Need some advice on lessons.

[butterfinger]

I have played guitar by ear for many years, and have always wanted to take the time to play the piano/keyboard.  Recently I decided to stop procrastinating and start learning already. I bought a used but perfect conditioned Yamaha YPT 230. I realize that it hasn't got weighted keys, and only has 61 of them but it was cheap. If I get really serious with this I will buy an 88 key weighted keyboard. So I now have 2 questions:

1: Sheet Music or Play By Ear? I play the guitar and bass by ear, entirely self taught.  I would be fine playing the piano by ear. I don't feel a desire to learn sheet music and such, but if it's incredibly difficult to learn piano this way then I would be willing to learn this to read music. I just am not sure whether or not it's possible and practical to learn by ear.

2: Best online place for Lessons?Depending on if I am learning by Ear or Notes, I need advice on where to learn. I Goggled piano lessons and frankly there are thousands of them. Without knowing anything about piano I have no idea which are good and which are horrible.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[ranniks]

If you can't afford a teacher, here you go:

https://www.youtube.com/user/Lypur?feature=watch

I can't play by ear (yet). I read music and I like it that way. I can also look up an online tutorial and just play the notes the person is showing me.

Play by ear if you want to, but I would learn what each key means, e.g. C, C sharp etc etc. That way you not only know what you're playing, but also how it sounds.

Learning to read music isn't that hard. Put effort into it and you'll get there sooner than later.

I'm not going to soften any words though, not gonna give you sugar or whatever; learning anything takes time and effort. That includes the piano.

Recently I've started playing the violin too, and it's hard, but I'm learning it gradually because I practise and put effort into it.

You can definitely do it. Piano is the most beautiful instrument in my opinion. You can make it as hard or as easy as you want it to be.

About the keyboard: if you seriously want to learn how to play the piano, get a 88 weighted key one. You already thought about that, so that's good.

I started on my sister's 35 or so keyed keyboard of 50 euros. After 3 times playing on it I got myself an acoustic piano thanks to the help of a few members here on pianostreet.

I've played both digital and acoustic, and while acoustic obviously takes my preferences (because I own the instrument), a yamaha digital can do the job fine. But  Korg digital is also very nice. Played it and they have such nice touch.

Anyways, wish you luck and definitely learn if you can.

PS: If I could play by ear it would be amazing, because I just can't yet.

[minifingers]

I think that it's great that you can play by ear and it will help you learn the piano, you could get along ok up to a point without learning to read sheet music as there are lots of youtube videos out there. However I believe learning how to read sheet music as well is an essential skill. Knowing what the notes are and how they relate to each other should enhance your ability to make music (if you understand how it works then there is far less trial and error involved). I think it will also help you to learn techniques that may otherwise pass you by. Also if you can read music you will also be able to write it, which is a great advantage.