Need a recommendation for a "LEARN TO PLAY PIANO" DVD or book...

[HeatWAVS]

I'm trying to learn to play the keys. I played saxaphone when I was in highschool so I've still retained a bit of music theory but this damned piano thing is very frustrating, seems like it wouldn't be that bad if I could only use one hand. lol Do y'all have any recommendations for good DIY piano teaching DVD's or books. I already have Piano for Dummies so you guys can keep that one out of the mix.

I'd prefer a DVD but a book will work as well.

[Saucyjack]

Can you afford lessons?
I have been taking some Jazz piano lessons for the last 2 years.Runs about $100 a month
Time with a good teacher would be so much productive than DIY even if you could only take a handful of lessons.

[HeatWAVS]

Originally Posted by Saucyjack

Can you afford lessons?
I have been taking some Jazz piano lessons for the last 2 years.Runs about $100 a month
Time with a good teacher would be so much productive than DIY even if you could only take a handful of lessons.

how many lessons do you get each month?

[Saucyjack]

Usually 4.
30 mins each.

[Jose Mrochek]

Yeah, I recommend lessons to. At least for the very beginning.

[MSR74]

Try taking a piano class at a local community college or ask to the local university's music dept. for a qualified private teacher. I would shy away from music stores because I've found that their recommendations to be unreliable. A group piano class is a good way to get your feet wet and see if like the instrument not to mention making connections and looking for a private tutor that you may really like. Plus you'll probably spend less on a 15 week class and if you practice daily you'll learn alot. A book can't tewll you what you are doing wrong and how to improve your technique. Beginning piano students need guidance in different areas in which a book may dissapoint. The piano as you've already said can be confusing to learn to play if you are not already familiar with certain aspects of the instrument. A book/DVD may confuse you further and deter you from wanting to continue.

Mickey

[Oliver Hart]

I would definitely suggest taking lessons from a teacher. I started teaching myself and progressed very slowly compared to what I learn now that I am in regular lessons. I think one of the main tricks is to try and integrate your own practicing techniques into what the teacher has you work on. For instance, they might give you an excersize or piece of music in the key of C. What I try to do is get it down in C and then as many other keys as I have time for. This helps your theory and your hands. I also then go and try to do the piece with my eyes closed which helps me master it in less time.I would also recomend getting a copy of "The Virtuoso Pianist" and working on those excersizes along with what your teacher gives you. I hope you find out what works best for you. Good luck with your new endeavor!
-Micheal

[Gregg Sartiano]

Originally Posted by Oliver Hart

I also then go and try to do the piece with my eyes closed which helps me master it in less time.I would also recomend getting a copy of "The Virtuoso Pianist" and working on those excersizes along with what your teacher gilves you.

Aaaarrghhh! Czerny!!! (Just kidding...)

Those exercises are like combining health food with diet and exercise.

Don't forget the metronome.

[Saucyjack]

Originally Posted by Gregg Sartiano

Aaaarrghhh! Czerny!!! (Just kidding...)

Those exercises are like combining health food with diet and exercise.

Don't forget the metronome.

Nah,
I think he talking about Hanon's exercises for the virtuoso pianist but its' the same mind numbing concept.They are helpful to warm up and stay limber but no real help in actual music making.

[Mitch Lowen]

Hearandplay.com

This site has a newsletter. It's really great and every newsletter has lots of great info. The board's also real cool. He sells several courses which seem really good, I don't use them myself tho.

I do believe in teaching in a DIY way. There's a LOT of info out there. Buying books with basic theory or a DIY theory course can go a long way.

What I do recommend is this:

when you practice DIY understand WHY you are practicing e.g.:

scales... if you just play them.. you won't know why and you won't be motivated.

But in order to play chord progressions (which are essential in composing) you'll have to know your scales. Why? You can not play a 5-2-1 chord progression... if you do not know what the 5th, 2nd and 1st tones in that particular tone are (e.g. c = 5th g 2nd d 1st c)

That WILL motivate you.

Also.. finding someone who plays and has a teacher or practices him-herself who's supportive and preferably a bit better than you.. but not yet out completely out of your league to where they'll be bored helping you will also definitely help.

And yes - lessons would be GREAT.. but not the ONLY way to learn.

