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Hello everyone!

I am so glad I found this forum. I have been reading and researching posts for the last week and finally registered.

I am taking my first piano lesson tomorrow! I am 40yrs with no prior piano (or any other musical instrument) experience. I have always had an interest in learning to play the piano and finally have the time to make it happen. I had a nice phone conversation with my teacher, and she also seemed excited to have an adult student starting from a completely clean slate.

I have Alfred’s all-in-one adult book and my teacher mentioned something about Thompson’s books. I have a Casio keyboard for practice and I will invest in a nice DP if things go well. Not sure what to expect tomorrow but really looking forward to it.

Just wanted to introduce myself, and I will report back after my first lesson.

Welcome to the forum, gunslinger, and to the wonderful world of piano.

Please let us know how your first lesson went. The most important advice I have is to be patient... it will take a while before you start making what sounds like "real" piano music, but you *will* get there with steady, deliberate practice.

Gunslinger

You sound like me about 18 mos ago - however I am a lot older than you!

I hope you love it as much as I do. My advice - practice as much as you can, and you will be rewarded and may be amazed at your progress.

Practice every day. I try to practice for 2 hrs per day - not at one sitting, but in 20-40 minute "chunks".

Have fun with it. You won't ever regret taking this first big step.

Hey there gunslinger.

I am also an adult beginner. Started a year ago at 42yrs old, never played before. You have found a great support group in this forum. Welcome, and post and let us know how your lesson went. Slow and steady wins the race on this new and glorious path we are walking!

Diane

Hello gunslinger

I have my first lesson next Sunday and I am much older than you and very nervous.

Hello gunslinger

I have my first lesson next Sunday and I am much older than you and very nervous.

Doesn't everyone "[begin] from scratch"? :rolleyes:



Don't let it discourage you. I'll quote myself here: "If you want to play like a 13 year old who began when they were 3, practice and play for 10 years." It really is as simple as that. As long as you are doing this for yourself, you'll enjoy it.

Welcome Gunslinger,
Welcome to the forum. You will find plenty of support here. If you need something...Just ask.

Good Luck, with your first lesson.

Hi Gunslinger,
Welcome.
Let us know how your first lesson goes.

Hello and welcome

As others have said and pointed out, it's never to late to begin. I myself began (officially) 5.5ths ago (mid June) and have not looked back since. Let us know how your lesson goes but for me it's been about structure. I had got the Alfred books for Xmas last year but sat on them for 6mths before I did anything

Then I found a (local) teacher who's absolutely great. In a short time I've gone through book #1, and I am approx 1/2 way through book #2. Loving every min and getting better each day. There is also a MOYD (Master of Your Domain) thread inside these Adult Beginner Forums where you're able to track your daily practice which REALLY helps to move along your playing.

I generally try to get between 1-3hrs of practice in per day (in stints of course) and more at weekends. It's helped me move from where I began to a happy place. I know I've got so much more to learn and I am very much looking forward to it.

Right now I'm very much like Neo in the first Matrix (for any movie buffs) when he's getting his training and the operator downloads Kung Fu to his brain. "Hey Mikey I think he likes it" kind of thing. My brain at the moment feels SO alive and is very grateful for the information it's being fed..

Had my first piano lesson tonight! Feels good to get the first one out of the way.

My teacher prefers the Thompson series of books over Alfred's so that is what we started with. Did a little out of my Alfred's book towards the end of the lesson.

My impressions: I felt pretty drained when we were done. I never expected to do so much playing during my first lesson! I am using the term “playing” very loosely.
I felt so uncoordinated while playing, but I kept surprising myself by hitting the correct keys. Maybe it was just beginners luck.
I was surprised how fast we were moving through the Thompson book. I thought things would be a lot slower, but I guess that's what practice is for. This week I am going to practice everything we went over, until I am more comfortable with it.
The time (1 hour) flew by during the lesson and we even went over.

I enjoyed it so much that I prepaid my next 6 lesson, so I am covered until the end of January.

Thanks for all of the kind words!

hey....gunslinger.

That is all AWESOME news!

It certainly sounds like you have a roadmap to success for your piano journey. I can only imagine that your next 6 lessons will go by just as fast. Congratulations!