A 20yr Old Starter's Questions: Purchase and etc.

[stilz]

Hi guys,
I'm a college student who's interested in learning piano. So far I've taken one semester of piano class in a community college and felt OK about it. I'm planning on finishing the rest of the classes (3 more to go). Here are my questions:

How successful would I be as far as learning this instrument? I've zero prior experience with musical instruments and know nothing about music. And as stated, I'm 20 right now. 

Because I'd like to practice at home, I'm thinking about buying one. I've read that if you really want to learn, it's better to get an acoustic piano. I have a budget of about $1000, where do I start looking? I live close to Dallas, TX, BTW (any good dealers here?).

Related to above, how long would a ~$1000 piano last, and how often does it have to be toned/maintainted etc., and what's the cost of it?

Thank you.

[janice]

I commend you on starting piano as an adult!  My feeling after reading your post is that you are quite serious about learning!!  As a college student, I'm sure that finances are tight.  So I was thinking--I'm not sure if your community college has practice rooms or not.  Are you planning to transfer to a 4-year college?  If so, those would definitely have practice rooms, as almost all 4-year colleges have a music program and practice rooms.  Another alternative would be to rent a piano.  Usually the money spent towards rental fees goes toward the purchase.  Just some thoughts off the top of my head!

[ryan2189]

It is never too late to start piano. I also commend you for trying to learn. As for how successful you are it all depends on how dedicated you are. As for your piano it's all about looking in the right places. I bought a used Becker upright as my starter piano for only $1250 and it works and looks excellent.

[janice]

Oh, I just remembered---My parents rented my first piano.  Along with that came 12 free lessons.  You might want to call the different stores and ask if free lessons come with the rental.

[alzado]

You need to figure out what you want.  What are your goals?

The idea that you would somehow become a professional musician after taking piano lessons -- beginning at your age -- seems unrealistic to me.

Do you want to enjoy playing the piano for yourself, or perhaps including your cat and your spouse?

That seems more realistic to me.

[ako]

I would recommend renting if your budget is tight.

[00range]

The idea that you would somehow become a professional musician after taking piano lessons -- beginning at your age -- seems unrealistic to me.

Why is this unrealistic? There's absolutely no reason one can't pursue, and reach, a professional level in any field.

Because I'd like to practice at home, I'm thinking about buying one. I've read that if you really want to learn, it's better to get an acoustic piano. I have a budget of about $1000, where do I start looking? I live close to Dallas, TX, BTW (any good dealers here?).

I don't think anyone would argue that a good acoustic is superior to a digital, but a digital is a legitimate option for a beginner on a low budget.

Check out these threads for some good information:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,5622.0.html
(Digital vs. acoustic)

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,4585.0.html
(Digital information - great post by CC)

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,5844.0.html
(Digital pianos weighted key action)

[stilz]

to janice: Yes my college has practice rooms. I'm currently enrolled in univ., and I'm just taking the piano classes at college for fun. The college is quite far, 45min. away, and I dont know if my univ. has practice rooms, even though it's closer, about 25min. The thing is though, I'm a computer science major and therefore a computer addict. Having a piano within 10 meters of me will make sure I do not dump my free time on PCs.

to ryan2189: I understand dedication is a key to success. I ask the question because I heard that as you age your fingers become less agile; bascially things that you cannot overcome due to age. Obviously I hope I'm wrong.

to alzado: My goals? First is to be able to play "To Zanarkand" composed by Nobuo Uematsu. He's the person who caused me to like classical music and inspired me to learn piano. Secondary goals...well, maybe be good enough to teach. As you know, computer science majors are having trouble finding jobs...

to 00range: Any thoughts on this https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002IP4TC/102-6503645-9270535?v=glance

Lastly, what is a spinet? From what I've read so far, it's like the lowest class of pianos. Just how much worse is it from an upright? Thanks. Oh and please do talk about maintenance for an acoustic piano (I assume electronic ones don't need prof. main.?) Thanks!

Thanks for the replies, you guys are so supportive and helpful.

[ada]

Why don't you consider a digital piano to start with? You can get some quite decent ones.

[stilz]

I'm thinking about doing that after I read the posts 00range linked to, and would you kindly make suggestions? Places to get them at would be awesome, too.  I have a question about digital pianos though; how come some of them don't have pedals? What do you do when you comes to a part where pedals are needed?

