Piano

[heartablaze]

Ok, so I'm not exactly sure what forum this goes in, but I thought I'd put it in here.

So I've decided that I need a better hobby than just playing video games and watching tv. I've also wanted to do something more involved in creation rather than just consumption. This summer, I visited family and saw how awesome my teenage cousin was at piano after only a few years of practicing piano. And I've heard that those who are musically-minded can easily learn languages. I'm language-minded, so maybe that means I can more easily pick up piano?

Anyway, I bought a 61-key electric keyboard last week to get me started. I also found some old adult piano course books I've started working through.

Any advice from piano aficionados about how to learn/what to learn? Any tips about piano? Basically what I would like to do is to sight-read and play worship music.

Thanks.

[Teallaura]

Take some lessons. You can only get so far without someone to help you learn fingering. Other than that, practice every day.

[Cerealman]

I never played an instrument but I taught myself music theory(also took a class) but I can't read music to save my life. Just the other day I played the piano for the first time and learned I can at least play by ear( at least an amateur level)so that was kinda cool. The song was exio's family but besides that I usually use a computer to make music.

When I get to college I want to find s tutor also I think it'll be fun to learn the piano. Though I rather play by ear than by reading the notes on a sheet.

[heartablaze]

Take some lessons. You can only get so far without someone to help you learn fingering. Other than that, practice every day.

Thanks! Maybe after I get settled in the fall, I can see about lessons. They are pretty expensive, though, right? Right now when I'm not busy, I've been practicing every day. I hope to keep it up.

I never played an instrument but I taught myself music theory(also took a class) but I can't read music to save my life. Just the other day I played the piano for the first time and learned I can at least play by ear( at least an amateur level)so that was kinda cool. The song was exio's family but besides that I usually use a computer to make music.

When I get to college I want to find s tutor also I think it'll be fun to learn the piano. Though I rather play by ear than by reading the notes on a sheet.

Cool, maybe we can keep up and see how our piano adventures go. I don't see how you can do things by ear that soon! Why do you want to play piano?

[Teallaura]

I never played an instrument but I taught myself music theory(also took a class) but I can't read music to save my life. Just the other day I played the piano for the first time and learned I can at least play by ear( at least an amateur level)so that was kinda cool. The song was exio's family but besides that I usually use a computer to make music.

When I get to college I want to find s tutor also I think it'll be fun to learn the piano. Though I rather play by ear than by reading the notes on a sheet.

Learn to do both - they both have advantages and disadvantages.

Thanks! Maybe after I get settled in the fall, I can see about lessons. They are pretty expensive, though, right? Right now when I'm not busy, I've been practicing every day. I hope to keep it up.

They can be - see if you can find an instructor willing to give periodic lessons. If your local college has a music school you may can find a student willing to tutor intermittently - they can always use a little extra cash.

Cool, maybe we can keep up and see how our piano adventures go. I don't see how you can do things by ear that soon! Why do you want to play piano?

Some people have that gift - but don't tell him. His ego is hard enough to get in the door as it is.

[Papa Zoom]

I've played music all my life. Mostly I'm self taught (on the guitar). I took piano lessons as a kid and played clarinet throughout elementary - HS. I never really took that instrument seriously. I'm 63 and have been playing guitar since I was 17. Of those 46 years I took lessons for two years but it was mostly reading tab and learning technique. Three years ago I started taking lessons again and am learning classical and jazz. I've "relearned" to read. I have learned so much more by having a teacher who knows more than I, is a proficient reader and well versed in theory. There are no short cuts. Get connected with a good teacher and practice every day. You earn your stripes and nothing comes easy. Even after 46 years of playing the guitar, it's amazing how much I don't know and can't do. But I'm gaining ground everyday. Repetition is the Mother of Knowledge & Understanding (a math professor said this to me when I asked what I should do to get these math concepts in my head). It's what I teach my students. Learn a concept correctly, practice it properly - over and over and over again. And the worst guitar teacher I ever had was myself. The best I've ever had is the guy that's helping me now. BTW, I can play "at" the piano and after about 6 months of guitar lessons I went to the piano and was able to play far better just using the new knowledge I had. IMO, nothing beats a competent teacher who knows where to start you out and how to direct you properly. My 2 cents. Best of luck!

[Catholicity]

Lessons and get a full keyboard. Learn chords and not just notes.

[heartablaze]

They can be - see if you can find an instructor willing to give periodic lessons. If your local college has a music school you may can find a student willing to tutor intermittently - they can always use a little extra cash.
Some people have that gift - but don't tell him. His ego is hard enough to get in the door as it is.

True, I should look into students...

How long have you played piano?

I've played music all my life. Mostly I'm self taught (on the guitar). I took piano lessons as a kid and played clarinet throughout elementary - HS. I never really took that instrument seriously. I'm 63 and have been playing guitar since I was 17. Of those 46 years I took lessons for two years but it was mostly reading tab and learning technique. Three years ago I started taking lessons again and am learning classical and jazz. I've "relearned" to read. I have learned so much more by having a teacher who knows more than I, is a proficient reader and well versed in theory. There are no short cuts. Get connected with a good teacher and practice every day. You earn your stripes and nothing comes easy. Even after 46 years of playing the guitar, it's amazing how much I don't know and can't do. But I'm gaining ground everyday. Repetition is the Mother of Knowledge & Understanding (a math professor said this to me when I asked what I should do to get these math concepts in my head). It's what I teach my students. Learn a concept correctly, practice it properly - over and over and over again. And the worst guitar teacher I ever had was myself. The best I've ever had is the guy that's helping me now. BTW, I can play "at" the piano and after about 6 months of guitar lessons I went to the piano and was able to play far better just using the new knowledge I had. IMO, nothing beats a competent teacher who knows where to start you out and how to direct you properly. My 2 cents. Best of luck!

Sounds like a long process. There's the whole issue of money with getting a teacher, but I can definitely see how that would help. That's great on your gains in guitar and perseverance in keeping it up!

Lessons and get a full keyboard. Learn chords and not just notes.

Isn't there a way to convert notes on a keyboard? (well, I guess I want to really see if this is something that will stick before investing in a full keyboard.) How long have you played piano?

[Teallaura]

Mallets, since high school. I took piano but I never really learned. I play keyboards I can hit with sticks!

[heartablaze]

Mallets, since high school. I took piano but I never really learned. I play keyboards I can hit with sticks!

Ooh fun! Is that anything like the marimba? I remember in my elementary school, we had some students learning marimba.

marimba.jpeg

[Teallaura]

Exactly like marimba, which I have played. I mostly played orchestra bells/glockenspiel.

[Catholicity]

I've played the piano since I was a little girl of no more than 4. I'm in my 30's now, although life has taken me through mother hood. Its just been a hobby of mine. One that I really really like.