Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Why do you want to learn the piano? What is your goal?

Pretty much sums me up also. For years I kept telling myself "I'd do it". Then before you know I'm knocking on the door of 40 so it was time to stop talking about it and to start doing it.

There are many tunes and genres that I enjoy listening to. My Goal? I guess it would be to ensure I have the basics down of understanding music (reading etc) so I can break down any piece I purchase the music for. Then add this to my library of songs to learn and then play on a regular basis..

Eventually I hope to also train my "playing by ear" techniques so I can begin to pick out score I hear (TV themes, shows, movies etc) and then play them..

Diane: Nothing silly about it! Keep going and enjoy it

And for all it is worth, I started learning the piano in 2007, aged 50

Ken: as we all know there are multiple ways to skin a cat
Classical is the way to go for a foundation (if you can stand classic of course). It is slow, thorough and rewarding.
The (as I call it) contemporary music education (in my case) started with chords: major, minor, 7th, in all keys, and getting the hang of it, which is automatic mode; writing my own pieces, finding melody notes to chords, additional melody notes to fill in, and so forth... but distinctively different from what (at least) I learn in the classical tuition.

I am sure my seesaw between the two will tip eventually tip to one side. At present I am not sure, and do not care much either, whether it actually "will" tip.

It is certainly demanding serving two masters... I will assess this situation over the Xmas break.

I have a more basic reason for taking up piano at age 53. My twins have been taking lessons for 6 years now and the teacher recommended a better piano for practice, as they are both quite good. When we finally went to buy one we ended up with a Yamaha G2 5'7" grand that cost a boatload of money (at least to me, if not to a Steinway or other high-end owner). I figured I better learn how to play the thing myself after spending all that!

And I have been learning, doing pretty well for a first-timer.

Max, I think that the piano fundamentals are the same regardless of whether you go to a classical or jazz teacher. You're going to have to learn basic keyboard skills first.

The only difference imo is that the teacher may in addition to technique have you either work on some classical pieces, or if a jazz teacher have you playing voicings or learn comping or whatever.

zacster: LOL -- this is funny! But yeah, why not

Ken: Let's say then that my tutors approach it from different angles. I can truely say that one does not teach me what the other does and vice versa.
Never mind, I am loving it

Not really a goal, but a side benefit of learning the piano - yesterday my 7 year old grandaughter was sitting at the piano, just fiddling around. I asked if she'd like to learn about playing the piano. Although unenthusiastic, she applied herself to learning the C scale and major chord. She was extremely proud of herself, enough so that she insisted that her 9 year old brother hear her "Performance". Being able to share her joy was reason enough for me to learn to play!

Hi Max! At first, my goal when i started was to play music for the various programs at my church! Wrong, my goals now are just to enjoy the moments while I am working on a piece or two or three, and remaining excited that I am able to play almost anything!

But I tell, don;t just stop making goals; I figure that each time I am introduced to a new piece that is more difficult than the others, my goal is to give it my best shot and enjoy the learning!