| deleted user 27.01.2007 14:52 |
Since I'm an overly-needy person who has to enquire about too many things... I know people here play piano... I'm finally going to try to learn. I have a keyboard that I got a loooong time ago, but never learned to play (I was about nine and I have no idea why I wanted it). What's a good book ? Or a web-site ? I have NEVER played keyboard or piano before except for senseless plonking. My music teacher told me it's something I could start learning on my own (which would be good since I don't have the money for lessons - and I'm pretty much stuck at home, anyway). Thank you ! (You know you love overly-needy people... At least I know how to use my MICROWAVE... at least... the one at my mom's house... TANGENT !) |
| Sergei. 27.01.2007 15:46 |
I personally learned piano by way of the, "You're five years old, here's your new music teacher, I expect you to be a virtuoso by the time you're ten" method. My first teacher used Schaum's "All in one course" and "Fingerpower" books, which come in "Level 1, 2, 3..." versions. My next teacher used the Hanon exercises book, which I like better. I'd recommed. :P It teaches finger dexterity and other stuff.. yeah. My new teacher is obsessed with the Suzuki method. I think it's supposed to teach you music the same way a child learns, or something. link there's more on it... Hope I helped. |
| deleted user 27.01.2007 16:31 |
You helped ! I'll defiantly write those down and look for them when I go to the music-store (which, should happen sometime between now and 2009... if I'm lucky ! :P !!) ! |
| Sergei. 27.01.2007 16:37 |
Speaking of piano... My teacher emailed me the "Moonlight Sonata" score--all three movements. I sit here, mouth agape, as I watch pages come flooding out the printer. 25 pages!!!! AHHH!!! I thank god I have more than a year to learn it. XD It's finally done printing... I imagine my printer feels similar to how my mom did after giving birth to my oldest brother (we other two were c-sections. O_O) *Drowns in Moonlight Sonata sheet music* |
| Sweetie 27.01.2007 18:42 |
I can play Mary Had A Little Lamb now, I feel proud and this is my third year of learning :P |
| Carol! the Musical 27.01.2007 18:52 |
!!!! This thread pushed me off the edge! I'm definetely going to pick up on last year's unresolved New Year's Resolution... It just won't be the same practicing on a keyboard with no sound, though. :// |
| Sergei. 27.01.2007 19:02 |
<font color=660066>Pomponias Marrion wrote: !!!! This thread pushed me off the edge! I'm definetely going to pick up on last year's unresolved New Year's Resolution... It just won't be the same practicing on a keyboard with no sound, though. ://MSN!!! pleeease! It's boring on there. ¡_¡ And I have some news about Rocky Horror! :D Sorry for hijacking. Aherm. |
| deleted user 28.01.2007 10:37 |
Go Charles! I started about two years ago on the Alfred's books (levels 1 and 2). Now I'm playing out of random books, they are a bastien and Bastien book, and two Alfred books. You'll love piano, but if you want it to be really fun (I'm gonna try to talk my piano teacher into letting me do this) is to learn songs that you already know (Play the Game? Dear Friends?). If you need, you can also use simplified versions (that's what I'm doing). |
| Sonia Doris 28.01.2007 12:02 |
The first thing you have to learn is the position (unless you want Freddie's): think that you hold an apple or a tennis ball in your hand. |
| Donna13 28.01.2007 12:20 |
I remember starting with the John Thompson books, but my mother said that the Michael Aaron books are better. You can find them on Amazon. But if I were you (since you won't be taking lessons), I would look at some of the websites or software programs. I think it would be good for you to hear how a song should sound before you start practicing it. Just a bit of reassurance for when you are first learning about timing, keys, etc. |
| deleted user 28.01.2007 13:01 |
Donna13 wrote: I remember starting with the John Thompson books, but my mother said that the Michael Aaron books are better. You can find them on Amazon. But if I were you (since you won't be taking lessons), I would look at some of the websites or software programs. I think it would be good for you to hear how a song should sound before you start practicing it. Just a bit of reassurance for when you are first learning about timing, keys, etc.Yes! Totally right! |
| Sonia Doris 28.01.2007 14:57 |
ana magdalena bach is good too :D |
| deleted user 28.01.2007 14:58 |
<font color=teal>Edgarlicious! wrote: Speaking of piano... My teacher emailed me the "Moonlight Sonata" score--all three movements. I sit here, mouth agape, as I watch pages come flooding out the printer. 