New To This Beautiful Instrument

[fortissimo4]

Hello, First A Little About Myself, I'm 19 years old and I've been trying to play the guitar for a while, until I realized it's not my instrument, didn't feel right holding it, The other day, my brother bought me a piano, as soon as I lay fingers on the keys, I had a huge heatwave go across my whole body, I loved it, It's been 6 days now, and I'm very committed to this instrument, I've been going on "Youtube" and observing some of the lessons, I've so far understood how to play the intro for "Requiem for a dream" and a bit of "Amazing Grace" , I'm here asking if there is anyone out there willing to guide me, and give me some "Homework" if you will, something to practice and get my fingers rollin' if you will. I feel as if I can bare my soul into this instrument, that it can express how I'm feeling. I will much appreciate some help "I cannot afford a teacher due to I pay rent and also pay for my school" so the teacher is out of the question.

Again, Will be much appreciated, Thank You all for taking this time to read this.

M.

[3htohn]

"teacher is out of the question"..... hmmmmmm, that may be a problem depending on what you want to achieve.

Hi fortissimo4,

Well, it's not impossible to teach yourself (I've done it myself from time to time) it's just that it's highly likely that you will end up with some bad techniques which as you 'improve' may limit to what pieces you intend to play in the future. And the thing is with playing the piano (well me anyway) you always want to strive for good technique.

There are excellent posts in piano playing on Piano Street and some people even recommend to go to their website for added help.

Энтони.

[dss62467]

Your brother bought you a piano?!?  I'm so jealous! 

It's a shame that you can't afford a teacher, because it really does make all the difference in the world.  A good teacher is a coach, and helps you hear things you're doing which you don't even realize.   I'll be playing my pieces thinking they sound great, then he'll interrupt me with his typical "I hope you don't mind me saying...." and suggests something different.  It really does improve your playing.

Fingering is immensely important.  My teachers I had as a child and teen never emphasized that, they just sort of let me do put my fingers wherever they fell.  This teacher makes a big deal out of it, and my skill has grown by leaps and bounds.

You could definitely learn the basics and when you're done paying for tuition, maybe you could find an instructor.  Just realize, it takes time and commitment to become a good player.  And patience.

[peterjmathis]

Yeah, your brother buying you a piano is amazing! You're very lucky.

My main advice for you would be to be very careful about fingering and such. Since you're starting from the bottom without a teacher, it will be very easy to develop bad habits.

[3htohn]

then he'll interrupt me with his typical "I hope you don't mind me saying...." and suggests something different.

Wow, I had a teacher a few years ago that just used to slam her hand on the page and yell out "Beethoven, Beethoven, Beethoven, your playing Beethoven, this is what I want you to play". But I always new when something sounded good... she would never say anything.

Энтони.

[fortissimo4]

Thank you all for taking some time to give me a some advise, Really, I've just been getting onto youtube and learning from them, The problem with that is, I'll never learn to read music, by just looking at their hands and trying to imitate them, I do feel as if I have developed bad habits already, when I'm playing the piano, more so trying to play the piano, I tend to drift off and goof around a bit, I'm really just trying to sound good, Does anyone know anything I can practice? an exercise perhaps?

[3htohn]

Thank you all for taking some time to give me a some advise, Really, I've just been getting onto youtube and learning from them, The problem with that is, I'll never learn to read music, by just looking at their hands and trying to imitate them, I do feel as if I have developed bad habits already, when I'm playing the piano, more so trying to play the piano, I tend to drift off and goof around a bit, I'm really just trying to sound good, Does anyone know anything I can practice? an exercise perhaps?

Getting onto youtube (or even better going to piano recitals) and observing other players (not just pianists but all instrumentalists - I find cellists  inspiring) and learning what to do and what not to do in making music will go hand in hand with having a teacher to discuss things with.

I know you have said that a teacher is out of the question due to money constraints and I suppose one could teach oneself by reading about it, but really, the best advice I can give is finding a teacher and just say upfront that you would like to have a half hour lesson every two weeks (lessons are advertised at either half or an hour lesson but are better once a week). Doing something such as this is by far better than getting yourself tied up in knots and teaching yourself bad techniques. And you will be getting good advice and as time goes by you will be learing how to read music through playing scales, excercises and learning simple piano pieces - I am not a teacher so I prefer not to recommend anything. And as long as one is mature and is genuinely interested in what is being taught by the teacher, you may even find that the teacher you get may be happy to go over-time with you. Money doesn't grow on trees I know, and of course teachers have to eat too. But I've had teachers over the years that wouldn't let me up from the seat until they were satisfied. I remember once, I was playing away something and it was really hot, anyway after I stopped at the appropriate juncture, I looked up at the clock and saw it was one hour and started to close my book, but then my teacher opened it again and said "I want to hear the end before you go" Oh no I thought, another page. Of course the lesson ended well but the thing is to shop around before you find a good teacher. And because most teachers have more children than adults as students, they are mostly glad to have a mature conversation with an adult about music (which makes the lessons go longer anyway). I am also not made of money, but this is something I want badly enough so I prefer to go without on other things. So I guess the rest is up to you. But I guess there are teachers on the net... I just don't know how practicable this is though.

Oh, and yes it's easy to drift off from time to time (I do it myself), but when this happens, there are so many factors that come into it. But in your position, a goal in mind with a teacher (even if it's only half an hour a fortnight) would be a start. And some teachers you will find will have student concerts (more goals!).

Good luck!

Энтони.