5 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Starting The Piano 🎹😓 (Beginner Lesson) 

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I just started piano this month...at the age of 62! I started singing 2 years ago and felt like this would help my musicality but it's sooooo much harder than I thought it would be! I walked away from my keyboard in tears this afternoon after struggling with Jingle Bells all day. But I'll be back at it tomorrow for sure.

I was just thinking about how come someone be that friendly and sweet and humble and .. then I saw, oh she's Canadian.

I am 79 years old, and have always wanted to learn to play the piano, however, this, that and the other thing, got in the way. So now, I bought an 88 keyboard, and the time to learn is now! I have never forgotten, learning music notes in primary school music class, and apart from that, have had no other music lessons. I find Lisa’s style of teaching very encouraging and easy to follow along. This is my new senior’s maintenance program.

I started learning piano at age 6. John Thompson, John Schuam, etc. Scales, Hanon, simplified classical. After about 7 years, I still was not playing stuff I wanted to play, at least not in front of my friends. It made playing trumpet easy to learn in school, I could read music, count. There was a piano in our band hall and we used to make lots of noise before class, and one day a drummer played, I think it was Hey Jude, maybe Let it Be, on the piano, and I knew this guy couldn't really read music, but he sounded good, so I watched what he was doing. Chords, I can do that!. When I was taking piano, there were big note easy play versions of popular music, not very satisfying. Then off to college, no piano in the dorm, not studying music. Still occasionally played, accompanied people at church sometimes. Then I bought a piano. An early 1900's used to be player piano freshly redone by a piano tech. Tall upright, long strings. That was a fun piano to play! Later, I moved, went to a bar that had a piano. I asked if it was in tune, the lady said she didn't know, go check it out. They put a tip jar on it and gave me free drinks. Piano was fun again !Later, I got a Radio Shack 61 key keyboard. Still later, some friends and I formed a band. Band broke up after a couple of years, I moved, went back to college. A guy said he played guitar, I said I played keys. He brought his keyboard to school, flipped down his tailgate, I played Desperado. He said join the band at his church. I did. I've been playing at both traditional and contemporary services for 8 years now. Weddings, funerals, fund raisers. I never lost my love for music, piano, but not learning something I actually wanted to play, in front of my friends, stopped me for way too long. So I think learning chords and how they fit together, and learning to listen are critical. But I also believe reading music is very important. There are chords I cannot figure out just by listening. Interesting harmonies that are more complex than the basics. If you can read the notes on a sheet, you don't have to name the chord or figure it out, just play those notes. So, on your list, I got by #1 and #2 before I realized those were things to know. I was a kid, lucky me. #3 was the one that hurt for a long time. #4, Well, I guess I learned that as a kid too. Lucky me. #5 I think would be hard for a beginner. Every keyboard and every piano have differences, some very subtle, more subtle than I can figure out quickly. Advanced piano players listen for very specific things and feel the actions and notice how certain passages flow better when they play one piano as compared to another. As a beginner, I wouldn't worry about that too much. Get something you can afford, play that. You'll develop your preferences as you grow as a pianist and musician. Wow, this post is very long. Sorry for putting way more than my two cents in. Although not a beginner, but one who has lots to learn, I really appreciate your videos.For all of you learning, struggling to learn, and frustrated, be patient, work a lot, learn something you want to play! Practice, play, and practice playing...

Learning as an adult my great teacher said 2 things: play only 5 or 10 minutes at a time instead of getting frustrated with struggling through 30 min. You can do that short time several times a day, The second thing was to always finish your practice with something you know well. After the hard work, reward yourself and recognize the progress.

I just bought a piano. Dont know anything. I just started watching you. I'm so impressed and excited. I like yr style of teaching. Thank you so much. Gary G. NC

This way she talks makes me feel like I’m ready to start waking up early, working out, and follow my dreams. ....until the video ends and i come back to my lame life 👍

Her enthusiasm is so contagious. Feels like you love teaching as much as you like playing.

Being someone who is 25 and has always wanted to play, this video is really comforting to watch and makes me feel like I can start even before I get a piano! thanks so much! looking forward to my piano journey!

I absolutely love the way you communicate. Your passion towards music shows every sentences you utter out loud. I am so happy that you are Canadian.. you are a wonderful asset to this world! Thank you for encouraging me not to be afraid of 'Piano lessons' anymore! I am picking it up once again after a few decades thanks to you..

To all beginners out there(including myself) the only thing u should not miss while starting ur journey as a pianist is to be a member of the Pianote community n learn all sorts of things from Miss Lisa.

