Having trouble learning piano.

[renegade7]

So I'm in a piano class at college and when I'm in class I do extremely well (I'm currently at the top) but when I try to practice on my own...well, trouble.

The problem seems to be that I can't get my hands to work together. I never have any trouble memorizing the notes, and I can play very well with each hand individually (I'm actually ambidextrous, though slightly better with my right hand), but when it comes to getting them to work together it's a pain in the ass.

So I know the solution is to start working on hand-hand coordination, but the question is, how?

 

[Padwolf]

Hi there! I've been playing for over 10 years now, and I had the same problem you had.

My solution is going to sound horridly simple, but for me it just worked out by taking it very slowly. Don't worry about the pacing at first, just take it nice and slowly, keep working on each hand individually, go over a piece three times with left hand then right hand, maybe 4 with just your left hand. Left hand was my big issue. Then bring them together, but slowly. Take your time, stick with one piece of music (I know that can become boring) but it could help.

I'm sorry I don't have much more to offer, but that's all I did really. Spend more time watching your hands while you play aswell, stretch your fingers around, learn how many notes you can stretch, learn where everything is on the piano. It sounds weird, but really learn your fingers. Bah I'm sorry I can't explain things properly. But once you've learned that, learn to take quick glances at the piano while you play, sort of anticipating what notes you are going to have to press for the music. The important thing is to take it slow at first, and practice practice practice!

I hope that helps!

 

[Padwolf]

Bah double post
Sorry, mods, can you please delete this?

 

[Padwolf]

Darnit, a triple post! So sorry about that. My silly computer and silly internet were being silly.

 

[e033x]

Speaking as a musician, I feel your pain. I'm not really a pianist, so i can't recommend anything, but seeing as you are in a class, you should ask the teacher for some technical excercises to help hand coordination. If you're desperate, you could do a "piano hand coordination excercise" search on youtube. You should have a bunch of these (and other) excercises as a warm-up routine every time you play. It may seem boring (it may also be boring), but a good technique makes playing so much easier, better, and more fun. I know that from experience, heck, I've been doing 1-2 hours of technical excercises every day the last month (studying at a conservatory).