Piano

[JennyM]

I really want to learn the piano. Has anyone taught themselves...I know the basics and can sorta play with one hand...but it takes me forever to read the music.

[~MP~]

I took 7 years and know how to read music...my son (7 years old) is taking lessons right now. He is enjoying it...
I love piano...its beautiful.

[Marie]

Me too!! I love the piano! I didn't teach myself but I need to reteach myself because I haven't played in almost 10 years.

You do need to learn to read the music but the more you do it, the easier it will be for you. I find myself counting because I can't remember off hand which note it is :blush:

I am not sure what the best method would be for you to learn. I remember as a kid, we had some exercises to write the name of the note (to teach us to read sheet music), scales and then the pieces.

[JennyM]

Yeah I remember those...the attic and the basement

[JennyM]

I played the flute when i was in jr high but never really liked it.

[~MP~]

My sons tends to memorize a lot but I want him to learn to read music...it neat either way. :)

[JennyM]

I memorized green leaves...but I have no idea what notes it is :)

[Cynthia]

The Theory---> I hated this part of the piano. I almost, if not DID, fell asleep during session.

I love the piano but now, just a casual pianist. I hate scales (but it's needed) and i hate sight reading.

Played since i was 6 and became casual player at 19 till now. :)

[Cynthia]

My sons tends to memorize a lot but I want him to learn to read music...it neat either way. :)

This is a talent. Not everybody can memorize unless one practice full day just for one piece, everyday.

I hv a cousin who can play by ears. Like, he'll listen to a song and he can play it immediately, full piece, on the piano. Just by listening. :)

[Cynthia]

I really want to learn the piano. Has anyone taught themselves...I know the basics and can sorta play with one hand...but it takes me forever to read the music.

It takes an everyday practice. You know the basics, that's definitely a start. I don't know what syllabus you hv here in the States but start with Book 1 or Part 1. Move slowly up i.e Part II, Part III. By the time you get to finish the Part 1 Book, you should hv the ability to play without looking at the keys. Eyes should be on the book/piece while your fingers play.

hmm...can't think of anything at the moment...just shoot Qs and we'll help ya... :)

Oh over in Malaysia, I used John Thompson. Starts from Part 1 to III and then from Grade 1 to Grade 8.

[Marie]

I used John Thompson too..it is good. I started my piano in Hong Kong. We did john thompson, a dozen a day and other things, I can't remember. I have the books I think here.

[Cynthia]

Yups, John Thompson is good but it gets suck-ier by the Grades a.k.a harder...lol.... Harder meaning, more than 2 hours of practice a day...And, not to mention combined with Scales and 2 other books to play?...ayyy...lol...

[angela256z]

I can't read music at all, but I can play the piano just by listening to others play. After I hear a song I can learn what keys make that sound and eventually learn the whole song. One handed though. I wish I could read music.

[Kikigurl1]

I took lessons in the 3rd grade for about a year, then stopped when my music teacher went on vacation and never went back to it. I continued playing the songs I always new and when I got to high school they had a keyboarding class. I took that for another 2 years. The 2nd year I went to a district competition and played 2 pieces and got straight SUPERIORS! I was so proud of myself heh. I was going to take it again senior year, but the music teacher quit and the new one that came in didn't play piano (okkk) so there wasn't a class anymore. For a while after that I taught myself a few songs and I haven't really played in like 3 years. If you can read music you can teach yourself! I have faith in you Jenny! :)

[arcoiris]

I took for years in school, but when I moved away to college, I couldn't take my piano with me. I just purchased a new (old) piano secondhand a few weeks ago. I'm rusty, but I'm getting there. I had forgotten just how much I used to love to play.