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The self-taught pianist: What to do when you've outgrown your piano teacher

At some time in the learning process, students tire of the restrictions imposed by lessons and it is a natural part of the process that piano players move on to more independent playing of their instrument without the constraints of classes.

When arriving at this stage where you feel that lessons are holding your creativity at bay, then there are so many different aspects to playing the piano that can be explored without criticism, though the standing that your lessons gave you in theory, position of hands and scale-work will have set you up with so many possibilities to explore as an independent musician.

Exploring genres

Here, each individual pianist has preferences, and when starting out, one of the most valuable lessons that you can learn will have been already gleaned during formal lessons. Choosing the kind of music that you like and appreciate helps you to build up a repertoire of sheet music to give you the incentive to improve. Every sector of music has easy and hard compositions, and the composers have done their work.

Now it's time to do yours. Know your limitations and try not to give yourself lessons that are too hard, since this takes away the pleasure element of playing, while less technically difficult pieces can always be found within your chosen genre. For example, with light classical works, looking for instructional books with pieces that get progressively difficult can help you develop alone, and Clementi is renowned for giving a classical player a wide repertoire at different levels of ability.

Jazz piano or blues is a difficult genre, although even here, there are pieces that are less technically difficult and one of the most valuable lessons that I learned without a teacher to guide me was the importance of listening to a recording of how that music is presented professionally, so that I knew what I was aiming at. Ask in music shops and never be afraid to discuss the level of your ability, as no doubt there is music out there that will enable you to perform the type and style you enjoy at all levels of ability.

Improving

To improve as a musician there are aspects that really do need your attention since you will have no teacher to impose these essential ingredients to learning:

*Discipline
*Incentive
*Goals

Discipline is important with any instrument. Without it, we fumble and do not progress. Here, regular practice makes a better player, and keeping the hands accustomed

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