We are digital piano & keyboard specialists, based in Banbury, Oxfordshire. Stay up to date with the latest news, reviews, tips, and offers by joining our FREE newsletter (unsubscribe at any time).
As a beginner the look of a piano can be daunting and scary, but what if I told you that you can lessen that blow?
When I was learning, I was struggling to tackle songs as they were just too complex for me.
Song choice is everything, and when you pick the right song to learn; the whole process can be taken down a few notches and can be learned at a much more understandable rate.
These sorts of songs tend to have a very simple melody on the right hand. If anything, you could play the whole song on just one hand rather than using both.
Here are some songs to try to name a few. Ba Ba Black Sheep, Jack & Jill Went Up The Hill, and Incy Wincey Spider.
I know it can seem rather silly playing these as an adult but you will be surprised what good it will do for your music theory and fingering technique.
One tip that you can utilize is the record feature. Play the right-hand melody while recording. Then play the recording back while recording.
Continue by playing the right-hand bass notes over the recording. This slowly gets the player used to the idea of using both hands. When broken down into little steps, it suddenly does not seem that daunting.
There are a few English folk songs out there that I learned fairly early on with a little bit of elbow grease (on an accordion of all things). These songs are much more adult and sound very impressive to anyone who hears them. I’ll list a few that I am referring to. Scarborough fair, green sleeves, and drunken sailor.
Granted, it is not suitable to play these songs all year round, but when the time comes; they will be a valuable arrow in your quiver.
My personal favourite to play is ‘In the bleak mid winter’ as the melody is just as relaxing as it is festive. You can find simplified chords for it anywhere with a simple google search.
25m
Watch David explain how to choose the right digital piano or keyboard to learn on
More well-known songs might be your cup of tea. Have you tried jingle bells, Rudolph the red nose reindeer, or away in a manjor? All of these songs have a simplistic way of presenting themselves.
The chords are not hard to stretch to, you have played them as fast or as slow as you want without making a massive difference to the overall sound.
They are also instantly recognizable and well known, so you can pick up on any sour notes you play with ease. These are a good starting point for any aspiring pianist.
I would be silly to leave this genre out, wouldn’t I? It’s arguably one of the most popular groups of songs out there, and more than likely the majority of many pianists’ go-to songs.
But this doesn’t have to be limited to songs from this year, it can be any songs that are still relevant. For example, I enjoy playing Let it be by the Beatles.
This is because the chords can be simplified, it can sound amazing when it’s done right, and nothing beats playing the work of one of your musical inspirations. So I ask you this, who inspires you to play? Why not play one of their songs?
Classical can come off as a harsh and unforgiving genre, but in fact when the songs are simplified; they can be warm and welcoming to the standard newcomer.
Things like Mozart and Beetoven can be learned as long as you have time and persistence. Never be afraid to get things wrong. You will learn more from failure than you will from success!
[featuredblog]Enter your email address below to receive our free weekly newsletter containing the latest piano, keyboard and organ demonstration videos, breaking news, special offers, invitations to our live video events, technical support articles and much more.
These items are sold on behalf of Yamaha, and are sent to us on a per-order basis, typically within 5-7 working days, unless an ETA is otherwise stated.
We'll contact you the moment your purchase arrives with us to organise delivery, based on your selected option.
Example products: Yamaha DGX670, Yamaha P-525, Yamaha YDP-S55, Yamaha Clavinova.
These items must be sent with a heavy-goods courier (typically APC or FedEx). On occasion, depending on which is fastest, we will drop-ship directly from Yamaha to your address via Dachser.
Tracking will be provided by the haulier, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
*If you have included the optional £180 "Yamaha Premium Service" home delivery & setup option offered on selected products, we will contact you regarding arrangements after purchase.
**The Yamaha CSP Series, Yamaha CVP905 & CVP909, Yamaha CLP875, 885 & 895GP, and Yamaha NU1Xa are all sold on behalf of Yamaha and arrive with us on a per-order basis. As soon as your piano has arrived, we will contact you to organise the appropriate dispatch method. ETA for stock is shown on the product page for those items.
***If you have included the optional £99 home delivery & setup option offered on selected products, we will send your details direct to the installation team, who will contact you within 48 hours to make arrangements.
Depending on which option is most appropriate, we will either contact you to discuss a bespoke ePianos delivery surcharge for goods we can’t package for a 3rd party courier, or otherwise dispatch goods via FedEx or APC.
If a courier is used, tracking will be provided by them directly, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
Example products: Yamaha PSR-SX920, Yamaha P-225, Yamaha NP-15.
These items will be sent via courier (typically APC or FedEx). On occasion, depending on which is fastest, we will drop-ship directly from Yamaha to your address via UPS or Parcelforce.
Tracking will be provided by the courier, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
Smaller items, such as books, discs, etc, will be dispatched via Royal Mail second class.
After purchase, you can download the file either from the order confirmation page or the "Downloads" tab in "My Account".
If you have selected the option to receive a pre-loaded USB stick, then this will be dispatched via Royal Mail.
We will contact you regarding any pre-ordered items, and let you know when they arrive so as to arrange delivery with you at a convenient time.
Used items can also be purchased using either of the following options (minimum loan amount of £250 after deposit):
Total amount payable: £893.32
Available finance options are displayed at checkout. Alternatively, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to discuss the options, or email a finance application to you. Find out more by clicking here
Our seasonal opening hours are as follows:
We are closed on all bank holidays, therefore the processing of sales and deliveries will be delayed.
For orders of any stock displaying a 7-10 day lead time, we will contact you as soon as the item arrives with us to schedule a delivery with you.
Occasionally, there may be availability issues with our suppliers, in which case we'll get in touch with you to see if you're happy to wait, or if you'd like to cancel the order and receive a full refund.
This is a special order "agency" item, and comes to us directly from Yamaha on a per-order basis.
It typically takes 7-10 days for this item to arrive with us, whereupon we'll contact you to discuss the arrangement of delivery.
For any pre-orders, we will contact you as soon as the item arrives with us to schedule a delivery with you, and update you with an ETA.
Occasionally, there may be availability issues with our suppliers, in which case we'll get in touch with you to see if you're happy to wait, or if you'd like to cancel the order and receive a full refund.
*Cashback amount varies product to product, as indicated.
Comments: