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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 418
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I have been looking at this area for a long time. I don't feel that the people here are real beginners at piano.
I appreciate the help and advice that is available here, but, I don't feel I am with beginners at all.
There is a lot of knowledge and input, which is wonderful. However, if you are new, a real beginner, this is not the place to be. Everyone here knows much about piano.
Somtimes it would be good to talk to someone who is a real novice at piano, that could be someone who has been learning for a while too. Just to see the problems and worries that new people might come across.
Here, there are people who have been playing for a while and are very competent at the piano.
I feel that the people on this forum provide confidence which is great, but who do the people talk to when they are struggling with scales and key signatures ect?
Again, where are the real beginners? This forum is great and always helpful, but sometimes it would be good to just talk to very beginners who are in the process of beginning piano and discuss their thoughts.
Beyond beginner, Shey
Adult returner Practising Mindfulness Piano
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Well I can only of course comment on my own experience so here goes... I've been playing now for approx 8mhs (started mid-June last year). I've been lucky enough to be blessed with some "quick learning" skills and have been praised (by those here no less) on how much I've managed to acheive in such a short time. Now I will agree that "sometimes" it's a little intimidating to hear from some of the peeps on here since they are far from beginners. However, and this is the key point that's what makes the ABF what it is. I would go as far as to say 85% of the time you're going to get just the right answer and assistance you need from all of the people on here regardless of how long they've been playing. So please feel free to ask away whatever your question is because I know you'll be guided in the right direction. As I said, I know it can seem (sound) miss-leading when this is the "beginning" forum but the quality of people, their talent, experience, wisdom and input is what makes this ABF the place to be Before you know if you'll be participating in the Piano Bars (I haven' yet but will be soon) and then you'll be adding medals for recitals into your signature.. Stick around and don't be shy, this place ROCKS!
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 166
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I'm certainly a real beginner with only 3 lessons under my belt. I think what you are most likely encountering, is that when a question is asked, those with more experience, have already met the challenge that the question concerns and therefore are better able to answer how they overcame it, or offer advice. While the true newbies, are just reading the responses right along with you.
I think there is a good blend of skills and abilities here, but those with more experience are simply in a better position to answer newbie questions, kwim?
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,539
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Real beginner here - well, at least a one year old beginner. I'm self teaching with Alfred's All-in-One, Book 1. I'm within about 20 pages of completing it, and I'm stuck. I have about 5 songs that I've been trying to perfect that still sound pretty shaky. (And a whole lot of them that I've mastered and probably forgotten). I also have several primer and book 1 kids books that I use to supplement, two Alfred adult supplemental books which are mostly too difficult except for the first couple of songs.
Don't be intimidated by the "advanced beginners". They are usually the ones we turn to when we have a problem.
As far as scales and key signatures, I've mastered the C Major and G Major scales, and have just started the F Major and I'm really flubbing it a lot. Key signatures - I tend to forget the sharps or flats unless I circle them. Yesterday I couldn't play a thing. Today is better. Does any of this sound familiar to you, Shey? :-)
Hang in there. Soon you will be giving advice to the "new" newbies.
mom3gram
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,471
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I have been plodding along over 2 years now, but still consider myself a beginner, especially when people playing less then a year are playing pieces well above my current abilities. I know where you're coming from, but I try not to get too hung up on semantics. I feel the diversity serves this forum well. Besides, this is where all the cool people hang out!!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 322
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I have been at this for three years, but consider myself a beginner. I am not blessed like TTig, probably because I am a little bit older and learn slower. I've gotten a lot of help from the more experienced beginners here.
"Besides this is where the cool people hang out!!"
wj3 2010 Roland KR-115m, Yamaha clp-430 Working on Alfred Adult AIO 3 Super Special sorta song,Simply Joplin Bethena,Solace,Burgmuller
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 476
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I'm very much a beginner. I'm working on pieces from book 2A in the Faber and Faber series - definitely elementary stuff.
As an adult, I find my greatest limitation is the amount of time I get to play. There's not a lot I can do about that, so I'm just happy with the progress I can make.
Piano self teaching on and off from 2002-2008. Took piano instruction from Nov 2008- Feb 2011. Took guitar instruction Feb 2011-Jul 2013. Can't play either. Living, breathing proof some people aren't cut out to make music.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 210
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A true beginner here. I will have just a little over a year of lessons under my belt when I turn 50 this year...... Yes, the dreaded 5-0. My goals are to play piano for my own enjoyment and a chosen few of my closest friends. I enjoy talking to other beginners, and I get really irked (and don't hesitate to say so) when a more accomplished player talks down to a newbie. It is a good site, sometimes you have to wade thru a little BS, but overall, there isn't anything on the web that can come close to comparing to the community of talent here. So talk away..... you are among newbies (and friends)and we will respond.
You can own a Chickering, Christifori, or Steinway, but if you can't play it.... It is just a piece of eye candy.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 203
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I fall under the beginner category, and if there is a category for a beginner with no natural talent, I am in that too. I agree there are quite a few that I would class as not a beginner by my standard but they provide me with encouragement and a vision for the future for me. I am happy that there is a forum of different levels of ability here plus a few teachers that come in and offer their advice. I do hear where you are coming from, that is what I find so appealing about the Alfred's thread, even though I am struggling with the can can and others are just getting through that one without so much of a hint of a struggle. I am thinking no matter what level one is at, I believe we all went through the same trials and tribulations, so I am sure they can relate to what the newer beginners are experiencing
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,368
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Shey, I hear what your saying. Keep in mind however there are also members (like me) who are learning their favorite genre of music on their own with no guidance for whatever reasons.
