Are you interested in learning the piano but do not actually own one? Maybe you’re learning it as we speak but haven’t seen a piano in days or weeks.
Here are some ways to start learning the piano if you do not have one:
- Study Music Theory.
- Visualizing: Perform Mental Practice.
- Practice Desk/Table-top Tapping.
- Last Possible Resort: Rent or Buy an Electric Keyboard.
*Insert visible confusion face – How is this possible?
Yes, it is doable – to a certain extent, of course.
Starting to learn the piano without an actual piano is not recommended.
The best way to start learning the piano is with an experienced piano teacher and/or at least invest your money in an affordable piano keyboard. The reason for this: you feel the urge to touch a tangible piano and apply everything you have learned along the way.
If you do choose this path, do not be discouraged. No matter what situation you may find yourself in. We want you to learn the piano despite the circumstances.
Circumstances may be grim, but we offer you several opportunities to learn or continue learning this beautiful instrument.
➜ Related: Scales Or Chords: Which Should I Learn First For Piano?
But before we start, we want to know why you want to learn piano this way?
You might be a beginner who received a defective keyboard, but you are eager to start learning the piano while you wait for another one.
Perfect! We got you covered in this article.
Due to the recent pandemic, you’re afraid to go to piano lessons and you do not have a piano in your home.
No worries, we got you too!
Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn the piano, but it is just too darn expensive!
Yup, we hear ya.
That is why we’ve written this article for these exact reasons!
Study Music Theory.
You do not necessarily need to have a piano to start learning this instrument.
If you are a complete beginner without a piano, the foremost thing you can do is learn music theory.
To give an example, would-be doctors or lawyers do not jump straight into their practice. They often spend hundreds of hours studying before going to the hospital or the courtroom.
The same could be said of learning the piano.
Unless you have piano lessons with a piano teacher, one of the biggest challenges for beginners at the beginning is understanding music theory.
Piano teachers often begin by teaching their students the basics of music theory. This is a sound approach, as it helps to build a solid foundation on which to build strong habits.
If you’re teaching yourself the piano:
Eventually, you’d like to own a piano; the very-least an affordable piano keyboard which we will touch upon later in the article.
Truly, as soon-to-be doctors or lawyers ultimately graduate from the classroom and begin gaining invaluable experience through live practice.
➜ Related: 3 Reasons Why Piano Is Easy To Learn – Plus More!
Visualizing: Perform Mental Practice.
This is such an underrated aspect of piano learning, in fact, all instruments!
Mental practice is so much more than it is being portrayed as.
Some of the top pianists in the world sit down and visualize themselves playing certain pieces. Their programming their subconscious mind by doing so.
Here’s what you can do if you do not have access to a piano:
1) Go to YouTube and search up the piece you’re interested in learning.
2) Play the video over and over again until you know it by heart.
Do not just watch the video. Sit there and close your eyes as the musical notes glaze over each other-the harmony vibrating off of each other.
With that being said, this ties into the next section perfectly!
➜ Related: Can I Learn Piano On A Keyboard? Here’s Why It’s Possible!
Practice Desk/Table-top Tapping.
You do not need a piano to begin learning a specific piano piece, scale, or chord.
How’s that possible?
Remember, your brain is the main control center. It automatically controls your muscles in the arms and hands. The brain is the central control center, just as a CPU is the central control center of a computer.
Without this crucial piece, nothing would function normally.
Our brains are wired to process and memorize patterns daily. Each piece possesses certain patterns that are unique to the piece itself and it might incorporate other common patterns, found in many pieces in music.
Training your hands on a table-top, as if you’re pressing keys, will help wire the brain correctly.
Even if you do not hear a sound, visualize the sound being played by listening to recordings of the piece on a daily basis. The brain will do the strenuous work of connecting these two components. This skill is useful when it is time to learn the piece or the scale on a real piano.
You will see how quickly you can pick up a new piece!
➜ Related: Is Piano Hard? Find Out By Asking Yourself These 3 Questions!
Last Possible Resort: Rent or Buy an Electric Keyboard
We get it. Some people find themselves in a financial pickle.
The last thing you need is a financial investment in the purchase of a new piano.
They can cost thousands and thousands of dollars, from $500 to $10,000 and beyond!
We are convinced that the average music consumer cannot afford to pay such a price. There is absolutely no point in spending that much money, especially for beginners.
It is like buying an expensive car, only to barely have to drive around it.
Get the picture?
Here are a few suggestions in case you cannot imagine learning the piano without the piano!
Rent or Borrow an Electric Keyboard
This is probably the easiest and most cost-effective method available. Maybe one of your friends is a piano player and you’ve noticed an extra keyboard lying around. Why not ask them if you can borrow it for a while.
Maybe negotiate a deal between the two of you. Last but not least, many music stores are renting out some of their keyboards. If you have the time, visit one of your local music stores and ask them about their rates.
Buy an Electric Keyboard
Raise your hand if you own a Yamaha Keyboard! We’re pretty sure that many of you reading this article have or already own this popular brand.
Well, if you’re still expecting to use a piano, despite all circumstances, you cannot go wrong with this brand. They produce well-built keyboards and affordable ones too!
Do not get us wrong. There appears to be plenty of options on the market, including other fantastic brands.