5 Common Pitfalls of Self-Taught Pianists | Piano Lesson

Learning piano by yourself is definitely possible. You can easily learn chords, music theory, how to read sheet music on the internet. But there are some pitfalls to watch out for. In this video I talk about the common mistakes made by self-taught pianists and also provide solutions to solving them. Working with a teacher is still recommended.

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🕘 Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:54 Pitfall 5
4:48 Pitfall 4
7:46 Pitfall 3
10:39 Pitfall 2
12:34 Pitfall 1

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[jazerleepiano]

Which of these pitfalls can you relate to the most? 🤔🤔

[matt_phistopheles]

My #1 tip for self taught musicians: Record yourself while playing (a smartphone will do), stop recording and then forget about it. Listen back to the recording the next day and take notes about how you could improve your playing. It may still be shocking to hear yourself but the day in between helps a lot.

[karynseroussi]

If the piano teacher I had when I was a kid had been teaching like this, I’m sure that I would not have quit. Every word you said made total sense, which is what drives (my) motivation.

[jordanwilshaw]

Just thought I'd mention that in relation to poor counting and rhythm, as someone who has self taught, the reason the beat is inconsistent is lack of confidence and sometimes needing time to think and position my fingers. my advice is just to play the whole piece much slower, even if it sounds weird, until you can confidently change the position of your fingers. :)

[abramswee]

I'm 57 and starting to take up an interest in playing piano.
coming from a poor and neglected family, I never get a chance to do this, and I had been slogging at work for decades. Now with my family and finance more at ease, it is time for me to indulge in music that I had yearned for in the past. Thanks to your channel, I will try to learn on my own as I could not pay for expensive personal piano tuition

[penguinZ]

I’m a piano teacher and whenever I get a young student who has been self taught, I’m almost 100% certain that we are going to need to work on rhythm. I found this video to be informative and well done.

[EpreTroll]

The tempo one is probably my worst. I just forget the metronome when practising with it cus I'm concentrating on the playing. I really need a thick beat or something to keep me in there

[michaelaudet]

I’m 83, took lessons when I was ten for a little more than a year and I’m about to start again with a 61 key keyboard. No teacher yet, but I’m excited.

[criseldadimailig]

I'm turning 40 in 2 days, and relearning piano after 20 years. Had basic training in my 20s, and your videos are giving me motivation to carry on :)

[claireviens]

Hi, i would like to suggest a second basic tip to better practice a piece of music: start practising from the end of the piece and work your way gradually backwards all the way to the beginning. With this method, you play with confidence because you are playing towards the parts that you have practised more, therefore that you play with more ease. This is a method that I have found to be very effective-

[robsmithpianoprogress]

I don’t understand how synthesia is thought to be easier. I tried it once and found it a nightmare having to constantly skip back, try to copy, and memorise. Also it’s not just fingering, people who learn from synthesia usually have very little dynamics in their playing as the tool they are using prioritises playing the right notes at the right time and basically disregards anything else. At that point it becomes guitar hero for piano.

[jahovahjira]

I think the most amazing thing about these videos is that you are FREELY GIVING in hopes of making others better at what they enjoy. How kind is that? Thank you for that giving spirit!

[cavevd]

This entire video was excellent. You do not speak too fast. You are clear in your comments. You don't try to be an actor in a movie. You seem very interested in your viewers' success. You are sincere and you know how to encourage your viewers. Well done. Thank you. 👋

[darylwhittle]

I've been self taught for about 15 years, and while I do agree with some of the pitfalls, there are ways to mitigate them. Such as your point on Synthesia, I've used it and while I freely admit I don't have rapid sight reading ability, I can still get where I need to with sheet music, and practice.

As to fingering, this while slower than a lesson taught pianist, I've learned from observing other pianists, and correcting my own mistakes.

I will say, as to my practice methods, while slow, I continually practice all the same, not because I want to be a master of the piano, but simply because for me practice, and playing is something I do to help with my mental health, as well as giving me something that is mine, and done it by myself.

I've only recently come upon your videos, and I do enjoy your content, but as a self taught pianist, I can say with certainty that while I am nowhere near concert level, that's not my primary goal for learning. I play the piano for the love of the piano, and for the enjoyment it gives me expanding my ability at my own pace.

Good video all the same, but I will say that it feels a little like all you've established is that a piano is a tool for impressing other people, and not something that you can just do for the enjoyment of it. I enjoyed the video though, as it has highlighted some of the things I do do wrong as a self-taught pianist.

[markcoward]

Thanks Jazer. I really like the tip about repeating smaller chunks of music seven times. I'm from a guitar background, and never had sheet music on stage, I would always learn each song through constant repetition. I find it easier to learn pieces on piano rather than sight-read them, and breaking them down like this will really help.

[carolineblack]

I have just subscribed to your channel because of this video! I absolutely love your style of teaching. Your love of the music and the instrument really shine through. You are clear, concise, and thoughtful. Thank you so much for sharing your passion with us all.

[muhammadanuar]

Oh my God, this is what the internet is made for, fantastic teachers like you that not only tell what the problem is but the solution that come as well, thank you for your time and effort of Making this channel, you sir are a God send, hope every success for your channel and keep up the good work!!!

[zeikki]

As a self-taught pianist, I learned to play with consistent tempo by playing while other(s) sing. That helped a lot!

[hoon_sol]

With regards to the final point, in Chuan C. Chang's excellent book _Fundamentals of Piano Practice_ he recommends finishing each such short segment, whether it be a single or several bars, with playing the beginning of the ensuing bar as well, in order to properly connect the short segments you're practicing. I've had a lot of success with this.

[lesleycj]

Jazer I have just bought myself a yamaha digital piano and have never played before. I have also just listened to a few videos, before I found yours, on using chords simply to play pop songs with no mention of fingering or the other areas you pointed out. I am so thankful that I came across your video and you are a wonderful teacher. As a teacher myself, I always tell students to chunk down any exercise that is being taught, so fully agree in your practice ways. I will most definitely be watching and learning from all of your videos. Thank you again for spending your time to help beginner piano students.😀