I want to start the piano and im not sure exactly where to go from where i am. I know where the notes are and I take music theory in schol so i know about majors, melodic/harmonic/natural scales and im not sure where to go from here. Do I just print some music and start playing? If you know of any free websites for learning to play the piano with lessons... tell me. Thanx

I've never heard of any FREE websites that REALLY HELP you learn, but i took lessons online at a very low price and it helped me tremendously!!! At first i didn't know what any notes were, I just called em black and white keys lol. Now I can play almost anything you put in front of me.

Nanii

Over the years I have had many, many students. The fact that you have some musical knowledge is a great start. At some point you will more than likely need the help of a profession teacher as their is a lot more to music than just playing notes on a written page. You can begin by printing off some of the beginner music that is currently on 8 notes, then move up to "easy", "intermediate" and etc.

Learn to play "all" the major scales and get them under your hands. Not just one octave, but be able to play 4 octaves with both hands at the same time. Learn their chords and their progressions. I know that sounds boring but the sooner you the get keys under you fingers the faster you will progress!!

"USE A METRONOME" and count out load! If you don't you will start playing songs that sound good to you, not what is written. You can listen to many of the songs that are available on 8notes by listening to the midi file that is associated with it. There is also a metronome on 8notes.

There is nothing more horrible than practicing a mistake.

Now comes the hard part, "practice". Set aside a time each day where you can be totally free of interruptions and begin practicing. Each day start with your scales and chords for 5 - 10 minutes. Learn one scale at a time and get it to the point where you can play 4 octaves, both hands together, with the correct fingering, with your eyes closed. Set you metronome slow and play 4 notes/beat, then gradually increase the speed.

Work on no more than 2 -3 songs at a time. As you master one, more onto another. The amount of time you practice will determine your success. A minimum of 45 minutes/day is a good place to start. At some point you will also need to start memorizing them as well. Another great tool for learning is to record yourself, then listen to it. DO NOT use any pedals. they should only be used sparingly, and at a much later date.

When I was younger I would practice 3 hours/day. Even though I had a full time job and a family, I would get up a 0500 and practice for 1 1/2 hrs, then another 1 1/2 in the evening.

Finally, I recommend that you learn on an acoustic piano as opposed to a digital piano, the feel of an acoustic instrument is totally different than a digital instrument.


Good luck!
Bill

everyone here gave really good advice. I would also suggest just finding good sheet music of songs you enjoy listening to. That is what I did. If you don't know how to read music that good yet then you can check out this site for some help http://treyl.RPIANO.hop.clickbank.net

Hello,
All of the replys have good answers.
Here are some tips.
Do not do what I did, try to learn the piano
without a road map.
Take your time, I thought I could be a pro overnight.
Start with easy songs, do not start with hard songs
thinking you will sound good. It will be a lot harder, and you are only
making things worse.
Start with songs you know. This may sound silly, but if you already know the
words and the melody, you are already one step ahead.
Now for the basics.
Learn all of the keys on the piano.
Learn how to read the notes on both the bass clef and
the treble clef.
Learn the Major chords, there are only 12.
Learn the scales, start with C no sharps, F one flat and G one sharp.
Find out about the circle of keys, it is a very helpful tool.
Here is a link for a free circle of keys download.
http://www.kenmahood.com/circle/


There are many sites to teach you the basics,
check out http://www.helpfulpianolinks.com for
helpful links to piano sites. nThere are links to
forums, lessons, youtube, blues, jazz music and more.

Here is a great free lesson site: http://www.mypianoworld.com/

There is also a free book:
Fundamentals of Piano Practice: available at:http://www.pianopractice.org/
for a Free download in pdf.

You can also check youtube for free lessons.

Hope this helps.

You can play piano for fun without learning how to read music. Perhaps you may play some simple melody you've hear or some scales first.