How to Learn a Piano Piece Quickly

Learning to play a new piece of music on the piano can be difficult. Whether you're struggling with a piece your teacher set you, or are teaching yourself a piece you've always wanted to learn, this guide should help reduce the hours of frustrating practice which seem to get you nowhere.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Approaching the piece logically

Listen to the dynamics; this helps with mostly classical pieces.
2
Split the piece up. Setting yourself smaller goals within the piece of music will make it more manageable and less frustrating. Moreover, by splitting it into parts, you can listen to the dynamics with greater ease and try to follow along as you listen. This helps you to tell the difference between how you're playing and how the artist is playing the piece.
- The extent of parts you split the piece up into will depend on the length of the music and how difficult it is; use your judgement to decide.
Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Practicing the piece

Learn the right hand part first, then the left. Don't try to play them together until you can play them both individually, fluently.^{[1]XResearch source}
If it is a popular piece or song that you know, try to play along to the lyrics/music in your head when practicing your right hand. That way you'll know when you go wrong and you'll be able to memorize it easier.
Rather than trying to play all the way through, play one line a few times, then add the next line, then the next.
Don't try to play it at full speed until you can play it slowly without making mistakes.^{[2]XResearch source}
You'll end up feeling frustrated if you try to do it all at once. Take regular breaks and play other pieces which you can play while you're learning a difficult piece.^{[3]XResearch source}
Advertisement

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Dealing with challenging areas

If you need to spend 10 minutes on getting 2 chords right, then spend 10 minutes on it. It will be worth it in the long run and ignoring a problem part can cause frustration later on when it is the only part you cannot play.
This will allow you to identify any places you are still going wrong. Remember to keep coming back to the piece now you can play it, so you don't forget it.^{[4]XResearch source}
If you stop practicing after playing it wrongly, you will remember it incorrectly. By making sure you end on a section you can play, the correct version will stick in your mind, making it easier to play next time.^{[5]XResearch source}
Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
How can I learn a song in one day?
Community Answer
Try to devote yourself to the song. Use every hour of the day to practice your song. Be mindful that you should take breaks too. If you're learning a difficult piece, you may not be able to learn it in one day. However, It's still great to practice your piece whenever you have free time.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 6 Helpful 32
Question
How many hours a day should I practice to be good at playing piano?
Community Answer
Practicing is very subjective. If I'm trying to get a song perfectly polished in a week, I will practice for four hours a day. If you just want to be good at playing in general, go for an hour a day, remembering to challenge your abilities with your song choice.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 17 Helpful 64
Question
Can I learn to do it perfectly?
Community Answer
If you practice hard enough and long enough, yes.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 23 Helpful 68

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Reader Videos

Tips

If you find yourself getting frustrated, take a break. The music will still be there when you come back and you won't learn as efficiently if you're annoyed.
Thanks
Helpful4 Not Helpful0
Many pieces of music are based on patterns. Patterns make music easier to play so identify as many as you can.
Thanks
Helpful5 Not Helpful2
Try to find an easier version of that song and learn it first. That will make everything a lot easier.
Thanks
Helpful3 Not Helpful1

Show More Tips

Warnings

Try not to get frustrated, if you find you do stand up take a few deep breaths, play another song once or twice then get back to your piece you were working on.
Thanks
Helpful134 Not Helpful22