|
I've been thinking about learning to play the piano for a while now. I'm 31 and I have no experience in music whatsoever. There's no way in hell I can fit a "real" piano in my house, so it'll have to be a digital one. As for learning to play: I'm pretty sure I want lessons. I've looked at regular classes, which would be the cheapest option. Apart from piano practice, I would have to follow some theory classes as well. I don't mind those that much, except that from the description it seems that I'd have to sing too, which is something I really really don't want to do. Also, the piano practice sessions are in small groups, which is probably not as good as private lessons. The other option is private lessons. They're probably better - if I can find a good teacher - but more expensive as well. Right now I'm leaning towards getting a private teacher. It's probably more flexible too, as I can probably "enroll" whenever, unlike an official school where I'll have to wait 6 more months. Now what I'm really unsure about is if I'll like it enough to actually practice and play. And until I know, I'm hesitating to spend a lot. I'm looking at a DGX-630, but that's 800€, which is a bit risky if I don't know I'll stick with it. So, is there anything in the range of about 100€ that I could practice on for a few months, while I find out if I like playing enough to get something better?
|
#
¿
Apr 12, 2009 13:29
|
|
|
|
| # ¿ May 6, 2024 13:13 |
|
|
So how should I find a teacher? Any other sources of teachers besides local music shops and the internet? (I'm in Belgium, so US-specific hints are fairly useless.) And when I find someone, who do I know he or she is any good? I suppose I can check references or experience (although I'm not sure I can differentiate between good and bad refs and exp), anything else?
|
|
#
¿
Apr 13, 2009 17:49
|
|
|
Vanmani posted:For 100E you're looking at a second hand Yamaha something, probably. If you're interested in PIANO you might try to find a second hand Yamaha DGX-620 or similar for a good price. It'll sound tolerable enough and give you a more or less full size "weighted" keyboard and you can figure out if you like it from there. If you do, you'll want to buy yourself a better piece of kit after a couple years, but something like that will be good for a while. I'm thinking of buying a Yamaha DGX-220 for about 175€. The plan is to use that for 3 or 4 months while I figure out if I actually like playing. And if I do, I'll get something better then. Good plan, or is 175€ too expensive? (Price for a new one was 470€, keeping in mind that the 220 is last year's model.) I really have no clue how quickly these things depreciate. Edit: never mind, some jerk bid more than me. uXs fucked around with this message at 12:57 on Apr 18, 2009 |
|
#
¿
Apr 18, 2009 01:48
|
|
|
Maybe this thread is less popular because people learning the piano just go take lessons for it? My impression is that most people learning electric guitar don't even want to take lessons because lessons aren't rock 'n roll enough for them.
|
|
#
¿
Nov 6, 2009 23:46
|
|
|
HOG ILLUSTRATIONS posted:I'd really like to start learning piano again. Like a lot of people, I took a year of lessons when I was 10 and now really regret quitting. I only need a really entry level piano/keyboard, but from what I've read weighted keys are a must if I plan on keeping this as a hobby. Whats the cheapest piano that you guys recommend that has weighted keys and midi out? I would like to spend as little as possible. Is like $300 realistic at all? I don't think it is, unless you can find something good second-hand. Otherwise it's at least double.
|
|
#
¿
Dec 7, 2009 00:10
|
|
|
ArbitraryC posted:If you plan on taking lessons there's little point on skimping on the start up cost. I'm taking dirt cheap lessons from the music department at my school (lessons taught by pedagogy students who need/want the practice teaching for reference on how cheap it is) and I still pay over 500$ for two semesters at a lesson a week. I'll probably be paying twice or three times that much when I have to start taking lessons elsewhere after I graduate. Lessons for me are way, way cheaper. I'm also taking classes at a school, and they cost 180€ for one year. This is the most expensive they get too, because I don't get any student discounts or whatever. However, there's a government program here where they pay half of whatever you are paying for basically any kind of classes (that aren't your regular, full time education), up to 500€ a year. So as long as I'm not too lazy to ask for money from that program, I'm really only paying 90€ a year. My digital piano was about 700€, which is probably what you pay for something that can get you through the first few years. It's ok, but I'm already saving for the next one. Because if I keep playing, I know I'll need something (a lot) better in a few years.
