Everything Piano | Piano Sheet Music

Have you ever heard a really great song, rushed to purchase or download the sheet music for it, sat yourself down in front of your piano, looked at the sheets, and wondered where you should even start? I’ve probably done this over a hundred times. Here’s a list of steps in chronological order that you should consider when beginning a new piece to play. Not only will you be able to learn and understand the piece in faster time, but you will also be able to comprehend the intent and nuances of the piece faster and more clearly.

Step 1:

Take a look at the entire piece to determine its structure and length. Basically, a quick run-through over the entire composition will help you achieve an initial feel and impression from a first glance.

Step 2:

Take a second look at the piece. This time, go over it more slowly. You should be looking for anything that seems unfamiliar to you, such as awkward or unknown notes, chords, articulations, or tempo indications. Make a note of these things or mark them using a highlighter on your sheets. You can easily look these elements up in the Internet, or use a music dictionary to distinguish their meaning and use.

Step 3:

Look at the time signature of the piece and make sure you are familiar with it. If you are not, it would be a good idea to do some research on the specific time signature, since it is often a primary indication of the type of song.

Step 4:

Identify the key signature of the piece and determine whether you are familiar with it or not. If it’s new to you, consider learning the key’s scales with its corresponding sharps or flats for a better understanding of the piece.

Step 5:

Search for any key changes throughout the piece. Take a mental note of how many times the key signature changes throughout the piece. By knowing the key changes ahead of time, you’ll be more prepared and playing the piece may seem that much easier.

Step 6:

Do you notice any changes in tempo? Highlight them and get familiar with the tempo changes ahead of time. This will allow you to change or glide from one section to another section more easily.

Step 7:

Search for common passages. Is there a phrase or motif that repeats itself somewhere further along in the piece? Perhaps there is a variation of a general motif somewhere else. Look for trends like this. If you familiarize yourself with the basic motif, the variations will become easier to practice and play.

Step 8:

Break the piece up into section. Highlight any difficult sections that you think will require more practice time.

Step 9:

Write out the notes in specific sections that you find it difficult to read on the sheets. You should do whatever makes the piece easier to for you to read. Your own markings on the sheet music will help.

Step 10:

Try playing the piece through once the best you can. Try not to stop, even if you have trouble in some certain sections. Finishing the piece after your first try will give you a visual canvas of the piece.

Step 11:

Play through the piece a second time. Stop where you are having trouble and make any additional markings needed in these areas.

Step 12:

Finally, concentrate on the difficult areas. Look them over again so you have a really good understanding of their structures. This will set the structures in your mind so you can focus on hand-eye coordination when playing. When your eyes are familiar with it, your hands can then work to achieve the movement needed to play the section.

Elise’s Musical Tip For The Day:

Starting a new piece can sometimes feel overwhelming when you realize how many different things you need to keep in mind and focus on practicing. Breaking the piece down into the several components addressed above will make it easier for you. Just concentrate on the individual components, and when you put them all together, the result will be beautiful and satisfying music.

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