older (66) wanting to play piano

[rjarch]

Hello,
I always wanted to play the piano, but life/work/family took priority. I now want to spend time learning. I have zero experience, can't not read music. I would like to take lessons and with that buy a used electric piano. I dont know what a good starting level would be for equipment. I did read that I would be better off making sure a keyboard/piano has the 88 keys. Any advice at all is appreciated.
Regards
Rick
Foxboro MA

[lelle]

Go for it!

The general recommendation is to at least get something with 88 keys, and weighted keys so the action is at least somewhat similar to a real acoustic instrument. Most keyboard makers offer a budget option matching those criteria.

Getting lessons is also a good idea - there are many bad habits you can unknowingly adopt that will massively hamper your progress if you learn on your own. A good teacher should teach you good technical fundamentals so you can play comfortably for years to come, in addition to reading music, and skill-level-appropriate pieces.

[yqxpiano]

If you want a cheaper piano, I would recommend the kawai digital pianos, specifically the CA401 or CA501 as they focus on the sound and feel being more like an acoustic piano, without as many bells and whistles. Obviously, still expensive, but both under $4000. If you need cheaper options, then you could specify a price range. But this is just my opinion, let the others speak.

[vandoren]

I recommend getting a used acoustic piano instead if you have a space for it. Can’t beat the real thing! 

[dizzyfingers]

I recommend getting a used acoustic piano instead if you have a space for it. Can’t beat the real thing!

Not always.  Nothing worse than a tinny sounding spinet with a feeble action.  I would prefer a 4K electric piano over a 4K acoustic piano.

[keypeg]

I recommend getting a used acoustic piano instead if you have a space for it. Can’t beat the real thing!

A poorly maintained, bad quality acoustic is not superior to a quality digital.  Plus, it must be tuned, maintained.  I have a Kawai hybrid.  With the thin walls here, I'd never get to practise otherwise.

[yqxpiano]

I recommend getting a used acoustic piano instead if you have a space for it. Can’t beat the real thing!

Depends on what the acoustic is. If it isn’t any more expensive than a quality digital piano, it isn’t worth it yet. Also, depends on where you get the used piano from, how well the previous owner took care of and maintained it. Really old cheap acoustic pianos (especially upright) can be in a very bad condition. I’ve heard some things about rebuilt pianos, but I don’t know much about them, maybe a path worth researching later if you get a bigger budget.

Also, a digital piano means easier maintenance and no tuning.

However, I don’t know much about how a new digital piano vs used digital piano makes a difference. Maybe a used digital piano is terrible, maybe it’s basically the same as a new one.

[sandaun]

Well, with lack of space and whatnot, I'd be pressed to have an acoustic piano where I'm living now. Another thing in favor of the electronic/digital piano - with headphones, you can practice late at night when everybody's asleep and nobody's going to complain about the volume not letting them sleep, or your mistakes, or whatever else. That's my reason for getting an electronic/ digital piano.

[jimf12]

88 weighted keys is a must, as well as lessons.   Depending on your budget and goals, you could go a number of different ways.    Something as basic as a Yamaha P45 - with stand maybe $500 - will get you on your way.    Of course there are better options, much better actually, but don't let money be the reason you don't take the plunge.   

If space and money are not an issue, I would  recommend a good acoustic upright 46-48" - a Kawaii K300, Yamaha U3 etc..    I would never argue that an acoustic isn't the ideal choice, but if you do go with a cheaper digital maybe you decide in a year or so to make a bigger investment.   There are worse things than having both a digital and acoustic in the house.   

[geopianoincanada]

Hello,
I always wanted to play the piano, but life/work/family took priority. I now want to spend time learning. I have zero experience, can't not read music. I would like to take lessons and with that buy a used electric piano. I dont know what a good starting level would be for equipment. I did read that I would be better off making sure a keyboard/piano has the 88 keys. Any advice at all is appreciated.
Regards
Rick
Foxboro MA

Do find a teacher even if the teacher is a student themselves. A student at a grade 5 level is going to be able to help you with the basics. Inquire with your local music conservatory or look at the on-line ads for someone offering lessons. A DIY approach just won't cut it here.

