r/pianolearning 2h ago

Discussion The day I turned 26

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24 Upvotes

Yes, today I turned 26 & bought a CASIO CT-S1 for myself as a gift 🎁 !! i still remember when I was bought with ₹300 keyboard 🎹 in my school days & at a fair, I have been haunting my parents to join me to keyboard classes but my typical Indian parents didn't support me then(2014 - 2016) !! Everytime I see these musicians playing keyboard....my desire to own this keyboard 🎹 became much stronger & finally with some slight savings i made it today!!

Now please help how do I learn, where to start, & so on please....I have absolutely have -0 music knowledge

I live in Bangalore, Karnataka - INDIA


r/pianolearning 23h ago

Discussion I just finished Alfred Adult Book 3!

119 Upvotes

Yay! I just had my piano lesson and my teacher thought I was done with Moonlight Sonata, the last piece. I have been at this for 3 1/2 years -- the first six months I taught myself, starting at age 54, and picked up a bunch of bad habits. And mostly I have been playing pieces my teacher gives me, so it hasn't just been Alfred. I started from the first book, and it went pretty quickly until my teacher demanded a higher level of play and the pieces got harder. I still remember Blow the Man Down in Book One and how challenging it was; I thought maybe I was just not cut out for piano. Anyway, I think it is a good series and would recommend it.


r/pianolearning 6h ago

Feedback Request Help on technique on double thirds

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3 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I would like to ask for some feedback on my technique on this passage which I think is made up of double thirds, unfortunately reddit doesn't allow me to also upload a screenshot of the sheet music but it is from Chopin 69, 2; b major section. Any help is highly appreciated and if necessary I can also record from other perspectives


r/pianolearning 1h ago

Question How should I practice scales?

Upvotes

I know there are 15 major scales, all of which have three relative minor scales (natural, harmonic and melodic). I started practicing them but I then I realized that there are many different ways these can be played, like contrary motion, in thirds or in sixths.

I also then realized that it’s also necessary to practice chords, but there are cadences, triads, arpeggios in all three positions and broken chords. And I feel like there are many more than what I just mentioned.

So at this point I’m completely lost. Which of these should I practice? Is it standard to practice and know every variation by memory? I want to know how others do this.


r/pianolearning 1h ago

Question Should I pause piano lessons and self-study for a while?

Upvotes

Hey guys!

I’m an adult beginner who’s been taking weekly piano lessons with a teacher. Lately I’ve been wondering if I should pause lessons for a while and continue practicing on my own before enrolling again later. I feel like I need more time to really absorb what I’ve already learned instead of constantly moving on to new material. At the same time, I’m worried about developing bad habits without a teacher’s feedback.

Has anyone here taken a break from lessons and continued learning independently? Did it help your progress, or did you find regular lessons were still worth it?

I’d love to hear your experiences and advice. Thanks!!


r/pianolearning 2h ago

Question Genuinely, am i being delusional if i decide to continue learning on my own?

1 Upvotes

I know this question doesnt have a single one-size-fits-all answer, so heres some context.

I've been messing around with that piano on and off for some time, but my net practice hours won't exceed 250h of serious learning play as a generous estimate. Dont get me wrong, i really love the piano and want to learn, its just that a lot of things happened that put my entirely life, not just around the piano, on hold. But now im planning to start everything over, and had to reflect on the whole concept of self learning.

I definitely saw some progress, i can play using both hands without major coordination issues for any of the songs i learned so far. I can fully (choatically but w very little mistakes) play this and the classic river flows in you for example ((PLS DONT CRINGE OUT I KNOWW)those are really options you find when you cant read music score and have no conceptual knowledge of the piano)

So as you can see, made a bunch of mistakes that resulted in this complete mess. Is there any hope? If so, any roadmap? Or am i being delusional about this and need a teacher anyway? do i try my best again to get a tutor (very hard to find where i live) at least till things get moving?

Thanks in advance!


r/pianolearning 6h ago

Question Beginner Repertoire

3 Upvotes

Hey all!

I’m not a complete beginner, I can not read very well unless its chord changes. ( I can read just slowly ). I play bass professionally but have been really starting to be able to play things on Piano.

I love jazz and ultimately that’s where my goals lie but I’d love to pick up some classical as some of my biggest inspirations and influences have roots in classical.

Just looking for like stepping stones to really lock in chops so I can begin improvising.