25 pages!!!! AHHH!!! I thank god I have more than a year to learn it. XD It's finally done printing... I imagine my printer feels similar to how my mom did after giving birth to my oldest brother (we other two were c-sections. O_O) *Drowns in Moonlight Sonata sheet music*Good luck ! :O ! (Our longest song so far in choir is only ten pages - and it's layed out in a pretty spaced-out way... !) <font color=660066>Pomponias Marrion wrote: This thread pushed me off the edge! I'm definetely going to pick up on last year's unresolved New Year's Resolution... It just won't be the same practicing on a keyboard with no sound, though. ://Good luck ! But... how will you practice with no sound ...? O_o <font color=Maroon>He Won't Try Suicide! wrote: Go Charles! I started about two years ago on the Alfred's books (levels 1 and 2). Now I'm playing out of random books, they are a bastien and Bastien book, and two Alfred books. You'll love piano, but if you want it to be really fun (I'm gonna try to talk my piano teacher into letting me do this) is to learn songs that you already know (Play the Game? Dear Friends?). If you need, you can also use simplified versions (that's what I'm doing).I'll look into those books, too ! I know I'll love the piano - as a small and annoying child I was glued to it at my baby-sitter's house (I'm not sure how she put up with that). XD And I hope your teacher lets you try those songs ! Sonia Doris wrote: The first thing you have to learn is the position (unless you want Freddie's): think that you hold an apple or a tennis ball in your hand.I think I'm going to try the "classical" way, like you suggested (Freddie's looks mildy cramp-inducing... wait... that's how I type... no wonder I'm getting wrist problems............................). I think I need to go watch videos of people playing piano... ! Donna13 wrote: I remember starting with the John Thompson books, but my mother said that the Michael Aaron books are better. You can find them on Amazon. But if I were you (since you won't be taking lessons), I would look at some of the websites or software programs. I think it would be good for you to hear how a song should sound before you start practicing it. Just a bit of reassurance for when you are first learning about timing, keys, etc.All these different books ! :o ! And I'll DEFINATELY need to hear how a song should sound - I played trombone for a few years and I never "got it" until I heard someone else play it (I think I really have to work on reading music... I can... but not as well as I would like to). Thank you everyone !! For all the suggestions and letting me talk to you whilst talking to myself ! I hope to get started with (something) on Monday ! Hooray - I'll be sucking for a few years ! : D |
| carboengine 28.01.2007 15:15 |
I took piano lessons for awhile, until my teacher suggested I find a different hobby. |
| sparrow 21754 28.01.2007 23:06 |
i play everything completely by ear and i did for the 6 years of lessons (boggled my teachers and familys mind on how i did so well) so i cant help ya there :-/ |
| I♥The80's 29.01.2007 00:12 |
<font color=teal>Edgarlicious! wrote: Speaking of piano... My teacher emailed me the "Moonlight Sonata" score--all three movements. I sit here, mouth agape, as I watch pages come flooding out the printer. 25 pages!!!! AHHH!!! I thank god I have more than a year to learn it. XD It's finally done printing... I imagine my printer feels similar to how my mom did after giving birth to my oldest brother (we other two were c-sections. O_O) *Drowns in Moonlight Sonata sheet music*OMG!!!! I know how you feel!!!! O_O My concerto(Tchaikovsky) was a total of 26 pages and it took me about a year to really stick it well together. I memorized it fairly quickly, but to be able to play it perfectly took a while....and it's still not perfect.... O_o lol :P I have to memorize about a total of 120 pages by June if I get into that competition. Well, about half of them are already stuck in my head probably for the rest of my life, but still, keeping everything up in good shape is really difficult! But 25 pages for someone your age is insane!!!!! You must be REALLLLLLY good! Plus, I only work with 4 fingers (left hand), you work with all 10!!!! More notes to memorize ;___; As for the topic, I think Edgar and He Won't Try Suicide made some good recommendations in regards to books. I don't play piano, but my mom uses those books with her students. :) Good luck, Charles! |
| Scott_Mercury 29.01.2007 07:39 |
Let me ad a little somthing here.... most people mistaking take piano lessons from classical music teachers with the mistaken assumption that some day they are going to be concert pianist. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. You don't need 12 years of lessons, or even know how to read music from rote to play piano like Freddie, Elton, or Billy Joel. The reason so many piano students end up quitting (some say 80% of those who are trying to learn this year, will give up completely in a year) is because teachers usually teach you as if you are going to be a world reknown pianist. Meanwhile, the guy who has a gig this Friday at the local bar can blow your teacher's playing out of the water, and he can't read a lick of music. Unless you are trying to learn how to be a concert pianist, get away from all the rote reading......so many would be players could actually do all the technique involved, but the end up quitting because they are suppose to read the bass line, treble line similtaniously....then lay that down similtaniously on the keyboard...and meanwhile, coordinate both hands in sync with each other..........NO WONDER SO MANY PEOPLE QUIT!!! Seriously folks....Billy Joel..Paul McCartney...Freddie... etc never wrote their own complete scores. They simply wrote a lead sheet, with suggested chords to be played with the left hand, and the melody that would be played with the right. Freddie knew piano playing was suppose to be fun...he took a few things from formal lessons... then said the hell with it... and did his own thing, in his own way. Could you see Freddie sitting down with a piece from Beethoven and playing it perfectly how it was written???? #1 by Freddie's own admission, he said he could read music off a sheet but not very fast. #2 he said he never had the patience to play things exactly how they were written. The moral of my story is a 2 fold. 1) If you are taking formal piano lessons from a proper classical trained pianist because you want to play in a 68 piece concert orchestra touring the world.... then have fun, and set aside the next 10-15 years. 