Learning Piano on Your Own: A Comprehensive Guide

The piano, an instrument with a rich history and enduring appeal, remains a cornerstone of musical expression. Whether you're drawn to its versatility, inspired by the virtuosity of renowned pianists, or simply seeking a new creative outlet, learning the piano can be a rewarding journey. While traditional piano lessons offer structured guidance, the rise of online resources and innovative learning tools has made it increasingly accessible to learn piano independently. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to learn piano yourself, covering essential aspects from choosing the right instrument to developing proper technique and maintaining motivation.

Why Learn Piano?

Before embarking on this solo journey, it's essential to reflect on your motivations for learning piano. Understanding your "why" will provide the necessary fuel to overcome challenges and stay committed to your goals. Some common reasons include:

Playing a particular song or genre
Joining a band or ensemble
Improving memory and motor function
Writing your own music
Deepening your connection with music

Whatever your reason, defining your goals will help you create a focused and disciplined learning routine.

Setting the Stage: Choosing Your Instrument

One of the first steps in learning piano is selecting the right instrument. While acoustic pianos offer a traditional feel and rich sound, digital pianos and keyboards provide versatility and affordability. Here's a breakdown to help you choose:

Acoustic Pianos: These instruments offer an authentic playing experience and a wide dynamic range. However, they require regular tuning and can be expensive.
Digital Pianos: Digital pianos mimic the feel of an acoustic piano with weighted keys and offer features like headphone jacks for silent practice and a variety of instrument sounds.
Keyboards: Keyboards are more portable and affordable than digital pianos, making them a good option for beginners. Look for a keyboard with at least 61 keys and touch sensitivity.

When choosing an instrument, it's best to try it out in person to assess the feel of the keys and the sound quality. If purchasing a digital piano or keyboard, ensure it has 88 fully weighted keys, the standard size for a piano, to avoid quickly running out of keys as you progress. Acoustic pianos aren't necessarily better, as today’s digital pianos can closely mimic the feel of an acoustic piano.

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Creating a Learning Routine

Discipline is key to successful self-learning. It involves following a lesson plan and regularly setting goals. The LUMI Music App, for example, recommends 10 minutes of practice per day, setting a realistic target for consistent learning.

Exploring Learning Methods

Today, there are countless ways to learn piano, each with its own advantages:

Private Lessons: Traditional lessons offer personalized instruction and immediate feedback from a qualified teacher.
Online Tutorials: Platforms like YouTube offer a wealth of free piano lessons for beginners.
Piano Learning Apps: Apps like flowkey and Piano Marvel provide interactive lessons, personalized feedback, and gamified learning experiences.
Classical Method: This approach emphasizes technique, sheet music literacy, and learning works from the great composers.
Chord-Based Method: This method focuses on chords as the foundation of music, emphasizing ear training and improvisation.
Gamified Learning: Software that "gamifies" the learning experience, making it excellent for small children and casual learners who want to make music fast.

Consider your budget, learning style, and daily routine when choosing a learning method.

The LUMI Music App is your all-in-one learning platform. Depending on what skills you’re looking to develop on your own, or if you’d like to be guided through courses, we recommend this app for any beginner-intermediate player.

The four notation views are incredible. Explained in depth, these notations break down the barrier to entry of learning sheet music in a way I’ve never seen before. The flexibility of choice is crucial on the "I don’t want to practice" days. If you’re not feeling a formal lesson, I tend to play a game or practice scales with the keys lighting my way. The courses guide you at a nice pace. You won’t be thrown into reading classical sheet music right away, nor will you play with two hands right away. These begin to come up in Stage 3 (of 6). ROLI Studio Player, included with LUMI Keys. While this may work as a writing desk for you later on, it is still incredibly fun to use as you learn. Hear new sounds, mess with effects, and maybe begin to get a sense of what a few knobs and dials do.

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Mastering the Fundamentals

Before diving into complex pieces, it's crucial to master the fundamentals of piano playing:

Posture and Hand Position: Maintain a relaxed and upright posture with your feet flat on the floor. Keep your wrists level and your fingers curved.
The Musical Alphabet: Notes are named after the alphabet (A-B-C-D-E-F-G). Learn to identify notes on the keyboard and their corresponding positions on the staff.
Finger Numbers: Assign numbers to each finger (1-thumb, 2-index, 3-middle, 4-ring, 5-pinky). Use these numbers to indicate finger placement in sheet music.
Scales: Scales are a building block of piano music. The first technique you should learn as a brand new piano player is the five-finger scale. To play this, put your first finger (thumb) on middle C, your second finger (pointer finger/index) on D, and align the rest of your fingers with keys.
Chords: Chords are the foundation to Western music. If you break apart a song, it all boils down to chords.

