Q. I'd like to use online or software resources. But, I've seen some with focus on finger positioning & chords and some with focus on reading sheet music & drills. My goal is to be able to play both hands by reading sheet music with proper hand position. Any recommendations?
A. I have recently started piano lessons, not on line, and while you need to be able to use the correct figures and read sheet music, I have been told while the drills and the scales can be tedious it definitely improves you and will increase your skills for playing music. So persevere
Should I have soreness in my forearm after playing the piano?
Q. I just started playing the piano 3 days ago and I've been practice for around 2-3 hours a day. I have been trying to learn a piece that requires me to play 5 keys left of middle C with my right hand. The position is slightly awkward for me to reach across my body and play chords. Is it normal for me to experience a soreness on the top of my forearm in my right arm only? Thanks
A. If you're playing for 2-3 hours a day you should really take a break every hour or so and stretch. Especially since you've only recently started playing piano, so your muscles aren't used to the motions. If you find reaching across your body awkward, you can lean with your body on the bench (without physically moving on the bench) to make the reach easier. Piano playing involves more than just the hands, getting the whole body engaged will help loosen you up. If you take piano lessons, ask your teacher for more advice.
Also, you may not want to practice 2-3 hours all in one sitting. Try to do an hour in the morning, hour in the afternoon, and hour in the evening for example. You'll be more focussed and it will give your muscles a chance to relax.
How to play an octave well in the piano?
Q. I'm 25 years old. I've learned piano for a couple of years. I wasn't started it when I was a kid. I tried to play some stretching exercise before. Such as, Hanon No. 19 and 20. But it seems doesn't have any improvements. I really would like to know how can I improve the problems of stretching. Thank you! I really appreciated.
A. Increasing your octave technique will take dedication and patience, especially if you didn't start when you were a kid. I would continue with the Hanon excercises, but make sure that you aren't playing past when it starts hurting, because that's when injury happens!
I would begin by always relaxing any tension in your neck, shoulders, forearms, and wrists before you sit down to practice. (Remember, increasing agility and flexibility WILL take months and months of practice - even music majors who practice constantly are always working on overcoming technique difficulties) I would try slowly relaxing your neck, rolling your shoulders, and just loosely shaking your arms from your shoulders - let gravity release any tension in your arms. If you are trying to warm up or stretch any muscles with tension, you'll just hurt yourself.
Once you are loose, I would work with blocked chords first - try inversions of the major and minor triads (C-E-G, E-G-C, G-C-E) and eventually add the upper root (for example, play blocked C-E-G-C, E-G-C-E, G-C-E-G) so that you are playing an octave, but it's easier on your hands because you are supporting the stretch with your middle fingers. Do everything slowly - there is no need for speed, as that just builds tension and accomplishes nothing.
Another thing that might help is to "drop" into the notes. Hold your wrist above the piano and drop into a blocked 5th - rather than push the keys. If you can naturally drop into that 5th without too much stretching or tension, then try a 6th, 7th, and finally an 8th. Do everything in increments - never push past pain! Talk to your teacher about it too, since he/she can watch your hand position while you play and give you some specific critiques/corrections.
Hope this helps!
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Title : What's the best method for learning piano?
Description : Q. I'd like to use online or software resources. But, I've seen some with focus on finger positioning & chords and some with f...