Does anyone have any good tips for teaching oneself to play the piano?
- Thread starter *bratcat*
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#1tankcomander
Mark'sGirl Has My Heart!
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Marksgirl said to hire a piano or keyboard teacher!
She knows all too well after many years of playing.
She knows all too well after many years of playing.
Backyard sweaty
Literotica Guru
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*bratcat* said:
Get a "Player Piano" and fake it?
ksmybuttons
Push and Pull
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If you want to be able to get "good" and haven't mastered it yet, you need lessons. Music theory is a must if you want to be able to play by ear, especially as an older learner.
Just like guitar, start with chords and chord structures. Learn how to listen for the changes. Then you can play the melody with your right hand and do the back up with your left.
Don't bother learning the names of the notes, better to learn the "steps" of the scales then you can improvise within those. Major, minor, pentatonic for a little blues...the names will come.
Since I had piano lessons as a kid, I learned how to read music. I didn't take the time to learn the theory. When I decided I didn't want to play what was written for me, I branched out. I really much more enjoy just playing by ear because then I can put the song into the keys that I like to sing in and not have to worry about all the rest. I spent time learning the keys that I like to sing in, usually A and D, an occasional Bb and off I went. Now I can read, so the only limits I have are my manual dexterity.
Ready to cry uncle yet?
Just like guitar, start with chords and chord structures. Learn how to listen for the changes. Then you can play the melody with your right hand and do the back up with your left.
Don't bother learning the names of the notes, better to learn the "steps" of the scales then you can improvise within those. Major, minor, pentatonic for a little blues...the names will come.
Since I had piano lessons as a kid, I learned how to read music. I didn't take the time to learn the theory. When I decided I didn't want to play what was written for me, I branched out. I really much more enjoy just playing by ear because then I can put the song into the keys that I like to sing in and not have to worry about all the rest. I spent time learning the keys that I like to sing in, usually A and D, an occasional Bb and off I went. Now I can read, so the only limits I have are my manual dexterity.
Ready to cry uncle yet?
TN_Vixen
Rear Window
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If you're trying to become a better typist (which is what I think you mean by this thread) the way I learned was by plugging up a l'il ole electric typewriter and using my Mom's college typing manual (when I was 16) and practiced, practiced, practiced.
On the other hand, I'm quite impressed with those people who can type quickly and accurately with the "hunt & peck" 2-3 finger method.
On the other hand, I'm quite impressed with those people who can type quickly and accurately with the "hunt & peck" 2-3 finger method.
Weird Harold
Opinionated Old Fart
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*bratcat* said:
Just one of the hits at google.com on "piano lessons" video:
http://www.playpianonow.com/
Hell!
Get someone's old lesson books...start with the first grade and work up...a metronome would help also. You might need a little coaching on the working knowledge of notes (C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C,..etc) as well as flats and sharps.
I taught myself recorder (those of you who don't know, a recorder sounds kinda like a flute and looks kinda like a clarinet). I started teaching myself piano...and got through the first lesson of the First grade book...after much toil. I was doing this in the mornings at high school before school started. Eventually the music teacher needed to use it for chamber music practice...so *sigh*. I also started teaching myself guitar. My fingers were not esp. adaptive---my tips hurt like crazy! You really have to pursue and practice, no matter what instrument you take up. In the end it is worth it!
#1tankcomander said:
Get someone's old lesson books...start with the first grade and work up...a metronome would help also. You might need a little coaching on the working knowledge of notes (C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C,..etc) as well as flats and sharps.
I taught myself recorder (those of you who don't know, a recorder sounds kinda like a flute and looks kinda like a clarinet). I started teaching myself piano...and got through the first lesson of the First grade book...after much toil. I was doing this in the mornings at high school before school started. Eventually the music teacher needed to use it for chamber music practice...so *sigh*. I also started teaching myself guitar. My fingers were not esp. adaptive---my tips hurt like crazy! You really have to pursue and practice, no matter what instrument you take up. In the end it is worth it!
Xander
Rekindled
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- Dec 20, 1999
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- 17,089
Well, the idea about having the (a,b,c,d) stickes attached to the keys are a good start.
Find a beginners book with what I tend to call Blocks (Basic chords) where there are pictures of the finger positions.
I recommend to start out with the basic major chords like E, A,D,G and so forth, and start by learning how to combine those and switch between them.
then pick out a simple song, any slow pop/rock song will do and is probably best since they mainly uses 'blocks' to be played. Sit down listen to it a couple of times, and then start playing along with it.
When you play along with the song to a point where what you're playing seems to be a part of the song playing on the CD player or whatever.
Move on to more chords and more technical songs.
During all this, the impressive fast fingers and other bragging possible techniques, will naturally follow.
Hope it helps.
Find a beginners book with what I tend to call Blocks (Basic chords) where there are pictures of the finger positions.
I recommend to start out with the basic major chords like E, A,D,G and so forth, and start by learning how to combine those and switch between them.
then pick out a simple song, any slow pop/rock song will do and is probably best since they mainly uses 'blocks' to be played. Sit down listen to it a couple of times, and then start playing along with it.
When you play along with the song to a point where what you're playing seems to be a part of the song playing on the CD player or whatever.
Move on to more chords and more technical songs.
During all this, the impressive fast fingers and other bragging possible techniques, will naturally follow.
Hope it helps.
Private Vasquez
Minkey Boodle
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- Mar 20, 2002
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Chopsticks.
