Individual skills...

[possiblepianoplayer]

Hello,

I am interested in learning piano but for many reasons I will need to make progress as fast as possible and I would like to have an idea of the time required to become competent at a beginner level. Allow me to explain, many of you will have heard of the 10,000 hour rule and hopefully many of you also know that it is nonsense however there are other approximations available which are more accurate but they are based on individual skills, playing the piano is actually a group of skills such as sight reading etc.


Since I am merely an interested amateur, I would like to know what skills you would list as important to playing the piano that require deliberate practise, i.e. that don't just develop over time as a by-product, so that I can assign a number of overall hours to become comfortable with the piano and then figure out the ideal number of hours practise each week to get to that level in a reasonable amount of time.

Thank-you for anything you can contribute.

[j_menz]

Your current practice regime: 0 hours 0 times a week.

Anything more than that will be a start.

What's the rush? And, what makes you think you are in a position to assess whether piano playing is actually a "group of skills such as sight reading etc" rather than a coordinated set of knowledge and technical skills developed together?

I'd also add that all practice should be "deliberate" in your sense of the term, and that the things that develop "over time as a by-product" should not be underestimated in importance.

[possiblepianoplayer]

Your current practice regime: 0 hours 0 times a week.

Anything more than that will be a start.

What's the rush? And, what makes you think you are in a position to assess whether piano playing is actually a "group of skills such as sight reading etc" rather than a coordinated set of knowledge and technical skills developed together?

I'd also add that all practice should be "deliberate" in your sense of the term, and that the things that develop "over time as a by-product" should not be underestimated in importance.

Yes, obviously - I didn't say it wouldn't be but I can't practise at the moment.

No rush, I just want to make it as efficient as possible hence why I am planning before I can start. My point was that it isn't one skill as it says in the thread which you have just said also - my point was that it isn't one skill, it is many.

My sense of the term means working on one particular skill in focus rather than just playing songs or scales which develops playing generally. I am also not underestimating but I can't figure that out in hours as the development is vague whereas deliberate practise can be more easily quantified.

[j_menz]

I don't think it's a matter of practicing one element, then moving on to the next. There may be separate skills, but coordinating them is essential.

If you do a search of the forum for "efficient practice" you will find a wealth of material.  Also, the two free books you get with a gold membership here I understand to be quite useful. Chang's Fundamentals of Piano Practice is also often frequently cited.

I should also add that there's nothing like getting a good teacher to get you going faster.

[outin]

I think learning to play the piano is something where planning ahead gets you nowhere. Unless you plan to get a teacher. You simply have to start the work and see how it goes.

Also, what is being "competent at a beginner level"? A beginner is not supposed to be competent. You get more competent by learning and practicing. But it takes years to be really competent in any of it.

[possiblepianoplayer]

I don't think it's a matter of practicing one element, then moving on to the next. There may be separate skills, but coordinating them is essential.

If you do a search of the forum for "efficient practice" you will find a wealth of material.  Also, the two free books you get with a gold membership here I understand to be quite useful. Chang's Fundamentals of Piano Practice is also often frequently cited.

I should also add that there's nothing like getting a good teacher to get you going faster.

As I understand it from a piano teacher I spoke to about it, they are developed in tandem at first but then they are refined to be perfect although that could just be her approach.

I thank you for that, I will have a look.

Well, I have had a few lessons however I had no chance to practise and so it was really a waste of time and very frustrating and at the moment, I am slightly stuck in limbo as I am about to go to university and so I can't start lessons locally for a few weeks to then move but I do plan on finding a teacher locally although I am wondering how it will work since I won't have the money or space for a piano, or even a keyboard for that matter (I wouldn't really want one anyway, a piano sounds so much better), and I worry I will do the same thing of learning tiny amounts in the lesson without being able to practise to actually apply those things...

[possiblepianoplayer]

I think learning to play the piano is something where planning ahead gets you nowhere. Unless you plan to get a teacher. You simply have to start the work and see how it goes.