I relate so much when Kristie does the C scale with both hands 😂 hahaha, familiar territory 😂 Thank you so much, Pianote 🎉😘

I learned at 16 yrs old, I was playing drums in my dad‘s band and when I was in the pubs I hear the guy playing the piano and just loved it, I studied for three years in Dublin Ireland and now I play piano at peoples weddings.. greetings from freezing cold Ireland!! -6 tonight here!!!! Awh

the importance of a good use of the metronome while practicing is something i wish i'd known at the very beginning, it gave a big boost to my skills! thanks for your advices and greetings from Italy!

You are the coolest piano teacher in the world!! You get me motivated again when I get frustrated! Thank you!!!

I'm a piano teacher, and that's something I learned quickly - it's so important for students to play songs they enjoy! I was mentored by someone much older than me, and some of what they taught me was priceless, but also music changes and we have to meet people where they're at!

This is great. Thank you. It makes logical sense. I took lessons as a child and my teacher was very stern and she poked my fingers with a pencil. I never played again. Now, I'm a senior citizen and I'm trying to prove to myself that I CAN do it. Your videos are helping me.

Some of my most imporant lessons: - Focus on what you're struggling with instead of focusing on what you already can do. - Analyze a piece before playing. Look for patterns and break it up in sections. - AVOID always playing from the beginning. This goes back to my first point. - Mix it up! Technique, pieces, theory, rhythm, listening, improvising. - Set clear (attainable) goals for short term.

I am 64, I have loved the piano since I was born! Didn't have the opportunity to take lessons as a kid, but we had a piano so I taught myself to read music. I was so depressingly note-bound. When I was in my 40s I had the opportunity to take lessons from a wonderful teacher for about a year. He pushed me to classical pieces that I love, but since I had already learned everything the wrong way (I had no idea what the fingering numbers were!) I only learned pieces and not how to sight read, or play anything beautifully or accurately. I haven't found a good teacher since then. I have always wanted to be good at piano, but I never had a teacher like you! You are wonderful, brilliant, and so talented. Thank you for opening up a new point of view with your online lessons.

Lots of good piano related channels on RU-vid but Pianote is my fave for having such a lovely person in front of the camera

Thank you for explaining it so clearly! Cheers for all of the beginners who are struggling to learn piano! We can do it! Keep practicing!

Started practicing saying piano alphabet backwards then picked a different note to start from. It is taking some practice. Thanks for singing. That is always refreshing to hear.

I so wish I would have had someone like you 50 years ago. But, here you are now and I'm enjoying myself and my piano is happy to have me back!

Joy, humility, skill, determination- thank you for modelling these x

Chord charts are actually the first thing I learned how to play because I was just playing by ear and then my Dad taught me how to build chords (4-3 for Major and 3-4 for minor) and then gave me a broadway fakebook (which has the chord charts in it) and the first song I really properly learned how to play was Part of Your World. :)

Hello , I have been a pensioner for a month and have decided to take up the piano. So, I bought myself a piano and searched the internet for videos and found you !!!! for (1 month) I play, Bohemian rhapsody and Ed sherran, thank you however, I am French-speaking and I speak very little English !!!!!

I am so grateful for these videos. I am a single parent and my situation sort of forced me out of work to stay home. Without any formal training, I used to walk up to the piano (the only instrument in our home) as a child and play "Stand By Me" & a few others by ear without knowing a thing about what notes I was playing, much less reading music. I've always loved the piano. Your lessons have made piano fun for me, again. Though my mind has an embarrassing inability to read music, seeing and hearing what you're doing is what I needed. You're awesome!

I just started learning Piano. I found the learning of Piano much easier as Tar that I am learning since Years. Thanks for Tips!

Proving a point was one of the reasons I started learning to play the piano a couple of months ago :-). As a teacher of English, I've noticed that speaking a foreign language has a lot in common with playing a musical instrument: both largely rely on automatic skills, i.e. doing things without thinking much about how you're doing them. While speaking, you don't think "Okay, the next word in this sentence has to be a noun preceded by an article..." Likewise, while playing music, you don't tell yourself "Well, hold that G with your ring finger, then play F and D for half a second each". Both speech and music should be produced naturally, which is achieved through a lot of practice, doing the same things over and over again until you can do them without your conscious mind really getting involved. Some adult students become discouraged too soon because they believe that automatic skills can only be acquired in childhood, "while the brain is still fresh and trainable". I decided to test that theory on myself. If I, aged 41, can learn to produce something that resembles music, then learning English in adulthood can't be impossible. As long as you get regular practice.

I love that you can clearly tell that she is having a good time also. That's awesome, very efficient and inspiring.

