I got myself a used piano few months ago. Started learning a bit on my own. Still thinking if I should get a teacher to have formal lessons. Any self-taught pianists here? Any tips? I've tried some youtube videos for beginners, and also bought a couple of adult books. Still fumbling with reading the doh ray me.. haha.
I find that the world of pianists is very unforgiving towards adult learners. The moment they see an adult, they expect a certain level of playing.
What do you think?
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Gavin, does the forum here allow us to do the same thing? Post our video, and get feedback on how to improve? |
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Sure it does... but who's going to reply. Myself, yourself, Yoke Ping, and just a small handful of other regulars. The Facebook Group I mentioned has way more people from around the world... See More Sure it does... but who's going to reply. Myself, yourself, Yoke Ping, and just a small handful of other regulars. The Facebook Group I mentioned has way more people from around the world responding, especially if you request for feedback / critique. |
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I see, from the world, that will get enough numbers. Are there many sg people there? |
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Out of 5514 members, I counted about 15 Singaporeans, well that's for those who do update their country field. |
Should I buy digital or normal piano to start learning piano? Should I get one or just play at school or teacher's place? Any advice? Thanks.
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Wow, thanks Zensen! That's very comprehensive. ?? I have mixed feelings la. For me, it's good to start playing casually. But if I can progress well (god knows), might as well take some exams to... See More Wow, thanks Zensen! That's very comprehensive. ?? I have mixed feelings la. For me, it's good to start playing casually. But if I can progress well (god knows), might as well take some exams to prove something? Definitely not to become concert pianist like you mentioned. I'm working, so, being able to play at night is a big deal to me, cos that's the time I probably can practise (I hope so!) ? |
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That being the case, I'd recommend that you start small by buying a digital piano. If space or mobility isn't a constraint for you, I'd recommend a full-fledged one with 88 keys. Depending on your... See More That being the case, I'd recommend that you start small by buying a digital piano. If space or mobility isn't a constraint for you, I'd recommend a full-fledged one with 88 keys. Depending on your budget, a high-end one costs S$2,699 while an entry-level one costs S$700. Mid-range will be around S$1,699. But if you are space-conscious and prefer it to be more mobile (so that it can be moved around easily), then I have a 76-key version ($400+) and a 61-version (also $400+) to recommend for you. If you are ultra-budget conscious, it will be $269. |
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Ya, I think I'd go with a really cheap one at the start. Just gonna start learning, don't think I'll need that many keys. 61 keys sounds a lot to me already. Lol. |
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61 keys (5 octaves) is really the minimum you should start with. This is because any shorter (e.g. 49 keys, 4 octaves) won't allow you to play it with both hands (meaning right hand on melody and... See More 61 keys (5 octaves) is really the minimum you should start with. This is because any shorter (e.g. 49 keys, 4 octaves) won't allow you to play it with both hands (meaning right hand on melody and left hand on bass and chords). Also, you'd need to look for a model that has touch response/touch sensitivity. This is because some very cheap ones don't come with this, thus no matter how soft or hard you strike the keys, the volume/loudness is the same, which makes the music you play sound monotonous/robotic/expressionless! |
Just wondering how many in the group are adult learners (regardless of the level) who either (i) start playing piano or (ii) start taking piano lessons, as an adult?
I am one. :)
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Most Overdrive ebooks are just that - books, as in novels. At least I got one epub with a number of music pieces within. However, the NLB e-resources is great if you want to find national songs or... See More Most Overdrive ebooks are just that - books, as in novels. At least I got one epub with a number of music pieces within. However, the NLB e-resources is great if you want to find national songs or say you miss the score for Rangoon primary school's school song, or something like that. In summary, e-resources are still pretty weak when it comes to music scores IMHO. But not too shabby in the theory department. Better to just go to the Esplanade Library to browse through and borrow from a wide range there. |
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Looks like I should make a trip there soon. Never thought I would go there. Haha. |
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Pauline, are you taking private piano lessons, or you go to music school? |
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Mabel, I'm taking private piano lessons. |
As a piano newbie and novice, i learned piano by myself. I usually play by ears and memorization. Recently i play some songs and recorded it. i realised certain part of the songs the speed(Tempo) is not ideal. It could be a bit too fast or slow and as a result sounds a little bit messy. How do your play a song in an ideal speed (Tempo) and "Control" the whole songs seems like a hard skills to master. Any thoughts?