Also, what is being "competent at a beginner level"? A beginner is not supposed to be competent. You get more competent by learning and practicing. But it takes years to be really competent in any of it.

Unfortunately, due to my university situation I can't yet get a teacher and so I decided I would at least try to plan ahead a little - set some goals, get some good resources etc. That is the reason I've just found this forum.

I am trying to convert a cognitive psychology term in to the regular vernacular, you know when learning a new skill that it can be very frustrating at first but you get past that and become semi-competent but by no means an expert. I was trying to sum that up, if that makes sense to you.

[j_menz]

I worry I will do the same thing of learning tiny amounts in the lesson without being able to practise to actually apply those things...

What? Are you suggesting you'll have plenty of time/ability to practice if you don't have a teacher but none if you do? That's, frankly, nonsense. Either you have the time/ability or you don't.

[possiblepianoplayer]

What? Are you suggesting you'll have plenty of time/ability to practice if you don't have a teacher but none if you do? That's, frankly, nonsense. Either you have the time/ability or you don't.

No, I'm saying I can't practise at all because I don't have the money or space for a piano. I did say that. I was saying that because of that, I don't want to learn things with a teacher which I won't be able to practise on my own to internalise and solidify. That is what I did before and I got nowhere, it was very frustrating.

[dima_76557]

@ possiblepianoplayer

Piano playing is a very physical thing. It makes no sense to try and learn that without the feedback your body gives. The best alternative for you to get at least a theoretical understanding of the instrument itself would be one of those Google android or iTunes apps.

[lojay]

I wouldn't call these skills but if you plan to tackle advanced repertoire you need patience and determination UNLESS you are a complete freak and learn things super fast.

Even before starting with a teacher, I would suggest you start on this.  The preliminary exercises don't require a piano.

For a beginner, I would suggest you first gather your resources, skim everything, and at least mentally make note of what you want to get through.  In addition to the basic method books, there are so many great books written by great pianists/teachers that you can purchase or freely download off the web that teach you about the philosophy of music.  Since you don't have access to a piano, these kinds of readings will probably be great for you to read in the meantime.

The teacher should have taught you differently than a student with access to a piano.  I'm also surprised he/she didn't made arrangements for you to get some practice time in somewhere.  A lot of the basics are concepts; not having regular access gives you ample time to think about a lot of the theory.  When you do actually get time on a piano I would think your practice would be super efficient.

@outin:  I think some sort of planning is crucial.  Without planning, how will he get resources such as books/videos/etc.  

[possiblepianoplayer]

@ possiblepianoplayer

Piano playing is a very physical thing. It makes no sense to try and learn that without the feedback your body gives. The best alternative for you to get at least a theoretical understanding of the instrument itself would be one of those Google android or iTunes apps.

Yes, I plan on a somewhat theoretical understanding in advance but my worry is about learning if I am unable to regularly practise as I completely agree that it is mainly physical.

[possiblepianoplayer]

I wouldn't call these skills but if you plan to tackle advanced repertoire you need patience and determination UNLESS you are a complete freak and learn things super fast.

Even before starting with a teacher, I would suggest you start on this.  The preliminary exercises don't require a piano.

For a beginner, I would suggest you first gather your resources, skim everything, and at least mentally make note of what you want to get through.  In addition to the basic method books, there are so many great books written by great pianists/teachers that you can purchase or freely download off the web that teach you about the philosophy of music.  Since you don't have access to a piano, these kinds of readings will probably be great for you to read in the meantime.

The teacher should have taught you differently than a student with access to a piano.  I'm also surprised he/she didn't made arrangements for you to get some practice time in somewhere.  A lot of the basics are concepts; not having regular access gives you ample time to think about a lot of the theory.  When you do actually get time on a piano I would think your practice would be super efficient.

@outin:  I think some sort of planning is crucial.  Without planning, how will he get resources such as books/videos/etc.  

Firstly, thank-you very much for this. I really wanted some of this kind of information.

