There are some mistakes that are very common to piano students, so much so that I would argue that everyone has made these at some point. I know I have and so have all my piano students (although some more than others).
The first very fixable mistake that everyone makes at some point or other is opening up their piano music and playing immediately, without pausing for a literal second to stop and think what they are about to play. What normally follows is that a few bars in, the piano player will stop because they have messed up, usually with the notes or the fingering. I’ve seen it so many times that whenever a student makes this mistake, I wonder how long it is going to take for it all to fall apart. The fix is really simple – ALWAYS take a moment or two to gather your thoughts, think about what you are about to play before playing a single note.
Have you ever seen a classical piano player, either in concert or through the tv or You Tube just sit down at a piano and immediately start playing ? I know I haven’t. These musicians will often come out onto the stage, put their music up (if they are using any) sit on the piano stool and adjust it (which sometimes is a second or two and sometimes it feels more like a minute or two!). They will then proceed rub or stretch their hands before pausing to take a breath or two before playing a single note. If it’s a good idea for professional piano players to take the time to focus before playing, then isn’t it a good idea for all of us?!
Another mistake that is so common, especially when students start a new piano piece is that they look at the first note, without even noticing what the key signature is or the time signature. Even though the vast majority of pieces of music for piano has a treble clef for the right hand and a bass clef for the left hand, it is also important to check the clefs because they sometimes are actually two treble clefs and even though it is extremely rare, I have also seen to bass clefs. If you are reading the wrong clef, then your music will sound horrible. So please makes sure that you look at all of the information on your music instead of just the first note.
This next mistake, I’ve done so many times when I was younger still do from time to time, is failing to make sure that the music book (or device) is securely positioned on the music stand. I can’t count the number of times I wouldn’t put the book on the stand properly and a few seconds later after I’ve played the first couple of notes, the music book would fall down on my hands and the keyboard, making an almighty crashing sound and completely ruining my start. So, always make sure your music, whether printed or digital is sitting balanced on its stand before commencing to play.
In some ways I think these mistakes are quite funny because taking a little care and concentration before playing the piano can make sure these silly mistakes don’t happen.