Reshmi Patel • July 7, 2020
How We Can Support Students Who Learn the Piano
This is for all you beginners out there! There are certain things beginner piano players should practice to see results fast and avoid frustration (and quitting).
When you start learning the piano, it can be really hard to know WHAT you’re supposed to practice, especially if you don’t have a teacher to help you. This article will help guide you through 3 exercises you can start practicing RIGHT NOW to help you get comfortable at the keys and help your fingers connect to your brain.
1. Keyboard Geography
When we first sit at the piano as a beginner it can sometimes be overwhelming. Whether you have a small keyboard or a full-size grand piano you are sitting in front of a load of black and white keys which quite frankly all look the same!
A few ways you can begin to familiarise yourself with the layout of the keyboard is by spotting patterns. For example: notice how the black key come in sets of two followed by a set of three.
Once you’ve done this you can then begin learning the letter names of the white keys. In traditional music we only use the letter names in the alphabet ranging from A – G. After this, we repeat this pattern as supposed to using the rest of the English alphabet.
This can be illustrated in the images below.
2. Try A Variety of Warm Up Exercises
One of our favourite exercises is called ‘Pencil Balance’.
If practiced regularly, this exercise will help you master your hand position when playing the piano.
Typically, when you’re playing the piano you want to keep the wrist and arm flat so that the weight from the shoulders and back can come straight down right through the tips of the fingers. To help keep your wrist in a good position, try to balance a pencil on your hand so that your wrist is in line with your knuckles. The reason we believe this is the perfect exercise for pianists, is because it doesn’t involve too many complications. If your wrist is slightly too high or drops too low, the pencil will not balance. Therefore, it’s easy to spot when your hand position is incorrect.
3. Recap Theory Material
Often, students can forget how important the theory elements are in music.
The reason learning the theory can improve our playing is because this teaches us why and where the music is written in a particular style. Therefore, we can spot patterns quicker when reading, writing and performing the music.
Today, we are fortunate enough to have many online and physical resources which can help boost our music theory knowledge and understanding.
Online Apps we’d recommend:
- Flowkey
- Music Tutor
- ABRSM Theory Works
- Metronome
- Notes Teacher
When it comes to physically learning the material, we’d recommend using posters or flashcards which you can have a flick through regularly to either read and/or test yourself. You can either make these yourself or use the ones we’ve created on our shop page.
Reminder: 'Practice is the repetition of an action with the goal of improvement and it helps us perform with more ease, speed and confidence.' – TED Talk on How to Practice Effectively
If you wish to know more about these warm up exercises and resources, feel free to take a look around our website or connect us directly.
At Key Sounds UK, we believe that music education should be a journey shared between student, teacher, and family. Our tagline "Sharing Music Together" isn't just words, it's the foundation of everything we do. Here's what makes our approach to piano education truly unique in Harrow and North West London. A Proven Track Record of Success With an impressive 97% pass rate with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), we don't just teach piano we ensure success. This exceptional achievement rate speaks volumes about our commitment to each student's individual journey. Whether your goal is to master a beloved piece or excel in formal examinations, our track record demonstrates that we deliver results. Flexibility That Fits Your Life through Multiple Learning Formats We understand that every family has different needs, which is why we offer: One-to-One Private Lessons: Personalised attention tailored to your specific learning style and pace Group Classes: Social learning environments that build confidence and create lasting friendships through music Online Lessons: High-quality instruction from the comfort of your own home Home Visits: We come to you, eliminating travel time and creating a familiar learning environment Both In-Person and Digital Excellence Unlike many music schools that focus solely on traditional face-to-face lessons, we've embraced technology to enhance learning. Our online resources and digital teaching tools mean that learning continues beyond the lesson, giving students access to practice materials and theory resources whenever they need them. Comprehensive Music Education Beyond Just Playing Piano While many piano teachers focus solely on practical skills, Key