Well, I am a complete freak and I do learn things super fast as it happens but since piano is a physical skill it will still take me time. If it was completely intellectual then I would learn it very easily.

I was thinking of just that but from what I've seen the resources are a little varied. The ones online can be from random people who know nothing but can also be very talented, knowledgable people and it isn't always easy to tell the difference as a beginner especially. The books seem to be a little all or nothing, they're either very comphrehensive and useful or terrible. Would there be any resources you would recommend particularly, especially resources perhaps aimed at people with autism as I haven't had a chance to research that yet so if you happen to know of a good resource then please do let me know.

She didn't really take that into account... I think I would like a lot of practise time for a physical skill since I can pretty much think over the theory immediately, the intellectual parts I do well.

[bronnestam]

Search for Graham Finch on the net. He is a great resource and his methods works.

For someone who is already used to play the piano, planning and reading notes (aka mental practice) is very useful. I have played for many years and I can do that as I can simulate the hand movements in my head and literally feel it in my muscles - because they are already used to it. But I doubt that it is a good method for a beginner. (I am not very good, but I have experience.)

So either you find yourself a piano somewhere, where you can practice a litte, or I suggest you postphone your plans until you have better possibilities. Meanwhile, you can always read book like those already recommended here, and of course listen to good pianists and good piano music as much as you possibly can!

Anyone with focus and devotion is a "super learner". Nobody without focus and devotion is a super learner.   

[outin]

@outin:  I think some sort of planning is crucial.  Without planning, how will he get resources such as books/videos/etc.  

One can use time for planning and gather a huge amount of books/recources/videos/etc. which may ultimately prove mostly useless...and one may end up understanding that the task is so huge that it's better to forget it. There really is such a thing as information overdose.

Or one can start the journey and look for the resources when they are actually needed.

Although I didn't realize the thread was about studying piano without practicing or having access to a keyboard...Then IMO it should be about studying music, not piano playing.

[lojay]

Trust me, if you're a freak you would've devoured any theory books by now.  When I think of a freak, I think of someone who lived on my floor my freshman year.  He typed up a 12 pager in 45 minutes and got an A- on it (class average was a C).  That's not all though...  He only went to class once, and right before writing the paper he spent about an hour reading through like 170+ pages of Foucalt, Derrida, Barthes, and Althuser.  I'm certain he was familiar with some of the readings, but to put things in perspective it took me an hour to get through 6-8 pages of the really dense material and other students consider me a quick reader/learner!  Some of the readings were such a pain that most students didn't even bother doing the reading and just bullshitted from class discussions.

Anyway, I digress...

The DVD I linked would be suitable for anyone at any level.  This is easily available without purchase, if you know what I mean.

I'm not too familiar with beginner method books (I don't teach and I've only used them when I was very young).  I suggest you hit up amazon/sheetmusicplus and read reviews (I'm sure you already know this!).

I mean before you start, you should clearly evaluate your goals with piano.  If you just want to do this to have fun/dick around, my suggestions are probably not for you unless you enjoy learning for the sake of learning.

Regardless of the genre you want to get into (e.g. classical, jazz, pop, etc.) I would suggest:
1) This harmony and theory workbook.  I actually bought it and never really used it (because I'm lazy and if I'm going to study I'd rather focus on something related to my major), but it's very good.  I mean it's extremely simple and easy, but it'll give you a strong theoretical foundation.  You do not need a piano for this.

2) A cheap and shitty keyboard, such as this, for the sole purpose of learning to read music.  I strongly suggest that you keep it under $100.  Most people quit when they realize how much work is actually involved.

3) The Piano Handbook .  I recently bought this so I can get acquainted to piano music that isn't classical.  This is pretty much an encyclopedia in the sense that it gives an overview of something then moves on.  This also goes through the basics.  I suggest using this conjunction with a search engine and these forums to get more in depth study suggestions.  I'm sure imslp also has tons of pdfs of beginner pieces.