The very talented young lady I get to call my girl pushes me to get better.. she plays piano (grand piano at her house). When I met her (again.. long story) she was considering stopping music. I was considering getting more into playing. My studiowork and production inspired her to play more.. her playing more inspired me to play more. Now we write songs together.. and I actually OWN my very own piano now also..

Also: playing simple tabs of songs (just go to Google and type in 'Piano tab Rolling Stones Angie' for example. You'll find sites and they've given the chords. It's a lot simpler then reading the music and it's a good way to build up your self-esteem and skills.

Enough tips already? haha. Keep me posted about ur progress - I wanna get as good as my girl man.. I can't front - she kicks serious piano *ss :D

[SeveBC]

+1 for local college lessons but also have a look at the 'Learn and Master Piano' course. Learn Piano at Home | Piano Lessons on DVD | Video Instruction The marketing is cheesy but the course content is substantial and high quality if the guitar course is anything to go by. Also browse their forums for advice.

I knew a pretty accomplised pianist at school who was largely self taught but learning any instrument wholly on your own is slow and tough and your technique may suffer from ingrained bad habits not culled by personal tuition. College lessons and many hours of practice will reduce the pain but if you lead a near hermits existence then the 'Learn and Master Piano' course - I have been following their 'Learn and Master Guitar' course as a means of improving my music chops generally and more specifically knowing guitar chord theory as I'm a DrUMmer……. I will however be attending local college evening class lessons next semester: College of HE or Leeds College of Music despite my middle age greying.

[McM]

Hey there,

I was in your shoes about 2 months ago, and now I'm climbing up the ladder fast. I can already play quite a few classical piano pieces (up to grade 5) and a few rock and modern pop songs from memory. Plus I know all my major/minor scales and can almost switch to inversions subconsciously.

I recommend "Learn and Master Piano" with Will Barrow. It's a 50 part video series (each about 30 min) on different styles of piano and basic music theory and how to read sheet music. I also recommend the Hanon Virtuoso Pianist book. It's a good way to get your fingers working independently.

Besides that, just search around youtube and look for tutorials or covers of your favorite songs. I've already picked up 3 instruments (piano,guitar,harmonica) in 3 months...learning to play really isn't that difficult if you just know how to apply yourself.

Good luck thumbsup

[dr_Jezz]

Originally Posted by McM

Hey there,

I was in your shoes about 2 months ago, and now I'm climbing up the ladder fast. I can already play quite a few classical piano pieces (up to grade 5) and a few rock and modern pop songs from memory. Plus I know all my major/minor scales and can almost switch to inversions subconsciously.

I recommend "Learn and Master Piano" with Will Barrow. It's a 50 part video series (each about 30 min) on different styles of piano and basic music theory and how to read sheet music. I also recommend the Hanon Virtuoso Pianist book. It's a good way to get your fingers working independently.

Besides that, just search around youtube and look for tutorials or covers of your favorite songs. I've already picked up 3 instruments (piano,guitar,harmonica) in 3 months...learning to play really isn't that difficult if you just know how to apply yourself.

Good luck thumbsup

+1 on youtube. I'm a pretty accomplished player, although I am self-taught and after 30 years have finally knuckled down and am learning to read music properly (mostly just played by ear in the past). However, for a quick cheat, just plug in "how to play X on piano" in youtube and there will be a plethora of people offering to show you how to play your favorite tunes. It's a great way to very quickly pick up some new tunes if you don't read well and can't urge yourself to sit down and work out lots of new stuff by ear (I always adapt and enhance whatever is on there anyway). There's some rubbish, but a lot of greta stuff also. This isn't an alternative to learning, just an astonishingly quick way to get some new tunes and enthusiasm.

[vernier]

Just find a song you like and play along. In a couple weeks you'll start gettin' it.

[maje_h]

Originally Posted by HeatWAVS

I'm trying to learn to play the keys. I played saxaphone when I was in highschool so I've still retained a bit of music theory but this damned piano thing is very frustrating, seems like it wouldn't be that bad if I could only use one hand. lol Do y'all have any recommendations for good DIY piano teaching DVD's or books. I already have Piano for Dummies so you guys can keep that one out of the mix.

I'd prefer a DVD but a book will work as well.

I would recommend a guy named David Sprunger. Heres is website: Piano Lessons Learn Piano BY EAR (Free Videos Online)

He teaches you to play by ear using rythmic patterns and understanding how music works. Coupled with some basic music theory and ear training, you should be able to start playing piano freely within a week!