5 Concepts Piano Beginners Must Understand To Learn Fast

Many times I wish I had a time machine and have a redo of my piano lessons. Now that I am a piano and music teacher, I have come to realise that I have missed out on important aspects in learning the piano. In this video, I shall talk about these items that you should prioritise and use them to improve your piano learning journey.

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🕘 Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:30 Priority Number 1
2:57 Priority Number 2
6:30 Priority Number 3
9:10 Priority Number 4
11:37 Priority Number 5

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[Enesty]

I can't stress the importance of Point 5 enough. I was constantly trying to learn pieces above my level, and that burned me out in the long run. Then I discovered Ludovico Einaudi, and alot of his pieces are quite easy to play and learn. And they are beautiful! So yes, after realizing that I also should "utilize" the progress I've made and just play great music, my motivation for learning harder pieces skyrocketed.

[webx]

The "AAB" method was what my instructors taught me, and it's AMAZING the difference it makes. Focus on playing it right, no matter how slow you need to go, no matter how tedious it feels or if you think "I should be doing better than this". That doesn't matter. Focus on the speed and rhythm later.

Here's why it works: When you play notes together, the neurons for performing that action fire, and stay sensitive for a bit. If you fail, they'll kind of connect together but it won't stick very well.
But if you play it RIGHT, the satisfaction basically shoots through all the neurons that just fired, and it strengthens their connection by a lot. So the next time you try, it feels more natural. It just feels like the next thing to do.

I like to practice this way at night, because it is when you sleep that it then cleans up and solidifies the connections and they stick around long term. The next day might need a bit of warm-up, but often after just one evening, it can feel natural the next day.

[loisn]

0:30 Practice and master chord structure
3:59 Absolute Accuracy Rule - Prioritize practicing correct notes before tempo, dynamics
6:30 Work with metronome
9:10 Practice sight reading
11:37 Set high goals but remember to have fun

[DanBrill]

Point #1 is so important no matter what instrument you're playing. I was a self-taught musician for years, and now at 52 I'm finally taking proper piano lessons in order to learn how to read better and improve my technique. I spent 8 years playing bass in a rock band too. The only way I was able to play without formal instruction is because I understood chords. I see the way my kids were taught music in school, mostly as woodwind players, and I knew they would learn better and faster if they understood chords. So many kids are handed a trumpet or a sax and are never taught about chords because they play single-line instruments. But understanding chords puts everything in context. I only wish I'd known this at 10 years old.

[JackyShaw]

1. Chords are everything.
2. AAR - Absolute Accuracy Rule (slow but accurate)
3. Use Metronome
4. Sight Reading (start small but start)

[Xaforn]

The best example I was given for chords is each note is like a letter or syllable whereas chords are whole words or phrases so they are very important, because when you play correctly you are communicating correctly. Great points!

[k_slyons]

A rule that I’ve set for myself when learning a piece is: if I’ve made a mistake at a specific spot 3 or more times, then I circle, write, markup my music at that spot. But if I continue to mess it up, this means it is in my muscle memory. So I repeat that single section 10-15 or even more times in a row, starting slow then speeding up to full speed. This really helps me flatten out the wrinkles in my pieces so to speak

[christinabronnestam]

The Absolute Accuracy Rule is in fact a version of the best advice I have ever got about piano practice: never try to solve more than one problem at the same time. Which means that you should not bother about even tempo, rhythm etcetera if you still struggle with finding the right keys. So first you must get the fingering right, then you need to get the keys right - let it take as much time as you need.

[justsaynah]

Jaze Lee is the extra teacher I never knew I needed in my piano journey. Thank goodness I have found his channel early on. So much tips and suggestions that have benefited me and helped me to learn faster.

[jazerleepiano]

Here's a handy dandy time stamp list

🕘 Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:30 Priority Number 1
2:57 Priority Number 2
6:30 Priority Number 3
9:10 Priority Number 4
11:37 Priority Number 5

[monakinnel]

I agree with focus on chords. I began on organ (contemporary style of music) at the age of 7 and was taught chords from the very beginning. I am so grateful my teacher focused on chords and their structure. Learning theory and chord structures was a game changer for me. I use the same approach when teaching piano and find my students have much quicker and satisfying results. By understanding basic theory and memorizing a few simple formulas for creating chords, any chord is easily executed. It also helps develop improv much easier. Yup…timing is everything! The metronome, tapping, or counting aloud is a must! It is this area I get the most resistance from my students; however, I try to stress the incredible importance of it to them. I am grateful for my teacher, back in the 60’s, teaching me this method as it has truly shown to be an asset to my musical journeys.

[joelngocnguyen]

Jazer, one year ago when I took up the piano, I looked up Piano tutorials and I came across yours,
Your tips are just simply amazing, I really find slow practice, non-gambling, daily consistent very effective. They're not only for beginners, but intermediate players could also apply this method.
From your Self-taught Beginner's Pitfall video, I got myself a teacher, and he just advised me the same tips you provided. I am now also quicker at sight reading.

Now i'm practicing Chopin Nocturne Eb major, and maybe more difficult pieces in the future, thank you for the first step. You inspired me !

[ThePetBehaviorist]

Hello Jazer Lee! Thank you for this video lesson and making it available to all! I’ve been doing all the mistakes you point out, trying to learn piano with YouTube tutorials that let me avoid the terror of trying to learn to site read sheet music again, like the soul crushing lessons from my middle school years which sent me riding my bicycle home in tears and shame…. Now i see why I’ve stalled in my improvement- thanks to you! Here you are endowing your students and subscribers with the very techniques and helpful methods you were deprived of. Thank you for your work, and your generosity! Play On!

[justarandomkeyboard]

Been playing for 9 years, and I must say, everything the video creator says is true, I was lucky to be taught by my uncle who follows these rules, this video is very informative and I will refer my students to this video in the future.

[johngates]

At 81 !, relearning... after 63 YEARS !!! ...thanks so very much...!!!

[dhviae]

You stated your intention straight out the gate and clearly understand that intention is powerful. Appreciating you more and more.

Perfect practice makes perfect.

[richardb]

Jazer if I had a piano teacher like you many years ago I never would have quit. Now I've come back to the piano. Thanks for the solid guidance.

[stormeu]

5 really great tips. forget the myth about talent and whether you have it or not. becoming a decent/good/great musician is all about hard work, smart learning methods, a music teacher/coach with excellent educational skills, and keeping the journey both fun and exciting.

[carolinab]

You're such an intelligent teacher! I'm 53, and I learnt to play piano when I was 15, but then I left it. Now, I'm back, and I've forgotten almost everything... but one thing I've learnt at Tai Chi lessons is to do everything SLOWLY until perfect... it has to do with your second point. Yesterday I told myself "do it slowly until perfect, timing will come later". And today I found your video saying the same thing. Well, I hope my English is good enough to share this with you. Thanks!!! New subscriber. 💗

[frankcraven]

Always be reaching. Always be climbing. I've been playing over 50 years and I feel like a beginner. I've been in lots of bands, played weddings, played for friends, but I never felt like I was Mr. Piano Man. For me there is always a piece of music I want to learn and master, and the same with genres like jazz, boogie woogie. If you're satisfied with how you play, you're not learning enough. I think most good musicians feel like that. 'I can be better' is always on their mind.