HOw do you prevent your piano skills from being stagnated?

[RockPiano]

recently, have discovered that even how much i try learning other songs, sometimes piano skills just cannot grow.
People say that to improve one's piano skills one has to take classes for that, seriously i feel that's really not true. Trying to find a way of attaining piano skills on my own by hearing various genres of music and picking techniques up. is there any other way?

 

[duskalways]

depends on what kind of piano playing you want. i think, for classical, you would need a good teacher, unless you have reached a certain level, where you are able to practise constructively, eg. alberti bass (simply said, broken chords) if you are trained, you would know how to rectify uneven strengths and tempos.
if you're referring to "pop" piano (we shall include all other genres for easy explanation under "pop"), i suppose listening and watching various music playing helps in your musicality. there is one thing that is always underated, ie. "touch". i believe "touch" is very important. two people can play the same piece, and sound different!
all said, i do think that you need a good foundation to be a good musician. you will probably know where you stand. wish you a happy journey!

 

[DoubleBlade]

Well basically what I personally feel is that you need a teacher to guide you in your piano skills.A teacher should be there to guide you in your playing and also correct your mistakes made.

It is possible to learn theory and read notes doing the self taught method but having a teacher around would make your learning and playing more worthwhile (especially during practicals) instead of just reading directly from the scorebook , techniques for improvisation could be taught to you by your teacher which takes you to a level higher in your piano playing etc

I would seriously like you to consider getting a teacher , although some of us may think otherwise , I strongly believe that it is worth every penny spent....

I have a friend who according to her says that her dad's a self taught Pianist.So I guess it is possible to be a self taught but having a teacher would make sure that you're on the right track in terms of your progress in the piano.

I'm sure you don't wish to spend 2 years painsakenly learning practical/theory stuff on the piano when after that you find out that 50% of the stuff you learn are all wrong and then you go back to square one where you first began.

Remember 10% comes from the teacher , the other 90% comes from constant practice , sweatwork and determination....

Take Care 8)

 

[Cheez]

I would agree with duskalways in saying that it depends on the type of music you are playing.

So what type of music are you playing?

 

[RockPiano]

rock, progressive rock, epic-symphonic rock, classic rock...along these lines of genres...i really wanna get some teacher but it's the cost man....not that cheap, thus i kinda thought of self-teaching as well so yeap

 

[bongman]

you can always learned by ear, if not there are books out there!

my time so difficult to find books, unless you PAY!
only way to learn from tapes, next option go for class.

now just look at Esplanade, so mannny books!
join for a year $22, you get what you want.

your generation are a better one.
mine was the 'beaten' generation?!

 

[RockPiano]

yeah i agree, ok other than getting teachers, browsing and learning through music books....tryin to find a more efficient method in aquiring more skills i guess

 

[Cheez]

Many times, we want to improve our skills so much (especially when we fall into a rut and cannot seem to get out of it - me included), we forgot the one main thing that music is to be - for us to enjoy. Perhaps it's good to take it easy sometimes, forget about how you need to improve - just enjoy playing. Improvement takes time - in the meantime, have a good time playing with what you know.

In your case, getting a teacher indeed may not be necessary.

 

[RockPiano]

thanks! hey yeap, needed that cause i guess i'm pretty tense about the whole thing so much that i'm beginning to forget the love of playing the instrument....really refreshing advice........a timely one too....
thanks for the advice from the rest of you guys as well, if i really feel that i can't make it, yeap definitely i'll take the advice of getting a teacher to mark my imrpovement or visit the esplanade more often and stuff.......

 

[bongman]

just continue to play, you'll improve in time.

 

[HappySoul]

Just play new songs lor. I quit my piano course about 2 months ago, but I still continue to practice. Practice what you want, for me its pop, go on playing the classical pieces and I'll go crazy.

As you try new pieces, sight reading will improve, then your skills and technique would too, scales improve finger strengh. If you are particular about technique, try hanon, it helps. Junior hanon for beginners.