Important piano concepts to know

[Ljink96]

Lol, you and I have a lot in common. My musical taste almost stops at anything that isn't classic but I do keep in the know about newer styles and songs.

I started playing piano around 10 years of age, taught myself through playing my favorite game music by ear. The first song I learned to play was Super Mario 64's Dire Dire Docks and once you learn steps, chords, and progressions you're pretty much golden as a beginner. But I'm not saying I know a ton about piano either, I can't read sheet music and I don't record sheet music. And you know what, that's okay. If you really care about creating good music that's okay.

You know that guy who composed Sonic Mania? Tee Lopes? He doesn't read sheet music, doesn't record sheet music, he plays everything by ear and uses a program called FL studio. I used to think that only playing and creating music by ear was unacceptable but seeing that someone like Tee can make a killer soundtrack like Mania, self taught, it's amazing.

Playing music of any kind should be a natural experience and whatever you feel should easily translate into every key you press or string you strum.

But I digress, you want sheet music...I use muse score a lot just to get a feel for the music. Try this one, Vapor Trail by Yumi Matsutoya/Arai. One of my favorites, very simple and beautiful melody.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v6EmMI01xA

https://musescore.com/user/1619161/scores/4135011

For beginners, get in the habit of listening and watching at the same time, it REALLY helps. That's what I did when taking piano classes in junior high.

Oh, oh, also make sure you study Air on G String!

https://musescore.com/user/18622001/scores/3706386

Slower time signatures are easier to learn and once you get tired of them, speeding up and playing more involved pieces gets easier. But the older you get the harder it is to learn something, don't expect to learn anything so fast, take you time!!!