Hi!
I started piano at a very young age. Unfortunately, I cut piano lessons for 3 years and of course,that made me forget some techniques.
But this spring, I decided to take it seriously. And I guess I'm not doing that great now. My problem is practicing on new notes.
I just only like to know what is the right way to practice the new notes given to you? For me, I start practicing with my right hand only, then left and I try with both at end. It works but this method takes a little longer time.
Is there any better way to practice piano? You know what I mean?
Please reply me back! I will truly truly appreciate that.

I am not a piano teacher - but, when I was learning I did both hands at the same time. At first it was really really slow, but I think I learned faster overall.

I also think I had a better 'feel' for the music; as oppossed to playing two different parts in two different hands. It will be interestig to see other responses to this question.

I don't feel like there is any "right" way to practice, or even play. When I play classical pieces (which I inevitibly hack to pieces) I will break up the LH and RH to get an idea of what I'm supposed to do. Then I go ahead and do what I can.

When I play jazz or pop I usually rely on the chord symbols to guide me on what notes to fill in on the RH for harmonic support and usually leave the LH to do block octaves on the root (or appropriate bass note) and put in appropriate flourishes in the bass part. But there are times I will concentrate on either hand to either work out the accompanying harmony in the RH, or understand just what the root movement is supposed to be in the LH. I recently have learned "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" and had to do that to understand just how that piece moves in the bass...

I also started young on piano and then took a few years off and lost a lot of technique that I'll probably never get back completely. But that doesn't stop me - I am what I am, and I do what I can do. The key is to keep trying, and every once in a while something explosive comes out that reminds me that I once was a child prodigy of sorts. Now I'm a jack of all trades (piano, bass, guitar, trumpet) and try to use my entire experience in whatever instrument I happen to be playing at any given time.

So I think the key is just to keep practicing in whatever way seems to work, and strive to play a piece better each time you work on it. Expecting to play Chopin's "Heroic" to the level that could win a competition is unrealisitic for me, and I think a lot of people, especially those who once played seriously then stopped for an extended period of time. But it doesn't mean that you are destined to play cheesy arrangements of pop tunes from here on out. Just keep plugging, and find your own voice.

I guess it depends on what I'm playing...Usually I am playing with several other musicians and singers as well. It is not uncommon to be given a piece that I don't know and told were playing it in 15 minutes. In these cases I first play a single note melody, just so I know what it should sound like. Then on second pass I play both hands and add in extras where it sounds appropriate.
However, in classical music (which I have always considered real music, I have to try harder! I tend to play both hands together from the beginning. I find that the rhythm between both hands plays off of the other one, so to get it right, I have to do both at the same time.

Thanks guys!

well, my piano teacher tells me to do the right hand, then the left hand and then put both together. It takes a lot longer but thats what she wants me to do. Obviously when I am at home trying new pieces I do both hands together, but for the lessons with her I do as she says

When i have piano lessons and learning a new piece, my teacher tells me to play right hand and left hand separately.. then at home i have to practice them together. I think it is pointless for me playing right hand and left hand separately during lesson time, because i can practice them at home.