Reading Sheet Music

While not essential, learning to read sheet music opens up a vast repertoire of music. Start by understanding the basics:

Staff: The five horizontal lines on which notes are written.
Clef: A symbol that indicates the pitch of the notes (e.g., treble clef for higher notes, bass clef for lower notes).
Notes: Symbols that represent the pitch and duration of a sound.
Rhythm: The arrangement of sounds and silences in time.

Supporting Materials

Although the following resources are what I consider supporting materials, they’re still absolutely necessary. You’ll need:

A keyboard guide
flashcards
videos

Continuing with our example of bike riding, the keyboard guide represents your training wheels (though you’ll still use all three resources together in order to get the best results).The keyboard guide is what I use since the very first lesson. It’s extremely useful because once you lay it out on your piano or keyboard, you’ll not only have a visual layout of all the note letters but see how each note is positioned on the grand staff (treble clef and bass clef).This is super-handy when it comes to playing (and reading) sheet music. Flashcards will help you with note reading.Because you’re starting out with basic 5-finger positions, you can limit yourself to those basic notes. When you expand the range of notes you’re able to play, simply add those notes to your flashcard routine.

Developing Technique

Proper technique is essential for efficient and injury-free playing. Here are some key areas to focus on:

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Hand Independence: Practice exercises that require each hand to play different rhythms and melodies.
Finger Exercises: Strengthen your fingers and improve dexterity with exercises like the Hanon exercises.
Scales and Arpeggios: Practice scales and arpeggios in all keys to develop finger coordination and keyboard familiarity.
Dynamics: Experiment with different levels of volume to add expression to your playing.
Rhythm: Develop a strong sense of rhythm by practicing with a metronome and clapping rhythms.

Ear Training

Ear training is an important element for piano. This meaning, your ear can begin to recognize types of chords or how one note differs from another. Participate in daily challenges for free via Keydle, or look into Good Ear, Ear Beater, and Musictheory.net.

The Process

Now for the actual process. The first thing you need to know is your finger numbers. Thankfully, this is the easiest part to learn. Simply count from your thumb (in each hand) starting at one, until you get to your pinky (which is five).

The next, and most tedious step, is to identify each note on the sheet music with the correct finger number. For example, if your right hand is in the traditional 5-finger position, your thumb (#1) will be playing middle C, index finger (#2) on D, middle finger (#3) on E, and so on. Then, write the number above or below every single note.

Now, focus only on playing the correct finger number. Forget about reading notes, forget about playing with rhythm, just focus on this one thing. Once you’ve mastered this step, you can then turn your attention to note reading. At this stage, you’ll want to leave out a number here and there. You’ll know you’re on the right track when you can play the correct note without needing to write a number above it. But be patient, this will take a while. The last step is to play with the correct rhythm. This usually comes after you’ve reached a certain level of mastery with reading notes and playing with finger numbers. If you’re struggling to keep the beat, it’s usually because you still need more experience with finger numbers or note reading.

Keep in mind, the actual order you learn this process it might be different than what I’ve pointed out here. For example, some of my students are naturally better at rhythm, others are better at reading notes. So think about how you learn best. For example, are you a visual learner or are you better at playing by ear?So the sequence might be numbers-notes-rhythm or numbers-rhythm-notes (in my experience, numbers have always come first).

Practice Mindfully

Effective practice is crucial for progress. Here are some tips for mindful practice:

Set Realistic Goals: Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps.
Practice Regularly: Aim for consistent practice sessions, even if they're short.
Focus on Quality: Concentrate on accuracy and musicality rather than speed.
Record Yourself: Listen to your playing to identify areas for improvement.
Take Breaks: Avoid burnout by taking regular breaks during practice sessions.

Staying Motivated

Learning piano can be challenging, so it's important to stay motivated. Here are some tips:

Choose Music You Enjoy: Select pieces that inspire you and align with your musical taste.
Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals: Set a goal like: “I will play Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 16 by February of next year. It is an attainable goal because I can play pieces slightly easier than Piano Sonata No. 16.
Join a Community: Connect with other piano players online or in person to share your experiences and learn from others.
Reward Yourself: Celebrate your progress with small rewards to stay motivated.
Remember Your "Why": Remind yourself of your initial reasons for learning piano to stay focused on your goals.

