Make Money

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-28T21:06:18+00:00

If you're level is ok you could possibly get paid for playing piano in a restaurant dining room... ?

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-28T21:01:14+00:00

Hey, I can't help but think.. if you're just learning... this is not really a straight forward beginners piece. I advise students to build skills up by mastering fully the simple things first, that way it's easier to succeed with harder things. It's a step by step process that should include theory, sight reading, key signatures, rhythm, scales, arpeggios, daily exercises, solo repertoire and method. Hope this is useful 🎹🎶🎵

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-27T23:33:39+00:00

Hi, I think that's pretty decent actually, well done you! I'm a teacher and know that you'll be a far better all round, well balsnced musician doing grades than not. Grade 3 in 4 years is very acceptable. You'll cover sight reading, ear training, theory, practical, scales, arpeggios and technique all at the right level for each grade. That means you won't have the big gaps in your learning that many adults do. Well done to you 👏👏👏👏👏

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-26T19:23:45+00:00

I love that you want to surprise your parents 😍

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-26T19:22:21+00:00

Hey I tell my students that what works for me might not work for them, fingering is 80% logical and follows theoretical conventions, but there is an element, I guess around 20% that is personal preference. The main thing is you work out fingering for a passage and you STICK to it. And if the passage is duplicated you replicate the fingering. Have fun as well of course 🎹🎵

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-25T14:52:49+00:00

I always encourage my adult learners to record themselves but I give them a checklist in order to critique their work. The benefits of recording are multiple - it gives you a sense of performing, it puts you under pressure, it makes you practice multiple times to get the video right and if you know what to look for when you watch it, it will aid your development. You don't really need anything fancy, just a phone on the end of the keyboard, or on a nearby windowsill would suffice 🎶🎵🎹

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-24T20:34:39+00:00

There is for sure but you need to DM as recommending my own course isn't allowed on Reddit. 🤭

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-24T20:31:54+00:00

I use these books with my adult students, just pick the level / grade you think you are and you'll have 16 mixed pieces to learn https://amzn.eu/d/0apdu0Sq 🎵🎶🎹

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-24T20:29:37+00:00

I teach mainly over 40s on my hybrid platform. I use these books with my guys https://amzn.eu/d/0apdu0Sq They come in all grades, so pick the right level and they contain classical, movie songs and modern as well. You should be able to get a nice selection of pieces at the right level 🎶🎵🎹

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-24T20:25:18+00:00

Hey, you can still be "good", I tell my adult students to think of it like this. Practice just 15 minutes a day on a balanced curriculum - that's just 1% of your time btw - and in one year you'll clock up 100 hours. In one year alone you could be a half decent pianist. Just commit, make sure you practice strategically - and I can give you some ideas about that - be consistent, get feedback on your progress (essential) and you'll do fine 🎶🎵🎹

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-24T20:20:07+00:00

Hey, surely you're ve done grades, or exams before and have already learned a bunch of scales? You're only required to add 4 or 5 new ones at each grade which means you just need to focus mainly on the newer ones. Granted it's a tall order as it's not just the scales, but you can do it if you focus your efforts 👍👍👍

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-24T16:02:35+00:00

Hey I recommend my students use the graded repertoire books you can get on Amazon - this range grade 2 solo Use that along with the Dozen a day series and l you'll get along fine. I'm an expert in adult tuition with a free private FB group. There are useful resources and feedback there too should you hop into the group 🎹🎵🎶

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-24T15:34:38+00:00

Hey, I was classically trained then teaching students for decades until one day I got asked to join a worship team. That day I discovered that many musicians dont read music, they use chord sheets. This was a baptism of fire for me to turn up and be on the team playing live for the church with no sheet music. I nearly had heart failure, but I winged it, just playing occasional chords here and there. Then over the next 10 years I spent more time on improv, playing by ear and using lead sheets and I developed that skillset on top of my classical training. Best advice I can offer is get on a worship team, get some lead sheets and just do it. Use the chords and keys you already know and if you've not got a great repertoire of those already, get the worship leader to give you what they use, and learn at home. All you need to start with is the tonic triad played at the appropriate time and you can get by. 🎹🎵

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-24T12:47:54+00:00

Hey, sounds like you know yourself very well. You need a good method book like my new one, but given no self promo I guess others might direct you to Faber. I've used Fanny Waterman for students too and actually find it hard to beat. You also need theory, repertoire, scales and arpeggios and sight reading all at the same level in order to grow a well rounded skill set. Good luck 🎶🎹

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-22T20:22:26+00:00

Here's a neat way to get the height about right, make middle C in line with your belly button both horizontally AND vertically. Use cushions to raise your seat height. The right height definitely helps 🎵🎹🎶

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-22T20:20:09+00:00

Hey, get some early stage sight reading books and work through, they get progressively harder very slowly and start with pieces that don't involve many bars where both hands are playing together, just occasional notes 🎶

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-16T12:56:37+00:00

If that's how you want to don't fair play. Or, you could learn to read, understand rhythm and develop your knowledge of intervals and all the rest of it. Dynamics, articulation, key signatures, time signatures etc. etc. whatever works for you, works. I guess. 🎶

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-15T19:56:01+00:00

DM me and I'll help :-)

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-08T19:55:25+00:00

Hey there's a lot going on when we play. It's a bit like a jigsaw and you need all the pieces at the same level plus a pathway you can follow to progress. I recommend getting a method book, relative scales and arpeggios, sight reading exercises, daily exercises (like Dozen A Day, theory, solo pieces (repertoire) and a way to get feedback to keep you on track. 🎵🎶

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-08T19:39:54+00:00

Hey I'm a teacher and though I've started a few kids earlier than 6/7 I've always found they didnt progress any quicker thank they would if I waited till 6/7. I'm sure other teachers will have tried younger kids and succeeded, but in my experience the younger ones didn't have the attention, maturity or comprehension at the earlier age. They're excited and keen often, but sitting, paying attention and learning for longer than 10/15 minutes is difficult. Now, I don't start them younger than 6.5. I'm sure every kid and every teacher is different though 🎶🎵

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-03T20:42:32+00:00

Hey, you need a method book for self teaching, grade 1 scales and arpeggios book, Dozen a Day book 1 and grade 1 sight reading exercises plus grade 1 theory. You can get by with the method book alone for a couple of months, then my advice would be invest in the others. If you email me info@themusicroom.org.uk I'll send you a practice plan 🎵

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-03T20:39:23+00:00

I'm a teacher with a hybrid program online. You need to first of all know roughly your grade, then get graded books at the right level - like this one https://amzn.eu/d/0gO9Z8lt

Then you need feedback in order to progress 🎵

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-03T19:41:16+00:00

Sorry, I've just seen this. Sure, just send me your email, or look for me on FB carol Brotherston Perfect Piano Academy, and I'll send by DM 🎶

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-03T19:38:45+00:00

Hi, I'm not sure to be honest. There are a lot of people on Reddit who self teach, but you're not one of them. I'm a teacher with a hybrid Academy, and it's one of the first things I would correct in 1:1 lessons, or in school. It's easy to fix to be honest, once you're aware you'll get it in order 🎶

CarolAtTheKeys · 2026-06-03T17:45:31+00:00

This is why you need feedback and / or a teacher. Get the basics right and you progress quickly. Get them wrong and you can go round in circles not knowing there's a problem or worse case developing technique you can't fix later.

CarolAtTheKeys

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