Why You Can't Hear Your Own Mistakes at the Piano
In my previous article on piano fingering, I wrote about how many beginners accidentally play the wrong notes simply by following finger numbers instead of reading the notes carefully. It prompted another thought that I've seen , and still see, countless times over the years
Students will often play, what to me sound like obvious wrong notes, several times in succession without even noticing.
When I point it out I sometimes get the reaction, "Perhaps I'm tone deaf."
In almost every case, they're not.
What Does "Tone Deaf" Really Mean?
True tone deafness, more accurately known as congenital amusia, is actually quite rare. Most estimates suggest it affects only a small percentage of the population.
People who genuinely have this condition find it difficult to recognise differences in pitch. A familiar tune may not sound obviously wrong when altered, and singing in tune can be extremely challenging.
Most adult piano learners don't fall into this category.
In fact, if I deliberately play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with a few wrong notes, or finish a piece with an obvious clash of notes, almost everyone immediately notices that something isn't right.
So why don't they notice when they play the wrong note?
The Brain Is Simply Too Busy
Learning the piano is one of the most demanding things we ask the brain to do and it takes up a lot of processing power - CPU
At the hands-together stage, you're trying to process an enormous amount of information all at once.
You're reading the notation.
You're keeping the rhythm steady.
You're remembering the fingering.
You're coordinating both hands.
You're thinking about posture and technique.
You're trying not to stop.
We can become easily distracted by focussing on coordination so intently that we are not actually listening to the sound that we produce.
Often I'll stop a student and ask,
"Did you hear anything unusual?"
Often the answer is no.
Their hearing wasn't the problem.
Their attention was.
Listening Is a Skill
People sometimes assume listening simply happens.
In reality, listening is an active musical skill that develops alongside reading, technique and coordination.
At first, the brain simply hasn't enough spare cpu to analyse every sound you're producing.
It's rather like driving somewhere familiar and suddenly realising you've arrived with little recollection of the last ten minutes. You weren't asleep. Your brain was simply prioritising other information.
The same thing happens at the piano.
How to Train Yourself to Listen
There are a few simple ways to encourage active listening.
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Slow the music down enough that your brain has time to listen.
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Play short sections rather than the entire piece.
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Play Hands Separately it is amazing what you can discover about the music as well as noticing wrong notes.
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Occasionally close the music and simply listen to the sound you're producing.
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Record yourself. Mistakes become obvious when you're no longer concentrating on playing them.
Final Thoughts
Many adult learners tell me they're tone deaf.
Very few actually are.
More often than not, they're simply asking their brains to do far too much at once.
The encouraging thing is that listening improves with experience, just like coordination, rhythm and technique.
About the Music and Course
The Adult Piano Beginners Course is designed specifically for adult learners and returning pianists, with over 65 video lessons and a clear pathway through to Grade 3 and beyond. Both the course and the Hey Presto! Piano Method have been recommended by Pianist magazine as resources for adult learners.
Adult Piano Beginners Course:
www.adultpianobeginners.com
Hey Presto! Piano Method:
https://a.co/d/dh2bKMb
Adult Piano Beginners Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1114361552240767
Marcel Zidani
Concert Pianist, Composer and Piano Teacher
Author of the Hey Presto! Piano Method Series
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