Do go to a music store and try out various electronic keyboards, get to know the price ranges. Take your time. Once you decide, get the best you can afford. Must haves: Fully weighted keys, touch sensitive keys. Don't get drawn in by all of the bells and whistles. A good solid Yamaha or Roland will serve you well. Roland has a superior key action but they cost more. Yamaha is good for beginners.

Do learn about proper posture, proper stretching and warm up exercises. This is so vital and often overlooked until you end up having to book an appontment with a physiotherapist.

Do have realistic expectations. If you spend one year at a grade 1 level, that is just fine.

Do practice slowly, paying close attention to the fingering and hand positioning your teacher explains to you. Don't rush things as that is a sure fire way to work against yourself.

[keypeg]

A student at a grade 5 level is going to be able to help you with the basics...

This is the only thing I disagree with.  The fundamentals are the foundation for everything.   Even a student with grade 8 or higher, unless there is teaching experience and knowing how what is taught today will link up to what will be learned much later - teaching a beginner well is not easy.

[jonesmclean]

I was in almost the exact same situation as you. I'm 69 and retired two years ago. I had wanted to learn to play piano for many years, but life got in the way. As I approached retirement I decided to buy a keyboard (first a Yamaha P45, later a Kawai DG-30, and all the advice above about keyboards is good advice) and start my journey. I knew I had to take lessons because I know I need the structure and guidance of a teacher and regular lessons. I tried online and while that might work for some people, it definitely did not work for me. I researched different studios near me that offered in person lessons and found a wonderful school with great teachers. Again, different people have different learning styles, but I would strongly recommend finding a teacher and taking weekly lessons.  I've been at it now for four and a half years and it has become my passion in life.  I applaud your courage and wish you as much enjoyment as I've had learning to play.

[mjblendick]

Good for you. I hadn't taken piano lessons for nearly 50 years. I did study piano and went as far as passing my Grade 8 exams but I was in my late 60's when I started lessons again. Started right at the beginning again. I've had excellent teachers and now at nearly 84 years I'm playing at a grade 9/10 level. So go for it but get a good teacher..it's never too late!!

[dizzyfingers]

Good for you. I hadn't taken piano lessons for nearly 50 years. I did study piano and went as far as passing my Grade 8 exams but I was in my late 60's when I started lessons again. Started right at the beginning again. I've had excellent teachers and now at nearly 84 years I'm playing at a grade 9/10 level. So go for it but get a good teacher..it's never too late!!

wow level 10 at 84 - great story - congratulations!
what pieces do you like to play?

[kaiserd2]

Dear Rick,

        I am not a professional teacher but I might be interested in working with you.  Email KaiserD2@gmail.com if you are interested.

             

[dizzyfingers]

Dear Rick,
        I am not a professional teacher but I might be interested in working with you.  Email KaiserD2@gmail.com if you are interested.         

This user's post is from Dec 4th - 7 weeks ago today.  No follow-up responses, and no other posts.  Unlikely we'll hear back from him.  Too bad, lots of good advice above, and this generous offer to help.  That's frequently the way it is is here - shoot a question and scoot into oblivion.

[picosinge]

88 weighted keys is a must, as well as lessons.   Depending on your budget and goals, you could go a number of different ways.    Something as basic as a Yamaha P45 - with stand maybe $500 - will get you on your way.    Of course there are better options, much better actually, but don't let money be the reason you don't take the plunge.   

If space and money are not an issue, I would  recommend a good acoustic upright 46-48" - a Kawaii K300, Yamaha U3 etc..    I would never argue that an acoustic isn't the ideal choice, but if you do go with a cheaper digital maybe you decide in a year or so to make a bigger investment.   There are worse things than having both a digital and acoustic in the house.

Agree 100%!  Been practicing on a Yamaha P-71 and recently bought a Petrof V.  Keeping the weighted keyboard for when I have an urge to practice at 1 am.  Technically I don't have the space for both but squished all the living room furniture to one corner to accommodate the Petrof.  It is a matter of priority ...   

[jonslaughter]

You can do anything you want. It is not about if you can but when do you start. It is not a competition and the more you do it the more you will learn.

Have you learned anything since you posted? If you did anything connected to it you surely did. You are not likely to going to become Bach... is that your goal? There was only one Bach.

The more you work on something the more you learn. It's that simple.

