Piano Styling: It's What Separates the Men From the Boys

Piano styling is an art of its own. In a way, it's what "separates the men from the boys" when it comes to piano playing.It's certainly one thing to acquire basic piano skills, such as developing technical versatility, reading ability, and even a decent aptitude for interpretation... it's quite another to be able to improvise at will. In my nearly 30 years of teaching experience, I have made contact with so many people of various backgrounds - those with no piano experience to those with lots of it. Interestingly, even the majority of those with years of playing behind them, who had already achieved a certain mastery of the basic skills mentioned above, viewed improvising on piano (piano styling) as somewhat of a mystery.

The reason? It's pretty simple. They were not exposed to the art. Playing piano and interpreting and performing the music of the "classical" masters is an accomplishment of its own (and a worthy one at that) - but it's what most piano students are taught. Why? It's the "status quo," one might say. It's the most understood. It's what degrees that are earned have been based on for ages. When the art of jazz came along, which is still a new art form, that which wasn't understood by the already so-called "master players" was frowned upon...yet, many of them secretly envied the guy or gal who was capable of playing a pop tune in three or more different ways (would Beethoven have appreciated such an endeavor on his Fur Elise?).

If an art from is not understood by the majority, then it stands to reason that the majority of instructors won't be teaching it, due to their lack or limitation of understanding. Makes sense, right? Yet, if you asked 100 people today who either have no experience or have had a few years of piano lessons what they really would like to learn on the piano, it would be interesting to hear the responses and what most of them point to. People want to create - it's an innate desire. They want to have the know-how to sit down at the piano and play, without having to endure tedious years of "university style" lessons before they have fun. Is this fair on their part? Sure it is! The truth is, you don't need years of lessons before you can play - furthermore, you don't need years of training before you can learn how to play creatively. As a matter of fact, you can (within a very short period of time) learn how the professionals do a lot of what they do if only - yes, if only - you could get them to share it with you.

Thankfully, there are a few out there who recognize this public desire and who share bits and pieces of what they know. If you mix your desire to learn with your passion to play and improve your playing, you can make the kind of progress that will amaze even yourself. I created a program that is aimed at people opening up their minds (and musical ears) to creative piano playing called Pro Piano Chord Secrets. It consists of a weekly program that you receive via email which unveils many of the secrets the piano pros have used for years. It no longer has to be a mystery. The program is free of charge as well. If you have a tiny bit of piano knowledge, this will certainly enhance your understanding. In short, you'll be having more fun at the piano. If you want to learn something, commit yourself to learning it. Investigate the resources that can help you. Don't accept the "status quo" just because others do. Take your understanding to the next level. It applies to learning piano as it applies to any other facet of your life. Just because people you know have been doing the same things in the same ways for years doesn't mean that you aren't meant to go beyond that. If you're a classical musician, for example, and you feel an inner need to be more of a creator than a follower, then by all means be willing to admit that, even with you current abilities (which may be excellent), you still have a limited understanding. After all, the only real way we can ever make any significant progress in any area of our lives is to be open to the idea (or fact) that there is more to learn than what we already know. Face the facts. Take the leap. Learn.