's lovely!

Good luck and if you need any further assistance. I'll be happy to help with any decision you want to make.

Kevin