Learning piano is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding things you can do, with the benefits transcending beyond general and brain health. It’s not easy; it requires sacrifice and dedication, but the result is all worth it. Most piano teachers insist on practicing regularly, if not daily, to master the piano.
But sometimes life can get in the way, like traveling. You can’t just shelve your traveling plans because you must practice piano daily. So how do you do it?
Here are five essential tips for learning piano keyboard on your travel adventures:
1. Get a Portable Keyboard (If You Can)
An 88-key, full-size piano is ideal for most people looking to learn to play piano keyboard. However, you can’t take them on your travel adventures because they’re too bulky. This option is off the table unless you can charter an entire plane or have a private jet.
Even though it’s not exactly the same in terms of feel and sound output, a portable keyboard is the best compromise in such a situation. Light and portable, you can easily travel with it to most places worldwide.
61 to 73 keys may not be ideal, but they’re better than nothing. As you practice with it, you can learn to improvise with fewer key options.
2. Incorporate Regular Practice Sessions (Running For Short Periods)
Consistency is the name of the game when learning any skill, not just playing the piano. Regular and consistent practice builds over time, firming up your skills; before you know it, you’re a maestro.
While this is the ideal, traveling is a whole other matter. One minute is hectic as you try to rush to the airport, not to mention travel delays; the other is packed with so much fun you can almost lose yourself and not want to return. This is normal, but it doesn’t mean you forget to practice.
Regular practice sessions as short as 15-20 minutes should do it. You can fit these anywhere in your day; practice doesn’t need to be about playing piano. It can be sight reading, listening to piano music, or playing on a table or any flat surface.
3. Learn and Immerse Yourself In Piano Music
Think about how you first learned to drive or ride a bicycle. You probably watched someone else, a parent, sibling, or friend do it before you tried it yourself. The same goes for learning the piano.
Most of the time in your adventure, you’ll be in a vehicle or plane, and what better way to pass the time than to listen to your favorite composers and piano music? You can even switch it up a little and explore some of the local piano music.
The benefits won’t be apparent initially, but the more you do it, the more you’ll improve your playing skills. But that’s one part of it. Listening is great; you relax and learn, but you can maximize the benefits more by listening actively.
Listening actively to piano music doesn’t have to be complicated, either. You can jot down the notes that stand out, note how the melody flows, and try to think of how you can improve it based on your preferences and experience.
4. Use Digital or Online Resources to Practice
Let’s face it: guitars get a free pass at nearly every airport. This may not always be the case for pianos in certain jurisdictions. It may not be possible for you to travel with a portable piano. A portable piano may also be out of your reach considering your budget for the trip, or you don’t fancy buying one when you have a full-size piano you can get back to after the trip.
This is where digital and online resources come in. While you may not be allowed to carry a portable piano, it’s unlikely that your smartphone or tablet will be confiscated—download piano practice apps like Magic Piano and Simply Piano.
The experience is nearly identical, and you can put it into practice quickly and efficiently wherever you are.
5. Don’t Forget To Travel And Connect With Local Musicians
It’s easy to get lost in your piano practice and forget you’re on an adventure in the first place. You’re traveling to unwind, experience the wild variety of experiences this world offers, and even make new friends.
So, drop the intense practice sessions for a while, enjoy the scenery, and live. As a piano enthusiast, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that most cities and towns worldwide have pianos in public spaces.
If you’re lucky enough to bump into one, let your inner star shine. Play, no matter how awkward it feels, and interact with local musicians you find around as much as possible. Who knows, you may find new friends and even learn a thing or two about playing the piano from their perspective.
Wrapping Up
Traveling can be hectic as much as it’s fun. It’s also easy to slack off on your piano practice. However, you can work around this by getting a portable piano and using conventional and unconventional tips to get your practice in. Don’t forget to enjoy your adventure.