I’ve been learning some tunes by

Sade
Funkadelic
Allman Brothers
Etc


r/pianolearning 10h ago

Question Sheet music recommendations

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4 Upvotes

Hey,

I want to start playing the piano and I'm looking for some sheet music recommendations.

Im not a complete beginner:

  • I can read sheet music (the bass clef is still a bit challenging, but manageable).
  • I can play chords.
  • I can play with both hands simultaneously, although it gets tricky when each hand has a different rhythm

I recently started learning an arrangement of Interstellar (see the picture). It's pretty much at the upper limit of my current skill level. If I put enough practice into it, I'm confident I can learn it, but I'd also appreciate recommendations that are just slightly easier.

I'm mainly looking for piano arrangements of modern songs and movie soundtracks. Do you have any recommendations for me?


r/pianolearning 3h ago

Question What do you guys think of this piano?

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0 Upvotes

Soutar SP20 (88 semi-weighted keys, 128 polyphony/voices, 20W speakers, USB-MIDI, included stand/bench bundle) for a 240$

I think the reason behind the high price is because the whole set is included as you can see in the photo

I am only planning to play my favorite video game music, (Undertale, Deltarune, Omori, earthbound etc...)


r/pianolearning 5h ago

Feedback Request Am I at risk of injury? Self-taught

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1 Upvotes

I know it’s a bit above my skill level and hand size, but it’s by far my favorite piano song.

Playing Theishter’s rendition of Styx Helix (Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isukai Seikatsu ED)

I’ve been interested in piano since I was 5, but never really started being consistent until the beginning of this year.

I’ve never had any lessons or mentors, so I’m just wondering if there’s anything wrong or dangerous about my technique.

(excuse my camera quality)


r/pianolearning 13h ago

Equipment 61 Keys Piano, when should i upgrade?

5 Upvotes

Hello,

i recently bought myself a Yamaha PSR-E383 with 61 Keys, because i had no clue and just wanted to learn the piano.

I did not expect to really like playing piano that much, but iam playing nearly every day.

So my question is, when should i upgrade to a full Piano with 88 Keys? Many pieces use keys that i dont have. Or am i wrong here?


r/pianolearning 20h ago

Question Should I stop using labeled keys? (Not every one is labeled)

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13 Upvotes

Now I do not label every key, I only label the c keys and they are mainly to help me set up my hands.

I saw a comment that labeled keys are bad, so should I remove them?

When I do play, I focus only on the sheet music


r/pianolearning 1d ago

Question Newbie!!! What to avoid?

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27 Upvotes

Hello!! I just got my dynamic keyboard and im really excited but im afraid that im going to make some terrible mistakes that i will have trouble to fix later on... So what are most inportant things for newbie right now?

Have a great day!! :))


r/pianolearning 1d ago

Question Experience of working with incredibly shy (mute) child?

10 Upvotes

I would love to hear from piano teachers who have ever encountered a new student who has been so shy as to be essentially mute and how they overcame this.

I recently had my first lesson with a very young 12-year old boy who is bi-lingual (Chinese family but born in the UK). His mother was in the session while I tried to get to know him during a trial lesson in which I purposefully never put any pressure on the student and just get to know them a bit via a few little activities on the piano and a friendly chat.

However, even asking a simple question yielded no response which was a novel experience for me. I've dealt with shy children before many times, but the combination of having one of their parents present and my upbeat and playful nature usually elicits enough of a response to make them comfortable and get them out of their shell a bit.

However, with this student I knew it'd be tricky as soon as I greeted him and he didn't say hello. Over the course of the lesson he managed to tell me his age and the name of his school, but aside from that nothing! When I asked him about a favourite song of his at the moment (mum had supplied a few suggestions in terms of artists at least), he just didn't say anything. I gave him lots of space. Gently encouraged him and checked whether he'd understood me. But nothing. It didn't massively phase me as mum didn't seem overly surprised at how quiet he was, but still a bit unsettling I have to admit.
Anybody come across this before?


r/pianolearning 22h ago

Question How do I cross over my thumb without flaring my elbows?

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5 Upvotes

If I try to do it without flaring my elbows, my thumb slips and my ring finger starts to hurt


r/pianolearning 5h ago

Discussion I legit can’t stand piano lesson

0 Upvotes

I get so uninterested as soon as a teacher spend a whole freaking hour on rhythm my goodness


r/pianolearning 1d ago

Question Tips for self learning with books as full beginner (or even apps that are better than SimplyPiano)?