Sounds UK provides a holistic music education experience: Music Theory Classes: Understanding the 'why' behind the music, not just the 'how' ABRSM Exam Preparation: Structured progression with formal qualifications Performance Opportunities: Building confidence through regular performance experiences Improvisation Skills: Encouraging creativity and musical expression Personalised Goal Setting Every Term What truly sets us apart is our commitment to individual progress. Every term, we work with each student to set achievable, meaningful goals. Whether that's: Preparing for an ABRSM grade examination Learning to play a favourite song Developing sight-reading skills Building confidence for performances We create a roadmap for success that's uniquely yours. Serving Diverse Communities From our base in Harrow, we've grown to serve students across Bushey, Hatch End, and Enfield. This expansion reflects our commitment to bringing quality music education to families throughout North West London. Our growth from 0 to 60+ students in just four years demonstrates the trust families place in our teaching methods. Supporting All Ages and Abilities Whether you're a complete beginner picking up your first piano lesson or an advanced student preparing for university-level examinations, Key Sounds UK has the expertise to guide you. Our inclusive approach means that students of all ages and abilities find their place in our musical community. The Key Sounds Difference At Key Sounds UK, we don't just teach piano – we nurture musicians. Our combination of proven results, flexible learning options, comprehensive music education, and personalised attention creates an environment where musical dreams become reality. When you choose Key Sounds UK, you're not just enrolling in piano lessons; you're joining a community dedicated to sharing music together. If you’d like to find out more contact us using our form: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact
In today’s digital world, children aged 4–8 are naturally drawn to screen-based learning. At Key Sounds UK, our online piano courses offer an ideal introduction to music, building a strong foundation for personalised lessons later on. Why Online Learning Works for Ages 4–8 Tailored to Young Minds Short attention spans? Lessons are fun, 5–10 minute segments. Visual learners? Bright visuals and animations keep them engaged. Need repetition? Unlimited replays, no teacher fatigue. Love games? Interactive tools make learning playful and exciting. Early Musical Skills Development Pitch and rhythm recognition Basic motor skills and hand coordination Learning musical terms and concepts Benefits of Starting Online Comfort & Flexibility Learn from home at a child’s best time Reduces anxiety and boosts confidence Parents can observe and support directly Step-by-Step Progress Gradual introduction of skills Self-paced learning builds confidence Visual and audio feedback supports understanding Course Structure at Key Sounds UK Foundational Skills Simple melodies, note reading, posture Two-hand coordination through stories and games Bridge to Formal Lessons Practice routines, sight-reading, expression Guided learning with real-time feedback Smooth Transition to Personal Lessons Tailored to Each Child Personal assessments to guide the next steps Flexible options: home visits, online lessons, studio or group classes Why This Approach Works For children: Reduces pressure, builds confidence gradually For parents: Clear progress path, opportunity to be involved For musical growth: Strong technical and emotional connection to music A Lifelong Love of Music Our goal isn’t just to teach piano – it’s to instill joy, curiosity, and self-confidence through music. If your child is consistently engaged, asking deeper questions, or ready for new challenges, it might be time for the next step. 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: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact
As parents, we're familiar with supporting our children through their school subjects, but piano lessons operate differently from traditional classroom learning. Understanding these differences can dramatically improve your child's progress and enjoyment of their musical journey. Why Piano Lessons Differ from School Lessons Individual Pace vs. Curriculum Deadlines In school, students must keep pace with a set curriculum, often moving on before fully mastering concepts. Piano lessons at Key Sounds UK work differently: Individual Progress: Each student moves at their own pace, ensuring solid foundations before advancing Mastery-Based Learning: We don't move to the next piece until current skills are secure Flexible Timing: Unlike school terms, musical progress doesn't follow rigid timelines Active vs. Passive Learning School often involves absorbing information, while piano learning is inherently active: Physical Skill Development: Piano requires muscle memory and coordination that