Hoping for some help from those who know.

[Calliah]

Hi everyone,
   I was looking for a good forum online for piano players, and this is the best one I've seen yet. The reason I'm looking for a forum is to find out a few things. Right now, I'm 23 years old and I've had only a one year class on keyboarding back in high school. I've dabbled in it here and there since, but I've never had the money or avenues to pursue anything more than that, such as a school or teacher. I was hoping that perhaps someone here would be able to tell me what I can do to start going about teaching myself to play.I understand, from reading other forums, that this is a difficult venture.
   Keep in mind that I am not looking to start playing professionally, but I do want to become the best that I can, as far as being self taught goes. Any help, links, books, etc. that anyone here can provide me with would be greatly appreciated.
   If it matters at all, I'll explain what my playing is like now, because I'm sure some "un-learning" will be necessary. In high school, my teacher was mediocre, and could not help everyone all the time. As a result, I've become accustomed to writing in every note name above it on the sheet music. Another problem is that the keyboards we were supplied with had no sensitivty, so no matter how hard or soft you hit the key, the same volume was given to it.
   Don't get me wrong, of course. I realize that i cannot blame my problems with the piano/keyboard on everyone else. At the time I wasn't as driven to learn as I am now. I was immature at the time. I've forgotten almost every chord I once knew. I still know some timing and most of the symbols. I currently have a Casio PX-100, which is touch sensitive, which can be turned on and off. I want to learn to play with touch sensitivity on, because I think it gives the music more life.
   That said, I also understand from skimming through this forum, that music theory would be a good thing to start with. I'm not sure as to the truth to this of course. That is why I've come to you all for any help that you can give me. I do not have money for teachers or school, so i need to pursue other avenues. Thanks in advance,
Calliah

[Bob]

I only skimmed this.  Too much going on.

Some thoughts....
A lot of beginners start with a primer, theory, and performance book.  Alfred has a beginner series.  This is for the more classical side of music -- ie preparing a piece of piece of music, not reading chords and improvising.  These piano books have basic skills though, stuff you'd need even for jazz/pop piano.

Don't write the letters in!  Just memorize them.  There is less there than it might appear.  You slow down your learning if you write the notes in. 

[richard w]

You will find it very difficult to achieve your potential without a teacher, and if you do it will be at a very much slower rate of progress. If you can't afford a weekly lesson I would try to have a monthly one, or whatever frequency you can manage. Meanwhile, you should perhaps aspire to finding the means for more regular lessons in the future. (Marry well?). The advantage of a (good) teacher is he will be able to tell you straight away what you are doing wrong. Getting it right from the beginning is far better than sorting it out later. An occasional lesson would at least mean that you didn't go too long with the wrong solution to your problems.

I suspect that wasn't the answer you wanted, but I hope it helps you.


Richard.

[lostinidlewonder]

Do a great deal of listening. Listen to heaps of CD of as many piano solo pieces you can. If you want to teach yourself you have to have a very good musical ear, so it is essential that you know the general way pieces are played from all  styles and times.
Knowing what music should sound like, making it obvious to your ear when things should speed up or slow down or rise and fall in volume is probably the single most important part of any musical playing. Those who naturally know when to alter tempo and volume without relying on the sheet have all the right stuff to play the piano at a higher level. Because the sound is more inbuilt and subconsious rather than a command that needs to be read and then produced. This develops well with listening to lots of recordings as well as lots of piano playing.

I would say start playing Bach. I started on him and still with him! He will set the foundation for keyboard technique and co-ordination.

[bernhard]

There are many threads in the forum dealing with this subject. Here are some you may find interesting:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2115.msg17860.html#msg17860
(advantages of a teacher)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2749.msg23873.html#msg23873
(self-teaching – the pitfalls)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2906.msg25591.html#msg25591
(How to organise a lesson syllabus)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2970.msg25991.html#msg25991
(Areas of study for a complete music syllabus – books for each area)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5569.msg53917.html#msg53917
(when are you ready to be without a teacher – roles of the teacher)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5998.msg61338.html#msg61338
(how to teach yourself)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5975.msg59523.html#msg59523

Finally have a look at the links in this thread:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5767.msg56160.html#msg56160

Best wishes,
Bernhard.