|
|
#
¿
Dec 10, 2009 21:41
|
|
|
ArbitraryC posted:How often do you have lessons? Because if it's about once a week then that's like 3.5€ per lesson which according to google is a bit over 5 USD. From what I've seen, most private lessons will run you over 30$ and even via my school I pay something like 15$, I can't imagine how you could get away with lessons for less than minimum wage. * One 2.5 hour lesson a week, learning to read/sing notes, time signatures, ... and to recognize them when played. * One hour a week piano lessons, but that hour is shared with (on average) 2 other people. As I'm only a beginner, I don't really need more than 20 mins/half an hour a week. (And I've been kinda lucky because about half the time someone doesn't show up so I get a bit more time.) It's all heavily subsidized. Socialist countries, you know. 
|
|
#
¿
Dec 12, 2009 01:57
|
|
|
Eli Cash posted:Does anyone have a website or a PDF of counting time signatures? I need something with each time signature, a range of different notes, and how to count them (what I say out loud, "one and two?). In class, we use different methods of practicing these: * The "pam" method: Simply say "pam" on each note, making it longer or shorter as needed. A quarter note is simply "pam", a half note would be more like "pa-am", and three quarters "pa-aa-am". Two eight's would then be a quicker "pam-pam", and four sixteenths would be a rapid-fire "pam-pam-pam-pam". And then you have to combine those off course. For rests between notes, you can either make no noise, or silently hum them. I try not to make noises, counting the rests in my head, but sometimes it's way easier to actually make a sound in a break between notes. You can always take them back out afterwards when you know the rhytm better. * Clapping, or hitting the desk with a pen, or whatever. Same thing really, except that you can't hear the difference between some note with a rest, a longer note with no rest, or an ever shorter note with a longer rest. If you have a piano or something else where you can practice, you could use that. (Don't forget to practice with both hands.) * Something called the "Kodaly" time names. Instead of making a single noise for each note, everything is different. Look up "kodaly time names" or "rhytm syllables" or "french time names". May look complicated, but it's really very useful. Our teacher said that she always starts with the Kodaly method for little children, and with just "pam" for adults. But she teaches us the Kodaly names anyway, because sometimes it's just easier, especially with complicated time signatures.
|
|
#
¿
Feb 5, 2010 15:11
|
|
|
Any ideas on what to do about loving up on recitals? Last night, when I wasn't even feeling particularly nervous, I just started making mistakes where I normally never make any. And for the difficult sections, where my normal playing is fairly fault-tolerant (I can make a mistake but just ignore it and keep playing), I stumble, stop, and then I'm just lost. I don't think I've ever known a piece better than this one (especially one I had to perform in public), and it still sucked rear end. Any tips?
|
|
#
¿
Dec 20, 2011 17:08
|
|
|
Playing different things with both hands is one of the most difficult things about the piano, so yes that's normal. Some stuff that can help maybe: * start slow and with easy pieces * practice both hands separately first, and join them together afterwards * instead of playing with both hands, try just tapping different rhythms
|
|
#
¿
Dec 23, 2011 14:13
|
|
|
Zyklon B Zombie posted:Does anyone know what the double bass clef in this sheet music is? I'm pretty sure the 'R.H.' you see there stands for 'right hand'.
|
|
#
¿
Dec 26, 2011 11:00
|
|
|
I have a P-95S and it looks fine. I did get the stand (and the pedals), which makes a huge difference. If you just put it on an X-style stand or whatever, you wouldn't like it.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 23, 2012 10:06
|
|
|
I wish this thread had some other title. But I can't think of anything. 'How to start out' is so limited. And boring.
