Absolute beginner needs help (surprise surprise)

[Desdinova]

Hi! I have been lurking here a long time reading everyone else's posts but never posting my own seemingly unsurmountable ones.

At the moment I am reading John [enter surname I forgot here]'s beginner Grade 1 books that are quite popular but very old. I am currently 21 years old and feel very patronised playing pieces aimed at five year olds. As I am teaching myself could anyone help by reccomending some grade 1 pieces that are at the least fun to play!

I am also having trouble developing any kind of technique, mainly because I can only practice on a full size keyboard. Although it is touch-sensitive, it doesn't have weighted keys. I can't afford lessons at the moment, so is there any demonstration dvds/books that someone could recommend?

Thanks for the help.

[whynot]

Well, you're brave!  I really admire that.  Someone who knows how to post links will hopefully do so, but you can search for messages about beginners' repertoire, being sure to list Bernhard as the poster, and you'll get TONS of beautiful music-- real music-- that you can work on right away.  You can do a lot of work on your own if your setup is good:  hand position, how to sit (height, distance), how to move in a generally healthy way on your instrument.  But I would (hugely) encourage you to save up for one "check-up" with the best teacher you can find.  Ongoing lessons are expensive and you were clear about not being able to do that right now, but if you're prepared to buy a DVD, you can put that same money into time with a knowledgeable person instead.  Get advice that is specific to you, and see if there's anything you need to correct early on.  With a DVD, you watch someone else do it right, which has merit.  But in a good private lesson, someone watches YOU, which is much, much more helpful.  Also, if you can arrange to play on a good piano once a week, you'll have a much different experience.  You can offer to mow someone's lawn in exchange, or walk their dog, bring them groceries if they're old, whatever.  Actually, you could do similar trades for lessons once in a while, too.  You've gotten yourself started, so you already know that there's always a way.  Good luck!     

         

[bernhard]

Nothing is more soul destroying than having to play pedagogical crap.

Have a look here:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2147.msg18098.html#msg18098
(Easiest piano piece ever written)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2314.msg19869.html#msg19869
(Schumann’s Album for the young)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2340.msg20224.html#msg20224
(Building your piano foundations – suggestions for a progressive repertory)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2562.msg22127.html#msg22127
(Suggestions for repertory for someone who has been playing for a year)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4140.msg38111.html#msg38111
(True repertory for total beginners)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4416.msg41105.html#msg41105
(nice slow romantic piece for beginner)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5063.msg49589.html#msg49589
(Albums for the young)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2357.msg56150.html#msg56150
(Joe Hisaishi sheet music)

https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,7008.msg80656.html#msg80656
(Beautiful music that is not hard to play)

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[pianostudent]

Hi, Desdinova. I am an absolute beginner too. I started playing piano two months ago. (I am 26.) I have been watching some DVDs but haven't seen anything better than the posts in this forum so far. The most useful videos might be "Taubman Piano Technique" which are too expensive. Luckily I can borrow that from a local library. Since I am a beginner I have nothing to advice except that you should get a nice weighted-key digital piano as soon as possible. It must be the fist thing to consider even beofore getting a nice piano lesson.

About the book, in order to save a lot of money, you might want to consider "Masterwork Classics" published by Alfred Pub. The collection are ranging from level 1 to 10. I got level 1 and 2 from www.pianolane.com for only $8. Good things about this collection are that you will get a collection of real masterworks not simplified versions and you also get a CD to listen! Furthermore, there an extra book (about $8) "Masterwork Practice and Performance" that will guide you all along how to practice each piece.

Good Luck

[Desdinova]

Thank you all for your help! I think I am going to try and get a digital piano on finance - it might cripple my social life, but there probably is no better way to focus entirely on piano!

Also, a reply from Bernhard in my first post! I'm honored! 


The "True repertory for total beginners" thread seems great to me - but is there a collection of some/most of these pieces I can buy from somewhere?

whynot: I am trying to bribe/cajole/threaten a friend of mine who is grade 8 to teach me, but he seems reluctant (for reasons I can understand - I'm too old to be anything but a hobbyist). But I shall not give up!

pianostudent: I am going to order the same books you did - they seem perfect!