How to go on studying on my own

[danielbo]

Hello everybody,

I've taken private piano lessons for almost 2 years but I had to give because I moved to another city and also because I wasn't completely satisfied with my teacher; I don't think she ever had a study program for me, she always looked as she was improvising the lesson.
During these years I learnt a couple of Bach pieces (prelude n. 1 C mayor; Invention , some modern song, like "carrie",  I started studying Hanon, Beyer and some scale.

since at the moment I don't want to take piano lessons (restricted budget), I'd like to go on by myself, at least not to lose what I learnt. What do you suggest?
I was planning to go on with Hanon and Beyer, but what else?
Another thing is that I've never studied musical theory, she never gave me any book or material to study on; could you suggest me some book?

Thank you all!

[gyzzzmo]

Why do you think that 'improvising the lesson' is a wrong thing? After all, every student is different and therefor requires a different approach. Secondly, what to offer you also depends on what you offer her (in how you study). And the pieces you did so far are quite decent material for getting started with learning the piano.

What you could learn from this is that you lack the knowledge to know what is right and wrong in playing and teaching the piano. And unlearning is often much harder than learning things. That is why i'd recommend you trying to get a teacher anyway, till you get decent basic knowledge.

About music theory: You can pretty much ignore this unless you get seriously interested in playing piano music besides from notes, like improvising jazz or modern music, or maybe composing.

[outin]

Music theory you can quite easily study from internet sources as well. Maybe someone else can recommend a good book in English. I don't think one can ignore music theory, if one wants to learn to play the piano well. It would be quite difficult to play the notes in the right way without any understanding of the basic structures of music. It also helps in memorizing. The more complicated music I study the more I feel the need to learn more theory as well.

A teacher would be higly recommended. But if you decide to go on your own, I would suggests you study pieces that you like and that are not too difficult technically, listen to good pianists play them and practice reading music. Also you could try to really polish pieces that you learned with your teacher. Exercises I would only do if your teacher already has shown you how to do them. Doing them in the wrong way will be more harmful than useful and you will waste a lot of time that way.

[lazyfingers]

With respect to music theory, one suggestion is to access your local/national music examination board (eg. ABRSM for UK and Commonwealth countries, RCM for Canada, AMEB in Australia) and download their syllabus. The system in the US is fragmented.

From the syllabus, you can locate where you are in your knowledge, and then work through some workbooks. Some of these examination boards provide sample workbooks according to their program, and there are plenty of independent suppliers of workbooks as well.

The workbooks are a good way to learn theory because at least you get some structured instruction and some practice.

[bronnestam]

Graham Fitch has an excellent piano course on the net with a blog - you purchase the literature which can be read online or downloaded, and then you read and watch in your own pace. It is about daily practice and very good advice. I did not think the books were expensive at all, but if your budget is REALLY small, you can just follow the blog postings for free and get a lot of valuable tips and advice there too.

You can study music theory online.

When it comes to pieces to learn, I think you should just pick those you really love. it is not "forbidden" to pick some real challenges, nobody will shoot you, but be aware that you can get injuries if you have to struggle too hard so take care and listen to the signals from your body. If you start feeling pain or fatigue, stop immediately. If the problem persists, consider choosing something easier.

[gregh]

A few suggestions, not meant to constitute a practice routine:

Watch for master's classes at local schools. The public is often welcome to just walk in and sit down.

Record yourself and evaluate your playing.

Listen to good music, and not just piano music. Learn what it's supposed to sound like.

Find opportunities to play with another person, or an ensemble. Preferably with people who are better than you.

Go to the library sometimes and just see what they have on music. They'll have song books, books about history and style, some theory books, maybe a few books that talk about technique or musicianship. Check the audio books section for the Great Lectures series, like how to listen to classical music or something.

[hfmadopter]

Basically at about two years of learning is a good point to move away from method books IMO. My teacher at that point long ago, then went on to individual pieces of music and study books/ courses from the New England Conservatory of Music. It also is a good time if you have not done so as yet, to start learning all your key signatures, related scales and related minor scales for major scales and related major scales for minor scales. You can learn these by internet searches. I say it's a good time and also good to know these, because it will help you understand compositions as you pick them out. You also get a feel for your favorite keys to play in and can pick works in those keys.

If you like Bach continue with some two part inventions. If you have not done the Anna Magdalena series then go ahead and start on those. Pick some Mozart level two or three pieces to work on.  Don't forget Schumman's Album For the Young series ( don't let the name fool you, I was nearly 35 when I did this and especially enjoyed The Wild Horseman). And actually there is nothing wrong with a book of  modern arrangements, the key is going to be that it needs to be not too advanced as it could swamp you if it is. I actually like the fake book route and work up your own chords. The chords are indicated anyway, you arrange them. You are doing work at a level I was when I started doing this, which for me was about the fourth year. I didn't do real great at it but I had fun and made some music. Once I took a course on filling out the keyboard that was a different matter but that is later on from where you are at now.

[danielbo]

Hey guys, sorry for the late reply, thanks very much for all your messages!

I made up my mind and I decided to go on with Bach inventions: when I first played Bach I didn't like it that much, but I'm changing my mind as I go on listening and playing it

As for the theory, I'll look up the web pages you suggested me.

Thanks a lot again!

[bronnestam]

As I mentioned that you must beware of injuries, I also have to add that Bach is an extremely good choice if you want to avoid those pitfalls. The music is so cleverly written and composed that it is pure relaxation for your hands. So good luck with your Bach, it is perfect study material! I suppose you have also noticed that you can download the Inventions for free here at Pianostreet?

[kriatina]

I also learn on my own and the most important points for me are interesting score books
for beginners, some of my favourites are some "Schaum" Books for beginners,
which can still be bought in second hand book/score shops...
I make a point of visiting all sorts of shops when I have an opportunity
and I always look if there are interesting scores with interesting pieces...
... libraries can also be a great inspiration...
The most important point for me is to make sure that the books I learn from
are fun to learn from, to make sure I really enjoy learning the different pieces.
I mention this because the more fun it is to learn,
the easier it is to keep the discipline of playing and learning regularly...

Learning without a teacher may have some disadvantages
because a teacher can recognize easier our weaknesses and may assist us to study better
all the theoretical aspects of piano playing... but a teacher cannot teach us to feel the music...
... learning without a teacher can also have some advantages by teaching very early on,
which style we really feel "at home with" and it gives us a chance to learn playing the piano
with interesting priorities like: a feeling for music, a feeling for tonality, a feeling what the piece wants to express and an interest in researching what the composer was thinking or going through at the time when composing this particular piece etc.
studying on your own keeps the mind alert for such priorities... if they happen to be your priorities...
I wish you very good luck,
Kristina.