Newbie

[jeangenie]

Hi guys, been reading this forum for a week or so, what a great resource. I got a yamaha p120 a week ago to start learning piano on, which I feel should be good enough until I've made quite alot of progress.

This wednesday I will be having my first piano lesson, and I've been told to get a beginner's book to work from with him. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good book to get started with?

Thanks alot in advance

p.s. Oh yeah, if it makes any difference im 16 years old.

[gyzzzmo]

Can you read notes?

[jeangenie]

Given time...I can't read them and play them very well.

[xvimbi]

I'd recommend getting an anthology of beginner-level pieces by the well-known masters. If you like J. S. Bach, work through his pieces. It's an extremely good way to acquire technique and a thorough understanding of music (provided your teacher is knowledgeable).

Finally, please make the effort and stress proper technique from the start. Don't try to learn as many pieces as possible in as short a time as possible; don't try to jump to difficult pieces too soon; don't get caught up in exercises - play music instead.

Too many people get injured by not acknowledging how the human body works. Don't be one of them. Always, always critically evaluate anything anybody tells you (including your teacher). If necessary, ask for cogent reasons why things are recommended.

I hope you have a good teacher. A lot depends on him/her.

Good luck!

[richard w]

Hi guys, been reading this forum for a week or so, what a great resource. I got a yamaha p120 a week ago to start learning piano on, which I feel should be good enough until I've made quite alot of progress.

This wednesday I will be having my first piano lesson, and I've been told to get a beginner's book to work from with him. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good book to get started with?

Thanks alot in advance

p.s. Oh yeah, if it makes any difference im 16 years old.

Welcome.

In my opinion, your teacher ought to have recommended the best book for you and his teaching preferences. I'd suggest contacting your teacher again, asking him if he could recommend one or two titles which he thinks would be suitable. It seems your teacher has left this decision up to you, but if you do not feel qualified to make it yourself, and as a beginner why would you, you should ask for his help.

Not knowing anything about you, I'm a bit reluctant to suggest. But, if you give us some more details about what you hope to achieve, how much time you are expecting to spend working on your playing, what types of music you like, etc, I'm sure others will be able to suggest a book to go for.

I hope that helps, and good luck with your new hobby. If you work at it you will be richly rewarded.




Richard.

[jeangenie]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I felt inspired to take up the piano after seeing the film The Pianist, hearing Chopin's G minor ballade, so that is what i'd (very eventually) like to achieve. I also love Chopins nocturne in Ebm, and I used to enjoy Furelise, before hearing it countless times in piano stores.

When I spoke to my teacher on the phone, he asked me whether I'd like to work from a book, I said ok, and he said if I wanted to, to pick up any beginner's book to get started with.

As to how much time I'd spend on it, I suppose whatever time I have although I have to devote some time at the moment to exams, 3 or 4 hours a day would be manageable especially if i could get up an hour earlier to practice. Practicing is not an issue as i enjoy it, I've plunked out happy birthday so many times..