Gosh yes, I'm in the fan club too :-)

I think the number one thing for me has been don't learn from the start of the piece.

Very close runners up are slow practice & small sections.

On any given day I might reorder those ...

+1

There are so many things it's hard to pick one. My playing has improved the most due to my teacher, and I doubt I would have it teacher if it wasn't for PW, so that's probably it.

+1

This is such a great little community that we have here in our corner of the internet. I've been honored to be able to share what little I know and grateful to have been able to learn from those who know so much more than I. I've learned great things here that have made my practice more productive and efficient; but most of all i've learned that when pursuing a goal as complex as learning the piano, community matters.

I think the most valuable thing that I have learned is how to approach practicing. So many times, someone will mention something that sends me researching. This often ends up with a "lightbulb moment" that transforms how I approach a technique, or how I approach a new piece.

The 2nd most valuable thing is the introduction to a wealth of music to play through the quarterly and themed recitals. Many of the pieces that I play, I heard here first!

The most important piano skill I have learned is the importance of slow, sometimes super-slow, practice. I always thought playing fast was the proof I knew something; I now believe that slow playing is harder.

The most prominent overall thing I've learned from PW is that being passionate about a hobby is way more common than you think, and it makes for some really fun and interesting people!

I'm relatively new here, but have already gleaned lots of valuable things, such as:

1. That other people seem to like Ludovico Einaudi and Frederic Chopin

2. That you should never ask 'which is better, digital or acoustic?'

3. That everything will come with time, practice and effort

Medden.....

#2... not if you want a short answer, no ROFL

+1

Without PW, I'd have been in a vacuum--I don't know anyone else who is learning to play (unless I count my niece's eight-year-old daughter, but she lives a thousand miles away ), so PW is where I come to spend time with other piano crazies enthusiasts. Learning that others struggle and overcome (and rinse and repeat) *is* encouraging.

It does not boil down to a single thing for me. For learning, there has been so much and more at the ready. I agree with all and specifically the comments around recording and recitals, as the most important discipline I have learned. It is really what has made all the difference for me. Never before would I work on a work as far, as I feel compelled to do in preparation for recording it. And just the entire atmosphere of the recitals as well, has also inspired motivation that did not exist prior. I view Piano as a serious hobby now, vs. a wandering moderate interest for many years prior to Piano World.

I really need to start doing a better job of planning for the recitals though.

I've learned it's never too late to start a new instrument and never give up.

I second and third what you have written and I have a great teacher thanks to a Piano World friend whose name try as I might can't remember. Thank you Piano World

The best thing I've learned here so far is that playing by ear is not a gift, it can be learned ... + a few members here told me where to go online to get that training. Paid off big time.

To make periodic recordings to critique myself and to measure my progress.

+1 And enjoy the journey ....

1) I learned how to shop for a piano. This site helped me through two piano upgrades. Until I came here it had not occurred to me that part of the reason I sounded so bad and did not enjoy practice was that my original horrid old piano should have been firewood 80 years ago.

2) MOYD has helped me to get my practice schedule going, so consistency and understanding of good practice techniques were important lessons learned.

1. Slow down, they all said again and again. I thought, "What? My beginner's default speed is near non-movement so how do I slow down?
A year or so later when each tiny incremental increase in speed brought out a joyful "Yippee, I'm learning!" the last thing I wanted to do is slow down.
Finally, three years into the process it became clear. Slow down before it all goes sideways. Really. Slow down.

2. Try to find a good teacher if time and finances allow. We tend to work only our strengths. The teacher will find and work those annoying weaknesses.

3. Don't get discouraged when the swarm of adult responsibilities gets in the way. When the gnats get thick and piano practice has to take a back seat even five minutes a day on the keys will continue forward momentum.

4. Piano is hard work from beginning to forever. Accept this as truth or risk a quick exit with tail between legs.

5. Selecting a piano is as personal as selecting a best friend. With benefits.

Only ONE best thing? Where to start?!

The very first which comes to mind is finding out that there are companies out there that will spiral bind your music albums. Thank you to whoever recommended it; I've now had all of mine done. I'd never have thought of it, and yet it makes so much difference.

+1 This would serve well as our new ABF slogan.

One of the best things I ever learned, only one of the best, that I will mention- the simple rule I first learned here which is why I came here. An accidentaled note is sharped, flatted, naturaled on the same following notes in that measure/bar but only if it is in the same octave. I don't believe I have ever read that in any workbook or theory book.