To this day, I feel deprived that my parents didn’t sign me up for piano lessons. You see, I have two sisters who are considerably older than I am (ten and 14 years older, respectively). They both learned to play the piano, and my parents had a piano in the house until the time I was six years old. At that point, they sold the piano and, alas, my potential piano lessons went with out the door with the instrument. In retrospect, I imagine they felt as though they’d “been there, done that” with my sisters, and that another round of piano practices and recitals was more than they could bear. Still, to this day, I wish I had learned to play the piano.

Many parents embrace the idea of piano lessons for their children, but wonder when beginner piano lessons are appropriate. Is it when their prodigy-to-be bangs out his first tune on his toy piano? Is it once he’s show an interest in an educational toy or an educational game? Is it once he’s started school?

Experts generally agree that parents should take their child’s lead in deciding when beginner piano lessons are appropriate. If a child shows an interest in her toy piano, that may be an early indicator. A child who sits down at her aunt’s piano and bangs out notes at every opportunity is one who may be ready for piano lessons.

Ultimately, a child’s experience of piano lessons - just like the experience of playing with an educational toy or educational game - should be one that’s enjoyable. He should be old enough to understand that there is a level of commitment necessary in learning to play the piano, and to understand that beginner piano lessons are just that - for beginners. Once he can see that his skills improve with practice, he’s likely to more thoroughly enjoy his piano lessons.

Parents can contribute to their child’s feels of satisfaction about her progress by encouraging her at every opportunity. Applaud her initiative in practicing, attend her recitals, and - if you’ve ever had the urge - consider taking beginner piano lessons with her. Family involvement in her piano lessons will go far in giving her the motivation to continue playing.

If a child does lose interest in piano lessons after a time, though, it doesn’t pay for parents to force their child to continue taking piano lessons. Instead, they should encourage him to continue to enjoy music in its infinite variety.

About the author:

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International , one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Music Website and Majon’s Music directory.

You’ve probably heard it before - the calming, tranquil sounds of New Age piano coming from a gift shop or stereo.

There’s something about music, especially New Age music that slows the heart rate down. Listening to this kind of music has many therapeutic effects, but did you know that you could also reduce stress by learning how to play in this style? It’s true! And the good news is you don’t need years of lessons to begin.

All that is required is knowledge of a few chords and that’s it! I’ve had students tell me that nothing relaxes them more than just sitting at the piano and playing what they feel. They aren’t concerned with being perfect or “playing it right.” They just want to relax, unwind, and forget about their busy day.

The relaxation and sense of well being that comes from playing the piano in the New Age style is profound. Breathing slows down. Focus is sharpened and heightened as well.

Music is a soothing balm and can be very therapeutic and even more so when you actually create it yourself! Reduce stress and feel a sense of peace while you learn how to play chords and make music. It can be done. And it’s very easy to begin.

For instance, in the lesson “Reflections in Water,” (available below) you learn how to create a calm, reflective atmosphere using a few chords and the C Major scale. This is something a complete beginner can do and it won’t take years, months or weeks. You can improvise and create your own music within hours!

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music’s online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!

Copyright 2005 IDE
People that play the piano beautifully fascinate me. It is interesting the different paths some of them take to become good at it. There are so many options now days for children and adults interested in becoming concert pianists, or just become comfortable with this instrument and play it whenever they feel like it, carry a tune for their enjoyment or simply to please others like myself.
Many excellent piano players start their education at a young age, because they are given the opportunity by their parents, relatives or friends. As a result, self-confidence increases, opening doors of inspiration and self-satisfaction to become better at their new enterprise, and with time they find a way to express themselves and are admired by people they never dreamed of.
The Internet, computers, and video games, become excellent mediums to transmit music information to children at an early age. The challenge remains in figuring out which video games should parents buy and keep.
As far as piano learning is concerned, recently I have been shown and become interested in the Piano Wizard video game package from Allegro Multimedia. This piano instruction computer software game provides a fun attention grabber display setting to users. Teaching to play music with game activities on the screen that they can interact using a fun color-coded keyboard. This makes children start enjoying music, without even realizing they are stepping into the piano-playing world. This computer instruction game then teaches music notation while children get more into the game, making the learning curve transparent, pressure free, fun and enjoyable.
The system works with MIDI files that one can download to a computer with the Piano Wizard software already installed; in fact, the company’s main site has links to many sites that have a large amount of MIDI files and information.
I find that the price for the keyboard and Piano Wizard video game package is very affordable for all the features and capabilities included in the software. I really do like the fact that one can easily up-load any type of song in MIDI format into the game software and start playing it along in minutes. I believe your time will be well spent while visiting their piano instruction site and learn about their excellent piano instruction game offerings.
My best wishes to you and your children in this musical and uplifting venture.
About the Author
Ivan Alegre is a Technology Market Analyst. He enjoys listening piano music, and he suggests you visit this fun site www.pianowizard.com and learn about this innovating video game software.