I have just started teaching myself the piano. Is this way okay?

[fuchsia88]

Hello! I'm new to this forum.

I've been practising the piano (well, keyboard because our piano isn't tuned lol) for about a week or more using a beginner's piano book, but I have completed this book and am now not sure where to go.

I have learned the Middle C to G keys, and have played a few tunes using both hands. At the moment, I'm just spending 20 minutes a day playing a piano notes game which includes the bass cleff. I have learned a bit from it, but am still very slow and have about 60% accuracy. I'm quite pleased with my progress though! When I have remembered the notes that I struggle with, I will start practising with easy music sheets.

When I tried using notes further than the middle E, I know I did the fingering wrong, but my Mum will be able to teach me when I ask.

Do you think this approach is okay, or do you recommend something else?

The reason I started to teach myself the piano was to get a better understanding of music theory and at reading notes. I became enthusiastic about learning the harp, but because of the cost, I cannot afford lessons or a harp until I have a full time job. In the meantime, I decided to practise with the piano.

However, I'm starting to enjoy the piano and am wondering if I'll continue to learn it for classical music, and learn the lever harp for more celtic music.

Does anyone have any opinions and advice?

Thank you in advance!

[keystroke3]

Hey fuchsia88,

It really depends what you want to get out of piano. 

If you want to get realllly good at piano, get a private teacher.  It's well worth the 20 bucks a week.  They'll get you set on a plan where you can efficiently learn technique, theory, and songs much faster than you would be able to by yourself.  I taught myself for a couple years and got pretty good, but my improvement accelerated wayyy faster when I got a teacher.

However, if you just want to play as a hobby so you can play for your friends and family, you can defiantly teach yourself.  You might want to look online for piano lessons though, I'm pretty sure there are plenty of free online lessons that can give you a rough outline to follow.

Just realize its tough starting out, but once you get some experience under your belt it gets easier and more rewarding.  The most important thing is consistency.  20 minutes a day for a month is a lot better than practicing 5 hours a day for a week and quitting.

Also, if theres a song you want to cover, you can look up tutorials on youtube and they'll show you exactly what notes to play.  That's how I got started out, and its a lot more motivating when you play songs you enjoy as opposed to some random song you play just so you can learn piano.  I would defiantly suggest still learning how to read music though, it will give you access to a lot more music.

Good Luck!

-Keystroke