December 6, 2024
About the Author: Arwen
Some of the leading factors of people who want to learn piano but do not end up doing so, is due to quite a few piano myths.
Many people tend to bring excuses to the table when you ask them why they did not start with their goal of learning the piano.
Excuses like it is too hard, it becomes boring or even feelings of incompetence thinking that they are too old.
I would like to call some of these excuses piano myths that deter people from starting their piano journey.
Thus this article will debunk popular myths about learning and playing the piano.
Myth 1: “You’re Too Old to Start Learning the Piano”
Many think You need to start at a young age to be good at piano.
While it is true that starting at a young age – between 6 and 9 years old – is ideal, it is not true that it has to be the case for everyone.
You are never too late to learn! Albert Frantz is an example of someone who started at the age of 17, which is considered a ‘too late’ age but is now a world-class pianist having won numerous professional competitions and awards.
Now 17 years might still be considered a young age to you, various other pianists only started learning piano at a later stage of life such as Ann Rabson who did not start playing piano until she was 35!
Rabson is also considered one of the finest barrelhouse blues of her generation, even though she started very late.
Thus, age doesn’t really matter as to when you start learning the piano. The best time we have is now.
This myth is busted!
Myth 2: “You Need Long Fingers to Play the Piano Well”
In simple terms; no.
Here is why: it is not the hand size that matters but the wrist motion and technique that is far more important.
There might be a disadvantage to those with short fingers when it comes to reach, but there are advantages that long fingers do not necessarily have.
Small handed and short fingered pianists experience far greater movement of their hands and wrists.
This makes it possible for more leaping or easier plying of intricate movements in close proximity to one another.
Yet any difficulties can be overcome by practising proper technique, using correct hand posture and repetition.
In the end, anyone who has long fingers is just as capable of playing the piano as people with short fingers.
It is not the size but what you make of the technique.
Myth: busted!
Myth 3: “Digital Pianos Are Inferior to Acoustic Pianos or Vice Versa”
To bust this myth, we first need to look at some of the pros and cons of each of these pianos.
The digital piano is a great choice for pianists who are travelling a lot, or in general needing to move the instrument quite often.
The acoustic piano is a piano you cannot frequently move around. It is also not as compact as a digital piano you can easily pack up.
Acoustic pianos generally produce a better sound than digital pianos.
That warm, resonant and crisp sound because of the vibrations from the strings inside an acoustic piano is hard to beat.
Nevertheless digital pianos can mimic that sound even if it does not sound as exuberant but it can produce all sorts of other sounds as well.
Whereas the acoustic piano is limited to one sound.
So which is better, the acoustic or digital? Even after these comparisons, the answer is neither.
There might be a better one for you, but generally speaking not one piano is not inferior to the other.
I personally prefer an acoustic piano due to the sound quality, but that is based on preference and not ‘it is the better one’.
Whichever piano you can get your hands on and start learning is the best one for you. This myth is busted!
Myth 4: “Only Classical Music Is Suitable for the Piano”
Of course this myth is false, since you can play whatever your heart desires!
Classical music is helpful in developing your technique and skills yet is not a requirement for playing the piano.
There are so many music genres out there to choose from, such as jazz, blues and so forth.
It is not even necessary to follow a specific genre.
Many only use the piano to play chord progressions or modern pop music – which is not a crime.
If you are wanting to take piano seriously, it is suggested to follow some sort of curriculum which is aimed at reaching an end goal.
Since it will be much harder to progress when just playing whatever you feel.
Following a curriculum can also expand your musical knowledge and knowledge on the piano.
When I mean curriculum I mean a credible piano institution that offers a syllabus or course where you get a certificate or some sort of evidence of completion.
ABRSM and Trinity are highly regarded internationally recognised awarding organisations that provide syllabuses for pianists all over the world.
Myth status: busted!
Myth 5: “Piano Is Too Hard to Learn”
It is not, actually.
Sure the more your skills progress the harder it becomes – but that is true for almost everything in life.
Piano is considered one of the easiest instruments to start learning.
A beginner can learn a simple melody and within a few minutes be able to play it.
Another easy thing almost any beginner will be able to play on piano is chords.
The difficulty comes in when both hands start to get involved and play different things.
Need not worry, for with practise you can easily overcome challenges and progress in your piano journey.
In a nutshell, piano is one of the easiest instruments for beginners to learn, but one of the hardest instruments to master.
Do not let the second part of that sentence set you off, though.
Just start learning and with time and practise you will see yourself becoming the master over the instrument.
Myth: busted!
Conclusion
I get it, it is overwhelming to start or even think of starting something new.
But just imagine how much you can progress within the next week, month or even year if you start now!
Now that we have debunked all the classic myths about learning piano, it is time for you to make the decision to start.
Do you know where to start? If not, we got you covered.
Here at London Piano Institute we offer various options of piano lessons whether individual, group or even online from anywhere in the world.
It is flexible for all skill levels and tailored to your needs and wishes. Visit our piano lessons on our website to enrol now!
As we have debunked some of the most popular myths about piano, there really is no excuse to chase after your dreams of becoming a pianist!