develops gradually Creative Expression: Students learn to interpret and express music, not just reproduce it Problem-Solving: Each new piece presents unique challenges to overcome How Key Sounds UK's Approach Supports Family Learning Goal Setting Every Term Unlike the broad curriculum objectives in school, we set specific, achievable goals each term: Collaborative Planning: Parents, students, and teachers work together to set meaningful targets Multiple Learning Pathways We recognise that children learn differently, offering various approaches: Visual Learners: Sheet music, colour-coding, and visual aids Auditory Learners: Playing by ear, rhythm exercises, and listening activities Kinesthetic Learners: Physical movement, touch-based learning, and hands-on activities Practical Ways Parents Can Support Piano Practice Creating the Right Environment Unlike homework, piano practice needs special consideration: Dedicated Space: Set up a consistent practice area free from distractions Scheduled Time: Regular, shorter sessions are more effective than long, infrequent ones Family Respect: Ensure other family members understand and respect practice time Understanding Practice vs. Performance School homework aims for completion; piano practice aims for improvement: Quality Over Quantity: 15 minutes of focused practice beats 30 minutes of distracted playing Mistake-Friendly Zone: Encourage experimentation and learning from errors Progress Recognition: Celebrate small improvements rather than demanding perfection Communication with Your Teacher School reports come termly; piano progress needs ongoing dialogue: Regular Updates: Stay informed about your child's progress and challenges Home Practice Guidance: Understand what to listen for and how to help Goal Alignment: Ensure home support aligns with lesson objectives The Key Sounds UK Family Support System Parent Resources We provide parents with tools to support their child's learning: Progress Tracking: Regular updates on achievements and areas for development Flexible Learning Options Our multiple lesson formats support different family needs: Home Visits: Eliminates travel stress and allows parents to observe lessons Online Lessons: Convenient for busy schedules while maintaining quality instruction Studio Lessons: Traditional setting for focused learning Group Classes: Social learning opportunities that build confidence Term-by-Term Adaptation We adapt our approach based on your child's changing needs: Academic Pressure Periods: Reducing intensity during exam times or busy school periods Growth Spurts: Adjusting expectations during rapid physical development phases Interest Evolution: Incorporating your child's current musical interests and preferences Building Intrinsic Motivation Unlike school subjects where external motivation often suffices, piano learning thrives on internal drive: Choice Integration: Allowing students to choose some of their repertoire Personal Expression: Encouraging individual interpretation of pieces Real-World Application: Connecting lessons to students' musical interests and goals The Long-Term Vision Help your child understand that piano learning is different from school subjects: Lifelong Skill: Piano provides ongoing joy and stress relief throughout life Creative Outlet: Music offers emotional expression that academic subjects may not provide Social Opportunities: Musical skills open doors to performance groups and social connections When Things Get Challenging Recognising Normal Plateaus Piano learning involves natural ups and downs that differ from academic progress: Technical Challenges: Some pieces require weeks or months to master Motivation Dips: Interest naturally fluctuates, and this is completely normal Physical Development: Growing hands and changing coordination affect playing Working with Key Sounds UK Teachers Our experienced teachers understand these challenges: Plateau Navigation: We know how to work through difficult periods Motivation Renewal: Fresh approaches and new repertoire can reignite interest Family Support: We work with parents to maintain encouragement without pressure The Rewards: Why This Approach Works When parents understand and support the unique nature of piano learning, the results are remarkable: Deeper Learning: Students develop genuine musical understanding, not just mechanical playing Increased Confidence: Success in music builds confidence in other areas of life Family Bonding: Shared musical experiences create lasting family memories Stress Relief: Piano becomes a positive outlet for the whole family At Key Sounds UK, we're not just teaching your child to play piano, we're partnering with your family to create a lifelong love of music. By understanding how piano learning differs from school subjects and supporting your child appropriately, you're setting them up for musical success that will last a lifetime. Get in touch to find out more information here: www.keysoundsuk.com/contact
