The world of piano learning is vast and multi-faceted. Piano learners have many options for how they learn to play piano, as well as what they play and the source of information they use to play it.

The traditional piano lesson is focused almost completely around reading sheet music. This has worked well for many piano learners for centuries. Not only does it help them learn to play piano, it allows them to learn anything from classical music to pop music and Broadway show tunes. Music reading is ideal for people who learn analytically and are good at puzzling abstract information on a page. This works for many, but not for all, as there are many types of learners out there with many different interests.

Fortunately, there are other options. Piano improvisation–as with lead sheets–uses a creative approach catering to more right-brained types. It allows learners to play their favorite songs while being more accessible for some learners than complex sheet music. Improvisation with lead sheets supports learning chords and directly complements other musical skills such as playing by ear. It also involves the experimental thinking used in music composition.

Written notation is a beautiful and mostly-effective means of transmitting music. However, society has evolved between relying solely on it. Recordings of any song or piece of music you could ever want to hear are instantly available on the internet. Today’s technology–including written music notation–present many options that can satisfy and engage piano learners. It is a beautiful time to follow your piano passions wherever they lead you, whether you wish to read Mozart Sonatas or play jazz standards or rock tunes using lead sheets.

In my book “Play Piano: A Learner’s Guide to Playing, Reading, and Creating Music,” I invite piano learners to explore the world of piano learning in ways that most inspire them. It turns out there are numerous options.

The world of piano learning is more diverse than you may have thought.