Q. I'm eighteen and I just started taking piano classes. I have some experience with the instrument and I really, really want to master it. My teacher says it'll take twelve years to be a Grade Eight pianist. I told him practicing three hours a day I could get it done in six and he laughed. Is it possible?
I basically told him I don't have twelve years. I was fourteen when I was introduced to the piano and my high school teacher said I was a fast and excellent learner, but I ditched it for another four years.
A. I started from scratch and could play anything I wanted in three years. I went from Jingle Bells with simple I, IV, V chords to Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu and Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, 3rd movement. You can do it, too.
I was able to do this because I was very passionate about the instrument, and I had plenty of time to devote to it. From as far back as I can remember, I was figuring out tunes on the home keyboard by ear. One day when I was 11, my grand mother bought the upright piano from across the street and wheeled it into our garage. She wanted to learn herself, so she bought a book called Alfred's All-in-One Piano Course for Adults. She took a break to garden, and I sat down and picked up where she left off on page 1. This, I told myself, was the day I finally learned to read music and play with both hands. No more playing by ear, with just one or two notes at a time. It helped that I was homeschooled and had most of the day to work through that book and teach myself to play the piano properly. Once I finished that book, by the end of the year I could play Fur Elise all the way through. My parents decided to get me a teacher to make sure I was learning properly (There have been people who learned concertina accordion, only to find out they were playing the instrument upside down!). She was amazed at what I had accomplished on my own, but had a few pointers for me. Only a year later she recommended me to another teacher, and I was playing Scott Joplin rags, Chopin waltzes, and Beethoven sonatas. After three years, I decided to continue playing and learning on my own, and I enjoy the instrument greatly to this day. I am now 22 and piano is a part of my life that will never be taken away from me. I will use what I learned for my enjoyment and the enjoyment of others. So yes, it is possible and it can be done. I'm not trying to brag, but if you want something bad enough and have the talent and the determination to make it happen then there is no obstacle that will keep you from attaining your goal. I for one welcome a new great fellow pianist into the fold, there aren't enough of us and it's a beautiful instrument, best ever made.
One last note, Of course a piano teacher is going to tell you it'll take twelve years. What's the rush when you're providing him with his paycheck? Some piano teachers nurture talent, others are in it only for their own gain. I was lucky enough to find the right teachers, but I certainly have been discouraged by the wrong kind too (This happened in college when a piano instructor told me no person who was self taught could read music!).
When playing jingle bells on the piano, what notes does your LEFT hand play?
Q. notes played with your left hand in other words: base cleff
A. Assuming you're playing it in the key of C (where the notes are E-E-E, E-E-E, E-G-C-D-E, etc.), play the following chords with these lyrics:
JINGLE bells, jingle bells...
C Major (C-E-G)
OH what fun it
F Major (F-A-C)
IS to ride in a
C Major (C-E-G)
ONE horse open sleigh...
G major (G-B-D)
Then repeat the above section, but change the last line to be
ONE horse open SLEIGH!
G major (G-B-D) C Major (C-E-G)
What are songs that utilize a guitar and piano?(perferablly for beginners)?
Q. I'm learning to play piano and my friend is learning guitar. We want to play together! So song suggestions pleaseeee :D
A. Heeeey i'm a begginer aswell in keyboard. I think the easiest are: twinkle twinkle little star, jingle bells, mary had a little lamb, happy birthday & away in a manger :D I'm not sure wether you can play all of them on the guitar but im sure you can!
There are a couple of ways to go about doing this. I would recommend getting music books to start with. You can look for music books that say on the front piano/guitar/vocal or you can get books that are for one specific instrument and have the other person play the melody line for the vocal. You can get books for guitar and have the guitar play the chords and have the piano play notes from the chords - arpeggiation or even learn how to play chord melody.
Make sure you pick music you like. If you have a hard time picking music you both like then compromise by playing one song one person likes and then switch. It is not necessary to pick music from bands that have both guitar and keyboard as you will often find books that provide music for all instruments. If you are looking for free music try Guitar Noise or look up the term "chord melody" to see what is available.
Make sure you give each other the patience when playing together as you might not gel immediately. Also make sure you practice and most of the time use a metronome when practicing alone so you are able to keep time. It can be very frustrating to play with others when somebody is not in time with the others. You might even want to practice with a metronome when playing together. The keyboard should have this availalbe.
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Title : How long would it take to be a Grade Eight pianist?
Description : Q. I'm eighteen and I just started taking piano classes. I have some experience with the instrument and I really, really want to master...