5 Tips on How to learn a new piece on the piano
5 Tips on How to learn a new piece on the piano
There is something quite exciting about trying to learn a new piece on the piano. From the potential of finally knowing how to play a piece that you love, to the relief of being able to play something new. However, this challenge can easily turn overwhelming and nerve-wracking depending on how you approach it. Here are some tips on how to best start learning a new piece on the piano:
Get to know your piece
Take your time listening to the piece you want to play and learn all about it. From every note in the score to the different ways that other musicians play it. Explore your options and you’ll have a better idea of what kind of interpretation you can try when you’ll play it. This doesn’t have to be only a ‘before’ task and it’s something you can continue doing while you are learning your new piece. No one says that you have to follow a specific interpretation - if you realise that it’s no longer your favourite, you’re allowed to switch and find what works best.
Divide the piece into sections
The biggest mistake that a musician approaching a new piece can do is to try to play it all the way through from the start. To learn how to play it, it’s best that you divide your practice into small sections. This is what helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed and gives some structure to your practice. You can pick whichever length of sections works best for you but try to avoid making them so long that the whole purpose of dividing the score into sections becomes pointless.
Keep it slow
As always, starting slow is the only way to accurately learn how to play a new piece. Speed doesn’t matter when you’re learning, and once you have got enough practice playing every section, you’ll be able to play it faster. If you focus too much on playing it quickly, you’re just at risk of getting used to playing it with mistakes. Try it and you’ll notice that you’ll actually learn how to play the piece accurately faster than if you had tried to play it at its original speed from the start.
Spot the mistakes
It’s always better to take longer to learn a new piece but do it correctly than to rush through it and not address any mistakes. If something doesn't sound right or you notice that you find a specific section harder than others, then give yourself time to work it out until you get better at it.
Keep going!
There are going to be days where your practice feels harder than usual, and days where you'll be wondering if it's not just easier to get back to playing the pieces you know. But don't let this stop you! You are obviously free to take a break and play something different every once in a while. However, remember that a while ago you also didn't know how to play the pieces you now can play so easily. If you did it before, you can do it again!
