We see these claims all the time; both online and offline. And with our dollars being stretched so tightly these days, it can be pretty scary to put our money out for something we're not sure we're going to like or use.
Therefore most retailers and service providers offer to give you your money back if you aren't satisfied, but do most piano teachers? Is it possible for anyone to guarantee that you will learn to play the piano?
Your success with any piano teacher or online piano lesson program is going to be dependent on your own level of commitment to follow the program faithfully, making time for regular practice. No one can do that for you.
The real claim, of course, is that your personal satisfaction with the program is guaranteed. Some online piano teachers give you only 30 to 90 days to decide if you like their program.
30-90 days is fine to decide if you like a book or a chair. However, when learning a progressive skill such as playing the piano, you'll need more time to make a good decision on whether you want to keep the lessons or get your money back.
Before you can know for sure if you're going to be happy with an online piano lesson program, you need to consider several factors. For instance:
- Are you making progress?
- Does your learning style match the teaching method?
- Do you feel supported by the teacher/program?
- Can you easily understand the lessons?
- Are you getting good content for your investment?
- Can you see yourself continuing with this program on a long-term basis?
If you're forced to make your decision in too short of a time, you might end up stuck with something you are not sure about, or you might give up something that you really should have kept.
With that said, I recommend that you choose a program that offers a no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee, for at least 120 days from purchase.
While 120 days is the minimum, the gold standard of guarantees is - of course - the 365 day guarantee. If a product has a full year guarantee, that alone speaks volumes about the quality of the product and the creator's confidence that their lessons will work for you.
Only you will determine your success. Only you can guarantee that you will learn to play the piano. The learning process has to be enjoyable and effective and has to hold your interest.
So don't lock yourself into a program that doesn't give you adequate time to decide if you're satisfied.
If you're a guitar player who desires to learn the piano, you're already ahead of the game. You can transfer your knowledge of chords and chord patterns to the keyboard. This means you could be playing a tune at the piano in no time. That's because chords are chords, no matter what instrument they are played on.
The composition of chords is the same whether you apply them to a guitar or a piano. The only difference is where the application takes place. On a piano, you use black and white keys on the keyboard to form different chords. It's akin to pressing strings to form chords on the fret board of a guitar. You press certain strings at certain fret positions to get a certain chord sound.
Guitarists can learn the piano rapidly because they already understand chord patterns. Some guitarists know chord patterns as written musical notation; others know these patterns by sound. Some know both methods. A guitarist who can read chord patterns, written using proper music notation, will be able to read a chord pattern on sheet music whether its for guitar or piano. All the guitarist has to do is learn the keys of the piano and then play the written music at the keys.
Someone who does not know how to read music must first learn the written form. Then he or she must learn the keyboard keys before putting the two together to play. A guitarist saves time by already knowing the written element.
What about guitarists who cannot read music, but play by ear? It is still easier for them to learn the piano because they have an ear for chord sounds. Those new to music must tune their ear to the sound of chords. They cannot usually just sit at a piano and say, "I'm going to play a C Major Triad." They must first understand what comprises this triad. When they play it, they must know whether the sound is right.
Guitarists who understand chord construction and know a chord's sound when they hear it are further ahead. When they locate the appropriate keys at the piano and play the chord, they know by the sound whether they've played it correctly. This is because they've heard the chord many times before on the guitar. The chord will sound the same only with the piano's characteristic sound underpinning it.
Guitarists will also learn to experiment and improvise on a piano faster than one who has never played another instrument before. Guitarists constantly manipulate chords, always trying new voicings and chord combinations. When they undertake piano study, they will do the same. Since they already know the theory and architecture of chords, and the scale notes they are born of, they can begin manipulating them at the keyboard immediately. There is no need to learn the reasons behind what they are doing.
The guitar and the piano have much in common when it comes to playing chords. If you know guitar chords, you will not find the piano an intimidating instrument. You will find it's another vehicle for your musical creativity: one you already know something about.
Both Lisa Steeple & Duane Shinn are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Lisa Steeple has sinced written about articles on various topics from Education, Entertainment Guide and Keyboard Synthesizer. Lisa has been a piano teacher for over 25 years with special recognition from Disney in 2003. For more information about learning piano and applying piano skills to life skills, please visit the following link:. Lisa Steeple's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
Duane Shinn has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Music and Keyboard Synthesizer. Duane Shinn is the author of the popular online newsletter on piano chords, available free at . Duane Shinn's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.