Playing the piano can be a rewarding and enriching experience for children and adults alike. However, your ability to improve your skills and do well in piano lessons will largely be dependent upon your playing technique and habits. Understanding what mistakes to avoid in your early stages will help you achieve the ability you desire.

What Are Some Common Mistakes Piano Students Make?

1. Not Setting a Consistent Practice Routine

You might have productive piano lessons. However, practicing on your own is just as important for improving your abilities. It can be all too easy to forget to practice if you don’t make it a part of your daily routine.

Consider setting an alarm on your phone to remind you when to practice at a time that is convenient for you. Young beginners should typically only practice for 10 minutes a day as their attention span develops. Gradually, build up to a half-hour to an hour practice sessions. With adults, practice depends on time and availability, but the more you practice, the faster you’ll learn. 

2. Poor Posture

Without proper posture, you’ll be more likely to experience backaches, shoulder pain, and wrist pain after playing the piano. To avoid these issues, keep both feet planted on the ground while playing. Keep your back straight and upright.

Your seat should be at a height where your wrists extend straight forward to the piano keys, rather than collapsing below the keys. Sit far enough away from the piano that your elbows will be extended forward rather than bunched against your sides.

3. Fingering Fumbles

Poor fingering can increase muscle tension and make it harder to master the piano. A common issue is letting fingers fall flat or “collapse” onto the keys. Fingers should actually be kept in a naturally curved position so that only the fingertips make contact with the keys while playing.

During piano lessons, your teacher will also help you master patterns, so you learn which fingers play which notes for at-tempo, mistake-free playing.

If you’re interested in piano lessons from an accomplished piano tutor, contact European Piano School in Anchorage, AK. Professionally trained pianist Iryna Dunaeva draws from 47 years of experience to help students of all ages and skill levels improve their technique. To learn more about her piano classes, visit her online or call (907) 360-2915.