4) Ear training software and sight singing resources.  You can purchase this or get a book+cd combo.  For now, just look this up ear training in a search engine and use a free resource.  You want to acquaint yourself with intervals.  Do this everyday for a few months.  This is boring as hell, but something all serious pianists should do.  I'm not serious so I don't do this, but according to one of my teachers, this training enabled him to hear the music when looking at scores.

Couple the above which will set you back $100 with imslp and online resources and you'll have a very strong foundation.  You won't have any technique, but technique can be developed in months if you're determined and have the right teacher guiding you.

I do have to warn you that my suggestions are extremely dull.  If I were a teacher, I would probably not teach with the books above (I would definitely incorporate the concepts in them, but I would never assign them).  The suggestions above are only suitable for someone who is extremely determined.

If after going through the above a bit, you're still interested in learning piano, message me and I'll give you tons of other suggestions that you can look into while you're studying the above.  Also, there are so many great books and articles that give insights on voicing/phrasing/timing, but I wouldn't suggest those until you at least learn to read music.  If you're a quick learner like you claim, I'd expect you get through the first book (you don't need piano for it) in a few days.

[lojay]

One can use time for planning and gather a huge amount of books/recources/videos/etc. which may ultimately prove mostly useless...and one may end up understanding that the task is so huge that it's better to forget it. There really is such a thing as information overdose.

Or one can start the journey and look for the resources when they are actually needed.

Although I didn't realize the thread was about studying piano without practicing or having access to a keyboard...Then IMO it should be about studying music, not piano playing.

I agree that someone could be overwhelmed from information overdose, but I think this mainly occurs when a lot of material is presented as a large chunk to someone not equipped to tackle the large volume.

The information needed to get a clear overview should not lead to this problem.  If the planning and gathering is done superficially and nothing is clearly mapped out and there's this large task left with no steps to completion, I can definitely see information overload being a problem.

I must stress that I'm not advocating the mere gathering of resources.  I'm saying gather your resources and most importantly, create a plan.

[possiblepianoplayer]

Search for Graham Finch on the net. He is a great resource and his methods works.

For someone who is already used to play the piano, planning and reading notes (aka mental practice) is very useful. I have played for many years and I can do that as I can simulate the hand movements in my head and literally feel it in my muscles - because they are already used to it. But I doubt that it is a good method for a beginner. (I am not very good, but I have experience.)

So either you find yourself a piano somewhere, where you can practice a litte, or I suggest you postphone your plans until you have better possibilities. Meanwhile, you can always read book like those already recommended here, and of course listen to good pianists and good piano music as much as you possibly can!

Anyone with focus and devotion is a "super learner". Nobody without focus and devotion is a super learner.   

Thank-you, I will check him out.

No, I wasn't planning on practising without a piano per se, I simply want to plan as best as possible as I've accepted I will unfortunately have to wait some time before I can actually focus on playing.

[possiblepianoplayer]

Although I didn't realize the thread was about studying piano without practicing or having access to a keyboard...Then IMO it should be about studying music, not piano playing.

This is only in preparation for learning to play. Since I can't yet learn to play, I decided learning about music theory and researching various teachers and methods to find what I think will work best for me was the best thing to do in the time I am waiting rather than just twiddling my thumbs.

[possiblepianoplayer]

Trust me, if you're a freak you would've devoured any theory books by now.  When I think of a freak, I think of someone who lived on my floor my freshman year.  He typed up a 12 pager in 45 minutes and got an A- on it (class average was a C).  That's not all though...  He only went to class once, and right before writing the paper he spent about an hour reading through like 170+ pages of Foucalt, Derrida, Barthes, and Althuser.  I'm certain he was familiar with some of the readings, but to put things in perspective it took me an hour to get through 6-8 pages of the really dense material and other students consider me a quick reader/learner!  Some of the readings were such a pain that most students didn't even bother doing the reading and just bullshitted from class discussions.

Anyway, I digress...

The DVD I linked would be suitable for anyone at any level.  This is easily available without purchase, if you know what I mean.

