My old piano teacher said I played like I was scared of the keys

I wanted to be a jazz pianist when I was younger, but I gave it up after high school. She told me that about 15 years ago, and it stuck with me because it was true. I just started playing again last month, and I'm trying to focus on hitting the notes with more confidence, even if I mess up. It's slow, but I finally got through a full chorus of 'Autumn Leaves' without stopping. Anyone else pick up an old instrument and have to unlearn a bad habit?

3 comments

3 Comments

violaramirez17d ago

Totally get that. I had to do the same thing with my guitar. My teacher said I was "asking" the strings to make noise instead of telling them. I started practicing simple blues scales but made myself play each note like I meant it, even if it was too loud or wrong. It felt weird at first, but now my playing has way more guts to it. That confidence in your fingers changes everything.

victorh8117d ago

Scared of the keys" is such a real critique.

vera_robinson3617d ago

That phrase makes me think of my old piano teacher. She used to say you had to attack the keys, not just tap them. Victorh81 probably gets what I mean.