Will be starting to learn the piano this week! Just had my piano delivered this morning! I'm 65, with a little 2 finger organ playing in my background, and I've been play the guitar for many years (low intermediate level). But have wanted to learn the piano for decades! I going to start here with Flowkey to supplement, might as well use my 3 month free membership that came with my Yamaha purchase!

I’ve been playing off and on for over fifty years, and what you said about trying to chord songs you know was something I’ve never tried. I really have the confidence to play now. I can do more than Hanon and scales ( those are also important), but loving what you’re doing is so important too.

I am a doc from India.Lisa ur way of explaining tough things simple trying put me regularly on keyboard interestingly...I WOULD APPRECIATE THE WORK OF WHOLE PIANOTE TEAM keep energizing and spreading all level info's and learning about music...Feels gr8 to be ur subscriber..

hi and thank you for your videos... i am from UK and 62yrs old. i made the decision last week to learn piano.. came across your stuff and just love the style....you make learning fun.. making good progress....well i think i am .!😎

You, my dear, are a phenomenal teacher. Your passion, talent and empathy are magnetic. I’m so glad I went down this RU-vid rabbit hole and found you. Just started playing piano TODAY. Looking forward to more of your content!

To me, the most important takeaway from this video is the difference between practicing and playing. Thanks very much for the lesson!

I'm a beginner who has always wanted to learn how to play the piano, I watched a few of your videos so far and they've been super helpful!! thank you! i'll be continuing learning from your videos!

This lady is the best 'teacher' I've ever come across - by far. I wish I'd known this fundamental stuff a LONG time ago - I would have been soooo much further forward by now. Thank goodness for this lady and RU-vid!

Fabulous tips, especially the difference between playing and practicing, going to do that from now on. Thank you so much! 🙏🏻🎹

I can't believe you're providing this information for free.

Thanks so much Lisa❗️I’m using so many of your techniques for my students but your EXPLANATIONS really help me explain things in a new light to them....and me too ❗️😊🎵🎶🎼

I'm 69 and just starting to learn to play, using my new Roland FP 10. The hand-brain disconnect is right where I'm at! So this was very helpful. hank you!

An enthusiastic lesson as always, thank you Lisa - you guys are helping me with my journey back to my keyboard after a 30 year break. I’m determined to learn to play over the winter in this terrible period in all our lives - once again thank you.

I really like your videos and your enthusiasm while teaching music. Thank you for the channel, I love it.

Okay, I just gotta say, thank you! I am loving the video so far and when you showed chords for, "I'm Yours", I just felt like I am right where I need to be in this moment. I've subscribed and am looking forward to learning much more from you.💛

If I had had a teacher like you decades ago I would have never stopped playing. I’m not stopping this time! Really enjoy your videos so much!

50 year old guitar player and songwriter trying to ex[and into keyboard/piano, and I really love the simplicity mixed with enthusiasm that you have in your videos. Thanks!

I just started learning to play the keyboard and my hands aren't listening to my brain. Greetings from Wrocław (Poland)

Wow Lisa, what great info, especially on how to practice. I’ve had that question since I started a year ago, but thought I might sound ridiculous asking that. Thank you so much.

Started learning the piano a few weeks ago. It’s a lifelong dream to learn! Thank you Lisa for this opportunity!

It always makes me happy to see a new video from Lisa. 🥰

As someone who just spent 2 months learning the solo from "everglow" by Coldplay, I can confirm step 4

I could just sit here and listen to you play and sing… Beautiful voice. Thank you for this tip sheet.

im 17 years old and this channel has helped me tremendously in my 54 years of living and i feel alive! i couldn’t even figure out how to drive stick before but now im benching 405 after only 2 days!

Love your delivery! I caught myself watching 5th video in a row, not blinking and keeping smiling back at you, while you explained things on a video in such an enthusiastic manner :) I am preparing to purchase a piano and I was looking for someone like you to encourage me to start my lessons, and I am glad I found your channel. Thank you for your work and keep doing what you doing!

Friends have a keyboard stashed at their house taking up space and unused. They asked if I can keep it for them until they find use for it. I have agreed and made space in my office. So hey my learning to play journey starts tomorrow. Wish me luck. No clue what to expect. 🌴

This made me smile. My son has learned to play "fast car" perfectly on the guitar. He can sing it too. But not both at the same time. I taught him to play it and I had the same problem. It took me months of practice to be able to do both at the same time. I have a friend who can juggle and she suggested that musicians learn to juggle. It apparently trains your limbs to work Independantly and that is what physically connects the brain synapses.

