Learn to play the piano

[DenisDenis]

I would really like to learn to play the piano, I've been intrigued by the idea
but dont really know how I should get started on it...

Anyone here that has some experience with learning on your own to play?
If so, how did you do it? Did you first learn how to read notes? What sources
did you use?

For people who took musical-lessons, do you think its possible to play on a
decent level by learning this by myself? Or do I have to take lessons?

[The Fighting_Crusnik]

My mom is a piano teacher, but she's had several students who self taught themselves up until they decided they needed a teacher... and by the time they decided to get a teacher, the only real thing that they need to do was to learn the really advance stuff and to fix the few glitches that occurred while self teaching themselves. So overall, if you were to dedicate yourself to it and be consistent with practicing and whatnot, you could teach yourself and become successful while doing so. :)

[leftace53]

I didn't learn the piano, but I taught myself guitar for a few years before taking lessons, and my dad learnt piano by himself. Theres tons of resources out there in the internets for sheet music (beginner stuff is usually free).
For piano, you may want to look into music theory to learn how to read notes, as well as some of the technical stuff. This is a fair resource ranging from beginner to high intermediate music theory (http://www.musictheory.net/). After you get the basic grasp of what notes are what on the staff, you could move on to finger charts such as this, to match up what you know in theory with a real keyboard/piano (http://musiced.about.com/od/lessonsandtips/ss/fingeringcharts_4.htm). There are also things like this to help you learn the fingerings of playing scales (for this site, number off your fingers thumb = 1, index = 2 etc...) (http://www.robertkelleyphd.com/scalfing.htm)
You don't need lessons, but for me (and for guitar atleast), I found that going to lessons fixed up some of my form (like curvature of fingers) and helped me work on my dexterity. If you are thinking about lessons, I'd suggest look into some just as you are getting started, so that you will have proper form from the beginning, then you can quit and be on your own for however long you choose.

Just remember that learning an instrument yourself is tough shit. take it slow so that you can build up muscle memory, and try not to get frustrated with yourself if you can't do something (which will happen). Good luck!

[Foldered]

I've taught myself to play guitar and I imagine that learning paino without a teacher is slightly more difficult. There are a lot of resources online that are worth looking into and if you have some sort of drive you should be able to have fun while you actually learn. That's how it worked for guitar for me; while I could have probably gotten "better" quicker, I like that I taught myself. You learn a lot about yourself when you teach yourself things.

[DenisDenis]

I didn't learn the piano, but I taught myself guitar for a few years before taking lessons, and my dad learnt piano by himself. Theres tons of resources out there in the internets for sheet music (beginner stuff is usually free).
For piano, you may want to look into music theory to learn how to read notes, as well as some of the technical stuff. This is a fair resource ranging from beginner to high intermediate music theory (http://www.musictheory.net/). After you get the basic grasp of what notes are what on the staff, you could move on to finger charts such as this, to match up what you know in theory with a real keyboard/piano (http://musiced.about.com/od/lessonsandtips/ss/fingeringcharts_4.htm). There are also things like this to help you learn the fingerings of playing scales (for this site, number off your fingers thumb = 1, index = 2 etc...) (http://www.robertkelleyphd.com/scalfing.htm)
You don't need lessons, but for me (and for guitar atleast), I found that going to lessons fixed up some of my form (like curvature of fingers) and helped me work on my dexterity. If you are thinking about lessons, I'd suggest look into some just as you are getting started, so that you will have proper form from the beginning, then you can quit and be on your own for however long you choose.

Just remember that learning an instrument yourself is tough shit. take it slow so that you can build up muscle memory, and try not to get frustrated with yourself if you can't do something (which will happen). Good luck!

wow thanks, good stuff there!
Mostly when i search for lessons and stuff I come across these scam websites
which promise you you'll be able to play the piano in 2 minutes, and when
you get to page 2 they want you to pay like €5000...

Now i've got more courage too, knowing its possible to learn it myself!
thanks guys!

[Invincible Summer]

I don't know how you are as a learner, but I tend to fall behind when I'm not pushed by a class or instructor to do better.

I'd say try learning by yourself and if you think your progress is way too slow, then take some lessons.

[x371322]

Even though you can learn quite a bit on your own, there's really no substitute for a good teacher. Ideally you'd want to learn the right techniques and avoid bad habits right off the bat. Lessons will help make sure you get off on the right foot. I took piano in high school, and loved it. I looked at it as getting free lessons. But yeah, definitely avoid scam website like you mentioned. Try asking around at local music stores. They might know where you could find some help, or even offer lessons themselves.

Also, have you checked youtube? There should be some good tutorials on there.

[DenisDenis]

I don't know how you are as a learner, but I tend to fall behind when I'm not pushed by a class or instructor to do better.

I'd say try learning by yourself and if you think your progress is way too slow, then take some lessons.

Haha actually i'm also like that :p
But I'll give it a try anyway...
Btw dont you think i'm getting a little too old to take lessons? Won't i be in the middle of 10 year olds and stuff? :p
Maybe i'll beter take a look at some local schools and see what that's all
about...

[Invincible Summer]

Haha actually i'm also like that :p
But I'll give it a try anyway...
Btw dont you think i'm getting a little too old to take lessons? Won't i be in the middle of 10 year olds and stuff? :p
Maybe i'll beter take a look at some local schools and see what that's all
about...

Hahah don't worry there are lots of people who give private lessons. Check around music stores, like Czad suggested, and look in the classifieds. Also ask friends or people you know who play piano if they know any teachers, or if they can teach you!

[leftace53]

Btw dont you think i'm getting a little too old to take lessons? Won't i be in the middle of 10 year olds and stuff? :p


My dad took lessons (after learning some basics) when he was 45 (not that 45 is old or anything :lol:). Never too old to learn :thumbup1:

[DenisDenis]

My dad took lessons (after learning some basics) when he was 45 (not that 45 is old or anything :lol:). Never too old to learn :thumbup1:

Awesome! How are his piano-skills now? How long did he take classes until he
was able to play decently?

[leftace53]

He is probably an intermediate at this point, he took lessons for about 3-4 months, but had to stop due to wage slavery commitments :( He kept playing for a while after lessons, but after a bit, time constraints got the better of him.

[Aloysius]

Sometimes you don't need lessons to make music. It helps, of course.
I used to play the cello, but I got tired of my wack teacher, so I quit. Now I want to buy my own, but I don't have the money.
Anywho, just sit down and play.