Do (Piano) Lessons "Ruin" You??

Question:Or any lessons, I suppose. I'm just wondering...I took lessons for over 10 years, and does anyone else think it kinda ruins your creativity by learning all the technical elements? I mean, it's great if you carry on with all the classical stuff, but do you find it hard to improvise after you learn all that?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Or any lessons, I suppose. I'm just wondering...I took lessons for over 10 years, and does anyone else think it kinda ruins your creativity by learning all the technical elements? I mean, it's great if you carry on with all the classical stuff, but do you find it hard to improvise after you learn all that?

No definately not. As a 2nd year Contemporary music degree student, I can understand how someone would feel boxed in and lifeless from being taught specific technique and theory. I face that ALL the time.

What I have learned though is the that technique you learn allows you to have the chops to play what you want to play when you are hearing say a jazz solo in your head while you are improvising over changes.

Also... you have to look at what you have been practicing ... if you practice the same things the same way all the time, then playing anything else other than what you've practiced while soloing is almost impossible.

An if you are going to improvise ... have you practiced different sequential "jazz" or "contemporary" patterns, or just classical (you might do what I'm going to mention below in classical, who knows?) They have a different sound and a different feel that straight "classical" technique.

For example take the simple idea of major scales. Sure you can play all your major scales 4 octaves two hands up and down --- just guessing I know nothing. Have you practiced all your major scales the 4 ways you can play them in intervals/chords? (the 4 ways are ... up up, down down, up down, down up)

In 3rds: a)13,24,35, ....etc. b)31,42,53.... etc. c) 13, 42, 35, 64 .... etc. d) 31, 24, 53, 46 ..... etc.

Do that in 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, 6ths, 7ths ... then do the same thing with diatonic triads, and diatonic 7th chords. Then repeat the same practice pattern with pentatonic scales. That's a millions things to do and that just covering some of what you can do on a Major sound.

Basically you need to shake up your regular playing pattern ... make up your own licks whatever.

And when it's all said and done, "throw your technique out the window" and just play music. Music is what it's all about, what you are feeling, what you have to say. The technique you learn will allow you to internalize and HEAR the changes the sound and it will help you hear what you want to play and have the chops to lay it down exactly where you want it. It will move from the technical realm to the musical realm. Just play what's in your soul and in your heart.

I don't claim to know anything specific about piano, I'm a woodwind player, but I did my best to relate music to music.

Do TONS of listening to different piano players playing the music styles you want to play, perhaps they will help you find your improvising voice.

Happy Playing!

I know what you're talking about and I personally think it does because that has happened to me, too :/

well i play guitar....classical piano and flute!....but i started with just wanting to be creative!....playing guitar and making up my own chords.,....writing songs...tinking at the piano so eventually im getting all these lessons...i love it! music is my detox,....its where all my stress is let out...ive nvr had a problem not being able to write a song.....pick up a guitar!.....it will help trust me...even thow the first yr its like i hate guitar i cant play worth ****!:D:P....haha

I don't think so, maybe someone might use that as an excuse, but you won't find famous people who don't know the fundamentals

lessons make you better. They are the foundation on which you can improvise and improve. All the great performers, especially the most creative ones, spent countless hours pracicing the basics.
The more you know, the better. Creativity is something separate adn once you add creativity to knowledge and ability, you will be abe to do a lot more.

I had over 10 yrs of piano lessons. Without them, I wouldn't have had the theory and practical application to make a living at my craft, which i do now. Lessons were hard and at the time as i got more advanced i thought they would ruin me, but im so glad i stuck with it.

I sorta think so also, but if you have a good 'creative' teacher, and all... then it might not. but ya, it kinda makes you only play how they like you playing. not cool : (

It depends on the quality of the lessons and the teacher. I have heard many horror stories of teachers who intimidated or discouraged students - these students often ended up hating lessons, hating practicing, and they most often ended up giving up with learning a musical instrument.

On the other hand, I have had many wonderful experiences with teachers who cared about integrating the technical and musical parts of learning to play the piano.

For example, if you want to do improvisation, do your teachers let you? Do they only give you Mozart, or do they give you Monk to learn as well? Do they encourage you to write your own pieces to play on the piano?

A good teacher will make learning technique more than just a technical exercise. If you are learning the proper fingering for arpeggios, for example, a good teacher will give you fun pieces to play that require you to play those arpeggios. And they will certainly encourage you to use those arpeggios in your improvisations.

With the right guidance, you can easily master the technical elements without sacrificing any of your creativity.

Well, in order to use a tool to create something you must first have an understanding of using that tool yes? I took violin lessons for 5 years and have no problem improving. This is where you make the difference between "feeling and interpreting" and just "playing" the music. What I would suggest (it worked for me) is one day sit down at your piano, look the other direction, and just hap hazardly tap the keys until you hear something you like. I've written many a song by making a mistake while playing another. It's just the mistake sounded nice lol! Keep in mind it could take a while for it to work so don't get frustrated! If you do you have defeated the whole purpose of playing! Remember, this is supposed to be relaxing and FUN! Hope this helps!