Every January, learning to play the piano shows up on millions of New Year’s resolution lists. But let’s be honest—many of those same people will reach the end of the year having never touched the keys.
So how do you make sure this is finally your year? Whether you’re dreaming of serenading your family or simply checking a lifelong goal off your bucket list, these five piano tips for beginners from the “Piano Professor” at Piano by Pictures will set you up for real success this year.
1. Begin with the End in Mind
Stephen Covey’s famous advice—“Begin with the end in mind”—is especially helpful when learning piano. Before you dive into scales or songs, ask yourself: Why do I want to play? Are you aiming to go pro and tour with your favorite band? Or are you hoping to play a few hymns at church, or enjoy meaningful musical moments with your kids and grandkids?
Your “why” determines your “how.” Ambitious goals require professional training, daily practice, and deep music theory. But if your goals are more personal or recreational, a simplified approach—like Piano by Pictures’ visual-based method—might be the perfect fit.
2. Make Your Breaks Intentional
Believe it or not, taking breaks from practice can actually help you learn piano—if you plan them right. A few days off can give your brain time to reset, helping tricky concepts suddenly click into place. But here’s the catch: breaks must be intentional.
Decide how long you’re stepping away and exactly when you’ll return. Without a plan, a short pause can easily become a permanent stop—and another year goes by without progress.
3. Start with the Good Stuff
Let’s face it: nobody gets excited about trudging through a song by a long-dead composer they’ve never heard of. One of the biggest mistakes beginner pianists make is waiting too long to play songs they love.
Love gospel music? Start there. Obsessed with The Beatles? Try “Yesterday” today. With the right method—like Piano by Pictures’ simplified picture notation—you can skip the stress of traditional sheet music and start having fun from day one.
4. Set a Date for Your First Performance
Before you even touch the keys, pick a date for your first performance. It could be something as casual as playing a song for your family at the next holiday gathering or as meaningful as performing at a local nursing home.
Setting a date gives you accountability and a real reason to keep practicing. Don’t worry about being perfect—just having a goal on the calendar keeps your momentum strong.
5. Choose a Method That Matches Your Goals
This might be the most important tip of all: choose a learning method that fits what you want to achieve. If you’re aiming for a concert hall, yes—you’ll need formal lessons, sight-reading skills, and lots of theory. But if you want to play fun songs at home, serve in your church, or make music with loved ones, there’s a better way.
Piano by Pictures uses an intuitive picture-based approach that helps students play real songs in just minutes—no sight-reading or years of lessons required. It’s designed to make piano approachable, fun, and achievable for everyday learners.
Final Thoughts
We hope you found these piano tips for beginners useful. No matter your age or background, you can learn to play piano this year. The key is to make it personal, stay motivated, and use a method that supports your goals. If you’re ready to get started, Piano by Pictures is offering free books and resources.
Here’s to finally learning piano this year. We’re rooting for you!