I'm not too familiar with beginner method books (I don't teach and I've only used them when I was very young).  I suggest you hit up amazon/sheetmusicplus and read reviews (I'm sure you already know this!).

I mean before you start, you should clearly evaluate your goals with piano.  If you just want to do this to have fun/dick around, my suggestions are probably not for you unless you enjoy learning for the sake of learning.

Regardless of the genre you want to get into (e.g. classical, jazz, pop, etc.) I would suggest:
1) This harmony and theory workbook.  I actually bought it and never really used it (because I'm lazy and if I'm going to study I'd rather focus on something related to my major), but it's very good.  I mean it's extremely simple and easy, but it'll give you a strong theoretical foundation.  You do not need a piano for this.

2) A cheap and shitty keyboard, such as this, for the sole purpose of learning to read music.  I strongly suggest that you keep it under $100.  Most people quit when they realize how much work is actually involved.

3) The Piano Handbook .  I recently bought this so I can get acquainted to piano music that isn't classical.  This is pretty much an encyclopedia in the sense that it gives an overview of something then moves on.  This also goes through the basics.  I suggest using this conjunction with a search engine and these forums to get more in depth study suggestions.  I'm sure imslp also has tons of pdfs of beginner pieces.

4) Ear training software and sight singing resources.  You can purchase this or get a book+cd combo.  For now, just look this up ear training in a search engine and use a free resource.  You want to acquaint yourself with intervals.  Do this everyday for a few months.  This is boring as hell, but something all serious pianists should do.  I'm not serious so I don't do this, but according to one of my teachers, this training enabled him to hear the music when looking at scores.

Couple the above which will set you back $100 with imslp and online resources and you'll have a very strong foundation.  You won't have any technique, but technique can be developed in months if you're determined and have the right teacher guiding you.

I do have to warn you that my suggestions are extremely dull.  If I were a teacher, I would probably not teach with the books above (I would definitely incorporate the concepts in them, but I would never assign them).  The suggestions above are only suitable for someone who is extremely determined.

If after going through the above a bit, you're still interested in learning piano, message me and I'll give you tons of other suggestions that you can look into while you're studying the above.  Also, there are so many great books and articles that give insights on voicing/phrasing/timing, but I wouldn't suggest those until you at least learn to read music.  If you're a quick learner like you claim, I'd expect you get through the first book (you don't need piano for it) in a few days.

   
Well, I don't mean this in a bragging way (I preface this with that because I'm told I often sound like I am bragging). I spent all of my high school Maths lessons taking challenges from my teacher and others in the class to beat the calculator at various calculations and I was never beaten, this got to the stage where my teacher was bringing out a 14 digit capacity calculator just to try to beat me. In an effort to engage my interest in literature (never been my thing at all), my English teacher challenged me to memorise 1984 by George Orwell to a sufficient degree I could answer any questions on anything she chose to ask about the book. After I did this with ease, it escalated until she challenged me to memorise books in the first 50 minutes of the lesson to answer questions during the last ten minutes. I know ever chess opening and all of the possible variations, I know every country and its capital (including countries with official and de facto capitals etc.), I know the periodic table and every mathematical constant there is to at least 1000 digits. Once again, I'm not bragging simply stating some of the things I've done which amazed people to no end. I haven't got any books on music theory nor has my local library, this is why I haven't "devoured" any, I haven't got any.
 
Yes, I do know - I'm all too familiar with that method of acquisition... Despite the fact that I do want to have fun with the piano, I think that'll only happen after some rigorous study and practise since I want to get to the point where I can quickly learn any given piece independent of genre etc. and make it original etc. I doubt I have the creativity for composition so these are my goals but I know that is a long distance away.
 
Well, I'm an example of a person who just loves music; I don't have a particular genre - I hate most pop for example but there are plenty of songs I have liked and would love to be able to play (this will be easier than classical I imagine, especially if you've seen the "4 chord song" by Axis of awesome but I really love classical music, it has been my method to calm myself when I get over stimulated (sometimes there is too many things going on around me and as I always do, I'm paying attention to all of them at once and I go into sensory overload). Classical music has been my means to block it all out and so I would really love to play some of those pieces. 
 
