Advice for someone starting to learn piano?

Source:Internet    Posted by:Learntopianoonline.com   Date:2010-04-30   Click:

I decided I wanted to learn an instrument. I don't have any interest in performing, but I think it would be great to compose music. I was told by a music history professor that the piano is a very versatile instrument and most composers can play one and they use it to write their music.

I feel overwhelmed right now, starting from absolutely no skill whatsoever. Also I feel like I am very late in the game at 21 years old. I have tried to have friends teach me instruments before, but they generally all started playing when they were very young and they can't teach me the basics very well. So I will just learn in my own time I guess.

Are there any good internet sources you can recommend? Perhaps even books I could buy that would teach me? I'm assuming the first step is learning how to read sheet music?

I would suggest that you first find a good book on how to read sheet music and start from there. Maybe on top of the book you could ask one of your friends who knows how to read sheet music to help teach you. Once you've gotten comfortable with the basics you should go and buy a beginner piano book. I know it may seem tempting not to because the majority of the books focus more around little kid songs (mary had a little lamb and such) but it's worth it. Maybe you could do some research and yourself a good series of books that goes through all the levels (primary, 1 ,2 ,3 ,4 ,5 ,6 , 7 ,8 9). Take it slow and you may get frustrated, but if this is something you really want to do keep at it!

I highly suggest staying away from the internet. As tempting as it may seem to be getting all this information for free and such it's not the same as reading something written by a professional made SPECIFICALLY for learning to read sheet music/playing the piano.