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Well considering you’re probably an adult. I’d recommended the Alfred Adult Level 1 book. I’ve played piano for 8 years and this is what my instructor uses for her beginning high school who have never even touched a piano. There’s 3 levels and all have pretty well rounded lessons. It teaches a lot of chords, note names, scales, and etc. good luck! Adult All-In-One Course: Lesson-Theory-Technic: Level 1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0882848186/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.hRQAb5KQXXJC. If you ever need help shoot me a message
I know you're probably joking, but on the off chance that you're not:
This is a good starting point. I would also recommend learning some music theory. There are lots of online resources for this or if you want it all in one place, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory is actually a really good book (don't be dissuaded by the title). After you've learned some and want to play some music of your own, MuseScore is a great program that has a huge collection of user created sheet music. You can often find beginner versions of popular songs on their website. Best of luck and remember to have fun!
I want to take the opportunity to recommend this book from Wooten, change my perspective on music https://www.amazon.com/Music-Lesson-Spiritual-Search-Through/dp/0425220931
I urge anyone to read Oliver Sacks' "Musicophilia" which goes into this topic of people visualizing music.
Heck, read ANY book by the late Dr. Sacks. Dude did a wonderful job exploring the mysteries of the mind and writing down all the weird shit that can come from it.
I don't believe there is a good quality website for that. However, this book is an industry standard for adults to learn reading. The lessons are well-organized and it is possible to go through it on your own. It's probably better than anything you'll find online. You can order it on Amazon if you want to avoid stores!
Good enough? Everyone should know? If there were only a handful that were useful, then the others would not be taught. Sure, you’ll find that 80% of songs consist of the same 20% components/themes. But there’s no “easy hack to be good enough” — progress is made through establishing a consistent practice routine and setting measurable goals.
Don’t try to go the easy route and skip fundamentals; it’s counter productive when learning piano.
This is a great book for beginners of any age that captures the spectrum of elements to learn.
On a different note, you may find that a hymnal, ignoring the religious component, is an excellent example of the common piano music practices — chord structure, inversions, voicing, etc. If you can play through a hymnal front to back, you can consistently play most American piano music.
I think in jamming you need to be able to listen first and imagine what would sound good with everything else being played and then find it on your instrument. This sounds like a slow process in the moment but the better you know your instrument the faster you can become at it. Try playing any melody you can think of all over the neck.
This is a good book that touches on improvisation but in a more abstract way:
https://www.amazon.ca/Music-Lesson-Spiritual-Search-Through/dp/0425220931
I've posted this a few times but I think its well worth repeating:
I am using Alfred's Adult all in one and there is a guy on YouTube that covers each lesson with good instruction and tips. Here is the link: Alfred's Video
I also hired a tutor who I meet with every two weeks, just to make sure I'm not picking up bad habits.
For us older beginners, I recommend this book. I read this when I began and it helped to see the journey ahead through the eyes of a cognitive psychologist.
Absolutely, yes. I think maybe there is a mechanism by which the muscle memory you've learned is allowed to sink in, so to speak. I'm not altogether sure. Maybe a neuroscientist could explain it better. I only know that if I set the guitar aside for a couple days, when I come back, I play better.
Oliver Sachs wrote a book called Musicophilia where he talks about music psychology. There are some really interesting things in there, like the story of the man who got into a car accident and could suddenly play piano, even though he'd never had a piano or piano lessons.
I enjoyed Musicophilia. Loved the work that he did with stroke patients and the ability to communicate through singing.
I see Alfred All-in-One recommended often. I'll vouch for the Schaum series since my teacher used it when I was a kid.
The Alfred All In One books have been pretty good so far. I started playing on Friday and have learned so much. Here’s the Amazon link to the first book. You can also use the PDF version.
I started with this book about four years ago. You can find used copies pretty reliably at half price books:
https://www.amazon.com/Adult-All-One-Course-Lesson-Theory-Technic/dp/0882848186/
I worked out of that for about six months and then started taking lessons, but there are three volumes you can work through yourself with lots of supplemental books. It’s a great series IMO.
What works for me... Each practice session generally goes like this...
Practice makes perfect but if you practice the wrong things that's what you will perfect.
1) Start by Warming up to something formal. Scales, chords, rhythmic phrases, styles, and various time signatures. Use a metronome. Start slow and work up the tempo. Count out loud. 1 E & ah, 2 E & ah...
