What All Do I Have to Know to be a Really Good Piano Player?

Many students ask me a question that goes something like this: "What all do I have to know to be a really good piano player?"

The trouble with a question like that is that it ignores individual differences such as talent, motivation, freedom to practice, and a hundred other variables.

How much did Mozart have to know? How much did Erroll Garner know? Mozart could play far better than I can when he was 3. And Garner was barred from joining the musicians union because he couldn't read music.

Does that mean I don't have to practice, since Mozart could do it without practice? Does that mean I shouldn't learn how to read music since Garner couldn't, and it sure didn't stop him.

Obviously, no.

I wish I had the talent of a Garner or a Mozart, but I don't. Nowhere close. But God gave me some talent, and it's that talent that I need to develop to it's maximum.

Same with you, unless you're in a class with those guys, in which case you certainly don't need me.

Back when I operated Piano University & Keyboard Workshop, we had a list of skills that we attempted to inculcate into our students, at least to some degree. Here is that list:

Technique

Fingering

Chords

Scales

Ear Training

Music Theory

Sight Reading

Rhythm

Styles

Runs & Fills

Transposition

Modulation

Accompanying

Repertoire

Improvisation

Arranging

Pedaling

Dynamics

Feeling & emotion

This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but it's a start. So as you play and practice, think about each of these areas individually, and focus on improving them one at a time.

Duane Shinn is the author of over 500 music books and music educational materials such as DVD's, CD's, musical games for kids, chord charts, musical software, and piano lesson instructional courses for adults. His book-CD-DVD course titled "How To Dress Up Naked Music On The Piano!" has sold countless copies around the world. He holds advanced degrees from Southern Oregon University and was the founder of Piano University in Southern Oregon. He is the author of the popular free 101-week online e-mail newsletter titled Amazing Secrets Of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions with over 57,400 current subscribers.

Automatic Control of Chords

CORRECT PRACTICE IS INDISPENSABLE!Your success or failure at the keyboard... Read More

Throat Singing In Inuit Culture

Originally, Inuit throat singing was a form of entertainment among... Read More

How to Play Piano Using a Few Chords

How many chords do you need to create a piece... Read More

A Brief History of Fender Guitars

Perhaps no other guitar maker has touched the hearts of... Read More

How To Change Your Guitar Strings

Changing your guitar strings might make you feel a litte... Read More

The King of the Delta Blues Singers - Robert Johnson Still Stands at the Crossroads

Probably the most enigmatic Singer and Guitarist of the twentieth... Read More

Guitar Players...Get a Balanced Guitar Practice Diet

Do you have a wide variety of things that you... Read More

Inspiration Wanted - Apply Within!

One of the biggest stumbling blocks for music students is... Read More

Self-Expression Without Criticism

When I was 9 years old I played the Saxophone... Read More

10 Ways for Unknown Musicians to Get the Word Out

When Clear Channel controls the radio and the monopoly newspaper... Read More

14 Ways Musicians Can Increase Their Tips

I was listening to NPR the other day when they... Read More

Learning To Play The Piano With Chords

Learning piano chords can help you in all your piano... Read More

Irish Fiddle Ornaments

When I started playing jigs, my default bowing pattern made... Read More

10 Music Download Legal Points

Everybody's doing it: downloading music and sharing files. People who... Read More

Play The Piano Like A Pro

Meet the 12 Major Notes:1. C (do)2. C# - Db... Read More

The Revolution has begun - and it will not be Televised The new Artist Development Paradigm

In reflecting on the world of the Music Business in... Read More

Music Mini Course: Learn The Basics Of Reading Music On A Keyboard Instrument

Welcome to the wonderful world of music. As you begin... Read More

Music & Intelligence: Will Listening to Music Make You Smarter?

Will listening to music make you smarter? Will learning to... Read More

Play Too Loud And Well Cut The Power!

"Turn it down!"How often have you heard that command in... Read More

George Winston and New Age Piano Playing

The first time I heard George Winston play back in... Read More

Why Play Guitar?

As a full-time guitar instructor, I am constantly faced with... Read More

50 Cent G Unit

His lockjaw delivery makes him look as gangsta as Marlon... Read More

Choosing a Jazz Band for Your Party

In many years of arranging jazz bands for all sorts... Read More

Does Reading Make Music?

When you read music you are deciphering the printed page... Read More

Repetition is the Key to Learning Something Deeply

Repetition is the key to learning something deeply. It works... Read More