Annette Beaumont Ellis

What Types of Piano Are There?

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 10:40:00 +0000

The enjoyment of piano music often leads people to want to learn how to play.

Grand Pianos

Grand pianos are perhaps the most high-end models with exceptional sound quality.

The grand piano has the same shape as the pianoforte, the original type of piano.

Digital Pianos

Digital pianos come in various forms, including digital stage pianos, digital portable pianos, and digital grand pianos.

Digital pianos also tend to have numerous recordings of different sounds attributed to various notes.

Upright Pianos

Upright pianos are more commonly found due to their overall smaller size.

There are numerous types of uprights, including the spinet piano, console piano, and the studio.

Try Them All

If you are working with a Adults have learning advantages over children

Sure, kids are great at picking up languages and facts that are presented to them, but you try and get an uninterested child to learn a musical instrument – it just won’t work!

As adults, we choose what we dedicate our time to, which means we have a vested interest in learning.

So, if anything, you’re going to have an easier time than a child would to put in the hours of practice needed to get good at playing the piano.

Setting realistic goals will help you learn

If you show up to your first lesson hoping to leave playing like Mozart, I have bad news for you…it’s not going to happen.

Setting your expectations too high leads to a loss of self-confidence and a higher probability you give up on yourself without giving yourself a chance.

Instead, go in with realistic, small expectations and every time you meet them, you’ll grow in confidence which will result in a more successful learning journey.

you try to learn than the age you try to learn

Have you tried to learn before but found it too difficult to keep up?

If so, the problem isn’t you, it’s the method you chose to learn by.

Having lessons with a skilled piano teacher in real-time means you’ll receive tailor-made lessons and constructive feedback that will help you improve at your own pace, rather than a generic expectation.

And by having a piano teacher that mentors you through your journey, you’ll find that you become less frustrated with yourself when you inevitably get stuck from time to time.

Learning the piano gives you a relaxing focus away from busy life demands

Let’s be honest here.

So your question shouldn’t be “can I learn to play the piano in my 30s?

The best age to start is today

If you are looking for Finger Numbering

The fingers on your hands each have names: Thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky.

This numbering system is helpful when learning to read music or when trying to remember which fingers to use in an exercise.

Once you’ve mastered that exercise, move on to playing two notes with one hand while holding three notes down with your other hand.

Learn Hand Positioning

One of the biggest concerns for beginner pianists is that they do not place their hands in a position where they can easily play each chord.

You want your wrist straight, with your hand on top of its keys, with fingers touching lightly.

Let me help you with Boost brain development.

One of the best things you can do for your child's brain is to give him or her at an early age.

Improve social development.
An overall improvement in the quality of children's social interactions is one of the most well-known benefits of learning piano.
A sense of discipline and focus.
Learning a new skill, be it a language or a new instrument, requires focus, practice and dedication.
Encourage self-expression and creativity.
It’s no secret that the greatest leaders and minds of the world have a wealth of creativity.
An extremely high-value skill

Piano lessons can be a very valuable skill to have in your child's repertoire.
How to find a good piano teacher

Enquire with us today as we offer The Benefits of Learning Piano

Music is repeatedly cited as an effective form of therapy to help us de-stress and feel happier.

And, it's also an excellent outlet for creativity.

Yet, learning to play the piano can be challenging and a little frustrating without the expertise of a piano tutor.
When a student learns to play the piano, the brain and body build up muscle memory and pattern recognition.

Both of these processes are essential for musicianship.

Developing these skills allows you to focus on other aspects of playing, such as interpretation and expression.

Alternative Options and Drawbacks

Nowadays there are plenty of opportunities to learn to play the piano.

It can take much longer than

Can I Teach Myself To Play The Piano?

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 11:47:00 +0000

Five Reasons Piano Is a Difficult Instrument

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:18:34 +0000

It’s easy to see why piano so often clinches that top spot when it comes to beginners looking for a musical instrument to learn.

