Suggestions for Piano Beginner

[strings]

I'm looking for book suggestions on learning to play piano for a complete beginner (me).
My first goal is to learn how to play chords and then probably move on from there. Or is that the wrong way to go?

Thanks for nay replies,

Paul

[Abdul-Kadir]

The contemporary keyboardist by John Novello

[author]

Originally Posted by strings

My first goal is to learn how to play chords and then probably move on from there.

Good idea.

Practise chords to the left of E3, but also try to play some simple melodies with your right hand.

Stay in C Major/A Minor the first year (white keys only, though A Minor in particular may take you abroad for a few trips); do at least a few scales every day (doesn't have to take long, but get the fingering right), and learn to read music from the start.

Find a teacher, or get a bunch of books and pick what seems to be the best exercises.

May sound like a lot of work, but one well structured hour a day will get you a long way.

[strings]

Thanks for replying and the suggestions/tips!
I'm thinking of getting a teacher, perhaps once a week. I don't know if I have the time to learn how to read music, but maybe for the piano you need that...not sure, I'm a guitar player who doesn't read music.
Any other suggestions or books recommendations welcome

[author]

Originally Posted by strings

Thanks for replying and the suggestions/tips!
I'm thinking of getting a teacher, perhaps once a week. I don't know if I have the time to learn how to read music, but maybe for the piano you need that...not sure, I'm a guitar player who doesn't read music.
Any other suggestions or books recommendations welcome

Sorry, can't recommend books (have a look at amason's reviews, they are often very useful), so this is OT, but I would really really like to recommend just a bit of music reading.

It's in no way NEEDED, nothing except playing is, not even books and teachers, but it is so incredibly useful -- not only because you can play anything you like, but also because you suddenly can WRITE music, too.

Think about it: You'll never need a DAW or any other recording thingy anymore to get your ideas down. In a short while, you won't even need an instrument. This is breathtaking stuff.

That aside, I think that playing piano is the most useful skill any musician could develope, no matter what you use it for.

OK, back on topic: Any book suggestions out there?

[strings]

Thanks Author, you definitely make a good point!

[jcpzero]

I am finding I learn better from DVDs than books. I am learning guitar and drums using videos, I can already play the piano (and read music slowly).

An expensive line of DVDs is learning and mastering the piano, guitar, drums. I am sure there are some less expensive alternatives.

[Nick E]

This course got me up and running quite quickly:
Piano Lessons - Learn Piano BY EAR (Free Videos Online!)