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Topic: Want to play piano again after 18 years.....where to begin?  (Read 3303 times)

Offline autumnwithrosa

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I had my grade 5 piano exam 18 years ago and then I stopped playing it. Now I'm a full time mum, but I want to learn piano again. Any suggestion as to how I can start learning and where to begin?

Cheers,

Rosa

Offline kellyc

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Re: Want to play piano again after 18 years.....where to begin?
Reply #1 on: October 11, 2011, 05:00:18 PM
Get a teacher to get you started. Even if only in the beginning. It will be worth every penny if this is what you truly wish to do. Or get a friend who plays and play for them and let them suggest to you what your course of action might be.

If you can't do either of these things, then get a book and start a lesson plan you are going to be faithful to. The hardest thing for most adult students to do, especially without a teacher is to be disciplined about what they are doing.

Based on what you said in your post , which really isn't much, so I'm mostly guessing in the dark, try this to start. First 5 minutes of warming up your hands. Perhaps a very slow Hanon exercise. If you know your scales, then one octave only , one hand at a time, try a C scale and listen for the control of your fingers. NO speed, but much control. Add to that a few easy pieces of music , where you can be musical. Wish I could say more , but this is like a doctor diagnosing without meeting the patient.  Good luck in your studies.

Kelly
Current recital pieces
Chopin Fantasy Impromptu
Prokofiev Tocatta in D minor op 11
Schubert Wanderer Fantasy
Chopin Ballade in G Minor
Mendelssohn 2nd piano concerto

Offline autumnwithrosa

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Re: Want to play piano again after 18 years.....where to begin?
Reply #2 on: October 13, 2011, 04:19:57 AM
Hi Kelly,

Thanks for the advice. I'll go for the self-learning option starting from the basic and work my way up until I'm confident enough then I'll get a teacher to help. My aim is to get a grade 6 and hopefully to an 8 which I know will take years. So thanks again for your reply!!!

Rosa

Offline m1469

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Re: Want to play piano again after 18 years.....where to begin?
Reply #3 on: October 13, 2011, 09:26:02 PM
(...) this is like a doctor diagnosing without meeting the patient.

Yes and no.  The need for growth and development is not a sickness and there is no magic pill for achieving the results of study, pragmatism, and application.  However, knowledgeable and careful guidance is greatly helpful and even irreplaceable.    
"The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving"  ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
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