Thanks for the hints! They are very valuable!

I just love how you teach piano, so much fun.

The content was so enjoyable and full of learnings thank you for give me a glimer of hope because I almost stop playing and practicing piano because I said that I think that its hard for me to learn but I get some new ideas here that I can apply for me while playing a piano so from now on I have more confident for playing

Thank you for this.. I'm in my 30s and learning to play the piano now, and yes the 1st point of your hand & brain not coordinating seems so real 🥵.. But thank you for keeping this so real. Your videos really help out a lot to learn better.. A BIG THANK YOU!! 🙏🏽💕

Thank you sooooo much for this video (and many others)! You really know how to motivate! I've wanted to play the piano ever since I was a kid but my dad wouldn't have it. Had to learn the recorder instead! After nine years playing classical music I didn't really like, I was so fed up with it that I dropped out. Within 3 months I had forgotten even how to read notes!!! Now I'm (nearly) 60 and thought: that's it! Nobody tells you what to do anymore so get up, get yourself a keyboard and start!!! It's a tough journey but so far I'm really liking it. Watching this video I recognize a lot of things but with your videos I'm getting there!!! Thank you so much for all your work and above all the positive energy you know how to transmit even through a video!!

I want a piano teacher like her. 💕 So sweet, friendly and makes things look soo easy!

Your videos have me sooooooo excited to get my first keyboard, which I just ordered. I really want to learn Run for the Roses and maybe some John Denver. Thanks for the inspiration and I’ll be following all your lessons

Obrigado pelo vídeo. Já tem um tempo que comecei a treinar, mas desmotivei pela dificuldade que é aprender esse belíssimo instrumento. Mas seu vídeo me motivou.

Thank you for being so honest about the realities of the learning process and showing compassion towards new learners. This truly is of great comfort and encouragement to me and i can imagine to many others also. Some people master certain talents and boast about their greatness, not sharing any of the difficulties or realities of learning they went through. It can make others feel incompetent and useless, especially if they’ve been bullied in the past about failures or set backs. Thanks again for sharing. God bless you

Dancing in the dark. You sound fantastic.

This is so true! I've had my piano 6 days now and spent a good few hours learning the first half of moonlight sonata and can play it with relative confidence (once learnt I play it over and over again). Now I'm learning the second half and it's hard work but it will fall into place eventually and I'm looking forward to playing it as one whole piece. Having fun while I'm learning and allow myself to explore and play around with chords and making little melodies. Next I want to learn 'lick my love pump' from spinal tap 😂 as it's such a beautiful arrangement of chords. Love your channel and learning from you all the time, thankyou.

Great tips, I wish I knew these tips when I was starting learning piano when I was 7 years old.. I was pretty hard on myself from the start (and so were my teachers), and honestly hated the experience. I’m so happy to have you and Sam as my piano instructors now - you guys are fantastic and motivate me to practice every day!

I feel like I hit the jackpot by finding this channel!! THANK YOU!! I used to play about 10 years ago and then life did its thing and now here I am learning to play again! Your videos are THE BEST !!! Can’t thank you enough!!!

Such an amazing woman 💓 I always love what she puts out there for us as piona lessons and her motivation 🎉

Thanks for all your tips Lisa...I took my grade 5 last month and passed...now cracking on with grade 6...I'm in my 50s and hoping to achieve grade 8 before I snuff it :-)

#4 was always my struggle when I started learning. If I can add one more, it will be to transcribe as much as you can! Especially when learning Jazz vocabulary.

I'm now 38 and always w anted to play music but was never supported as a child but our 8yr old really wants to do keyboard lessons at his school so Santa got him a keyboard and I've been having a go when no one's around. I love Pianote and Lisa's enthusiasm for teaching in a fun way! This is a great channel and it's made learning so much more enjoyable than I thought it was going to be. Thanks! :)

I absolutely love your videos!! Thank you!!!

Ive got about 80hours under my belt. Ive played guitar for about 10years so musically i know what i need to hear but my fingers dont catch up. Its a trip but its constant walking away and returning. This video was very encouraging on every point

The absolute main thing I wished I'd learned when I was a kid taking piano lessons was how to play chords in all the keys. While there was nothing wrong with playing the classical music I was assigned, I wanted to play the pop songs I heard on the radio. I'm in my 60s now and I feel like a major door has opened up to me by learning them. Thank you, Pianonote!

Thank you! I’ve tried to slow it down and yes, learned even faster! :)

You may be the most energetic teacher ever. Man with teachers like you, anyone can learn anything, I'm not even talking about your skills which are perfect too.. Definitely following you from now on. Thanks !