|
|
#
¿
Jun 17, 2012 11:47
|
|
|
Annies Boobs posted:Yeah it might be time for me to make a new OP with all this information we've written added into it. It's really bare. I support this. Especially because the title of this thread is really, really boring.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 9, 2013 09:52
|
|
|
Early lessons are not only about what keys to press, but also on how to press them. And posture and poo poo. It's easier to learn good technique when you don't have any bad habits yet. Anyway, the point is: don't wait too long taking lessons. A few in the beginning to get you started could be worth a lot.
|
|
#
¿
Feb 24, 2013 23:01
|
|
|
Sylink posted:My wife plays piano and has been wanting a piano for a long time, while we could easily buy an upright that weighs as much as a Tiger tank and get it to our house, I would like to have a keyboard to use both so I can learn piano and to eventually use it for MIDI/electronic purposes. There are digital pianos. The better they are, the more expensive. 1K isn't a whole lot: you will get something serviceable, but not great, not by a long shot. DP's and keyboards aren't really the same instrument. One tries to mimic a 'real' piano as best as it can (with maybe some extras included like recording or different voices, because it's digital and it might as well have some of the advantages), and the other may have basically the same input method, but it doesn't try to be a piano. They usually have a lot more options for recording and mixing or using one side of the keyboard as one instrument and the other as another, or whatever they can think of. More expensive DP's won't necessarily have more options, but they will have better sound and (much) better keys that feel much more like a 'real' piano. More expensive keyboards will have a million more buttons and a billion more options. They will probably have better quality keys as well, but they won't necessarily feel more like a 'real' piano. As always, there will be extremes and things that are right in the middle as well. I think the best you can do is go to a shop and try some in person, to see if you can find something that is great for you and acceptable for your wife, or great for your wife and acceptable for you. With a (much) greater budget you could find something that would be great for both, but with 1K you'll have to choose. (I'd choose an actual piano any day of the week, but I'm biased.)
|
|
#
¿
Aug 23, 2013 14:33
|
|
|
the posted:Inherited an old keyboard from girlfriend's parents. A Kawai PXG30. Looking forward to finding some guides online to get started. Probably a sustain pedal.
|
|
#
¿
Nov 18, 2013 09:21
|
|
|
the posted:Great. How long before I can play the 3rd movement of Moonlight Sonata? That would depend on how you would define 'play', and the amount of work you can put into piano in general and that piece in particular.
|
|
#
¿
Nov 19, 2013 17:08
|
|
|
sat. posted:I've been thinking about starting to learn piano and this might be enough to push me over the edge. I hesitate because I'm 27 and have never touched an instrument in my life. I've been meaning to learn though since my dad used to play since I was a kid but he can't anymore after his elbow started giving him trouble. Get a teacher too. Learning piano on your own is foolish.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 9, 2014 11:28
|
|
|
If you want your son to learn the piano I'd start him on an acoustic right away.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 15, 2014 16:55
|
|
|
Question about this: http://www.tpbrewingco.com/sheetmusic/tptheme.pdf The second F played by the left hand (well, the third if you count the repeat of the first) is supposed to be sustained while the other notes are played, up to the double C at the end of the line. But how?? Is there some pedal trickery supposed to be going on? But if you use the pedal, what about the other notes that aren't supposed to be held? 
|
|
#
¿
Jan 31, 2014 01:07
|
|
|
Right right. I'll just ignore it for now and learn to play the rest. Then maybe later I can spend 10k on a piano that actually has a sostenuto pedal. Just so I can play this one part correctly.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 31, 2014 17:35
|
|
|
Skuto posted:Aren't you playing on digital piano? Get a 3-way pedal and a VST that supports it. I have both. And judging from the internets, my digital piano does have a sustenuto pedal. Cool.
|
|
#
¿
Jan 31, 2014 17:51
|
|
|
megalodong posted:Not sure if this is better suited to here or the classical music thread, but... Are you sure you don't have the room? An upright is basically the same width as a digital, it's just a bit deeper. My house is tiny and even I can fit both an upright AND a digital.
|
|
#
¿
Feb 18, 2014 10:38
|
|
|
I'm looking for a way to record myself playing, for practicing purposes. Any ideas on how to do this? It's an upright piano. It doesn't have to be professional quality, but I want it to sound decent, not like it has been recorded with a mobile phone, which is what happened when I recorded it with my mobile phone.
