Thinking of learning the piano....

[HotJambalaya]

Not sure this is the right section, but I'm thinking of learning the piano.

The one thing I've discovered is that a keyboard has less keys then a piano. Is this likely to cause me a problem?

I was looking at having a few lessons locally, but everyone seems to be a classic piano teacher around me. I appreciate that it probably makes little difference at total beginner level, but should I be considering that?


Anyway, if it isn't the piano, it will have to be the harmonica...

[HotJambalaya]

telford_mike said:

Do it - very rewarding. I started a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. Here's my thread:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=14...

Get an 88 key digital piano if you have space, but a few less keys won't do any harm. But make sure it's a proper piano keyboard rather than an 'organ' or 'synth' keyboard - the actions are quite different. I got a classical teacher and she's brilliant. It doesn't limit you to any particular genre but you learn properly. A good teacher is absolutely key to learning.

Edited by telford_mike on Tuesday 23 May 23:24

Interesting thanks!

I'm seriously considering it, but even though I technically have all the time in the world, I don't seem to have time!

How good are you now out of interest?

I have pretty much ZERO musical ability

[HotJambalaya]

I'm sure I'm making excuses, but I just don't seem to have the damn time at the moment.... Even though I have unlimited time...

Recommendations for a decent full sized keyboard?

[HotJambalaya]

thebraketester said:

Where are you located?

london

[HotJambalaya]

thebraketester said:

Wife teaches in Hemel if that's any use.

Cheers, but have shortlisted someone just around the corner from me (very central london). Shes a classic pianist, but at my level makes no difference!

[HotJambalaya]

dr_gn said:

I've been learning piano for just over a year now. I used to practice on an heirloom Victorian piano, but soon realised - despite many re-tunes - it was knackered. We got a Casio 130 electric piano, which is very good. My wife ( who plays to a very high standard) was skeptical at first, but won't play the other one now.

I have to say that IMO, for a complete beginner, it's not the instrument or the teacher (assuming they're not dire) that's the most important, it's practice. If you don't practice you simply won't get better. If you use your lesson for practice as well as learning, it will a) take forever, and b) cost you a lot of money.

You've said at least a couple of times that you have all the time in the world, but no time. This honestly doesn't bode well - you're already making excuses. Wait until you need to practice scales and chords over and over again - it's boring, but necessary. If you can't find time now, you never will, faced with the choice between scales or some more interesting distraction. I'd save your money until you're sure.

Cheers, (and to all others who've taken the time to post in this thread). I'm going to be travelling a lot now between now and at least november (in fact I'll only be in london for 5 weeks between now and then) so I've decided to shelve the idea for now.

Playing with what I could potentially learn and travel with at the same time, there doesn't seem to be much choice, unless I look at the harmonica..... well, at least its cheap to buy one.