1.) That looks like a really helpful book, I will hopefully be able to buy that soon.
2.) I have an old keyboard but it wasn't the same as a real piano because the keys on a piano require more force etc. and it just doesn't feel the same. I also won't have the space for the keyboard in my dorm and there is the problem of noise, I can't wear headphones for too long.
3.) I think that will be quite useful, thanks.
4.) I am sure this is boring but definitely a worthwhile investment. Do you think this should be reserved for later in the learning process? That is what my last teacher told me although based on some of the things she missed or didn't say I am starting to doubt her competence thanks to what I've read in this thread.
 
I don't mind dull as long as it pays off in the end so thank-you.
 

[possiblepianoplayer]

I must stress that I'm not advocating the mere gathering of resources.  I'm saying gather your resources and most importantly, create a plan.

That was what I was going to do since I can't just dive in.

[indianajo]

Visit or join a church, locally.  Most of them have a second rate piano in the basement or fellowship hall, that they will let you practice on.  . 
Or buy a trashy keyboard at a charity resale shop.  Here I see them for $15 sometimes. 
Don't overthink this.  Piano is a physical skill, and words are somewhat useless. 
One key skill, is developing control of your third fourth and fifth fingers, especially of your non-dominant hand.  My mother used Schmitt's G. Schirmer exercise book for this, on our piano. You can develop similar skill with a violin, if you can't afford a piano.  Guitar develops the right hand, but not the left if you use a pick.   You can begin this process by using tools to build models, whittle or other physical skill.  I can thread up a machine nut, blind, upside down, behind a bulkhead, with my fourth and fifth fingers, as a result of piano training.  The reverse process is valid training.
And you can take up music as a hobby, by simply singing off printed music, with a tuning fork as reference.   

[gregh]

You got some good replies, so I can be a little facetious. (But not too facetious...)

Since I am merely an interested amateur, I would like to know what skills you would list as important to playing the piano

Patience.

Adult students tend to be easily frustrated because they practice for a few weeks and they're not playing the kinds of things that they had wanted to be playing by then. The way I think of it, children have the advantages that they don't know they sound bad, and nobody expects them to sound good. You know what you want to sound like, and you're not going to sound like that. You are not going to learn piano faster than an eight year old child will! Possibly you will learn slower than that kid, because your adult brain just doesn't soak up new things the way young minds do. Accept that, and approach it like a child who is happy just to be playing a simple blues tune by week 5.

I would say follow a method book, and whatever you find difficult, that's what you should work on. Get a genre book that fits your tastes, like a "How to Play the Blues" type of book, and work on that. Later on you might start working out of a book like Hannon, but that's not where you should begin. You begin by picking up the basic skills. You learn where the keys are and develop two-hand coordination by playing a lot of whatever you have at hand. I don't think there are specific exercises that can speed that up. You just have to do it, and work on difficult things until they are no longer difficult. The practice that counts is the practice that makes you uncomfortable-- it's difficult, it requires focus, it's not the same as noodling around with fun stuff that is already easy for you.

No, I'm saying I can't practise at all because I don't have the money or space for a piano.

You need a keyboard to practice keyboarding. If you take lessons at a music store, they will often make practice rooms available to you outside of your lessons as long as you continue to be a paying student. Or you might be able to make an arrangement with a music store. You might see if your local library has a piano that you can practice on (that's not common, I admit, but one near me does). Churches can be a resource, but you probably need an "in", like being known to the staff, or being recommended by your teacher who is known to them.