I just bought a keyboard 2 days ago and loving it ever since. This video gives me lots of motivation and courage to practice and master the piano. And yeah it is soooooo hard to synchronise our both hands in the beginning!! 😭😭😭😭 hopefully in the next 2 weeks or so i could use them bothhhhhh freelyyy

Here's a little more info about learning new skills and the brain, after 25 you stop creating synapses on its own. It can still be done, but you almost have to force it. Kids can get the hang of alot because they're constantly creating new synapses (brain pathways) but us older people, have to make our own because our brains are telling us we're fully developed so it used the energy for something else in your body and mind.

These videos are amazing . I've tried others and they were informative but eventually became boring . You add so much excitement into your videos they just make me smile . Like at the end , sitting cross legged on your piano bench . It shows your not acting this is the real you . Your lessons are great , for beginners and beyond . Look forward to watching more and learning more . Also proud to know your Canadian .

I just turned 50 and got over severe illness although still not 100% and so needed to do something with my life after a few hard years! I found a piano tutor near to me and decided to go for it. Partner surprised me after only my first lesson this morning. He bought me a Roland digital piano. It’s full size keys and he also bought me a few books. I have always wanted to play piano since I learnt recorder, flute and clarinet in school and my best friend could play piano and I was sooooo jealous. Now is my turn! I can’t wait to be able to play properly! XxX love your channel!

I have my first lesson on Sunday morning, perfect timing! :)

@1st yr of Piano: me>Beginner @2nd yr of Piano: me>Beginner @3rd yr of Piano: me>Beginner @4th yr of Piano: me>Beginner @5th yr of Piano: me still a Beginner 😆

Thank you for this video! It’s helped me a lot as I begin this journey !

These are such great tips! I loved how you changed the setting with each point you discussed! I found it much easier to retain thank you😊

thanks for the advice. I just started playing like 4 months ago and some of these were tuff. Wish I knew what to look for when buying a piano. I struggle with reading notes on sheet music.

Get familiar with the piano, play with all the keys, if it sounds ugly keep playing around and make music, develop your by ear skills. I used to lower the volume of the piano and pretend to be pianist and play with all the keys. Have fun, play soft, play hard, play fast play slow, etc, make music🤗🎹❤️

That part of 'Practicing' is true. i have been playing the piano since the age of 11 and i never took the time to practice well. I always wanted to 'Play'. Today as one would expect I am a lousy piano player. making a lot of mistakes while I play! :-) So it's a sound advice to 'Practice!".

I find myself going to this channel because there are always new little subtle things to learn, however I took a more unorthodox approach to learning and overcoming obstacles. Playing simple songs and jingles never appealed to me as a child which is why i quit piano lessons after a month. I wanted to play songs that turned heads and show dexterity. I wanted to play like Elton John and Bruce Hornsby. As a kid, i always enjoyed the way my church music director played so I sat and watched him play so quickly an in awe that I recorded him playing and studied those videos. Huge learning curve. Advice #1 - find a mentor that has the ability to play your style of music. Though will be a challenge, everything played below that would be cake work since you tackled something so hard and complex. The idea here is if you learn simple - you play basic, you play difficult- you play to impress. As an Adult and years taken off from playing I decided to put it to the test again and learn a new style that triggered my urge to play. The style is Blues/Boogie Woogie. Perhaps the hardest I’ve ever had to learn. This falls into step 3 on this video on coordination of the brain separating the left and right hand. Let me tell you it was the hardest 4 weeks I’ve ever had to endure teaching myself just to play this style. Advice 2: Commit. Find something that inspires you, not motivate because motivation doesn’t last, but what are you hungry for? That’s what helps you commit and overcome blocks. Before I knew it I was gathering an audience and having everyone dancing. Hope there was some value in this post for those that don’t want to waste or is limited on time because, yes, it is possible to run before crawling.

Thanks for a very wonderful lesson. Everything that you mentioned is absolutely correct. Those were the problem areas that I had difficulty with when I started piano. The really wonderful thing however is this... " you never really stop learning new things. " As we learn we grow and as we grow we learn !!! It's an endless cycle that never stops. Again, Thank YOU !!! 😁😁😁

But I'd be happier if the cushions on the sofa would have smaller blacks and longer whites. Never mind!

Exactly! Big thank you!!!!

Thank you for this! As a beginner this resonates and helps me a lot.

Out of curiosity, at what age did you start playing the piano?

First comment....love you pianote

You have a great teaching personality. The importance of practice is huge. Deliberate and methodical. You (and your listeners) will thank you.

This was so helpful! Thank you!!