[twinkletoesfaery]

Why don't you consider a <a  style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="https://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=digital%20piano" onmouseover="window.status='digital piano'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">digital piano</a> to start with? You can get some quite decent ones.

A digital piano can never replace a real piano.  The only pros of getting a digital piano is that it's portable so if you're a student and still moving places - that's very convenient and second you can record yourself and really know how you sound when you play and best of all, you can play a duet...with yourself. *grin*

[violinist]

I'm thinking about doing that after I read the posts 00range linked to, and would you kindly make suggestions? Places to get them at would be awesome, too.  I have a question about digital pianos though; how come some of them don't have pedals? What do you do when you comes to a part where pedals are needed?

My recommendation is to get a digital piano first.  Then when you have enough money after college (and after working a few years at a career/job), get a nice grand when your skills and bank account are ready for it.

This was my strategy and it worked.  I was that college student thinking about piano.  Never got one till 2 years after college, but I got a digital (no regrets).  Now (even more years out), I'm ready for my Grand piano and I'm very happy with my plan.  I didn't have to pay for tuning and piano maintenance.

If I were getting a digital piano these days, I'd probably get the Yamaha P-250 which is similar to what I have which is the Yamaha P-200 (I think the 250 is an upgraded version).  It comes with a pedal.  You will definitely need a pedal.  Also look to see if they have half pedaling options, meaning that it's not just a pure on and off for the pedal.

This is a stage piano in that it doesn't have it's own stand.  But this way you can save space and move it around easier.  You'll have to throw in extra bucks for the stand and chair.  I also got a bag for the piano, but Never ever used the bag (waste of money for me).  All that cost me $2000 about 6 years ago.  It probably costs about the same now, maybe a little more.  They have lower end models which I've seen described in this forum ie p-120 sound like good deals, probably cheaper even.  I would get ones with built in speakers as that makes it easier to deal with, fewer cables, and the sound comes out of the piano, closer to where it's supposed to on an acoustic.  Instead of a speaker lying on the floor.

Hope all this helps.  I'm somewhat an adult learner of piano.  But I've had a very strong background in music.  I've been teaching myself mostly with some guidance from a teacher here and there.  I got cheap lessons when I was a college student from a well sought after piano teacher, who took me on out of interest because I was "the violinist student" on campus and she was curious to see how I would make out on the piano and she wanted learn a thing or two about piano.  So I managed to squeeze into her busy teaching schedule and paid her $30 for 1 hour lessons (they were worth so so so much more).  I could also fit in about 8 lessons over the summer then I got busy being a student.   But during the summer, I got up early in the mornings and I got a key from the teacher to sneak into her office and practice on a grand piano before people came to work in the music building.  I would practice for an hour and then go to my work.   When I left the college environment and didn't get use of the piano, I bought the yamaha P-200 stage piano.  Good luck to you.  You and I are both on our quest to become pianists.  I just wanted to share some of my history.

Go try out some digital pianos (with PEDAL) and see what you think.

[stilz]

Thanks a bunch for sharing your experience .

I've becoming more and more convinced that a digital is the way to go. Although I do have a friend who is considering selling their upright. In the meantime though, I'll keep searching for a digital. BTW, space and portability are of no concern to me. Only price and quality are.

Here is a Yamaha P120. https://www.kraftmusic.com/catalog/keyboards/88keykeyboards/2742

It seems the pedal has to be bought separately, and there is only one pedal. Don't pianos have three pedals?

[leahcim]

Thanks a bunch for sharing your experience .

I've becoming more and more convinced that a digital is the way to go. Although I do have a friend who is considering selling their upright. In the meantime though, I'll keep searching for a digital. BTW, space and portability are of no concern to me. Only price and quality are.

It seems the pedal has to be bought separately, and there is only one pedal. Don't pianos have three pedals?

Some pianos have 3 pedals, some 2. I think I'm right in saying you'll be fine with just the sustain pedal at the beginning [which does come with the P120]

The 3rd pedal is rarely used and ....  you might as well read it here https://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_405.html

That said, to me you sound like someone who wants and probably should try to get an acoustic.