Learning to play the Piano
Discussion
Ive been told many times, the most important decision you make is in choosing a teacher. Can anyone elaborate upon the benefits of learning the classical route, what to look for in a teacher, what to tell them you want to be able to do etc.
Ive spoken to people in the past who, looking back, felt that having gone the classical route were pleased they did. Whats involved, what do you miss out on if you dont etc?
Ive spoken to people in the past who, looking back, felt that having gone the classical route were pleased they did. Whats involved, what do you miss out on if you dont etc?
It depends what you want to do.
There are a lot of very good self taught pianists out there. Some teachers can be very inflexible and boring, better I think to go for somebody who is more open to what you want to do.
Personally, I was trained the classical route. You do need a decent grounding in technique if you want to be any good really, and there will be scales &c involved, but no reason why it has to be tedious! If you want to do jazz stuff there are some good jazz exams now.
My choice would be to go for a teacher who does both who listens to what you want to do and doesn't teach by formula. Your best bet would be to tell them what you want on the phone, see if they're agreeable, and go for a couple of trial lessons.
Where are you looking for a teacher?
There are a lot of very good self taught pianists out there. Some teachers can be very inflexible and boring, better I think to go for somebody who is more open to what you want to do.
Personally, I was trained the classical route. You do need a decent grounding in technique if you want to be any good really, and there will be scales &c involved, but no reason why it has to be tedious! If you want to do jazz stuff there are some good jazz exams now.
My choice would be to go for a teacher who does both who listens to what you want to do and doesn't teach by formula. Your best bet would be to tell them what you want on the phone, see if they're agreeable, and go for a couple of trial lessons.
Where are you looking for a teacher?
I was also trained classical way...and as a grounding to be able to play it's great. I'd totally agree with ncoTea about getting a techer who has a passion for music which ISNT just classical though.
Whilst saying teaching is great...I started playing when I was 7 (am now 31)....have grade 8 practice and theory. I know several pianists who have never had a leson and are MILES better than me at just playing. Sure, I can run off flight of the bumblebee at 7000 mph, but they can free play massively better - and thats a talent as much as sometihng you can learn i think
Whilst saying teaching is great...I started playing when I was 7 (am now 31)....have grade 8 practice and theory. I know several pianists who have never had a leson and are MILES better than me at just playing. Sure, I can run off flight of the bumblebee at 7000 mph, but they can free play massively better - and thats a talent as much as sometihng you can learn i think
Incorrigible said:Oi, shut it. If I dont play it I'll admit to as much in 6 months. But thats not going to happen
First this to do is spunk a few grand on an instrument
NiceCupOfTea said:Is it normal for the first trial lesson to be free? Bearing in mind that you are looking for a teacher for life, and will doubtlessly try several looking for the right one. Ive got a list of 30 names and numbers, and imagine they will all have something different to say.
It depends what you want to do.
There are a lot of very good self taught pianists out there. Some teachers can be very inflexible and boring, better I think to go for somebody who is more open to what you want to do.
Personally, I was trained the classical route. You do need a decent grounding in technique if you want to be any good really, and there will be scales &c involved, but no reason why it has to be tedious! If you want to do jazz stuff there are some good jazz exams now.
My choice would be to go for a teacher who does both who listens to what you want to do and doesn't teach by formula. Your best bet would be to tell them what you want on the phone, see if they're agreeable, and go for a couple of trial lessons.
Where are you looking for a teacher?
406 said:
Here we go, the easiest way to learn 
www.soundsmusical.com/find-by-description.asp?b=Casio&in=Piano/Keyboard&c=82&cat=Electronic%20Keyboard&stype=&Title_String=Key%20Lighting&finditem=Key%20Lighting
I know you put a laughing smiley on your post, but for a complete beginner (I've been thinking about learning too) who doesn't want to spend a load, what are these like as a first step; worthwhile as a starter, or completely useless?
I did classical for years and years, had lessons from a concert pianist (very odd chap indeed) got bored with playing dots, started to teach myself blues/boogie woogie, wanted to play jazz.
Found a properly brilliant expert pianist to teach me modern harmony (Jazz technique) that's when I started to ENJOY PLAYING which is how you find yourself practicing lots and getting better. Sometimes I play for 8-10 hours a day. Classical piano was like a long distance assault course in the rain.
I got taught how to voice fat chords and bassless inversions as well as bass lines, improvisation and all sorts of other magic stuff. Reading short score and how to read full score, see the short score in it and create a different tune from scratch and just hack it to bits and play it in any way imaginable. Well that's the idea anyway
I would not advise classical lessons but I would advise learning the techniques involved of a concert pianist. A good modern teacher will show you.
The whole point for me is to just play what's in my head. That seems the whole point, to be able to communicate via the instrument (shit, I'm sounding like a
lentilist!)
If you are in the SW, I can recommend the man himself.
Found a properly brilliant expert pianist to teach me modern harmony (Jazz technique) that's when I started to ENJOY PLAYING which is how you find yourself practicing lots and getting better. Sometimes I play for 8-10 hours a day. Classical piano was like a long distance assault course in the rain.
I got taught how to voice fat chords and bassless inversions as well as bass lines, improvisation and all sorts of other magic stuff. Reading short score and how to read full score, see the short score in it and create a different tune from scratch and just hack it to bits and play it in any way imaginable. Well that's the idea anyway
I would not advise classical lessons but I would advise learning the techniques involved of a concert pianist. A good modern teacher will show you.
The whole point for me is to just play what's in my head. That seems the whole point, to be able to communicate via the instrument (shit, I'm sounding like a
lentilist!) If you are in the SW, I can recommend the man himself.
vixpy1 said:
I'm very good at playing with my instrument
Is that your maracas?
www.navarro2jou.com/fuzzy%20maracas.jpg
If you are starting out get a term with a teacher.
you will start off with similar basics "this is a piano" "here is middle C" etc etc. Then after a term or half term of it you can think do I like this teacher or should I try another.
Word of mouth is probably the best way of finding what you want. At this stage telling if you like them in 1 trial lesson is going to be hard as you will just be doing the basics.
you will start off with similar basics "this is a piano" "here is middle C" etc etc. Then after a term or half term of it you can think do I like this teacher or should I try another.
Word of mouth is probably the best way of finding what you want. At this stage telling if you like them in 1 trial lesson is going to be hard as you will just be doing the basics.
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