Back-to-School Series, Part III: The Benefits of Piano Lessons
"Piano lessons?" you think. "What's that got to do with becoming a better singer?"
Well, think about it. To get better at singing, you need to take lessons. To make the lessons worth it, you need to practice. In order to practice something effectively, you need to make sure you're singing the right notes. A recording could provide this foundation for you, but what if there's no recording of the song you're learning? What then?
You need to be able to plunk out the notes yourself. On the piano. With the skills you learn in piano lessons.
Now, if you have this mysterious aversion to the piano, you're not alone. I've heard and seen many singers dig in their heels about having to learn real piano skills. Some of them feel that practicing piano takes away from the time they could spend singing. Or they don't see the point in learning to play "real" piano music - they know how to find middle C, shouldn't that be enough? Or their college music program requires them to learn piano and they just plain don't want to try something new. Or they just hate it for some reason. I don't know.
I don't know why many singers find the piano to be this supremely boring, torturous tool of drudgery. I personally have always liked playing the piano. As a teenager, I think I spent more time at the piano than at the computer. (Well, maybe. You'll have to ask my parents. But I think it was at least a tie. It also probably helped that it was the late 90s and computers weren't all that cool yet. But I digress.) And it's a good thing too, because I got good enough to play "real" piano music. This means I can play my warm-ups, learn repertoire without having to rely on a recording, and accompany my own students during their lessons and in recitals.
In other words, piano skills are INVALUABLE to a serious singer. The piano is your best practice tool. So it's in your best interest to make friends with it. Here are just a few reasons:
1. It makes music theory very easy to learn. Since the piano is a very linear instrument and its layout is easy to understand, it makes learning about scales, chords, and key signatures much easier than it would be on other instruments. You also learn to read two clefs (treble and bass), which, trust me, will be very helpful later on.
2. Playing piano is good for your brain. It requires a lot of multi-tasking. It also heightens your spacial awareness and helps to develop good motor skills.
3. You'll be able to familiarize yourself with new music without the help of a recording. As I said earlier, sometimes recordings are impossible to find.
4. You need basic piano skills to teach voice lessons. Most singers end up teaching in some capacity at some point in their careers. It will be much easier for both you and the student if you are able to play warm-ups and provide light accompaniment for the student's songs.
So how does one go about acquiring these mystical piano skills?
Well, private lessons are the most obvious choice. Even a year or two of lessons is better than nothing. You're just looking to get some basic skills, not become a concert pianist.
If you really don't feel like you have the time or means for private lessons, see if your school or local community college offers a group piano class. While the instruction won't be one-on-one, you can still work with a live teacher and gather some skills and resources you can put to good use.
If neither of these is an option, then find a teach-yourself book. This book or this one are good places to start. These methods walk you through the basics of the keyboard and some useful music theory.
What about finding a keyboard?
There are so many different kinds of keyboards out there. Virtually every (good) brand makes both inexpensive and high-end models. Look for reliable brands like Yamaha, Casio, or Roland. If you're taking lessons, you teacher will probably recommend that it have 88 touch-sensitive or weighted keys. If you don't have the budget or room for a full-size keyboard, then try for something with 76 keys.
(This is a full-size, 88-key model. It probably has weighted keys.)
If you don't have a teacher and you're not exactly sure what you should get, you should visit a retail location like Music and Arts Centers or Guitar Center and talk to a salesperson who will be able to direct you toward a qualitiy model in a reasonable price range, as well as any accessories you might need for it (a kekyboard stand, a pedal, etc.). Many local mom-and-pop music shops sell new and used keyboards too. If you're feeling really brave you can always hit up ye olde Craig's List or Amazon, but be sure you research the brand and model before buying so you know what you're getting.
(This is a simpler, more cost-effective model, but still okay for learning.)
Once you realize and reap the benefits of piano study, you'll find yourself wondering how you ever did it without this skill before. Trust me on this - piano study is well worth your time!
(Maybe you will even be as happy about the piano as this little girl is.)
Happy practicing!