When you die, which the day will come, do you want to know something about piano? Do you want to have learned a specific song? Do you just want to know more? [It should be the later]

Learning any skill is learning a bunch of sub skills: S = s1 + s2 + s3 ... and each subskill is a series of subsubskills all the way down.

It takes time to learn each skill.

At your age, unless you live to be 150, you do not have as much time so you cannot learn as much as someone 5 years old. That is just fact of the universe.

BUT you are also living in a time where it is much easier to do anything than ever before. So learning many skills takes far less time. (and once they brain chip us it would be nearly instant... maybe... but that assumes our skills won't be working out in the fields picking their strawberries)

The best advice I can give is for you just to start sitting down at a keyboard(surely you have one as that is the biggest step but even then you can practice without one by learning other things) and playing.

Play like you already know how to play. Don't worry about how it sounds. Use your imagination like a child. Play very fast and play slow. Make crazy sounds, make soft sounds. That is music. It may sound like noise but it is music. You may be embarrassed but why?

Start making sounds. Over time and as you learn more those things you think sound bad will sound good. I used to hate the sound of diminished chords when I played them... but I always loved them in the blues. Many bad sounds you make on the piano actually are great sounds... but it requires context.

Just make sounds. Remember, many great piano players and musicians of the past were self taught.  It took them a long time but they got really good and where unique.

The second thing is about time. Since you have less time you should try to put in as much time as you can. The more time you can the better you will get faster.

Since you are retired you likely can put in at least 5 hours. it might seem like a lot but imagine putting in 16 hours a day for years on in as some have done. It might be hard because of your body or mind but the more you try the faster it will happen.

You are, as a human, intelligent enough to "play the keyboard".  So do it. If you want it bad enough you will do it.

The the only other thing to do, really, is to learn to "shape" those sounds into things you want to hear E.g., you might not like the music you create but really like Bach or Mozart's sound. They have very sophisticated sounds in some ways but simple in others. What makes music is chords and scales(it's like the letters and words). Practicing those might seem boring but doing so, and after a few months of daily practice, you will understand music like you never have(unless you already have). Learning pieces obvious help too.

There is a lot to do. It is not as simple as people like to make it out. It is not as if you just can just memorize notes and then play but never having played before. Maybe, maybe you can be computer and playback midi. But that s not how it works for a human. There are many things that stack. Learning reading is very important. it is a skill that one only gets better at.

Here are some things you can try as you might not be aware: Go to youtube and type in "score -sight reading". and watch the scores. if you spend 6 months watching scores before you go to bed you will, in 6 months know how to read sheet music in a way that you never understood. It will make sense. you might have to learn what those symbols mean so you can good them or use Qwen.  find some chord and scale books(in RL or online) and figure out what they mean and apply them. Find some simple songs to play and start working on them. Do "improve".

The problem isn't so much that you can't play(playing most piano music is actually relatively simple) it is that you don't know how to figure out how to learn the skills. Unfortunately only you can figure it out for yourself. I gave you some possible ideas.They may be a waste of your time. You can try them tough to find out. Sometimes though it might seem like a waste but it takes more than a few days to know it. It might take a year or even 10 years(in fact, you might play piano for 10 years and find out you hate it. Probably not but you don't know until you do).

But the first step is to play. it is that easy. Just play. Learn to feel the keys, the black notes, the stretches, try to play crazy stuff. If you hear something in your head try to play that. Listen to the sounds, the way notes work together, how hard you can hit a note and how that works. Short and long, etc All these things that you can get at by just sitting at a piano and banging on it is music. Modern music is just a very refined form of this. The same is true of math, chemistry, art, politics, etc. "Time" refines everything. You will learn and things become clearer and then learn more and clearer. At some point you will reach a point and you will be happy and stop or want to move further or not be happy and stop. It will be what it is.

What I can tell you as a matter of fact: If you are able to put in the time you can do it.
That is a tautology. If you put in the time you can do it. It's really that simple. No matter how complex your mind twists it,  if you put in the time you can do it. I've seen a guy with no arms play the guitar. I've seen a guy with no fingers play the drums. I'm sure you can play the piano. Now if you have no arms it might be very difficult to achieve what you have in your mind so you might have to switch to a different type of piano such as a guitar or bass and use your feet. If you have no arms and feet then you might have to play the "piano" with a computer that can track your eye moves and such. Where there is a will there is a way. The path may be blocked so you have to find another but there is always a path.