Things Every Beginner Pianist Falls Prey To

I used to think learning the piano was just about playing all the right notes— boy, was I wrong.

Most pianists cringe a little when they mention they play piano—because without fail, someone will ask them to play Für Elise or River Flows in You.

Even worse, someone might say they “play piano,” but can only manage a few chords or a short tune with questionable form they picked up online.

That said, whether someone can play well or not isn’t the point — what truly matters is that they enjoy it.

Still, it got me thinking: What do people really think about playing the piano? So I ran a little experiment of my own.

I asked a bunch of non-musicians to tell me their impression of the piano, and honestly, some of their answers surprised me.

Almost every single one said things like the piano is an elegant and emotional instrument, it creates luxurious sounds, etc.

But what stood out most was that a few said playing the piano feels outdated — even unimpressive — because “anybody can do it.” Ouch.

But here’s the thing: they’re right. Anybody can play the piano — but not everyone can play it well.

Anyone can paint too. The same goes for painting. You can pick up a brush, but what separates a doodle from a masterpiece is skill and expression.

The same principle applies to piano playing — it’s not just about playing, but how you play.

So, if you are a beginner wanting some tips to avoid common mistakes most make at the start, you are in the right place.

Here are a few mistakes most beginners make when starting their piano journey.

1. Using the Pedal is a Technique in Itself

I see more often than not people playing the piano for fun, keeping their foot grounded on the right pedal — as if the piano will fall over if not held in place!

I can joke about this because I was the number one suspect when it came to using the pedal.

The correct way to use the right pedal is to press down after you play a chord so that it almost ‘captures’ it in a sense.

Keeping your foot down, only after you have played the next chord do you lift your foot up quickly, allowing the previous chord’s sound to fade away, and place it back down again.

Repeat this process for every chord, unless otherwise specified in the music sheet. It allows the music to flow freely without awkward silences.

Playing the pedal with proper technique prevents the notes from blending and smudging, since it has a significant impact on the clarity and sound.

2. There’s a Difference Between Playing and Expressing

My piano teacher always used to tell me, “Don’t just play to get it over with. Play to celebrate it!”.

She used to drive me crazy with her confusing requests and I never quite understood what she said until in my later years of playing piano.

She meant not only did I need to play with emotion and expression, but also mean it.

It is impossible to put it into words the difference between playing just to play and actually playing with emotion.

Suddenly there is depth, love and richness coming from each sound.

Your piano deserves respect in every aspect, treat it as such even through playing!

3. Progress isn’t Linear

As a beginner, you are often told it will always get better.

What if I told you that sometimes it won’t?

The harsh truth is that there definitely will be times where it feels like you are regressing, but these are the moments you learn the most.

Once you get a breakthrough it feels like all the struggles were worth it— and they totally are!

With learning anything new, you need to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.

We live in a world where delayed gratification is treated like a curse. Learning the piano will take time and you will not always see progress.

It can take days, weeks and months to truly see progress.

Yet time is going by anyway, might as well utilize it to the best of your ability and use it to learn the piano.

4. Your Form Has More of an Impact Than You Think

Yes, there is a way to sit, a way to shape your hands and a way to play.

Proper posture is important for overall musicality, comfort and injury prevention. It will enable you to play for longer periods of time and help relieve tension for you to play with smoothness effectively.

Aim for a straight back, sitting towards the end of your seat, with your feet flat on the floor.

Obviously you want to sit in the middle of the piano, but what do you do with your hands that need to stretch to the other side of the piano?

You simply lean towards it with your whole body, trying to keep the same length away from the piano the entire time.

Keep your elbows aligned with the piano and try to maintain a relaxed yet firm posture for your whole body.

It is very important to avoid slouching!

When playing, your hands should be slightly arched as if you are curling your fingers around a make-believe ball — although, not too round.

Also remember to lean in to the keys when playing.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, you can play the piano however you want — but learning solid technique and avoiding beginner pitfalls makes your musical journey smoother and more rewarding.

Some play for fun, others aim to master it — but no matter where you fall on the spectrum, understanding these basics gives you a stronger foundation.

Playing piano isn’t just about pressing keys — it’s about creating something meaningful.

So don’t just play for the sake of it. Play with intention, expression, and maybe even a little pride!