Straight path of progress?

[Bob]

It always seems like progress is... not plannable, that it always goes in unforeseen directions. 

Is there a straight path for learning piano?  Or does it always go down various roads?

[quasimodo]

As told a billion times, it's up to each one to find his own path. Nevertheless, there are good practices of practicing which are arguably common to everyone.

[Bob]

I'm not thinking "how" so much as "what" to practice.  An order or list of concepts to master maybe.

[quasimodo]

Well I guess the best path is to learn as much pieces as possible in all various styles possible.
"repertoire is paramount', used to say Bernhard.

[m1469]

I think there are fundamental principles which aid a person in their overall progress with piano playing :

1 -- Posture and ease of movement.
2 -- Familiarity with the instrument itself, in a topographical/physical and aural way.

Becoming comfortable with those is a matter of (correct) practice and awareness within the "field" of those particular "things" (which can be achieved in various, particular ways). 

The written page, whatever it is, is simply indicating to us where to go and what it's going to sound like when we get there and when we leave (and, of course, the written page is a bit of its own language that needs deciphering -- but, ultimately, it's only purpose is to order us around in how to use the two fundamental principles I mentioned above).

[amelialw]

Progress is plannable in a way but not plannable in another way. The best way is to always learn as much as you can and not to give up on yourself.

[counterpoint]

does it always go down various roads?

It always goes up and down various roads 

But the goal is to reach the Parnassum, some strange place, where all the master pianists meat 


oops - meet


it's not a barbecue party 

[m1469]

But the goal is to reach the Parnassum, some strange place, where all the master pianists meat 


oops - meet


it's not a barbecue party 

Dang !  Why not ? 

*wants to bring magic brownies  *