I have afew questions

[malenstar]

Alright so i took lessons to play the piano as a kid but haven't touched a piano in years. Now im trying to get back into it but im not exactly sure where to start. If someone who knows what they are talking about could give me some tips or something then that would be really cool, im purchasing a keyboard because its cheap and easy to move around to get me back int he swing of things but im going to rely on YouTube to help teach me how to play. Any sites or tips on keyboards vs actual pianos would be pretty ballin as well

[loansindi]

You'd do really well to pick up some actual lessons. I know you don't want to hear that, but even spending a couple hours with an actual teacher is going to jump-start you way beyond just watching videos on youtube. You can also pick up some method books, these aren't terribly expensive and are a good way to at least have a structured learning plan. Having a plan is -good- and you should have one, no matter what route you end up taking.

I would argue that it's easier to get by with poor technique on the piano than for many other instruments, but that's no reason to start out with poor technique. One or two lessons will save you weeks or months of doing shit the wrong way. As a self-taught guitarist, you can trust me on that.

I would recommend picking up a keyboard with a weighted action. It'll be much easier to work on dynamics (and more pleasant to play!) on that than a synth action. Casio has a line of pianos (privia I think) with really decent actions.

That's really all I can think of for now. Practice a lot. Three times a week at least, for an hour or so. And I mean practice, play your scales, practice sight-reading, do things that will make you a better player three times a week. Fuck around all you want, but if you dedicate time to actual practice sessions you will be much happier.

[EpicRPGRemixes]

At 1 minute ago, malenstar wrote: Alright so i took lessons to play the piano as a kid but haven't touched a piano in years. Now im trying to get back into it but im not exactly sure where to start. If someone who knows what they are talking about could give me some tips or something then that would be really cool, im purchasing a keyboard because its cheap and easy to move around to get me back int he swing of things but im going to rely on YouTube to help teach me how to play. Any sites or tips on keyboards vs actual pianos would be pretty ballin as well

Hey! Glad your interested in taking up piano again. I've been playing for more than 12 years myself, and I've had lessons for 10 of those years.

When it comes to lessons, I'd stay away from Youtube and go with actual lessons. Check your local music store to see if they have any teachers. Stores are the cheapest option. You can also receive lessons from the comfort of your own home, but those are generally more expensive. I personally took lessons at my piano teacher's house. She offered 20 (US) dollars an hour, which was the best bargain I could find.

Along the lines of piano vs. keyboard: Both have their pros and cons. Piano have more comfortable keys, while keyboards are cheaper and more portable. I use a Casio WK-500. It's nearly full-length and has nice speakers. I got it for around 400 dollars at Guitar Center. For a smaller keyboard, anything Yamaha is a safe bet.

Hope that helps! If you have any questions, give me a reply!

[RubberBandMethod]

At 23 hours ago, malenstar wrote: Alright so i took lessons to play the piano as a kid but haven't touched a piano in years. Now im trying to get back into it but im not exactly sure where to start. If someone who knows what they are talking about could give me some tips or something then that would be really cool, im purchasing a keyboard because its cheap and easy to move around to get me back int he swing of things but im going to rely on YouTube to help teach me how to play. Any sites or tips on keyboards vs actual pianos would be pretty ballin as well

If you really want to pick keyboarding up strongly again, I would recommend either getting professional lessons, or take a piano class or two at a local community college. Keyboarding professors, even community college ones (mine is a grad of Juliard), really know their stuff, and they know all the best techniques for finger dexterity, scale learning, etc. They'll have you up and running in no time. In my opinion, the hardest part of learning piano is being able to divide your thinking between your left and your right hand, and it takes a while to get the hang of it. I never will, and thankfully I only have to take keyboarding once for my degree. I much prefer guitar.

For the keyboard itself, I'd recommend picking up a cheap second hand for learning, and make sure it has a 1/4" (standard instrument plug) input jack for a sustain pedal. Before you buy the keyboard, ask to play it (especially if it's second hand), and then test every single key to see that it responds instantly to being pressed. A single dead key on your keyboard can ruin your learning experience. Every note is important. I bought a cheapo to learn on, and then found out later that around five of the keys were dead.

DON'T go to a pawn shop to get your keyboard, check out local listings and local Goodwill/Salvation Army/Arc type stores first, because they get old keyboards from the eighties and nineties that they sell off for ten to fifty bucks, depending on fanciness and condition.

Oh, one last thing. Low quality keyboards (we're mostly talking kid models here) can only play so many notes at a time. With the kid ones, you're usually limited to two note chords. Try pressing as many keys at once as you can, and hear how many of them actually sound. That'll give you an idea of how powerful the keyboard is. You want to be able to do at least ten notes at a time (one for each finger)

[TR0KY]

The other ones that already reply would be the best advice. If for some reason you can't or you don't want to take classes I would suggest you the way I learned piano and drums. In my case I stay out of youtube why? because when you first begin with those lessons you learn everything right away, but when you're in your second week you start to learn less and less until you eventually quit. At least that is my experience with youtube XD The way I learn is by taking the whole instrument into short steps. And in every song or exercise I learn something new just one thing. In that way you're not going to see a lot of information and you're going to learn it trough practice. During those times of course you are going to use youtube or other sites to learn the correct way playing an instrument or any technique where you have a doubt but what I am saying that you shouldn't depend on youtube. To keep yourself motivated don't make an schedule because you are going to see music as a work or something like that. What I do is to try to learn I new song or practice a new exercise, or scale every day.

Well everyone has their own way of learning and for me that is what I use I wish lots of luck :D

[Gario]

Mmm, yeah, be careful with learning music online - you never know when you come across little gems like this guy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK_j2LE07G0

If you really want to push the self teaching method I highly recommend Bartok's 'Microcosmos', which goes through the very basics through advanced music in a series of gradually more difficult pieces (some of them are considered masterpieces in their own right, no less). Give it a look - just be aware that the music is a little more avante guard, so you may or may not like it.

Eh, it's Bartok - he made good music. Otherwise, a teacher wouldn't be a bad idea, at all - that would certainly hep move you forward, too.

[Wurfel-Waffles]

This might be sounding nuts but I think you go to musical store and pick up both 101/dummies or children piano book and advanced book.

I had some moments like you have now that I completely didn't play any instrument for years. When I came back and I totally forgot how to play. So I decided to start out with basic works again. Since I had proper piano training before I quickly picked up paces and lesser mistake. Still, I played all the children and basic pieces until I could perform them all at once fluidly without mistake. Then I did the same to advanced piano books. Approximately 2 to 5 weeks, 3 hours per day.

It worked for me and also worked for people that I suggested this method to them. Also this works for other instruments too. People who replies to you on here are right; online tutorial is a waste of time.