As a piano newbie and novice, i learned piano by myself. I usually play by ears and memorization. Recently i play some songs and recorded it. i realised certain part of the songs the speed(Tempo) is not ideal. It could be a bit too fast or slow and as a result sounds a little bit messy. How do your play a song in an ideal speed (Tempo) and "Control" the whole songs seems like a hard skills to master. Any thoughts?
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How about adding some percussion (like a steady drum beat) to your playing if you're using a digital piano? Learners of classical music usually use a metronome to help control the tempo. |
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That's a nice suggestion for someone using the digital piano, since the percussion becomes an actual accompaniment to his playing. At least, it is not as monotonous as a metronome for... See More That's a nice suggestion for someone using the digital piano, since the percussion becomes an actual accompaniment to his playing. At least, it is not as monotonous as a metronome for those playing on the acoustic piano, where the metronome has no musical participation, and it's purely for keeping the tempo in check. |
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Thanks for the insights and ideas. I am currently using acoustic upright piano. I also think that when you play the piano your mind need be calm and at peace and most likely you will get the '... See More Thanks for the insights and ideas. I am currently using acoustic upright piano. I also think that when you play the piano your mind need be calm and at peace and most likely you will get the 'right' tempo. |
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There are apps that can provide different kinds of drum beats in varying speeds to accompany your playing. So it doesn't have to be a boring metronome beat. Yes Theng Beng, when we are... See More There are apps that can provide different kinds of drum beats in varying speeds to accompany your playing. So it doesn't have to be a boring metronome beat. Yes Theng Beng, when we are nervous, our hearts beat faster and we tend to play faster. |
Do you have any music apps to recommend for sight reading? Guess it's better to ask from someone who has been through, rather than ploughing through the apps in the store! ?
Thanks in... See More
Do you have any music apps to recommend for sight reading? Guess it's better to ask from someone who has been through, rather than ploughing through the apps in the store! ?
Thanks in advance.
Well, I have tried for fun non-paid versions like Sight Reading Trainer and Note Trainer Lite. There also paid versions, but never tried them. So, really it's up to you.
Hehe, of coz I'm trying the free ones first. After a day's work, I'm actually quite tired, and it's challenging to get myself to the piano.
Hope I can make it. *cross fingers*
I am new to this forum. Just want to share my experience as a self taught piano player ?
When I was about 7, I had piano lesson for less than a year. I quit before I took grade 1 exam... See More
I am new to this forum. Just want to share my experience as a self taught piano player ?
When I was about 7, I had piano lesson for less than a year. I quit before I took grade 1 exam because I found the elementary pieces to be too boring and and the teacher too fierce.
When I was 12, I heard my friend playing a Richard Clayderman piece, and I instantly wanted to learn that. Took me many months to start to learn reading notes again, and painstakingly memorize the note to be able to piece the melody together.
Till today, I self-taught every piano piece that I wanted to play, and I never find practicing boring as I did when I was learning formally from a teacher.
I guess what I am trying to say is that I think the motivation of wanting to learn a song I like is a lot stronger than trying to learn piano steps by steps, hence maybe to put your aim on learning a piece that you like regardless of grades may help to push you harder.
Having said that, not having a proper musical education means that you may miss out on many technical skills requires to perform advance pieces properly. (I found it out the hard way) Therefore I think it is important to decide if you are playing for yourself or for others... if you just want to please yourself, YouTube tutorial and bashing through the notes is sufficient for you to learn the song you like.