Back before the internet dominated the way in which we find products and services we relied on more conventional means such as; the yellow pages, print advertising and word of mouth. While these are still effective ways to find information, the internet is certainly as effective and in many ways far more efficient.
The major difference between them is; the internet can display hundreds of thousands of search results for a single search. And, although a search engine like Google can give you many relevant results, it makes it hard sometimes to filter through it all and find what you're looking for. The choices are often overwhelming.
For example, a Google search for piano lessons reveals a million and a half results. How would you even begin to sift through it all and find yourself a piano course that's right for you? Try it yourself. Do a search and visit some of these websites, you'll find thousands of online piano lessons and thousands of different piano methods.
Most of these sites do very well at pitching you why they're the best method for you. Most focus on the beginning piano player. Why? Because, it's an audience that know the least and it's easy to appeal to their emotions. Bold selling statements like, ?learn to play by ear? and ?impress your friends by playing all your favorite music after only 1 hour? and ?the secret piano method that makes the pros jealous!?
I admire these people for their ability to pitch. In fact the internet has made it possible for anyone with an idea and a few copy writing courses to sell just about anything. And, it works. But, what is the aftermath of learning one of these so-called shortcut piano methods. Do they really teach you how to play in and hour? Can you really learn to play by ear overnight? Well, not really.
Certainly, it's possible to learn how to play by ear and to learn how to play all your favorite songs but for most beginning piano players these are just completely outrageous claims.
What should you look for instead, in order to avoid getting sucked into these ?learn to play fast? schemes? First of all, if you're even considering learning how to play from an online course I would recommend that you do a little research on who is actually giving the course. Are they professional musicians or just someone with a little knowledge? Do they have backgrounds in music? Do they have recordings that you can listen to? Or, are they offering only shortcuts to amazing playing?
Once you've done your research on the teacher then look for anyone else who has taken their courses. What are they saying? Do they give any testimonials as to the effectiveness of the courses? Do other students give any proof of their new piano playing abilities?
What I'm trying to point out is; if you dig deep enough you'll avoid spending your hard earned money on bogus schemes that simply do not work. Learning to play the piano is a lengthy process and should not be taken lightly. It can be fun, but it still takes practice. Anyone who thinks otherwise simply does not understand or does not have enough experience to know any better.
So, let's say you do find yourself a true professional; someone with a lot of experience, a great track record and plenty of proof to backup it up. What's the number one reason why you should learn online from this person rather than find a local teacher?
For starters, your online teacher will likely have way more experience and credibility that your local teacher. But, the main reason to learn online is price. A local teacher of any credible stature will be charging at least $75 an hour. An hour online video lesson will run you an average of about $25.
There are other benefits such as; you can learn at your own pace, there are no travel expenses, it's anonymous, it's stress free and your lesson is always available for review at any time. But, for most people it's a question of economics. It's way cheaper to study online than in person.
So, the next time you do a search for ?piano lessons? on Google, please use the above information above to help you choose the right piano lesson for you.
You need to be aware of several things, however. Although the majority of courses and programs are quite legitimate, there are some scams out there. Also, while many programs are excellent, some promise you the world and don't come close to delivering it.
There are piano training programs available for every level of musical ability and every age. Never seen a piano before? There are many programs designed for total novices. Want to teach your child to play? There are plenty of programs designed just for children. Even if you are a professional pianist, there is something out there that will improve your playing.
What Is A Good Program? Good piano training programs are made up of many facets, and may contain different things, depending on the skill and age level they're designed for and the training method they use. But, all quality programs will have some things in common.
A high quality training program should:
-Let you learn at your own pace -Show you how to keep improving your skills -Include basic ear training -Teach you piano notation AND "play by ear" techniques -Provide tips for ensemble play and jamming -Be clear and flow logically -Keep you interested -Offer a money back guarantee
There are many products out there that are not worth your time or money and some that are just plain ripping you off. Bad products also have similar qualities in common with each other.
A bad training program will:
-Try to make you rush through the material -Only teach you novice material -Promise that you will play like a pro overnight -Only teach you to memorize songs -Be unclear, confusing, or poorly produced -Be boring
How to Find One - Do Your Own Piano Lesson Reviews With all the programs out there, telling the good from the bad can be difficult. Sometimes bad products have great ads. So, how do you avoid being swindled?
The first and most important thing to do is research. Read piano lesson reviews of the training programs that you're interested in. There are many on the Web. Find out what other customers thought about that product. Find out what professional reviewers thought, as well.
Does the product exhibit the signs of high quality training programs? Did it get good reviews? Were other customers happy with their purchase of it? If so, then chances are high that it is a good product. If not, find out why people didn't like it. Think about whether their reasons are likely to apply to you.
Research is the most important step in the buying process.
Conclusion Remember, no matter what your specific needs are, chances are good that there is a piano playing program out there for you. But don't just take our word on it - do your own research and create your own piano lesson reviews!
What works for someone else may not be right for you. When you find the right program, keep at it and pretty soon your piano playing skills will amaze you.
Both Paul Tobey & Brian Shelton 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.
Paul Tobey has sinced written about articles on various topics from Public Speaking, Tinnitus Treatment and Education. should be fun, educating and inspirational. Paul Tobey is a professional award winning. Paul Tobey's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.
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