Finding Community

What is far less possible to replicate in any app is the bond between student and teacher. A few moments came up, when I nailed a certain melody or finger position for the first time in the LUMI App. In these moments, I really yearned for a high five, or a cheer in my ‘eureka’ moment of making progress. A waited-for milestone born from the work of previous days. Basking in growth together with someone I’ve trusted in my growth. This is where community can really bridge the gap, we recommend starting with online forums and community groups.

Overcoming Challenges

Learning piano on your own can present unique challenges:

Developing Bad Habits: Without a teacher, it's easy to develop incorrect technique. Use videos and online resources to monitor your posture and hand position.
Staying Motivated: It can be difficult to stay motivated without the accountability of a teacher. Set realistic goals, track your progress, and join a community for support.
Finding the Right Resources: With so many online resources available, it can be overwhelming to find the right ones. Seek recommendations from other piano players and try out different methods to find what works best for you.

Learning Away from the LUMI Music App

Even if you are using the LUMI App, there will be times when you should practice outside of it. Without going into the steps of which scales you should learn first, what songs are best for beginners, and what to look out for, I’ll instead provide a few key areas which take discipline outside of an app tracking your time and progress.

Mindless playing is one of the most underrated forms of practice. What do we mean by that? When you’re watching TV, relaxing after a long day, or listening to some music, why not move your hands a bit? This tip is quite specific to those who are learning on a transportable keyboard, something that can be left on the couch or in your backpack and impossible to ignore. This is what guitar player often call "noodling around" while kicking back and watching The Office. There’s no pressure to practice any particular thing, just to continue to build the familiarity of your hands and the keys. Some of the best song ideas come this way, if you’re hoping to write music with your instrument!

Videos like this can help with improving hand position and technique without a teacher next to you.

If You’re Coming from Another Instrument

Your learning will differ based on muscle memory and how you think about music. This returns to the comparison to languages - if you speak another dialect, it may take some time to learn a new one, or more likely, blend it with your own. Make it unique and special to you. This is what can happen if you are a player of a different instrument, learning how to play a piano for the first time.

A guitar player recently told me that looking at a piano will always look like "a group of octave blocks." They think of the piano in sets of 12 notes connected together, rather than a continuous instrument. This changes their journey in growing as a pianist. Another musician shared that learning piano from the flute undoubtedly felt less expressive. At first, it actually felt like they were working with limitations, though this improved over time. Other kinds of instrumentalists may look at the piano as an instrument of necessity. It is a tool, a map first rather than an instrument. And if you start to use music software products, you will see how the majority of them really do center around the keyboard roll.

