Learning to play the piano
In the early stages of learning the piano, students are encouraged to learn a variety of skills. These can include Music Reading, Improvisation, Chords and Music Theory. Each of these aspects are outlined below.
Music Reading and Music Theory
Music Reading can be an important aspect of learning to play the piano and offers an excellent method of progression through the Classical Grading System, which runs from Grade 1 through to Grade 8.
Although not essential for all styles of music, a basic understanding of music notation can be useful as it helps build your knowledge of Music Theory and gives a sense of progression, whilst other skills such as playing by ear are still developing. Althought reading music notation isn't necessary for pop and rock genres, a basic knowledge of Music Theory is usually requirement for popular music courses.
Chords
If your goal is to play like Elton John or write songs like Coldplay, then having a Grade 8 certificate on your wall isn't going to help much unless you know how to play chords.
Chords are are a combination of two or more notes played together which creates a harmony. Used in all modern Western Music, chords can be learned through music reading without any understanding, however it is much more useful to learn how to understand chord shapes without being dependant on music notes.
One way of achieving this is to learn Classic pop and rock songs with the help of a teacher. Starting with simpler songs, a vocabulary of chords can be built upon until reading chords becomes second nature.
Improvisation
Learning how to improvise is something that almost anyone can do. In the early stages, improvisation can be performed by learning scales. It is important that the correct scale is played for the Key that the music is in.
As you become more advanced, an understanding of chords can applied to you're improvastion solos. This technique is often applied to Jazz and Blues.