[possiblepianoplayer]

Visit or join a church, locally.  Most of them have a second rate piano in the basement or fellowship hall, that they will let you practice on.  . 
Or buy a trashy keyboard at a charity resale shop.  Here I see them for $15 sometimes. 
Don't overthink this.  Piano is a physical skill, and words are somewhat useless. 
One key skill, is developing control of your third fourth and fifth fingers, especially of your non-dominant hand.  My mother used Schmitt's G. Schirmer exercise book for this, on our piano. You can develop similar skill with a violin, if you can't afford a piano.  Guitar develops the right hand, but not the left if you use a pick.   You can begin this process by using tools to build models, whittle or other physical skill.  I can thread up a machine nut, blind, upside down, behind a bulkhead, with my fourth and fifth fingers, as a result of piano training.  The reverse process is valid training.
And you can take up music as a hobby, by simply singing off printed music, with a tuning fork as reference.   

I really wouldn't be welcome at a church. I do have strong hands and reasonable independent control of third, fourth and fifth fingers already due to my experience with various sleight of hand. I do plan on strengthening them though.

Music is second nature to me, piano playing is what I want to take up.

[possiblepianoplayer]

You got some good replies, so I can be a little facetious. (But not too facetious...)

Patience.

Adult students tend to be easily frustrated because they practice for a few weeks and they're not playing the kinds of things that they had wanted to be playing by then. The way I think of it, children have the advantages that they don't know they sound bad, and nobody expects them to sound good. You know what you want to sound like, and you're not going to sound like that. You are not going to learn piano faster than an eight year old child will! Possibly you will learn slower than that kid, because your adult brain just doesn't soak up new things the way young minds do. Accept that, and approach it like a child who is happy just to be playing a simple blues tune by week 5.

I would say follow a method book, and whatever you find difficult, that's what you should work on. Get a genre book that fits your tastes, like a "How to Play the Blues" type of book, and work on that. Later on you might start working out of a book like Hannon, but that's not where you should begin. You begin by picking up the basic skills. You learn where the keys are and develop two-hand coordination by playing a lot of whatever you have at hand. I don't think there are specific exercises that can speed that up. You just have to do it, and work on difficult things until they are no longer difficult. The practice that counts is the practice that makes you uncomfortable-- it's difficult, it requires focus, it's not the same as noodling around with fun stuff that is already easy for you.

You need a keyboard to practice keyboarding. If you take lessons at a music store, they will often make practice rooms available to you outside of your lessons as long as you continue to be a paying student. Or you might be able to make an arrangement with a music store. You might see if your local library has a piano that you can practice on (that's not common, I admit, but one near me does). Churches can be a resource, but you probably need an "in", like being known to the staff, or being recommended by your teacher who is known to them.

I do get frustrated but that is because I couldn't practise. I need to put in serious practise to expect any progress at all but I'm aware it is a slow process.

I need to find some method to practise, hopefully I will be able to find a music store or something like that but I won't know until I find a teacher in the area of my university. Thanks for the tip though.

[lojay]

Well, I don't mean this in a bragging way (I preface this with that because I'm told I often sound like I am bragging).

LOL! You definitely are, but I have no issues with that.  The question is, is your bragging justified?

If you can answer a few simple counting problems for me, I'll buy you the books from Amazon and have them shipped to you or an amazon locker in 2 days.  I really doubt it'll get to this point though, because I'm 99.9% certain you're bullshit.  For the record, I recently wrote these problems for a high school student that I tutor over Skype.  For someone that can carry out calculations like you, these problems should take virtually no time.  In fact, I would encourage you to use Maple or Mathematica to carry out the calculations, although it would be much quicker doing it mentally if your memory and calculation abilities are as good as you claim.

By the way, you will not find these problems on the web and you won't need the internet if you look up the notion of a mathematical function and understand what a domain is.  Basic probability theory will be somewhat useful (especially the notions of combinations and permutations), but these theories can potentially mess you up on about half the questions if you don't apply the theories properly.

When you're ready send me a message.  We'll have to message each other to make sure we're both around.  I'll post the problem set in this post afterwards.  You'll have 90 minutes after I post the problems to finish 14 questions (3/4 of which should take around a minute each).  I doubt it'll come to this point, but I would like you to message me the answers.  Depending on your work, if you score a 70% I'll honor my offer.

By the way, as it stands I'm disinclined to provide anymore suggestions.