Fingers flying over the keys, the notes swelling into a song, music filling the room—playing the keyboard can be a magical experience. If you’re a rookie and you want to learn more, here are top tips you’ll want to know. With these tips, you can improve your skill at the keyboard.
Look for Pros
Begin with the basics. Look for keyboard lessons online. Learning from a professional will get you started on the right foot.
Get a Keyboard Bench
A bench allows for proper posture. This will ease any pressure on your muscles, reducing the aches and stress on them. Adding cushions to the bench also makes it more comfortable for you to sit. If you plan to practice frequently, these will be essential.
Position Yourself Right
Sit on the front half of the bench. That will allow you freer range of movement. It’s also the proper distance from the keyboard. Before you start practicing, your feet must be flat on the floor. Also, only a small portion of your knees must be under the keyboard. These will all help you play comfortably.
Fix Your Arms
Your arms should hang to your side while your hand forms a c shape. Maintain this cupped shape but keep your hands relaxed. A relaxed playing position will improve the dexterity of your hands and help them move over the keys.
Use the Pads of Your Fingers
Don’t hit the keys with the end of your fingertips. Use the pads of your fingers instead. That will give you the necessary force to hit all those keys and your fingers will also move quicker over the keyboard.
Practice Often
Regular practice will improve your skills. You’ll want to schedule your sessions about three times a week in the least. With consistent practice, you’ll build up your muscle memory and technical knowledge.
Practice Mindfully
Focus on the piece when you’re practicing. Are you hitting all the notes? Or are you rushing through the piece, just wanting to improve your playing speed? Practice with your heart and mind.
Monitor Your Progress
Make sure you record your progress. Note down highlights of your practice or better yet, take a video of yourself playing. If you’re consistent with your practice sessions, you’ll see yourself playing better in those videos.
Know the Note C
It’s difficult but it’s worth learning. It’ll help you improve your skills, so start finding out how to play that central note. Finding all the Cs on the keyboard might be a bit of work but it’ll pay off.
Take Breaks
Practicing a lot is good. But doing it for hours without any breaks in between isn’t. Stand up for a few minutes and walk around. Leave the room and breathe in some fresh air from outside. Breaks help recharge you so you’ll play better when you sit back down.
Be Patient
Greatness takes time. You’ll see some progress but it likely won’t happen right away. If you keep at this, though, you’ll perform better every single time.