How To Teach Yourself Piano

Of all the questions that pop up when we talk about this aspect of the piano, there is a very common one. “Can I really master playing the piano all by myself?”

And the answer is very straightforward, yes you can! This doesn’t mean that we do not agree that the best way to learn is from an instructor. But we also believe that self-learning is not impossible and is very feasible in fact.

The piano is hands down one of the most versatile instruments that you would ever encounter. And what’s more, you can actually start irrespective of your age; teach yourself!

So, if you’re really interested in learning to play, then you should be ready to follow some guidelines.

There are 3 main ways to teach yourself piano:

• Playing by the ear
• Studying up on the theory aspect
• Engaging the services of an instructor

However, the most effective way to teach yourself piano would be to combine some of the steps in these three main ways. Upon combining the steps, you would basically have the “master plan.”

Going through the following steps, you should find yourself playing great in next to no time:

1. [Get a Piano or Keyboard to Use Regularly](#Get a piano or keyboard to use regularly)
2. [Learn the Basics](#Learn the basics)
3. [Identify the Major Keys](#Identify the major keys)
4. [Identify and Master the Most Basic Chords](#Identify and master the most basic chords)
5. [Recognize the Patterns](#Recognize the patterns)
6. [Work on Proper Fingering](#Work on proper fingering)
7. [Learn How to Read Music](#Learn how to read music)
8. [Source for Instructional Media](#Source for instructional media)
9. [Constant Practice](#Constant Practice)
10. [Backup Plan/ Last Resor](#Backup plan/ last resort)

Note that you may be interested in our previous posts of How Many Keys on a Piano,  Best Keyboard Pianos for Beginners, and Best Piano Keyboard for Learning.

Teach Yourself Piano Step 1: Get a Piano

Get a Piano or Keyboard to Use Regularly

If you really want to teach yourself piano, your first move should be to get a piano or keyboard. You don’t exactly need to buy one, you should need to be able to access one at a moment’s notice.

Options to explore include family, your school, friends, your church, these are all suitable options. Also, you can rent one if it comes to that.

However, if you opt for the option to buy if you’ve enough cash, enter the need for a buyer's guide. After drawing up a budget, you should typically end up with either a digital keyboard or an acoustic piano.

An acoustic piano is a real deal. But if you end up going for a keyboard, you should get one that mirrors a piano.

This is mainly in terms of the number of keys (88) and a great acoustic sound. Similarly, some beginner keyboards are equipped with software that is designed to help you learn.

Some come with instructional materials and/or alighting up feature for the keys you press. In the event that you buy an acoustic piano, you should ensure that it is well-tuned before you begin your lessons.

This is to guarantee that the notes would sound like they should.

We've spent lots of time on researching best digital pianos and keyboards on the market. Check our previous posts below for more details.

• 10 Best Piano Keyboards for Beginners in 2020
• Best Digital Piano Under $1000,  Under $500
• Best Piano Keyboards Under $300, Under $200, Under $100
• Digital Piano vs Keyboard: What’s the Difference

Teach Yourself Piano Step 2: Learn the Basics

Learn Basic Knowledge of Piano Keys

Just like you would have if you had a tutor, your introduction to the piano should start with basic knowledge. Now that you are your own instructor, you should start that way too.

Get familiar with the piano keys and the piano in general. Locate the positions of keys such as the middle keys and sharp keys (right black keys).

You should identify other keys such as the sharp keys (right black keys) as well as bass and high tones too.

Identify and locate the Middle C which is about the home base for leNding the piano. You would find it in the middle of the keyboard as the white key that is just by the left of the congregation of two black keys.

Learning the basic keys would involve knowing the naturals and the accidentals. The white keys comprising C- D -E- F- G -A- B are known as naturals while the black keys are referred to as accidentals.

They make a sharp or fake note when pressed and each octave typically comprises five notes which are either flat or sharp.

Also, learning basic musical terms is essential as well.

Teach Yourself Piano Step 3: Identify the Major Keys

Mastering One Key per Week

The best way to learn the piano fast is to follow the same steps that an instructor would typically take you through.

One of the most important is learning major keys. Learning these keys is simplified by using a system of numbering. The system is as follows: 1= middle C, 2=D, 3=E, 4=F, 5=G, 6=A, 7=B, 8= higher C.

This way, you can learn simple songs very easily and speedily too. The most recommended option is to master the major keys first until you ease into playing each deftly.

You can do this by concentrating on mastering one key per week and then committing to memory the notes within that particular major key.

In no time, you’d get good enough to identify the key that various music pieces were written in.

Teach Yourself Piano Step 4: Learn Basic Chords

Identify and Master the Most Basic Chords

The fact that you cannot read music just yet doesn’t mean that you cannot learn some of the most popular chords.

In music, we have major and minor chords. The minor chords use the root key, flat third key and fifth key and the major chords use the root key, third and fifth keys.

The first step would be to learn the 12 major and minor chords. After covering that base, you can continue on to advanced chords like augmented, diminished, sixth chords, seventh and so on.

But since you are only just starting out, your major focus should be the foundational major and minor chords.

Teach Yourself Piano Step 5: Recognize the Patterns

Recognize the Patterns So as to Be Ready for Songs

There are certain patterns in music and you would notice this for yourself when you begin your lessons. For instance, some songs experience repeating chords.

