I've wanted to play the piano since the age of around 14 (I'm now 24!) and thought now is a good a time as any. I would just like some advice as to where to begin, because at least for now, I am going to be teaching myself! So can anyone recommend any good books for beginners? Although I do feel ambitious I know I need to start with the basics or I might scare myself! lol.

Thanks,

Laura ~

Hey Laura,

Try this one: http://www.savefile.com/files/280999

It's "Piano for dummies"
(Not that I'm implying you're a dummy, but... uhhm... LOL. They once considered calling it "Piano for Laura", so there. )

And if you ever need other books or indiviual songs (Or if you just want to chat. I'll create a dummy section on my forum so you'll feel at home ), then go here:

http://yossarian.blog-city.com/
This goes for others as well.

YoYo,

LOL- thanks for that. I'll take a look.

<Added>

Just reading through the book now, brilliant link that, a book for free!! It's pretty helpful too, I'm just deciding which pages to print off so I'll be armed and ready when my keyboard arrives tomorrow (yes I'm that much of a beginner I'm only just buying the instrument on which I want to play!).

Personally I don't think it's clever for a begginer to start the piano by teaching themselves, you can get into bad habits that will become hard to break.It's better to get a proper teacher, unless of course you've already played other instruments, it makes it slightly easier but even then I still think it's better to get a teacher, I tried to teaching a friend once who had started piano by teaching herself, we spent ages correcting all her bad habits before we could even begin a piece. That's just my opinion though, Either way good luck and I hope playing the piano brings you joy, like it does for many other pianists like myself, Take care, shelly belly :p x

I played as a young girl and then stopped at age 16. Determined to try again after retirement I started learning again 6 weeks ago. Piano for dummies is a very good starter book but felt I needed some backup. I have downloaded some lessons and found these very helpful as an additional aid.