| There are different types of music and you may wish to play a particular kind because it is what you enjoy the most. This is true, of course, but the issue is not as simple as you might think. You can play what ever kind of music you want, but you may learn more by trying genres other than what you are familiar with. Keep an open mind because different types of music offer different benefits and challenges. 
| A successful hip-hop DJ approached me - he wanted to learn how to play keyboards and read music. He was very clear about his goals: "I don't want to play classical music, I don't like it." I asked him what classical music he had heard and he replied that he had heard it on the radio. So I asked him, "What if I didn't like Hip-Hop but the only stuff I have heard was on a video television station?" It made sense; you cannot judge an entire genre of music by just a few examples. |
Parents and students should know that, in the beginning, music lessons convey the same information. The symbols found on a page of Blues music are the same as the symbols found on a sheet of Classical music. So, you may request hip-hop on a keyboard, but in the early lessons, it really isn't all that different than classical on a keyboard. It's all music.  Classical Music is excellent for learning the musical notation; helping your finger technique; and helping your ear "train" and become more perceptive. There are good pieces of classical music at every level of study, and classical music always helps with your music skills toward any other kind of music. Classical music will give you a solid foundation for further studies. Popular Music is popular, which increases the chances of you knowing it, liking it, and practicing it more frequently. Popular music, however, has difficulties that may prove to be disappointing. The rhythm is often complicated, especially in terms of the way it is written down. It may be arranged to include the contribution of other instruments and it is very complicated to play all the parts on one piano. So, playing popular music can be more time consuming and you won't get instant gratification because the songs weren't designed for beginner pianists. Jazz, Improvisation and making your own music is always helpful (regardless of the genre). Improvisation will improve various aspects of your musical skills including better playing of the music and better understanding of music theory. Improvising allows you to improve even after you mastered the art of improvisation: you can always learn more and play better. Improvisation allows you to play music without having to read music sheets, figuring it out, and practicing the same thing over and over again. The downside with improvising is that it is easy to meander and not progress; it is important to set goals and always work towards your goal when you work with these types of music.  
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