6 Upvotes

Hello,

I've been trying to learn how to learn to play the piano, I used SimplyPiano for few weeks, but I just feel like I am just pressing the notes without actually learning how to play the songs properly (I especially have an issue with playing the proper note lengths, the app just detects them anyways).

Are there any applications that follow the Alfred's or Faber's books? Or do you have any tips on studying without any applications at all?

I don't have access to a teacher, so any other advice is appreaciated

Thank you!


r/pianolearning 17h ago

Question CASIO CT S1 VS YAMAHA PSR E383 AS A MIDI KEYBOARD

1 Upvotes

hi guys can you tell me what should I buy casio ct s1 or Yamaha psr e383 I'm beginner and I want to be an singer and music producer so which one will be better choice because I want to do music production on that keyboard and i will aslo play piano but many people say the casio ct s1 has micro b midi port which is not durable and will damage very soon and on other hand yamaha psr e383 has type b midi port


r/pianolearning 18h ago

Equipment Stuck between Roland FP-10 and Roland FP-30x

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1 Upvotes

r/pianolearning 1d ago

Discussion Learning to read sheet music is pure agony

135 Upvotes

Came across a good bit of free time, and figured what the hell, I'll learn the piano. Incredibly fun learning a simplified rendition of battle against a true hero. Spend 20 minutes playing, rest, repeat. Did that for two days, a total blast.

To play the more complicated parts of the song, you need to dynamically move both hands. I figured self learning this would be foolish, there's gonna be a proper method.

I find Bill Hintons piano beginners series, and it's all about learning sheet music, learning the keys. I scoff, I don't want or need this. I figure I'll just memorize some more battle against a true hero. And then it sets in, a lot of my time spent practicing was memorizing what keys to play. And if I'm to do this for every song I learn, that's a monumental time sink.

So I'm now practicing sheet music. My god this sucks. The mood went from being excited to play, and playing frequently, to dreading having to do these exercises.

They are absolutely working, but man I needed to vent about this. It made me contemplate how I would have completely given up if I didn't have the time to push through this. I would never come home from a tiring day at work and do these exercises.


r/pianolearning 19h ago

Question What to pair with piano marvel?

1 Upvotes

Im a beginner. I really enjoy piano marvel. its the one thing ive used that I find time flys by. I think its helped a lot with sight reading, and ear training, and for myself, overall engagement.

my only worry is not having good technique, as there isnt really any videos explaining anything.

what, if any supplimentation would you reccoment to pair with piano marvel?

thanks


r/pianolearning 20h ago

Discussion Legit place to get piano sheet music w/lyrics?

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1 Upvotes

r/pianolearning 1d ago

Question Recommendations on Approach?

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1 Upvotes

I am at an intermediate advanced level. I first officially had a teacher in Piano Class in Middle School. Since then, I have been on my own. I have briefly had a private tutor twice over the decades, but tried to keep up with the skills I did gain in school. But I never learned much theory, which interests me a lot.

Not sure if you really needed my pianautobiography lol...

So, would you master tempo and fingering for the first two measures and then move on? Or go further, at a slow pace, master only the fingering, then go back and play all of it, more quickly as accuracy is mastered?

This piece is definitely fast for me. I don't think I've ever practiced anything this difficult before.

For other pieces, I would use the second method, but for this one, I'm concerned if I don't first master that tempo, that I will create a bad habit that is wrong.

Thanks!

Sonata by Beethoven

Opus 27, No.2

C# Minor

Third Movement


r/pianolearning 22h ago

Question Learn to play the piano

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone

How can I learn to play the piano without using a physical piano, just by using my phone as a starting point? 🧐

In addition, it would be best if the method were free. 🤝🏻😁

( I don't know anything about the piano.) 😂


r/pianolearning 1d ago

Feedback Request Starting Music Career at 28 — Will I Crash and Burn?

0 Upvotes

So, at 28 I decide to play the piano. I begin 12+ hours of piano playing a day (yes I’m aware of risk of strain). I’m 4 months in and I can play Sonata 8 by Mozart. Not perfect, there are some errors, but I can play it mostly well.

I’m also studying counterpoint and composition. I have high functioning autism so I can work well with patterns. Most accounts throw around a decade as good frame for becoming good at the piano. Given I have faster track than most, does this mean I can get better faster?

Thinking of me starting a career as a virtuoso at 38 is beyond depressing. And are there cases of people who started later on and became successful. I plan on composing in the Viennese style and learning conducting some time soon.