Piano lessons & looking for a keyboard.?

Question

I'm thinking of taking lessons.

Would you reccommend an online course, play by CD, local music store or looking for an ad in a local paper?

Also, I'd like to get a portable keyboard with certain sounds such as.. a Hammond organ, a good piano sound, (upright, baby grand or grand piano sound) among others, but those two are the most important.

Any ideas of brands or models you know of or have played would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Yamaha is the best by far, but also one of the most expensive when it comes to portable keyboards. I have played keyboard, and organ, and some piano, for years and years, and I would recommend a Yamaha. However, before you invest big money, I would tell you that you need to have some ear for music and taking an online course won't cut it. You need to be able to read music too, at least fake books and lead sheets. Go to the music store in your area and try out some demos. As far as online courses go (or CD's), I frankly think these are a waste of time. It's like trying to learn a foreign language online. It really cannot be done successfully. You need hands-on lessons, and as I said, at least some ear for music. The only drawback to lessons is that you often have to spend a lot of time at things you don't like (practicing scales, etc.). If you already have a muscial ear and can read music (stick with fake books and lead sheets, as these are easier by far than entire arrangements), then you have a good chance of picking up the keyboard. You can learn to read music of course, and remember chords are the most difficult when it comes to mastering keyboard, or piano, etc. You must start simple! Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I have to disagree with some of the comments made by the first answerer to this question. First, the comment that you should stick to fake books, etc. because they are easier is way off. You're only cheating yourself in the long run. It will catch up to you eventually. And besides, if you're going to take the time to learn piano, do it right- it's worth it.

I would contact a local music store AND look in the paper, phone book, etc. for teachers. Music stores may be able to recommend reputable teachers.

I am a piano teacher and a pianist at a local church- we have a baby grand as well as a Yamaha digital piano. The digital has weighted keys and a damper pedal- the action is pretty close to that of an accoustic piano. If you're going to go with a digital piano, make sure it has 88 keys (full keyboard), the keys should be weighted and it should have a nice damper pedal. Realize that the digital may only last 10-15 years. An accoustic piano will last a lifetime if it is taken care of (tuned reguarly, kept away from damp climates, etc.). I always recommend buying or renting an accoustic piano to my students(and it doesn't have to be a grand- uprights are great, too). I will teach students that have a nice digital, but I will not teach students that refuse to get a proper instrument.

Answer 3

YOU CAN LEARN PIANO ONLINE!

If you're looking for a way to quickly play the piano you're going to love this. Listen... most of you already know that the quickest way to play the piano is by learning chords.

But what most of you don't know is what kind of chord to start out with. There are triads, seventh chords, diminished chords and thousands more. There are closed position chords and then there is something called the open position chord, and with it, you'll be able to create your own music in less than an hour!

Look.. the reason why so many people have problems with the piano is they give up out of sheer boredom! They sense that it will take months if not years to create something that sounds like music on it. So they give up.

By starting out with open position chords, you'll immediately sound like a pro! Why? It all has to do with the way the chord is structured. First, it's a modern sounding seventh chord. All this means is the seventh note of the scale is used to along with regular triad notes to give it a more contemporary sound. Jazz musicians use it all the time.

Second, it covers more than 2 octaves of the keyboard giving you a very nice "open" sound. If you love contemporary stylings, you'll be playing them in no time with it.

And last but not least, you use both hands right away to create with! In fact, the chord is so wide open that you can literally create music without moving your hands around at all.

If you love the idea of playing piano but don't want to start with boring triads or note reading, you're going to love learning to play the open position chord!

Answer 4

1