|
|
#
¿
Jul 6, 2014 11:54
|
|
|
Cast_No_Shadow posted:I'm assuming from your question you're talking about the 1st movement. I'm also assuming you're talking about the poly rhythm that's the really famous part. The Dum-duh-dum bit. Also - and this is far, far beyond my skill level, both practically AND theoretically - it's possible that you're supposed to use a certain fingering because of the quality of the sound. For instance, the last piece I had to learn had a ton of notes that I had to play (and hold) with 3 or 4, then swap that finger with 5. There was no reason I could see that required playing it with anything but 5 to begin with. The only way I could be certain that the weird fingering was on purpose and not a mistake, is that the same 'technique' was used in a variety of places, always at the start of specific sequences.
|
|
#
¿
Jul 10, 2014 14:25
|
|
|
opus111 posted:I never use a metronome. I play for enjoyment and a metronome just turns everything stressful. Metronomes are useful though, not just for keeping the correct tempo but also for making sure you're not taking any unintended pauses between parts and stuff. Don't just dismiss them out of hand.
|
|
#
¿
Feb 12, 2015 00:39
|
|
|
megalodong posted:Those of you who memorize stuff, when do you do so? At the start? Once you've actually learnt the piece (and thus memorized part of it anyway)? Before yo ueven start learning it? It depends. I sometimes do it at the end when I already know it, and sometimes I'll just learn difficult parts as an aid to learning a piece. Easier to aim fingers and hands if you know where they're supposed to end up and you don't have to look up.
|
|
#
¿
Feb 12, 2015 23:27
|
|
|
Non Serviam posted:Hello Piano goons, It's never too late to start playing. I started a year or two later than you and I'm doing just fine. (Get a good teacher.) What do you want to play? Classical music or more contemporary stuff? I wouldn't recommend that Casio for classical piano, you really should have a full size keyboard with weighted keys for that. (And a 'real' piano would be even better.)
|
|
#
¿
Feb 16, 2015 13:34
|
|
|
It wouldn't be a bad idea to just not buy anything until you actually have a teacher/school so they can give advice on what to buy. Also, if there aren't space/noise considerations, you could maybe look into renting a piano. Keyboards and (digital) piano's are quite different. Keyboards use the keys because it's a convenient layout to tell a computer to make noises of all kinds (not that there's anything wrong with that), while piano's are, well, piano's. Edit: missing an octave or two is less important than the action of the keys you do have. Unfortunately, keyboards that aren't full sized will probably don't score too well in the action department either. (And the lighted keys are a gimmick.) uXs fucked around with this message at 15:23 on Feb 16, 2015 |
|
#
¿
Feb 16, 2015 15:08
|
|
|
Really you should go to a music store and get the feel of some instruments. Obviously you'll run the risk of falling in love with something horribly expensive. Getting the opinion of a teacher before you buy/rent anything is also still something you should really consider. uXs fucked around with this message at 18:27 on Feb 16, 2015 |
|
#
¿
Feb 16, 2015 18:20
|
|
|
Looks much more suited to play classical music. Doesn't look like a stand is included, keep that in mind. Posture is important so you'll have to be able to put it on something suitable. So if your teacher is happy with it, sure, go for it. (But still try to try one in person before you buy.)
|
|
#
¿
Feb 16, 2015 19:56
|
|
|
Those are midi controllers, not pianos. Outputting to a computer wouldn't be a problem because that's the only thing it does I think, it won't make any sounds of its own. I was going to recommend a Yamaha P-95 or something similar but that's a quite a lot more expensive. I don't know if there are any digital pianos that are cheaper unfortunately. Regardless of any other recommendations you get, you absolutely, really really have to go play the piano you plan to get yourself. If budgets are tight, spending money on something you're not happy with would be a bad idea. Better save up for something better in that case.