You have to master multi-tasking

While learning simple songs like ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ or ‘When The Saints Go Marching In’ require just one hand and therefore might come quickly, mastering more intricate melodies means taking things to a whole new level.

Using your foot

OK, so you’ve got to grips with the idea of playing with both hands – at the same time – now it’s time to bring in your foot.

Reading multiple notes at the same time

As if reading music wasn’t hard enough, playing the piano requires you to read more than one note at the same time.

Reading double clefs

Not only will a pianist need to read multiple notes, but more often than not, they’ll have to read two lines of music at the same time – or in other words, read double clefs – at the same time.

Playing without looking at your hands

So, I’ve highlighted the need to multi-task and read multiple notes but what makes things even harder is having to do this without looking at your hands.

While playing the piano is undoubtedly difficult, things will seem a whole lot easier if you have a professional teacher by your side supporting you.

How Can I Get Better at Playing the Piano?

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 12:31:00 +0000

The one thing that most piano players have in common, whether they’re a total beginner or have been playing for years, they’re always looking for ways to improve.

Practice, practice, practice

It’s no secret that practice is the key to successfully improving piano playing.

Better still, set yourself goals and work towards them.

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

When practising, don’t be afraid to develop the difficulty of the pieces you’re playing.

Take things one step further by entering competitions or trying to achieve grades by taking exams.

Record Yourself

Sometimes, when you’re playing, it’s easy to not pick up on the mistakes you’re making, whether it’s a misplayed cord or the odd wrong note.

Be Kind To Yourself

Look, playing the piano is difficult, and mastering it is a real talent.

Switch To The Right Teacher

Whether you’re a beginner or years into playing, finding a teacher that suits you is vital.

If you live in Chelsea, London, and are looking for a piano teacher then Bespoke To You

With this in mind, my first tip towards finding a good piano teacher would be to ensure their lessons will be each bespoke to you.

Somebody Who Believes In The Arts

Music is more than just a few notes and keys.

The most important thing to look for when looking to find a good piano teacher is if they are passionate about what they do.

Ultimately, you, or your child, will be spending regular time with them, learning from them and listening to them.

Encouragement, Enjoyment and Ambition

A good piano teacher needs to be able to find a balance of encouragement, enjoyment and ambition.

I strive to support my students in developing their talent, alongside enjoying learning how to play.

It’s All About Experience

Let’s be honest; experience is crucial when it comes to finding a good piano teacher.

Every ounce of experience has played a key role in my personal learning journey, helping me understand individual students and make sure they get the best out of each lesson.

Above everything else, you want a teacher who will respect, challenge, and inspire you or your child’s love for playing the piano.

Best Ways To Learn To Play The Piano

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 08:33:08 +0000

So, you’ve decided you want to learn to play the piano.

Be Patient

It’s incredibly easy to want to be able to jump straight into being able to play a complex song right away and get frustrated when you can’t.

Tempting as it is, you really can’t afford to miss out on those first few steps.

It might seem slightly dull at first but start with learning simple songs and master the basic techniques and gradually build on your ability over time.

Accuracy Comes First

Don’t expect to be playing super-fast songs immediately.

Practice, Practice, Practice

As with most hobbies, practice makes perfect when it comes to learning to play the piano.

Schedule regular practice sessions and stick to them.

A top tip from me is to practice the music you enjoy.

Set Yourself Goals And Celebrate Achievements

The best way to keep improving is to set yourself realistic goals for you to work towards.

Find A Good Teacher

Of course, the most important step towards playing the piano is finding a teacher.

A piano teacher is guaranteed to make your piano learning experience so much easier and efficient.

If you’re considering learning the piano, then contact me, Annette Beaumont Ellis.

How Hard Is It To Learn The Piano?

