Q. I am an adult who wishes to take piano lessons - is their a clear concensus on piano teaching methodology? I desire to be able to play classical pieces, as well as be able to read down a jazz chart!
A. Play Piano In a Flash - Even If You Don't Know Where Middle C Is
So, you've been dying to play the piano. But you don't want to spend years learning how to read music. Of course you don't! And you won't have to IF you learn a chord-based approach to playing the piano.
Here's a method I use to get my students playing piano in a flash. First, you need to learn a few chords. But not just any chord type. No. The chord type I have my students learn first is something called the open position chord. And with it, you'll be able to create your own unique music right away!
The open position chord is exactly what its name implies. It's a chord structure that covers more than 2 octaves of the keyboard AND uses both hands right away. If you don't know what an octave is, not to worry. Suffice it to say that 2 octaves are over 16 white keys. It's a handful to play this chord structure but once you master it, you'll be well on your way to unlocking the secrets of keyboard harmony.
So, how exactly can we use this chord to create music with? Easy. Take a look at my free piano lesson "Reflections in Water" (available by clicking below.) The first thing you notice about this lesson is that it's unusual. It's not your typical piano lesson by far. In fact, you might even think it looks like an art lesson - and you'd be right! I specifically designed the lessons using a step by step approach that many art instruction books use.
The lesson contains four open position piano chords with fingering diagrams. The beautiful thing about this chord structure is that once you master it, you can easily use it to play ALL the chords in all 12 keys. The first thing I ask you to do is play the chords - first all tones together (solid chords) and then with the tones broken up (broken chords.)
Once you have this chord structure under your fingers and you've developed a muscle memory for it, the rest is easy!
In the lesson "Reflections in Water," we use this chord structure to improvise a few minutes of music. The chord progression is laid out for you and all you have to do is simply follow along. I also provide audio examples so you can hear how I used the same chords to improvise with.
If you really want to play piano in a flash and don't want to wait, try the open position piano chord. You won't be disappointed!
is it easier to teach yourself to play the guitar or keyboard/piano?
Q. i know a lot of people who teach themselves to play the guitar using online lessons or books or both. can you do the same thing to learn to play the piano/keyboard... or do you need formal training?
in people's opinion, what's more difficult to learn to play... the guitar or piano/keyboard?
thanks!
A. Hey there!!
I used to learn the piano when i was a kid. And when my teacher got married and moved away, I started self-learning the guitar. After a year i got formal guitar lessons. In my opinion, learning the guitar by yourself is easier.
Yes you're right. People can can books and stuff for guitar. It's really easy. I've tried looking up piano lessons online for free and there isnt much.
Piano is a harder instrument to self-learn because you need to know the positions and you really need someone to be there explaining then to you where as the guitar you can just get chord charts and it tells you the fingering and everything!
So in my opinion, guitar is easier to self-learn! :D
Good luck!
Is it possible to teach myself how to play piano?
Q. my parents won't sign me up for piano lessons, but i really want to learn. they probably wouldn't buy me any books about it or anything either. is there any place online that can teach me? or any youtube videos? anything??
thank you.
A. I'm currently trying to teach myself piano, and yes, it is hard, but still possible. You need a couple steps to be able to start playing;
1.Learn to read music-piano uses standard notation always. To be able to know what you need to play without having to figure it out by ear you need to know this. http://datadragon.com/education/reading/ (learn to read music)
2.Understand where the notes are on the keyboard-obviously knowing what note you have to play means nothing if you can't find that note. http://img.quamut.com/chart/401/10cscale.jpg (also keeping in mind the black keys are sharps and flats)
3.Know how chords work and how to play them-music is often based around chords, playing multiple notes together that make a distinct sound. A chord finder is here http://www.pianoworld.com/fun/vpc/piano_chords.htm but it would be good to pick out the patterns of how chords can be found just from their name, such as minor chords have their 3rd lowered (this takes basic knowledge of music theory, which I would also recommend http://musictheoryblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/basic-piano-chords.html)
4.A good site with piano music-it helps to have access to a large amount of free sheet music right? http://my-piano.blogspot.com/
with all this it's just a matter of practice. Lots of practice. Most people take years to become successful with the piano, so it's something you've got to be ready to put a lot of work into.
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Title : What is the best piano method for beginning adults?
Description : Q. I am an adult who wishes to take piano lessons - is their a clear concensus on piano teaching methodology? I desire to be able to play c...