Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Best way to learn piano?

I know this thread probably already exists, but I couldn’t find it.

Today I got my Yamaha ydp-164 (good buy? Been through dozens of reviews and comparisons which kind of mind my mind upset lol. It was eventually lol)
Anyway, I’m not completely new to the piano. I’ve played the piano 10 years ago as a kid and folowed lessons from a private teacher. Now I’m so happy i’ve started playing again.

The only thing is I don’t know where to start. The internet is full of tutorial videos, sheet music, online lesson programs ect. I want to learn actual songs on the piano (mixure of pop, modern piano songs and some classic) so I don’t want to accompany myself for singing or so. I know getting a piano teacher is the ultimate way to go, but since the piano was rather expensive on my budget, and my life schedule isn’t really on point yet that is not a possibility for me at the moment. (Later on I want to consider getting a teacher tho). So what would be the best path to go learning?

Now is not the best time to get a teacher because many places are in lockdown. I have lessons with a teacher once a week through Zoom. No 1-on-1 lessons for at least a few more months.

I don’t use online learning programs so other people will be able to tell you about “Piano Marvel”, “Simply Piano” or “Playground Sessions”.

If you want an online teacher, I follow Tim on YouTube: Piano Lessons on the Web

Maybe consider:
- What are your skills so far?
- What is your goal?
- What is currently stopping you from reaching your goal?
- Is there any chance you might have or might yet learn any bad technique and how to prevent that?

So, if the goal is "I want to learn actual songs on the piano (mixure of pop, modern piano songs and some classic) so I don’t want to accompany myself for singing or so." then you probably for example:
- Don't want to learn accompanying on the piano and can ignore resources covering that (though they might still have some relevant music theory)
- Should be able to read music notation and if not that could be one of the goals

But then what does "Playing pop" mean?

Do you want to take a pre-existing piano arrangement of a song and learn to play as arranged by someone else? Then fluency with sheet music and sight reading would be important skills.

What if you only have the melody and chord markings? What to do with those? Then you'd need to learn what to do with the left hand. (And maybe add some harmony notes with the right hand too.) That then partly falls into the "accompanying" territory as those resources might have ideas for turning chord markings into something useful.

And a good grasp of music theory would also help, so you'll instantly know what notes belong to what chord and how do chord inversions work etc.

In your situation, I would start with trying to find a tutorial for a piece that I would like to learn. Preferably, a tutorial that has some explanations, and is not just playing slowly through a piece. From there, probably issues will come up and then you can go look for specific videos about that.
Alternatively, you make a list of teachers who have lots of piano tutorials for free, for instance Ilinca Vartic with PCA, Graham Fitch with Pianist magazine, Allysia with Piano tv, Lets Play Piano Methods, Josh Wright Piano, etc etc. Listen to a couple of videos of each of them and decide which teacher appeals to you most, and start following their lessons.

Succes ermee!

If you have already play, and if you can read a Sheet, forget the tutorial on youtube. I think it is important that you try to play by reading and understand a MusicSheet.

As you noticed, there are a lot on the Internet. My advice to find the music sheet you want : try to find a video / tutorial with the music sheet with key word as "easy piano cover" for instance. If it seems faisable / reachable for you, download the sheet and try to read and play it. If you need any Help, the video / tutorial is there.

I will always encourage to learn by reading the Music and have the support of a video / tutorial if need only.

the most important: be patient

Sheet music is much more accessible online than before. In the beginning most people prefer to have some instructions than just deciphering sheet music without help. For someone who hasn't played for a while, it's easy to get notes or counting wrong.

Online instructions don't have to be directly related to the piece you're working. Suppose you see dots on some notes (staccato playing) you can find a video on staccato and learn to play them properly. I still watch YouTube tutorials on playing techniques (the best fingerings, dynamics using the pedals, etc.) & music theory even when reading notes is not an issue.

There are several YouTube channels I watch regularly including Pianonote, Robert Estrin at Living Pianos, Music Matters. The last is NiceChord. The music teacher from Taiwan teaches everything from the basics to advance music theory in Chinese (sorry, no English translations).

building a good foundation is a key and Youtube is a plus. In my opinion, online courses are good to start but eventually, you will need a teacher. there is a cool site I stubbed upon and it's really informative for beginner & intermediate. Give it a try and wish luck in your journey!
https://bit.ly/pianovibe9

You'll get lots of answers, opinions, and advice.

But here is one basic thing you should do:

1) Apply seat of pants to piano bench.
2) Play piano.
3) repeat every day.

A good practice habit and persistence is key, whichever method you choose. Don't let the keys get dusty...

Sam

I'd recommend Piano Marvel for your situation, you'll love it. If you don't like it, you can get your money back, it's like $15 a month. Worth it.

I don't use it any more because it doesn't help me as much with where I am right now, but I am a uuuuuuge fan.

edit: and I'd 2x or 3x Sam's suggestion of applying the buttocks to the bench liberally. Welcome to the cult.

I purchased lessons from Tim at Piano Lessons on the Web Learned a lot. Lessons are on video, although he is doing a live beginners class now on YouTube.

Also, Allysia at Pianotv.net is good. She has a free lesson on a Chopin piece. She runs classes every few months.

The others mentioned in above threads are good too. Good luck.

Like the man said..back side on bench daily!

To sum it up:
Use Piano Marvel to advance in reading music.
Watch Ilinca Vartic and others for technique advice.
Watch YouTube tutorials for pieces and song arrangements that you want to play.
Visit this forum regularly!


And if you're serious about music I strongly recommend you to train your ears every day for at least 10 minutes and learn theory for 5-10 minutes. Aside from other great benefits it will eventually allow you to make your own arrangements.

In my opinion the best way forward is to get an instructor. I suggest you contact a conservatory that offers private piano.

Best of luck to you! tot ziens and viel Gluck. Steve

Per his initial post, a teacher is not a possibility at the moment

Apart from great recommendations on methods, my advice is simple: keep at it. do it every day. don't give up. take small chunks to learn at a time. before you know it, you are making progress. Good luck!

The best advice.