2) Practice something new to learn and expand your skillset and instrument's vocabulary. Learn a song or part of one. Or work on theory if it suits you. Just keep trying new things.
3) Work on feel. Play 1 single note and try to make it as Musical and expressive as possible. Play the same note at different octaves, positions, tones, volumes, and rhythms. Then add a second random note and play using only the two. Always be as expressive as possible. It's an exercise in feel. Continue adding notes up until 4. I use a 12 sided dice at times to pick random notes and random syncopations to play. (Ted reed syncopation is gold).
4) Put all the formalities aside and experiment. Less thinking and more feeling. At this point, if you gave 1 through 3 enough time and consideration you will have more ticks in your bag to pull out on the fly. Over time your bag will become a treasure trove. Never stop.
Ted Reed Syncopation
It can be applied to all instruments.
Haha, Alfred's Basic Adult All-in-One Course, Book 1: Learn How to Play Piano with Lesson, Theory and Technic: Lesson, Theory, Technique (Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course) was the one I bought, I got confused at the ABCDEFG part because it was showing me a real (88?) keys piano... I guess I'll need a mix of book and research to translate to my 61 keys?
Former classical guitar student here that definitely agrees that piano is easier than guitar in many ways. Anyway, there are a number of method books for piano such as Alfred's Adult All-In-One Course: Lesson-Theory-Technic: Level 1. A search at Amazon for "piano method books" will turn up others. Good luck!
Can you afford an inexpensive book? Alfred's is the usual suggestion around here, and it spells everything out pretty clearly. You can pick it up on amazon.
One usually tried and true method to learning to actually play music is to start slow and with some simple pieces. A book like this will help you do that. The journey is long so prepare for a marathon rather than a sprint.
The FAQ has a great section on how to get started as a beginner. In addition, there is some talk about what and how to practice.
Most people on this sub will recommend using the Alfred All in One series if you want to teach yourself. Amazon Link
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My advice would be to start here.
What you describe sounds like a piano method book. Maybe take a look at the table of contents of Alfred's All in One Course to see if it's for you?
Bach-Petzold minuet in G major is a great one to start with. Otherwise, method books like these will have short, fun things you can play.
Books are your best friends! A standard go-to is Alfred’s method for Adult Beginners.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0882848186/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_PstNCb0W3JD62
Go through it religiously, page by page. It teaches a lot of basics that will allow you to understand the instrument and music.
Sincerely, The Piano Teacher
Welcome to the club. I'm 31 and ALSO trying to learn keyboard (on a 61 key MIDI keyboard).
From what I've seen there are courses (some free, most are paid) on udemy. Then there's also youtube.
Honestly, finding a teacher would be your best bet, but the second best free method is this:
Find a WELL RATED piano for adults book on amazon, take the Table of Contents and find videos that teach those topics.
Just a random pick from the top rated ones:
https://www.amazon.com/Adult-All-One-Course-Lesson-Theory-Technic/dp/0882848186
OR, get a curriculum from a piano school and go searching online based on that.
Found this one in a few mins of google search:
https://www.esm.rochester.edu/community/files/Piano-Curriculum-2015.pdf
Time is really the biggest issue. If I can find a way to "success" (say, playing Fur Elise somewhat properly) I might even make a guide on this.
You have Group Piano, that's different. There's an All-In-One course that is a little more autonomous. It's a good book -- I own a copy.
http://www.amazon.com/Adult-All---One-Course-Lesson-Theory-Technic/dp/0882848186/
My instrument is the drums, but Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer really helped me get my limb independence. I honestly don't see why this book couldn't apply to the piano
Hi,
I apologize if I'm presenting too much information in an unclear way.
"All-in-one adult piano course books" (that self-learners have said were useful to them) have included books like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Adult-All-One-Course-Lesson-Theory-Technic/dp/0882848186/
The goal of that kind of book is to discuss hand technique, and to include written exercises, to give a student a more complete idea of the music & skills & theory. That can be useful without a teacher's weekly lessons.
Maybe you already covered all those topics while you studied on you own? If not, then a book series like that can let a student see if they missed out on learning useful information or useful skills.
Mainly, I was hoping to convince you not to try Czerny exercises without a teacher to set clear goals & to guide your hand technique. It would be very sad if you worked hard on Czerny exercises, only to end up with bad habits or injuries.