Self Teaching Piano: Need advice

[krandiash]

Hi
I've been trying to learn the piano since the last month. I started off haphazardly - first learning the Moonlight Sonata (1st movt. obviously!). Since the last couple of weeks I've decided to take it up seriously and now practice in the following way:
1) 15 minutes of the C major scale
2) 15 minutes of Hanon
3) 15 minutes learning the Introduzione of Beethoven's Waldstein.

I've tried to incorporate all the different warnings that people put up about bad technique etc. I try to stop if my arm gets tired. I read that it's better to play with your whole arm, so that's what I try to do. I find it quite manageable with the right hand. My left hand feels stiff and resistant to arm playing and tends to prefer finger playing. Any advice there?

Secondly, what kind of modifications to the current schedule can I make for max. efficiency? How should my schedule evolve as I improve?

Are there any good books (online or offline) with basic classical pieces as well as the different scales and practice stuff that I would need?

Any other suggestions/advice is welcome.

P.S. I practice on a keyboard. It's not full size. My dad will invest in a piano only after I show some dedication. I live in Delhi, India so I'm not sure I can get a very good teacher here. And, since I'm in college (17 years old), it's tough to practice at the same time everyday.

[raphaelinparis]

I've decided to take it up seriously and now practice in the following way:
1) 15 minutes of the C major scale
2) 15 minutes of Hanon
3) 15 minutes learning the Introduzione of Beethoven's Waldstein.
(...) How should my schedule evolve as I improve?

I would advise that you:
drop scales
drop Hanon
reason : you don't have a teacher so the odds are that you're not doing them right anyway.
This leaves you with 30 extra minutes.
leave Beethoven for the time being, you won't get anywhere without a teacher.
Instead work on some good easy pieces of Bach. Find the "little preludes and fugues" and work the easiest ones.
Then when you have done some progress and can you are a decent reader and can play some easy small pieces it will be high time to find a good teacher...
ps: read that forum...plenty of threads on the same subject already
pps : that is just my humble opinion

[brianlucas]

Agreed. Focus more on note recognition than technique. I would also suggest the Bach "Notebook for AMB" pieces.  One note per hand for the most part which will help with your note recognition.  Learning a few of those pieces may convince your dad that you are serious.

Good luck!

-Brian
www.pianoin8weeks.com
www.brianlucas.com

[irrational]

I also come from "teaching" myself. Although I never played scales, I just played the pieces by ear. I also started out with Beethoven.
Now that I take lessons, I realise how much I was missing and how much I messed up the Beethoven.

I would suggest trying to get a teacher to help. Its amazing how well you may think you do something that turns out to be all wrong as the others said.

I would agree with some simple J.S. Bach. I also love D. Scarlatti for practise. There are many simple pieces that teach good technical things. If you get music, try to find something with fingering worked out or suggested.

That's just my opinion in my own limited experience.

[jaggens]

Hi Krandiash,

Your enthusiasm is a good sign. Better do not rush and be patient.
You are practising really difficult pieces.

My suggestion at the moment:
I have created a free online piano course where I go through all basic piano playing skills including piano technique. I invite you to join.

GL
Jaak

[ryztad]

Youtube is a great place for learning keyboard
Many tutorials and stuff. take a look just search up : ''Piano tutorials'' or something in that genre

[pianowolfi]

"Self teaching" and "needing advice": hm... those two contradict each other significantly, in some way, don't you think?