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.

I was taught every note in the bar after the accidental, no matter what octave, is affected by the accidental. I would use courtesy accidentals just to make sure. The issue is not who's right, but more how can we reduce ambiguity.

Oh, my best thing?
P5 in equal temperament beat 0.5 beats per second narrow, not 0.25, which I thought and taught for years!

Also, that posting on a public forum is a skill in itself.

It is a rule they don't want n in writing. One of those things for those in the know.

1.) PW introduced me to the music of Ludovico Einaudi and David Nevue. 'Nuff said.

2.) Concentrate on setting the "fractures" in a piece (i.e., playing a few measures before, during, and after a particularly tricky passage).

3.) Don't just practice a tricky section until you play it right. Once you get it right, play it again until you can play it 7 times in a row correctly.

See for eg:
Theory Essentials 2nd ed. Connie E. Mayfield
p8 Ch I The Basics of Reading Music


Practical Theory Complete A Self-instruction Music Theory Course - Sandy Feldstein
p29 Lesson 27

Monica - I have to say that your Youtube videos are an inspiration for me. Someday, I intend to be playing like you already can.

Regards,

Tony

How much I lacked discipline to master the skill (or really any, for that matter). This humbling realization has really helped me out in all aspects of life, let alone simply improving at the instrument.

...the wonderfulness of piano friends.

I met a lot of wonderful piano friends here and received a lot of encouragment, which helped me with my piano goals. I love being here and I hope I'll not be kicked from this subforum.

that will never happen, we value your opinions too much as well as enjoy being reading about your journey.

that "beginners" speak in an strangely advanced and unknown language.

I've learned some new skills in dissecting and analyzing problems/methods of study, through somewhat heated debates.

Amen friend! When I first looked at the postings here I was thinking "These are beginners!!!!!"

So far for me the most useful thing I've learned is that there are You Tube videos of the lessons in Alfred's Adult Beginner's book. Those have been extremely useful for me!

The most important lesson I've learned here: Piano is a long term project. no matter how hard i work or practice, it's going to take a long while. Play every day for a year and you are still at the beginning of the learning curve. i need to remind myself of this when things get frustrating (and it is VERY much at times)

.... which could be easily picked up

The absolute best thing I have learned from piano world. And I wouldn't have found it without piano world.
Artistry Alliance

I really have to share a "student" tale here. I had a very serious little girl studying with me years ago. She was very anxious to learn and obeyed my every instruction to the letter. One day I explained to her the rules of the "accidentals" ... carefully pointing out that they applied to only one measure and only one octave. I thought I'd given a stellar explanation until the following week when she came for her lesson. We opened her music and I noticed she had carefully applied "white-out" to every accidental. I was puzzled and asked her why.

"Oh Miss .... you told me they were "accidents" so I took them out."

Sometimes you have to be careful what you say to a very conscientious student.

See Elaine Gould's Behind Bars (the current "bible" of music notation), page 78:

"An accidental holds good for the duration of a bar. It applies only to the pitch at which it is written: each additional octave requires a further accidental"

Yes, I am finally understanding this. Because you encouraged me to be in the ABF recital I now see how I can incorporate recording into my regular practice sessions. I'm starting my session today with the Mozart Fantasia I'm working on!

For me it was: Get a teacher!

I now realize just how ridiculous it was to try to learn on my own.

+1