Reshmi Patel • November 20, 2020
How to Create an Enjoyable Piano Journey using the Goldilocks Rule
At some point in your piano journey you will begin to feel demotivated and bored.
Scenario One: ‘In this song I only play crotchet notes which makes the song too easy’.
Scenario Two: ‘Although there are a mixture of counts in my song, mixing them together will be challenging but manageable.’ – THE GOLDILOCKS ZONE
Scenario Three: ‘In this song there are too many unfamiliar notes, which makes the song too difficult.’
The Goldilocks Rule
The human brain loves a challenge but only if it’s within an optimal zone of difficulty.
When it comes to choosing which piece, you learn try to take it one step at a time and learn piece which are just outside of your comfort zone.
Source: James Clear, Atomic Habits
How to use the Goldilocks Rule in your Piano Journey:
If you are finding your music too easy you can:
1) Ask your teacher for a more challenging piece of music.
2) Explore other genres of music.
3) Test yourself.
If you are finding your music too challenging you can:
1) Ask your teacher for extra support.
2) Break your piece down into small chunks.
3) Listen to your piece of music or the genre that you are learning.
To find out more, feel free to get involved in our latest project “The Habits of the Top Performing Piano Players”, fill out our survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13kfjQbsNwdOeJlnPF6cp5HfOm-o45xubyo9qSJRTrAM/edit. For your chance to win a Nintendo DS Lite or a £50 Amazon Gift Voucher.
One of the most powerful ways to make piano practice feel like playtime rather than a chore is by introducing familiar tunes right from the start. After all, learning to play an instrument is a long journey. Alongside learning the instrument itself, the skills required to reach even an intermediate level are lifelong skills a child will use in the years ahead. When children recognize a song they already love, it instantly sparks joy and curiosity, turning the piano into a source of fun instead of frustration. This connection motivates them to sit down at the keyboard with excitement, eager to recreate those sounds themselves. We believe fun and fundamentals can go hand in hand. Our course includes simplified versions of popular songs designed for little hands, plus space for children to singing along, or even improvising their own endings. This freedom helps develop creativity while still building solid technique. If they enjoy it, they’ll likely love our new course - filled with their kind of music and paced for real learning. Check out our course ‘Five Favourite Songs for Beginner Piano Players’ here For any other piano related questions contact us using our form
For young children starting piano, structure makes all the difference. Without a clear path, learning can feel confusing or worse, boring. That’s why our online course for 5–8-year-olds breaks the process down into simple, manageable steps. From learning letter names and finger positions to playing songs hands-together at different speeds, it’s designed to grow confidence at every stage. One of the biggest keys to keeping young beginners engaged while building a solid piano foundation is balance. From our experience teaching and creating a piano course, we’ve seen firsthand how integrating theory, technique, and creativity in a structured way makes all the difference. Here’s why this balance matters: ● Theory gives students the language of music - understanding notes, rhythms, and scales. Without this, playing can feel like guesswork. But theory alone can be dry, so it’s important to introduce it in small, digestible pieces that connect directly to what they’re playing. ● Technique builds the physical skills - finger mobility, hand coordination, and posture. These fundamentals are essential for playing smoothly and avoiding frustration.. ● Creativity is where the magic happens. Allowing students to experiment, improvise, or play their favorite songs keeps their excitement alive. It’s the spark that transforms practice from a chore into a joyful experience. When these three elements are woven together thoughtfully, students don’t just memorise notes or repeat exercises they understand and feel the music. This approach helps them retain skills longer and progress well because they’re actively engaged, not just passively following instructions. Check out our course ‘Five Favourite Songs for Beginner Piano Players’ here : https://stan.store/reshmipatel_/p/five-favourite-songs-for-beginner-piano-players For any other piano related questions contact us using our form
When children hear a song they recognize, their brains light up with positive emotions, making them more eager to try playing it themselves. This emotional engagement is key because it builds persistence; they want to keep practicing to get better at something they already enjoy. It’s like giving them a musical “head start” that encourages confidence and pride in their progress. From our own experience teaching young pianists, we’ve seen how important it is for kids to feel that “aha” moment when a concept clicks. Whether it’s mastering a simple scale, learning to read notes fluently, or playing their first complete song, these milestones are like little victories. Each success boosts their self-esteem and makes practice feel rewarding instead of frustrating. Here’s why this approach works so well: ● Clear goals create achievable challenges: When skills are introduced in a logical order, children know exactly what to focus on next. This clarity prevents overwhelm and helps them stay motivated. ● Confidence fuels curiosity and risk-taking: As students master easier pieces, they gain the courage to try more complex music, pushing their abilities further. ● Consistent wins build a positive mindset: Celebrating small achievements keeps young learners excited about their progress and eager to continue. We’ve had many students tell me how proud they felt after completing a piece they once thought was “too hard.” One young pianist shared that following a structured course helped her realize she could learn difficult songs, which inspired her to practice daily and even perform in recitals confidently. By guiding children through a well-planned sequence of skills, we’re not just teaching piano we’re helping them develop a lifelong love of learning and the confidence to face new challenges head-on. That’s the true magic of a structured piano course! Check out our course ‘Five Favourite Songs for Beginner Piano Players’ here For any other piano related questions contact us using our form