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 08:30:55 +0000

We've all been there: you hear Adele's Someone Like You or Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, and before you know it, your fingertips are tapping away at your imaginary piano, simultaneously in time with those catchy introductions.

As an Starting With A Simple Song

One of the best things about playing the piano is that even the most inexperienced musician can make the sound of a note by simply pressing down a key.

Don't Get Tired Of The Basics

Despite your best intentions, you sadly won't be able to jump straight into a Beethoven classic.

This can be a real turn off for learners, but honestly, it's part of the process and is key to you becoming the best piano player possible.

Using Both Hands

The first real challenge a beginner will face is using both hands to play the piano, especially when it comes to training your non-dominant hand (the one you don't write with) to do work.

Reading Music

There's no denying that reading music can be hard and can be a real turn-off for adults.

While reading notes is the first step, learning to play the notes you're reading comes after, a skill that is arguably more difficult to grasp.

Hard work, along with patience, will help, though.

Ultimately, the main factor that will contribute to how difficult it is to learn the piano is whether you have a good teacher or not.

How to Choose a Piano Teacher

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 20:23:44 +0000

Is your child the next Mozart? If so, perhaps it’s time to arrange for piano lessons to see if there’s some real talent behind those eager little fingers. But piano lessons aren’t just for the youth.

Learning to play the piano can be for anyone, young, old, or in between and who is hoping to master this wonderful instrument.

But how do you find the best piano teacher to reach these goals, and what should you look for? Here are a few ideas to get you on the right road to honing your skills or to introduce your child to the joys of playing the piano.

Where to Start When Searching For a Piano Teacher

Choosing a teacher is one of the most important things when thinking about pursuing a music career or taking it up as a hobby.

Don’t be afraid to ask things like:
• What do I want my child to accomplish by taking lessons? • What teacher qualifications are important for learning music?

Ask Around

Ask other parents of students currently taking piano lessons.

Research

Once you’ve found a potential teacher, ask to see them perform.

Start Interviewing Potential Piano Teachers

Interviewing potential teachers will help you see if the person is a good fit for you/your child.

Consider Asking:
• Experience in teaching? •

Is it difficult for adults to learn the piano?

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 20:15:57 +0000

Have you always wanted to learn to play the piano?

The good news is that it’s never too late.

Benefits of Learning the Piano as an Adult

Adults can absolutely learn to play the piano.

Better Concentration

Adults, generally speaking, have longer attention spans and find it easier to concentrate compared to children.

More Motivation

Adult piano students are often more motivated to practice and more likely to take their lessons seriously, too.

Better Emotional Development

Adults are more emotionally developed and patient than children, too.

Common Obstacles for Adult Piano Students

Of course, adult piano students do face some challenges that younger students typically don’t.

Less Time to Practice

Adults are often more motivated to show up to piano lessons, and they typically want to play as well as possible.

More Self-Criticism

Often, adults have a more developed ear than children.

Over-Developed Hand Muscles

Adults have more developed hand muscles than children, too.

Sign Up for Piano Lessons Today

You might experience some challenges when you first start taking piano lessons as an adult.

Are you looking for adult Practice makes perfect!

One of the greatest and most common difficulties among new pianists is the skill and independence of their hands.

While one hand carries a slow rhythm and tempo, the other will carry a faster or intermediate tempo.

Overall, the time it takes to learn a basic level of skill is a year but there are multi-faceted reasons attached.

What age should you start piano lessons?

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 08:13:36 +0000

A lot of children tend to be drawn to the piano from a very young age.

When is the Best Age to Learn Piano?
The best age for you to learn the piano is between the age of 6 and 9.

Is Your Child Ready to Learn the Piano?
There are a huge number of factors that may determine whether your child is ready to start learning the piano.

Is it Too Late to Begin Learning the Piano?
If you’re thinking about learning the piano yourself then you may wonder, is it too late for me?
The piano is a wonderful instrument, to say the least, it’s harmonious and able to strike a chord with any human emotion.