I can read music, and want to play piano. Where to start?

Question

I can read music and I basically know what keys correlate to each note. Where should I go from here? Is it better to start on very simple songs, or would it be better to start off slowly working on something more difficult?

Answer 1

I suggest getting an adult beginner's book. This book starts at the beginning without all of the cutsy little kids stuff in it. I highly recommend the Alfred or Faber adult books. From there you will learn scales and chords, and also hopefully some theory (how to build chords, etc...). Once you learn the chords, an easy step to take is learning how to play out of "fake books." A Fake Book is a large compliation with tons of songs that have the cord symbols and melody written for you. As long as you can read/play the chords, you can play anything. Guitar tabs also work for this sort of thing.

Good luck and have fun learning the keyboard! It can be hard at times but don't give up! What i tell people, is if you can type on the computer keyboard with two hands, you can play the piano!

Answer 2

Hmmmm, yeah,I would say it is kind of is important to know how to read music (Sheet Music) to play piano. As it is, normally, when you play an instrument, you can read sheet music. I don't think I have ever heard of a student becoming successful in the musical world (playing the piano) and never having been capable of reading sheet music. So, yeah. I would say being able to read sheet music is important. That's kinda how you know which notes to play, unless you are playing by ear, but that takes years of practice and dedication. You would have to be some form of a genius to be able to pick out which notes are which just by hearing something your first time. Not to mention, being able to read sheet music is very helpful, and will help you understand music theory. Not to mention, if you ever intend on majoring in Music, it is necessary to take Music Theory classes. So, yeah.

Answer 3

well.. i start playing piano since i was 5 years old&now iam 19 . I suggest you to buy a beginner book&technical books (could found in bookstore)or some simple pop song.then practice rapidly(about. after u get familiar.. then get the hadder one.After fews months, u will improve.But u hav to practice atleast 2 hours a day with scales( i guest u know).
Or maybe u can get a piano teacher & test what gade u r.

Answer 4

The best advice I can give is to find a teacher. If you don't want to, or can't, I would say get some very easy starter books and MAKE SURE YOU FORM GOOD HABITS, like the correct position of the hand, shoulders down, and do strengthening exercises for your fingers, especially the pinky.

Answer 5

I am assuming that you know how to read treble clef.

So...I suggest learning how to read bass clef. For the piano, the top line is treble, and the lower line is bass.

Then get one of those self help books...also if you live close to a College or University, they sometimes have music classes to learn various instruments.

Answer 6

I suggest learning to play chords, major chords, minor chords, seventh chords, etc. Learn to recognize chords in music instead of individual notes. It might take you a while to learn to do this, so go ahead and play simple stuff and try to play it perfectly, then gradually move to more difficult arrangements.

Answer 7

Bastion or Michael Aaron.

Answer 8

Scales, scales, scales....all keys...progress with speed and accuracy.