There are also others (like me) who may have graduated from pathetically bad to slightly tollerable over the years and its kind of neat to see everyones progress over time.
Everyone is welcome here and you'd be surprised on how much some of us may not know! :rolleyes: .
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,471
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Originally posted by mr_super-hunky: ... who may have graduated from pathetically bad to slightly tollerable ... That's debatable!! :p Surely you are too modest.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,840
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Originally posted by Shey: I have been looking at this area for a long time. I don't feel that the people here are real beginners at piano.
I appreciate the help and advice that is available here, but, I don't feel I am with beginners at all.
There is a lot of knowledge and input, which is wonderful. However, if you are new, a real beginner, this is not the place to be. Everyone here knows much about piano.
Somtimes it would be good to talk to someone who is a real novice at piano, that could be someone who has been learning for a while too. Just to see the problems and worries that new people might come across.
Here, there are people who have been playing for a while and are very competent at the piano.
I feel that the people on this forum provide confidence which is great, but who do the people talk to when they are struggling with scales and key signatures ect?
Again, where are the real beginners? This forum is great and always helpful, but sometimes it would be good to just talk to very beginners who are in the process of beginning piano and discuss their thoughts.
Beyond beginner, Shey Hi Shey- do you have a teacher or are you working in a self instruction book? There are several levels of threads here where we hang out. I think its great that the ones who have traveled these roads before us- check in from time to time to keep the newbies on the straight and narrow. Just jump in.
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 476
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Originally posted by Ivory Dreams: A true beginner here.
I will have just a little over a year of lessons under my belt when I turn 50 this year...... Yes, the dreaded 5-0.
Relax, Ivory, it's just a number. If it bugs you, start thinking about your age in hexadecimal numbers. You'll be 32. - Matt (age 51, took up hang gliding two years ago and piano three months ago)
Piano self teaching on and off from 2002-2008. Took piano instruction from Nov 2008- Feb 2011. Took guitar instruction Feb 2011-Jul 2013. Can't play either. Living, breathing proof some people aren't cut out to make music.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 40
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For me it is not if we have been practicing for a year or a month. We are starting as adults. We are having fun, and occasional frustration, at learning a new skill while doing all the other things in an adult life: job, family, kids, etc. You are welcome here Shey, and we all were complete beginners not long ago.
Best,
Lewbo
Yamaha WX3 Upright Yamaha YPG 625 keyboard
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 88
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I'm also a true beginner, and I have already received heaps of help on some things from people here, even going so far as to do videos to help me out and show me some pointers. You will find people that are going through what you are going through (I've been playing for 1.5/2weeks) and you will find people that have been playing a while that can help you out rather than a bunch of beginners that really can't
In space, no one can hear me sing!
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12
Junior Member
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Posts: 12 |
Hey Shey,
I own my piano (and it's my first) exactly 1 month (picked it up on the way back from the airport on the 16th of January). I have absolutely no clue whether I'm progressing slowly or quickly (although, I *do* know I don't have as much time as I'd like to dedicate). However, I'm having a blast with it.
Like most beginners, I imagine, I want to move on to pieces and arrangements I *want* to play, and obviously can't as quickly as I want to. I'd also like my retarded left hand to understand what my tone-deaf right hand is doing, and keep up. The comforting thing is reading how others have the same issues I have, (misery loves company -- I guess it's the same for frustration).
Bottom line, you're certainly not alone -- feel free to tap me if you want to talk to a beginner with credentials.
P.S. I'll turn 54 in a couple of weeks, and I scuba dive, and practice Krav Maga (martial arts). This is tougher!
Yamaha YPG 635 A true beginner...
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 32
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Hey Shey
This is where beginners can ask for help and those with more experience come in with their suggestions. I think we beginners can commiserate here too!
I've read a lot that's helpful here - from choosing an instrument to why we should or should not have a teacher to how to play what (or why etc).
It would be awful if it were just us newbies or lowbies... we'd all be lost together!
It's also comforting and encouraging for me to know that there are fellow adult beginners - where I come from, kids start really early (with many quitting by late teens) so piano is kind of a young person's thing.
Enjoy the company!
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 25
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Don't worry, there are some real beginners as you can see ! But they're probably not the ones who post the most messages, that's all.
I think I fit in this category since I've started on October, 2007.
Nothing is impossible
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 72
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Hi Shey, another beginner here. Like BarbVA said, many of us hang about reading and learning more than answering technical questions, but we are still here. There are tonnes of useful information from technique and repertoire to nice pictures from the backyard, everything counts. I feel as if I am surrounded by friends. It does not matter at all how your playing compares with anyone else’s. The important issue is how your playing today compares to how you played a week, a month or a year ago. Imagine a forum of only beginners... Who would answer our questions? As TTigg says, start thinking about joining in the piano bar and the recitals, Red Dot Syndrome is something to overcome sooner rather than later, and it is good fun!
All you need is trust... (and a bit of pixie dust!)
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Good point, Shey. This place is what we make of it! It's not "for" us, but "by" us, imho. It's for adult beginners in all stages of their musical journey. Just start a new thread and ask beginner-beginners to share their thoughts, impressions, experiences, woes, glorious moments and they'll show up and participate as it happened here. Ask a question concerning a technical problem and you'll get an answer by beginners, intermediates -whoever feels they have something to contribute.
"The creative process is nothing but a series of crises." (Isaac B. Singer)
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