slightly confused newbie looking for some advice

[conall88]

ok so my background:

used to study piano under a teacher when I was around 10 years old. ( I'm 22 tomorrow ).
got my grade 2 under the ABRSM.

haven't played much since 2003 essentially.

bought myself a casio Px-130 when I came into some cash.

dug out my old books, mostly old grade books scales for those exams, and a copy of Hanon in 60 ex's.

Ive practiced scales ( and eventually gotten bored ). I felt i'd take a stab at teaching myself some pieces I actually want to play, like chopin waltz 64-2 and some other pieces. Ive found however that its asking a lot at the moment, and so want some advice:

Any recommendations /excercises for strengthening my weaker hand ( in this case my left hand)?

Any tips for interesting pieces I should look into which may be suitable for my level? (brownie points for any similar in style to chopin)

estimated grade level someone would have to begin playing a piece like faintaise impromptu?

I'm interested in learning it ( seemingly in the distant future). I learnt a few bars of the left hand, hoping to slowly piece it together, but i'm having trouble with co-ordination and speed. any tips for improving this would be a major help.

any other useful tidbits would be great too

@offtopic, first post, and looking forward to reading the board from now on .

[keyboardclass]

Without a teacher you won't make much progress - but good ones are rare.  The first thing I teach is how to achieve a good standing posture.  Secondly consider this - muscles only pull (contract), how are you going to get the key to go down?

[annabubbles]

Have you tried the "A Dozen a Day" piano books?

https://www.music44.com/X/products/dozen_a_day&source=google1_%2808-006%29_dozen_day?gclid=CM2qxfmukqICFcMvpAod0nZNjg

I find the exercises are great for improving hand strength and finger coordination.

Good luck!

[dss62467]

Without a teacher you won't make much progress - but good ones are rare.

I don't know if I'd go as far as to say "rare".  But good ones you can afford may be.   I've had 4 teachers in my life and 2 were excellent, 1 was good, 1 was good enough for beginners.    Of course if you are a teacher yourself, and a good one, you will see what's wrong with the others.   

[keyboardclass]

I must have had 4 or so piano teachers who knew nothing - and treated me like an idiot!  Then I came across a genius - world's worse bedside manner but what knowledge!

[conall88]

I'm not in a position where I can afford lessons atm. I guess my best bet is just to stick with scales and hanon for now then. sigh.

[frank_48]

muscles only pull (contract), how are you going to get the key to go down?

Gravity?

[butterfly79]

I have had 2 teachers in 6 mnths. I love my new teacher. She is awesome, really encouraging. If you can't afford lessons atm, try youtube, there are alot of lessons on there that help you get back into it until you can get a teacher.

A Dozen A Day is really good fo strengthening the hands and helping get your fingers into it. Also the Hanon books are good for 8th notes.

[keyboardclass]

Gravity?

Yeh, that'll be one way and has its uses but no good for speed.

[pianowolfi]

I'm not in a position where I can afford lessons atm. I guess my best bet is just to stick with scales and hanon for now then. sigh.

No. There are many pieces that are good to play at your level, anything Grade 2 ABRSM and upwards.
Have you tried for instance Chopin Waltz A Minor op. posth? Burgmüller? Franck chant de la creuse?

(a part of this thread is another chapter of "how to scare a newbie away...)