2) If you are taking formal lessons from a propoer classical teacher, yet you desire to play like Freddie, Elton, or Billy Joel.... then you are at the wrong place, wasting alot of money. So why am I so cocky?? With this guys method link I taught myself how to play any popular song I wanted.... in about 8 months. I have classical trained teachers coming up to me in music stores asking me who I took lessons from, and for how many years.... I'm always proud to say "I watched a Scott Houston dvd, and it took about 8 months total." |
| Danny Buoy 29.01.2007 11:47 |
hey, I've slowly learned songs on the piano (but never really the technical method of scales and stuff) over the last three years or so, using GuitarPro and vanBasco Midi player. I copy keys down from these programs using my own notation, which takes a bit, but not heaps long. Although I've only learned four full songs in three years (and the bits and bobs of about 20) I've been taking my time and doing it now and then. I most enjoy playing I'd Do Anything For Love by Meat Loaf. Jim Steinman songs are usually good to learn, I fink, because there's a strong bass and the melody is often in the chords. I'd love to play Somebody To Love, but I don't want to risk taking the enjoyment out of listening to the song by playing every note over and over again... Although, We Are The Champions hasn't suffered too much so far. Still, good luck with it all! |
| Donna13 29.01.2007 12:00 |
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| Micrówave 29.01.2007 13:06 |
Scott_Mercury wrote: Unless you are trying to learn how to be a concert pianist, get away from all the NOTE reading......so many would be players could actually do all the technique involved, but the end up quitting because they are suppose to read the bass line, treble line similtaniously....then lay that down similtaniously on the keyboard...and meanwhile, coordinate both hands in sync with each other..........NO WONDER SO MANY PEOPLE QUIT!!!This is probably the worst advice you could take away from this thread. Theory and site reading only become valuable tools once you get to a certain level. Obviously Scott has not reached that level and is trying to convince you to buy a video and learn to play like a pro in 6 months. That's not going to happen. Thoery is the single most important thing you need to learn. There's a reason for the way a piece of music is written. If you take Scott's advice, you might as well just learn how to pronounce the words in a book, not worry about their actual meaning. |
| Scott_Mercury 29.01.2007 13:34 |
Micrówave wrote:To the contrary... the Scott Houston system gets students playing popular songs that THEY like on day one, hour one.Scott_Mercury wrote: Unless you are trying to learn how to be a concert pianist, get away from all the NOTE reading......so many would be players could actually do all the technique involved, but the end up quitting because they are suppose to read the bass line, treble line similtaniously....then lay that down similtaniously on the keyboard...and meanwhile, coordinate both hands in sync with each other..........NO WONDER SO MANY PEOPLE QUIT!!!This is probably the worst advice you could take away from this thread. Theory and site reading only become valuable tools once you get to a certain level. Obviously Scott has not reached that level and is trying to convince you to buy a video and learn to play like a pro in 6 months. That's not going to happen. Thoery is the single most important thing you need to learn. There's a reason for the way a piece of music is written. If you take Scott's advice, you might as well just learn how to pronounce the words in a book, not worry about their actual meaning. No more sitting around with a old lady at lessons learning Mary Had a Little Lamb and Jingle Bells. With the Houston system...at the very least, you can play the songs you like... If you want to take it to the next level, and put the time in of learning years of theory....then go for it. You example is dumb as hell... That's like saying someone needs to know all of the technical specifications of how a motor works in order to properly drive a automobile..... WHICH OF COURSE THEY DON'T For the record... I can read music, but unless I am playing at one of my daughters recitals.. I have no need to play the exact rote. THAT'S NOT WHAT ROCK N ROLL IS ABOUT!! Hey, if I was butchering a piece of Bach or Beethoven on stage, that's one thing.... but if I want to add a little flavor to "Louie, Louie" or "Yesterday"..... then so what???????? What's funny is that 80% of the people the "die hard... tried and true, 15 years of classical training" supporters are trying to play like actually learned and play professionally THE SAME WAY I AM SUGGESTING. It's also hilarious that most of the people who say "What?? learn from just a lead sheet?" or "So, you changed the chords around in Melancholy Blues to achieve a bluesier feel"... can't play shit themselves. And funny #3... as a kid, I went to 3 "reknown" local pianist and all that did was waste my parents money. So I took up guitar...excelled at that, and that is my main instrument. At age 27... took up piano using the Scott Houston method...and in 8 months time, I am easily, and very modestly, a much better pianist then 2 of the 3 "classically trained" teachers I had growing up. One of which would tell you that. I don't type all this to grandstand about my accomplishments, I say this to impress upon you that anyone who has the skills to type on a typewriter and a love for music, can be playing their favorite songs within months...not years.... by advancing past all the unnecessary bullshit that is only needed if you plan on playing in a 68 piece orchestra. |