Essential Videos for Learning Piano

Here are 10 essential videos for learning piano that will have you playing better right away! Learning to play the piano doesn’t have to be hard. It’s important to have the correct posture and seating position when you are sitting at the piano. You can quickly pick up bad habits which then become difficult to resolve later on in your piano career, or even cause hand injuries that stop you playing for a while. Hand shape and hand position can dramatically affect the way you play the piano. Having the wrong hand shape and position can cause unnecessary strain on your fingers, hands, arms and shoulders. It can also make the playing much harder for you later on. The correct hand shape should feel natural. It should not be uncomfortable or feel like something is wrong. Have you ever noticed little numbers on top of the notes on your score? The fingering system is usually marked on the score as a guide to make your practice easier. When you first start practicing a piece it is a good idea to start by following the suggested fingering. If at a later stage you decide that the fingering listed doesn’t work for you, then that’s okay! You can start by calling out the names of the fingers as you play the piano key. This might feel a bit odd at first, but it helps you develop your muscle memory faster. For example, you can say “right hand 4th finger” and then play any note on the piano with your right hand 4th finger. By doing this, you are training your brain to remember the fingering. After a while, you should start to recognize the fingers with the correct numbers and you won’t have to call them out to remind yourself anymore. You can’t look at your hands, keys, and the score while you are playing the piano. Developing a good sense of where you are on the keyboard is crucial. Getting to know the layout of the keyboard and the distance between the keys is very important. Knowing the geography of the keyboard allows you to play the piano without having to look down at the keys. To develop a better sense of the notes, start by knowing the position of the black keys and learning the keys around them. Begin by keeping your fingers close together and playing the notes grouped in two (red brackets) using just the left hand. Start at the bottom of the keyboard (lowest notes) and work yourself up to the top. Then come back down. Now use the right hand and play the notes grouped in three (blue brackets) and go up the keyboard from left to right, and then right to left. Once you feel comfortable, you can close your eyes, and repeat the same exercise. There are other exercises you can try in this video to develop a good sense of where you are and move confidently and freely. Playing a piano is like going to the gym - you wouldn’t start lifting heavy dumbbells right at the beginning or run a marathon without some warm up beforehand. Before you begin your practice or performance sit comfortably at the piano and relax. Be conscious of your posture and hand positions - shoulders down and open without tension. Many piano pieces require you to use hands and fingers independently. There will be times when one hand is doing one thing and the other hand is doing something completely different. You can develop hand and finger independence by practicing the 5 finger exercise that Tim mentions in the video below. Start this exercise by playing the first 5 notes of the C major scale (C-D-E-F-G) but play the left hand staccato and right hand legato, then swap them over so that the left is playing legato and right is playing staccato. Calling out the notes as you do this exercise can be beneficial. You don’t necessarily need to be at your piano to practice hand and finger independence. You can practice Tim’s 5 finger exercise on your desk, floor… anywhere you like. Music is full of scales and arpeggios. As well as improving your technique, knowing your scales and arpeggios helps to get your head around the geography of the keyboard. Scales and arpeggios are useful for judging the distances between notes. As an example, look at the C Major scale - C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C. One of the most common difficulties that beginners face when playing scales and arpeggios is turning the finger under the hand. When you are playing the C major scale with your right hand, you play the first group of 3 notes (C-D-E) with your 1st (C with your thumb), 2nd (D with your index) and 3rd (E with your middle) fingers. Then, to play the next group of 4 notes (F-G-A-B), you use the 1st (F with your thumb), 2nd (G with your index), 3rd (A with middle) and 4th (B with ring) fingers. Instead of playing the first 3 notes, then jumping the thumb to play the 4th note with your thumb, you need to bring the thumb under the hand. Try not to ‘push’ under the thumb because it creates tension in your hands. A good way to practice turning is to repeat the transition by only playing the notes E-F-G. You need to do more than just memorize the notes to play with beautiful tone. Playing expressively requires practice of technique as well as a feel for the rhythm and dynamics of the music. One of the exercises that Tim mentions in the video below is the “Bouncing Ball” exercise. This is where you test the different sounds; from loud to soft, to get a feel for what it takes to create different dynamics. You can also try different fingers as well. Experiment with different sounds and tones that you can produce - experimentation is a must! Think about how much pressure you need to apply to one note. Before you start to play or practice a new piece of music you need to look at the first bar of the score. Before you even touch the piano keys, one of the useful exercises to try is to tap out the tempo on the piano lid or desk for both the right hand and left hand parts. If tapping both hands together is difficult, try it separately first then later put both hands together. It doesn’t matter what level you are at, sight reading is one of the most important skills in your arsenal, so keep practicing! As your sight-reading experience increases, it will become far easier and quicker for you to learn new pieces. Always practice at a skill level below your current level - for example, if you are at level 3, you should practice sight reading with level 2 pieces. If you are at level 5, you should use level 4. Always work out the rhythm first, look at the time signature. Look for the repeated rhythmic patterns and practice the difficult rhythms by tapping on the piano lid first before touching the keyboard. The most important thing with sight reading is not to stop.

Intro to Sheet Music

The most important decision you’ll make is deciding what books to purchase and which music to play. In my opinion, you’ll want to take a look at the “Faber Studio Collection.” This is, hands-down, the best material I’ve ever taught from. First, you’ll be playing “real” songs. Unfortunately, many piano teachers still use “method books.” The problem with method books is that it’s like learning to ride a bike by reading and solving equations. What these teachers don’t understand is that you don’t need a bunch of theories to get started. Just hop on the bike. An even better idea is to pick songs you already know. Logically, if you know how the songs go, you’ll have a much easier (and faster) time learning them. Second, you’ll start with basic “5-finger” patterns. This means your hands are in a “fixed” position, so all you need to do is focus on keeping each one of your fingers on the correct, corresponding key. Third, the Faber Studio Collection is progressively difficult. This means the music gets challenging one little step at a time. And because there are so many choices, you can stay at a level long enough until you feel comfortable before moving up. At the same time, you’ll slowly expand the range of notes you can play while improving your overall technique.

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