How to practise

Try to practise every day for at least twenty minutes, constant practice makes learning the piano lessons easier. Regular daily practice is far better than playing for several hours once or twice a week. The more often you play, the better you will become, and the more enjoyment you will get out of your music and your piano lessons.

If possible, choose times when you can be on your own for practising. Nothing is worse than others listening while you are learning to play the piano.

Be patient. Make sure you can play each piece smoothly at the right speed before going on to the next tune. However, try to learn something new every week, even if it is just a simple tune.

Start playing everything slowly. When you can play correctly and, evenly, gradually work up to the proper speed. You will never play well if you try to play quickly too soon and learn to soon.

Relax while you are playing. Give your fingers a rest now and then, and stop playing for a while if they become tired or stiff.

Do not be discouraged if your playing & learning the piano does not always seem to be improving very quickly. As long as you practise regularly, learn new things and keep trying to improve, your playing will gradually become better all the time.

Plan your practising and playing the piano to make the best of your time, like this:

1. Flex your fingers to loosen them. Warm your hands if they are cold.
2. Practise playing the 'finger training'. This will help you to gain better control of your fingers. Make sure you play these patterns smoothly and evenly.
3. Practise something new, or something which you do not play well. If part of a tune seems awkward or slows down your playing, practise it separately for a few minutes every day until you can play it smoothly. Then go back and try to play the whole tune smoothly right through.
4. Finally play music you already know. Try to polish your playing by correcting any mistakes, even when you are playing for fun, so you will not get into any bad habits.