|
|
#
¿
Apr 28, 2015 14:22
|
|
|
I get nervous when doing exams. I've had a few moments outside of exams where I got nervous playing too, and at those points I tried to keep that feeling (or make it worse) so I could practice playing in a nervous state. But now I'm thinking that's just stupid because I'm training myself to get even more nervous when I already am. I think that when it happens again I'll practice becoming calm instead :-) What I've found helps the absolute most is actually being able to play your piece. The better you can play it outside of a performance situation, the better you'll be able to play during a performance. Knowing what do do when you mess up somewhere is helpful too. If you just miss a note and can keep playing, great. But if you are completely lost somewhere, being able to pick up wherever the gently caress you want is invaluable. Practice starting from every place where it makes sense. (And some where it doesn't.) Also, if it's a piece with a fair amount of repeating parts, and you get lost on what to do next, it could also be possible to just insert some extra repeats. Gives you some extra time to figure out what the gently caress, and with any luck most of the audience won't notice. Finally, if you stumble on some difficult part, your most likely instinct is to try and try again and fight your way through it. But if it doesn't work, just skip it rather than retrying too many times. And yeah, I've done all those things and I'm getting fairly good marks too. 
|
|
#
¿
May 13, 2015 14:09
|
|
|
opus111 posted:It's been 3 months, stop stressing. I'm not sure how a phone app is gonna help btw, because you want to wire your brain to put your fingers on the correct key when you see a note, not say what the note is? Do you have links for those books so I can see which ones you mean exactly?
|
|
#
¿
May 27, 2015 10:45
|
|
|
Spazz posted:I'm sitting on a beautiful late 1800's Steinway Studio piano (SN 42983) that I am torn on what to do with. The soundboard is cracked in the middle, so the mids are hosed, and the current family member who uses it can't play it anymore because of arthritis. They intend on getting a new studio piano with a lighter touch, but I'm now trying to decide what to do with it. It was originally my grandmothers, so there's some sentimental value to it. It's a bad idea, throw it away.
|
|
#
¿
Jul 6, 2016 15:30
|
|
|
Jack the Lad posted:I was given a cheapo 29-key thing with a karaoke mic as a gift recently and I've been doing some tutorials I found on YouTube and having a surprising amount of fun with them. It depends on what you want to play. Judging from your choices, you're looking at digital pianos rather than keyboards or synths, so more classical music than modern pop songs or whatever? In that case, weighted keys are indeed what you want/need. 88 keys will be a given for anything even half-decent. I'd suggest looking for a 'real' piano if possible. And no matter what you do, try to find a place to actually play before you buy.
|
|
#
¿
Mar 7, 2017 18:48
|
|
|
Keetron posted:How do you guys practise scales and chords? Do you have a book, teacher or something? I mostly don't. But: it depends on what your weak and strong points are. Like you need the proper form and technique that you can't really learn from a book, you need someone who knows what they're doing to see what you are doing. What my teacher has told me beyond the technical stuff, is to really listen to what you're playing. All your notes should be even, there's shouldn't be any fingers that are playing louder or quieter or faster or slower than the others. Doesn't mean you can't do crescendo or whatever (you probably should practice that too), just that it has to be gradual, you have to do it purpose, not by accident. So: listen! And make it smoooooooooth. Also don't play fast before you can play it slow. uXs fucked around with this message at 22:55 on Mar 26, 2017 |
|
#
¿
Mar 26, 2017 22:25
|
|
|
Not exactly the same price range though. If you have that kind of money to spend you could also get an expensive digital. Best option then (*) would be to actually go into a store and compare. *: this is always the best option
|
|
#
¿
Apr 27, 2017 17:09
|
|
|
|
| # ¿ May 6, 2024 13:13 |
|
|
Yamaha's own stand for it should be your first choice. Because * it fits perfectly * it's fixed so no danger of it falling off * there's no extra material below it so nothing extra to get in the way of your legs (this helps because the piano itself isn't exactly thin) Plus it looks nice. I put mine on something else the first few years and that was dumb. uXs fucked around with this message at 10:55 on Apr 28, 2017 |
|
#
¿
Apr 28, 2017 10:49
|
|