How did you learn to play the Piano?

[LaLunaGoddess]

One of my goals this year is to learn to play the Piano. I think it just makes the most beautiful sound, and I wish nothing but to be able to play a beautiful melody as music therapy when I am having a sensory overload ( I’m
Autistic). Since having my heart broken into a million pieces last year, I’ve created some goals for this year that I’d like to hopefully complete by the end of 2022. My main one is to learn the piano. I am a complete beginner, I ADORE music, I love the effect is has on me. Pianist, what are your main words of advice to someone is desperate to play.

[jennifer_bloom]

My advice is to choose songs you enjoy so you won’t give up when your mentally tired. Like when my friends played pop songs with me during lunch, I practiced four hours a day but when my piano teacher forced me to learn classical music, I only practiced 30 minutes a day because I did not enjoy the music I played. Now in my 30’s I prefer classical music to pop. Libraries have piano music you can borrow and photocopy if you don’t want to spend money and I recommend music with lyrics so you can do sing alongs with friends.

[diamonddreams]

My mom took me to a toy store when I was 5. I fell in love with a toy piano and it came with a little sheaf of paper with color coded musical notes. Being able to play with the little chart and sing along was the biggest shock to my system I'd ever felt, and in days I was making up my own melodies. My future teacher made me wait one more year before starting lessons, and no one ever had to tell me to practice, ever! One toy and I had found my path.

[OlderAndWiser]

I learned to play percussion instruments beginning around age 8. I was a fairly well established drummer when I began piano lessons at age 13.

Don't expect to play exciting songs very quickly. There are many fundamentals that need to be mastered. Its like learning to dance with foreign language instruction. Practice consistently, but stop if it starts feeling like drudgery, then sit down and start again a few minutes or an hour later.

[BeMuse]

There are tons of people that make videos... That would probably be the easiest way to learn a few songs. Here's one example: http://www.piano-play-it.com/

[Sonorous]

Started by playing little rhythms I liked. That then progressed into playing short segments of songs that I liked. Did that for a while until I learned more difficult segments. Which really helped my technique progress faster than it otherwise would have if I were learning full songs. I think the most important thing was frequency though. If I didn't play frequently, I wouldn't have progressed at all. It really helped that I created little short videos to post on instagram. It kept me constantly playing things.

[Miristheiss]

I can only tinker.
I learned the guitar.
I watched a video showing a lot of the basic chords. Already knowing the songs on guitar and knowing what the chords are makes it easy to just play chord songs. I can't play a melody of a song on the piano but I can play the base chords and sing the melody.

[Sevenpointfive]

get a book or youtube tutor yourself. i learned to sing on youtube and i went through beginners guitar books (which i don't recommend) in a day. guitar like the piano isn't simple and takes the smartest minds years to get great.

my best advice is to give yourself more time than you expected and don't stop until you get frustrated. don't get frustrated

[Fireguy17]

When I was young, lots of practice.
There is an old joke, a guy in New York asks someone how do you get to Carnegie hall?
The guy responded, practice.
A couple of hours a day, not all at once, and you will make good progress.
Hopefully with a very good teacher.
That will also help.

[LaCosaNostra244]

Take your time with it. Don't rush into an intermediate piece or even advanced straight away. Learn the basics; the key scales. The majors and minors the sharps and flats. Also I found that learning the order of the keys helped me progress quickly. C, D, E, F, G, A, B for reference. I learned at school. I wish you the best of luck!!

[AviatorTom]

I took piano lessons when I was younger... not long enough though. I'm not that good but I can play simple tunes.

I wish you the best in your piano playing. Piano can be very relaxing.

[slatyb]

It’s going to take much more than one year depending on your overall musical ability and the level of proficiency you hope to reach.

[slatyb]

And of course the time you devote to it.

[purplepoppy]

They teach it in school here, I was ok but my stumpy little fingers limited me. I preferred playing the harp anyway.

[ohshee]

I love music I love all music but I've gone to the App Store and I have downloaded how to play the piano and it's just a beautiful thing

[TonyMetal___86]

You have to concentrate, focus, give it lots of time and start step by step and never lose patience esepcially that at your age it becomes hard to learn it but never say never, i wish you all luck 🙂

[Shamalien]

Took lessons, then eventually just picked songs and learned those for my own enjoyment. Made my own exercises and learned improv

[bean2k21]

You can audit a class
at a university
they usually have beginner piano
classes that are pretty inexpensive

[TallAnon]

I just bought one and searched for songs I like, then copy it. Granted I'm still not great and learned to read sheet music as a kid with guitar lessons.

[888theGreat]

now that's playing

[OddBeMe]

First thing is muscle memory in your fingers. Learning the chords and scales. The boring stuff.

[thistle4]

Lots of practice starting when I was little

[Nikki1989]

I had lessons as a teenager.

[Wise4myage]

I never did, but I can play the drums.

[Razp_Sorbet]

I learnt in school