Never played piano before

[drumbummer]

Hey i'm new here and to the piano. I am 18 years old and have played drums for 5 years and plan on going to school next year to study percussion. But I also want to start learning other instruments, starting with piano. Could you guys help me get started? I have a piano I just need help with the music. A couple questions are:

1. Is there a good website with all of the basic scales?
2. What is a good book for a begginer?

And any advice to help a newbie would be very much appreciated.

[amelialw]

1st thing, go get a teacher! seriously...

[drumbummer]

I know getting a teacher would be best, but I really don't have the time or money. I'm already taking drum lessons and I don't have enough money for piano lessons. My mom plays piano pretty well although she doesn't play anymore. I just want to dabble in it a little bit. When I go to UNO  in the winter i'll take a beggining piano class but I just want to start with the basics.

[valor]

Maybe you should practice all the scales- 5 finger position? You can print out the scales here on this website, piano music, free sheet music section. And heres some advice: Pay attention to dynamics and fingering, if your hands get tired rest, practice hands seperate first, and try not to get frustrated, you'll get the hang of playing with both hands after a while (think of it as typing at the computer, this might help).

[drumbummer]

Thanks for your help valor

[anna_crusis]

I know getting a teacher would be best, but I really don't have the time or money. I'm already taking drum lessons and I don't have enough money for piano lessons. My mom plays piano pretty well although she doesn't play anymore. I just want to dabble in it a little bit. When I go to UNO  in the winter i'll take a beggining piano class but I just want to start with the basics.

Maybe you could start by learning the major and minor triads (chords) and major & natural minor scales for some of the easier keys (ie: C, F, G, D, A). Armed with those and a bit of common sense you can begin to play simple popular tunes either with a lead sheet or by ear. After that there are more complex keys, apeggios, double thirds and a lot of other stuff that is not so easy to learn on your own.

The biggest pitfall in teaching oneself is in acquiring bad habits. If you start playing in the wrong way and become accustomed to it then it causes enormous problems later on.