| Donna13 29.01.2007 13:57 |
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| Scott_Mercury 29.01.2007 14:27 |
Donna13 wrote: [/QUOTENAME And the idea that you will sit around with an old lady is also kind of silly.Really? according to the job and family labor stats in the USA 83% of voice & piano teachers are white women over the age of 60. Donna13 wrote: One of my teachers was very handsome.Yay!! maybe he has a crush on you too? If so, this will help you advance in music even better. Donna13 wrote: The grounds were beautiful and he had a beautiful modern building just for the piano - it was like a studio - with a high ceiling.These are all key ingredients to learning the piano.... maybe that was my first teachers problem? Not enough landscape out front. Come to think of it, her ceilings weren't that tall either. Donna13 wrote: And the girls on occasion would come up to peer in the window at him during my lesson. It was kind of funny, and obvious.Right, again, all signs of a productive learning atmosphere...hot teachers, nice cut lawns, and cathedral ceilings. |
| RETROLOVE 29.01.2007 14:42 |
<font color=red>The Audacity of Charles wrote: Since I'm an overly-needy person who has to enquire about too many things... I know people here play piano... I'm finally going to try to learn. I have a keyboard that I got a loooong time ago, but never learned to play (I was about nine and I have no idea why I wanted it). What's a good book ? Or a web-site ? I have NEVER played keyboard or piano before except for senseless plonking. My music teacher told me it's something I could start learning on my own (which would be good since I don't have the money for lessons - and I'm pretty much stuck at home, anyway). Thank you ! (You know you love overly-needy people... At least I know how to use my MICROWAVE... at least... the one at my mom's house... TANGENT !)Good luck! I have an old keyboard that I've been wanting to learn how to play forever, just can never find the bloody time...I know that it takes nearly a lifetime to become an accomplished piano player, but good luck! |
| Donna13 29.01.2007 15:41 |
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| Scott_Mercury 29.01.2007 15:49 |
Donna13 wrote: You know, I have relatives that will say that it is bad to go to college. But I have always found that learning - whatever the subject - is a good thing. Once certain things are in your brain, you can appreciate them for the rest of your life.Now that we can agree on.... I just feel that piano students should start off learning their favorite songs (which again, you can) first... then should you decide to take music, technique and theory to the next level...you can, if you don't...then at worst...you can play some of your favorite songs. Oddly, while I have a full time job...I also teach guitar on the side to about 8 students. All of these students think learning guitar is some big mystery that only a select few in the world are blessed enough to play.... it's really about learning a system of putting bits of information together... anyone with resonable intelligence and minimal physical capability can do it. |
| deleted user 29.01.2007 16:54 |
Thank you ! Scott, what you describe is basically what I want to do right now (so I'll look at that, too). I know I didn't mention it before (I didn't think there was really a need to) - but my goal right now with the piano is to just get my hands moving at the same time, doing different things, and I would be happy. I would like to enrol in the Music programme at the college (or, for English peoples, University), and I just want to get a head start (the piano classes there don't require any experience, but I have a keyboard in my room (that I've been deathly afraid of) for heaven's sake). I can read music somewhat already (I was in band for a pathetic four years, I know a teensy bit about chords and the terms "root", "fifth" "+9", et cetera... Though I need to brush up on the weirder scales). And the college would make me take music theory classes. : / So, next year they'll beat my fingers and tell me I suck. The rest of this year, I just want to get my hands used to doing what they'll have to do. |
| I♥The80's 29.01.2007 20:07 |
Ugh....I went to college today and turns out one of my classes this semester is piano. -___-' In the syllabus it says "At least one hour of practice a day is recommended" ...o_O I'll probably only practice 5 minutes xD At my University, 3 years of Piano Musicianship is required for music majors. The book we are using is "Progressive Class Piano" by Elmer Heerema. It's a pretty good book so you might want to look into it, Charles. :) |