Between notable keyboard features, as well as piano learning software apps, there’s never been a better time to learn how to play the piano.
I’ve published many articles on this site teaching you about piano chords, finger technique, and even reviews of great piano learning software, like Playground Sessions and Pia Note.
So this beginners guide will walk you through how you can begin your journey of learning to play the piano successfully (especially on a digital piano).
How to Play Piano Using Basic Piano Technique
It’s important to start with good fundamentals when learning to play the piano.
In fact, being aware of your body posture, hand shape, and finger placement (or finger numbering) is crucial when learning piano.
Piano Posture
When it comes to your posture at the piano, please remember the following tips:
-Sit at the center of your piano or keyboard
-Keep your elbows slightly above the keys
-Make sure your back is straight and feet are firm and flat on the ground
Piano Notation and Sheet Music
As you begin to learn how to play piano better, you’ll also start learning how to read sheet music, as well. That’s where sheet music notation comes in. Sheet music notation will give you (the pianist) an indication of how strongly or softly you should perform the music.
A few of the basics you should know are:
Clef
The clef is like a musical map — it tells you which notes go where on the staff.
The treble clef (🎼) is used for higher notes, usually played with your right hand.
The bass clef (𝄢) is for lower notes, typically played with your left hand.
Together, they form the grand staff, which is what you’ll read as a pianist.
Staff
Now the staff is made up of five horizontal lines, and each line or space represents a different musical note.
Notes are placed on the staff to show their pitch. Ultimately, the higher up they are, the higher they sound.
Notes
Notes tell you two key things: what to play and how long to play it.
They come in different shapes and styles, like whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, and more. Each note has its own timing.
Once you get used to notes, and the overall basics of sheet music notation, reading music begins to feel much more natural.
Piano Finger Placement
The phrase “piano fingerings” refers to the specific fingers you should use to play certain notes on the piano.
You’ll usually spot fingerings in sheet music as small numbers placed either above or below the notes.
These are especially common in beginner sheet music, and can be seen below as well.
I wrote an entire article on piano fingering, and even included custom images and charts, which you can find here: Piano Fingers Chart
Piano Finger Exercises to Improve Speed and Strength
Implementing finger exercises is a smart way to improve the dexterity in your fingers.
Exercises are very much recommended to do, as finger strength and speed means you can play more complex musical pieces at an efficient rate.
Some pianists prefer to use Hanon exercises for piano warmups, but I’ve found other methods to be just as effective.
I actually wrote an article on my five favorite piano warmups for beginners, so I recommend reading that and giving them a try. You might be very impressed with how your fingers and hands feel afterward!
Piano Learning Software and Apps
One of the things I love about digital pianos is that it provides you with the technology and key features to more easily learn the piano instrument.
In fact, instead of seeking piano lessons with a tutor, you can learn how to play piano online from the comfort of your house.
I have reviewed various piano learning software, apps, and courses, and many are quite impressive.
Here are my reviews of the ones I believe are the best of the best:
How Long Does It Take to Learn Piano?
A lot of people worry that learning how to play the piano will take too much time and be very difficult.
And then, of course, there are people that believe they’re too old to learn piano regardless.
The truth? Anyone can learn how to play piano as long as you’re willing to put in the time and dedication to learn.
But learning isn’t all you need to do, you must practice the piano regularly in order to master it.
With that said, here’s an estimated guide for what you can expect when it comes to learning how to play:
| Time Frame | What to Expect |
| 1 Month | Basic songs, finger familiarity, note recognition |
| 3 Months | Play simple pieces with both hands |
| 6–9 Months | Improved hand-eye coordination and can play more expressive songs |
| 1 Year+ | Read music fluently, can now explore different styles |
You should aim to practice at least twenty minutes a day. Ideally, 40 to 60 minutes of piano practice per day will accelerate your ability to successfully play the piano.
In fact, if you’re able to stick with the piano for an extended period of time, you might one day develop the ability to play piano by ear.
Using Digital Piano Tools and Features to Learn
What’s great about a digital piano is that its built in tools and features can accelerate the piano learning process. So it’s wise to take advantage of them.
A few digital piano features that I highly recommend are the following:
Metronome: This feature is built inside the digital piano itself, and can be an excellent way for beginners to learn tempo.
Transpose Function: You can use this function to practice in different keys without relearning fingerings.
Split Mode: Split mode is a learning feature inside most digital pianos. With Split mode, you can hypothetically play the bass or strings with your left hand, and play the organ or acoustic piano with your right hand. This mode is excellent for duets, as well as learning alongside a piano teacher.
Layer Mode: With Layer mode, you can combine sounds on top of one another (example: piano + strings).
Overall, with the right setup, consistent practice, and a sense of curiosity, you can absolutely learn to play the digital piano from home. Take it one step at a time, don’t rush, and enjoy the process.