Music Tips

What does a person need to become a pianist? A piano and a desire to play? Or is there more to it than that?

Definitely a keyboard instrument is a necessity. Having an instrument on which to develop your skills and share your music is a must if a person is to become a pianist.

Having a method to study and a teacher to guide you are also important.

However, most everything else that allows a person to become a pianist is intrinsic. These are values that come from inside a person.


We will say that the first intrinsic value, the innate desire is there to become a pianist, but what else is necessary?

• Ability
• Attention to detail
• Drive
• Effort
• Goal Orientation
• Passion
• Patience
• Perseverance
• Time
• Understanding

The definition of ability is the capacity to do something or perform successfully. Everyone has the ability to play the piano. The question is whether playing the piano is a particular talent or acquired skill that you are ready to pursue.

Becoming a pianist requires great attention to detail. Developing eye hand coordination, learning the language of music, and translating that language into sound involved details too numerous to count. The person who can give their attention to a myriad of details simultaneously will be the successful pianist.

Drive or the energy and determination that will help a person achieve the goal of playing the piano is necessary. The more powerful the drive or need to fulfill the dream the more quickly one is successful in learning to play the piano.

Mental or physical energy that is exerted in order to achieve the purpose of playing the piano is described as effort. Without the concentrated use of this energy achieving the goal of becoming a pianist will be for naught.

In describing the first three values on the list, the word goal was used in each. Setting a goal to do something you want to do necessitates nearly everything else on the list. Without the goal of becoming a pianist, drive, effort, and attention to detail are but frivolous exercises.

Beyond setting the goal of becoming a pianist is having the passion or the keen interest in the piano and in piano study. Passion pushes the goal forward. Passion allows you to become what you want to be. Passion allows you to play the piano.

Once the goals are set, the desire is there, the passion is flamed, and the effort has been exerted, patience must kick in. The ability to endure hours of practice of seemingly simple concepts to achieve the hoped for result of playing a song on the piano without becoming annoyed or upset is what patience is all about. And becoming a pianist requires large amounts of patience.

And then there is perseverance. The steady and continued practice with the belief that over a long period of time and especially despite difficulties or setbacks you will persevere and become the pianist you have dreamed of.

Just how much time does it take to become a pianist? What is your dream? What is your desire? How patient are you? Will you persevere? How much time can you devote to your passion? Only you can answer that question.

To understand what it takes to become a pianist a person must take the journey in his or her own way, using his or her own abilities, fulfilling his or her own dreams, passions and desires with effort, patience and perseverance in his or her own time.

Dr. Jeannine Jordan is a professional piano teacher and performer, who wants to open the world of music through creative enjoyable online lessons.

"Want to play songs on the piano today? Want to wow your friends and family at the next get-together? Want to play the piano for your own enjoyment? Visit http://playpianosongstoday.com/ for your first free lesson and start playing songs on the piano today!"