Beginer Problems

[rc1478]

Hi

Im new to playing the piano. I don't have a teacher but i am learning through various
books.I have been practicing for about an hour (sometimes more or less) each day. I have
been learning to play since just after christmas.The only problem I'm having is playing
at the right speed and playing in time.i will start counting (or tapping a foot on the ground)
but if i do this i find that its hard to concentrate on what I'm playing so i just end up
judging in my head how long each note should last .
Please can you guys give me some advice.

Thanks

[-unavailable-]

       You dont have to listen to me because I am 14 and have only started playing when i was 5 years old. I might suggest playing right hand alone then left hand alone while counting out loud. Also keep up the practice it gets more fun playing piano and eventually you can make some money and attract the ladies.(not because of getting money I hope)

[abell88]

Another thing you could try is clapping/tapping the rhythm many times, so you get it in your head without worrying about the notes. Then try clapping the rhythm while humming or singing the notes (assuming you know the tune). I also agree that counting out loud is valuable. You can count the beats (1 2 3 4) or use time names -- eg. if the rhythm was half note, quarter quarter, you would say Ta-aa ta ta.

[cadenz]

yeah. try giving yourself practice where you practice the rhythm of the piece on its own. during this you can count outloud, but i'd avoid tapping your foot, it will become problematic when you start using the pedal. and its only one step from tapping your feet to stomping them and crying uncontrolably.
... anyway. you could try taking the part for the right hand, and playing the rhythm of that hand just on one note. then the same with the left hand. when you get the hang of this hands separately, you can try them together. so once you've gotten the hang of this, you've gotten the feel of the rhymthm of the piece, and it will come more naturally when you add the notes.

[jeremyjchilds]

THe reason you are havin problems, is because you are only comfortale with either the rythm or the beat (one at a time)

All these rythm problems can be solved by learning how to drum.

Anyways to answer your question, get a beginners Djimbe book, and just practice on your knees if you can't afford a real drum...

Also, you can take your songs and notate your rythms onto a steady stream of equal notes.

What you will do is tap straight notes da da da da da da da da etc,

then you will accent the notes in the rythm of the song by playing harder than the other notes

da da DA DA da da DA da DA etc..

This will ensure that you have the correct context (beat) already behind your rythm,

Good luck

[rc1478]

Thanks for your advice, I'll try doing some of the things you suggested.

Ben

[eastcountypiano]

If you play a piece of simple familiar music that you already know and hum along while your playing, that will help you get used to what a count should be.   Practice it till you are able to play it exactly as you hear it in your head.  Also, playing along with a CD helps you develop your counting.  If you can't keep up with the CD then just use your right hand in the beginning.

Actually,  I have an adult student that concentrated so hard on getting the counting right that she never could play the song at the right tempo, even though she knew exactly what the music should sound like. It was difficult to get her to stop counting.  I personally don't think it is THAT important when you are a beginner, like you said, it's too much to concentrate on.  Play the music, it might be a little slow, the counting may be a little off, but it will correct itself later on.

[alzado]

rc--

You are doing great, and I sincerely hope you keep it up.

All of us don't play at the right speed until we have worked very long and hard at a piece.

One wise man on this board said that many of the pieces played today are probably played too fast today, and sound just fine at a slower tempo.

Keep going--  we are all proud of you. 

[gilad]

hi ya

i'm also a novice, yes well done for being consistant and putting in all that hard work.
i've been playing for 4-5 months and, can actually say playing cause i can produce more than the garbled sloshworht i was putting out when i started.
i have a teacher, but of secondary importance i have a metronome.
are you using one? it really helps you get a concept of time keeping and rythm etc.
keep playing...
to infinity and beyond.