When you recognize these patterns, playing them would become a whole lot easier. By taking note of their patterns, you can learn the baselines and melodies very easily.

Each song actually boasts of a unique pattern and they are sometimes regarded as the music’s vocabulary. In order to understand it, there are certain basics. Rhythms experience patterns, so do tones and there are even patterns in left- hand accompaniment.

When listening to music, do more active and less passive listening. Try to identify patterns if there are any by listening over and over again.

If you detect any, play along on the piano while listening to the song. These patterns are present in just about any piece of music.

Also, if you’re going to deal with sheet music, you would need to learn how to notice patterns.

Teach Yourself Piano Step 6: Work on Proper Fingering

Knowing what positions that your fingers are supposed to be in when playing

Fingering is a vital part of the first things there are to learn about playing the piano. Knowing what positions that your fingers are supposed to be in when playing.

The most effective way to learn this act is to make use of scales. Starting out with the major scales and then going on to master the minor scales. Another effective method is assigning a number to each finger.

You can number your left hand from one through to five starting from your thumb and on to your pinky. Then repeat the same process for your right hand, thumb to pinky as well.

The scale on the right hand would apply the fingering pattern 1-2-3-1-2-3-4-5 and then back to 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1.

To play the second 1 on the way up the scale, ensure that you cross your thumb under your third finger. Also, when coming back down the scale, ensure that your third finger is at the second 3 with your thumb crossed over of course.

When learning to finger, you shouldn’t just jump into it. Perfect fingering with the right hand first before moving on to the left. After you have mastered fingering with both hands, you can then put them together and play scales.

This would make learning finger placements for songs a whole lot easier especially when you begin to include sheet music and songbooks.

Similarly, you can engage in various finger exercises to ensure that your fingers are up to par and in great condition for taking on the piano.

Teach Yourself Piano Step 7: Learn How to Read Music

Learn Names, Notes, Rhythms

The main key to teaching yourself to play the piano is reading music. And the truth is that once you have learned the basics, you can go ahead.

First off, learning the names of the right-hand staff (treble clef) and the names of the left-hand staff (bass clef) is important. Mnemonics such as E-G-B-D-F (Every Good Boy Deserves Food) is a great way to remember placements of notes on the treble clef.

Apart from the notes on the page, there are a number of other things that you need to know when learning to read music.

Reading the rhythm is another important aspect that you need to know. However, you should first of all concentrate on the notes.

Learning rhythms is pretty advanced and you would eventually encounter it. When reading music, all the other foundational steps that you’ve been practicing would come into play.

The various steps do not stand alone, instead, they are cumulative. When you keep on building on this cumulative knowledge, getting the hang of sheet music would be easier.

Since you’re already familiar with the piano, sheet music would make more sense to you than if you had taken up studying it without the piano.

Teach Yourself Piano Step 8: Source for Instructional Media

Find Piano Videos and Books

A great way to speed up your learning process would be to get instructional media like videos or books. These would help in your quest to master the art of reading music as well as playing the piano better.

You can find these materials both online and offline and there is a large reserve online. While some are free, others come with a cost attached to them.

However, they cover necessary bases like time signatures, rests, clefs, counting, notes and a whole lot more.

Teach Yourself Piano Step 9: Constant Practice

Practice As Often As You Can

When you’re learning to play the piano, you might not attain your dream level as fast as you want to. However, just like any other thing that involves learning, practice is essential.

If possible, practice every single day or as often as you can. A great way to start is by practicing your scales. This would aid in identifying keys, mastering fingering and generally easing into playing the instrument.

And you shouldn’t wait too long before starting to learn simple songs.

There are songs that are really easy to play on the piano and you can learn in no time. Don’t stay in your comfort zone and think that you’re not ready to play songs.

You don’t always have to be in front of the piano before practicing. Studying what you have noted as well as sheet music can be done in your spare time.

When you’re freshly starting out on your playing quest, don’t raise your hopes too high. If your expectations are unrealistic, you might be inclined to give up quickly.

Also, if you feel like your progress is too slow, recall that slow progress is better than no progress at all.

You would need to motivate yourself as well. A great way to do this is by playing songs that you like. You could also get a friend or family member to listen to you play at least once a week.

This way, you can literally practice what you learned that week in front of an audience.

Record yourself when learning piano is another way to help yourself stay motivated. Audio or video recording is great.

Teach Yourself Piano Step 10: Backup Plan/ Last Resort

Hiring a Piano Teacher If You Just Don’t See Yourself Progressing

Your back up plan/ last resort should be hiring a piano teacher. If despite multiple trials, you just don’t see yourself progressing, then you might need some professional guidance.

You could either hire someone online for online piano lessons or physically. Having a teacher put you through can help you learn a lot faster than if you were tackling it on your own.

Having a tutor to point out your mistakes and commend good action is a pretty effective backup plan.

Your piano tutor would also help you note the bad habits you may have picked up when self-teaching the piano.

Teachers are also a great source of motivation and would definitely keep you reading to go. A faster pace and broader music horizon are some other perks you would enjoy.

Following these simple steps, you would find yourself becoming the maestro that you want to be in no time.