Any piano/keyboardist here?

[Eppy99]

All three of my kids learned to play piano from a classically trained Russian pianist. They enjoyed it until they decided they wanted to broaden their musical taste and learn other instruments as well.

I on the other hand can only mess around on the guitar and not very well at that. I recently had the idea maybe it would be nice to learn the piano or keyboards. I’m not interested in playing classical pieces or I’ll quit before I get started. Any suggestions on how to get started? Do I find a teacher or do I grab my computer and learn from YouTube or a book?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[outside shooter]

I think finding a teacher is the way to go. You will do a lot of scales, drills, boring stuff, but a good teacher will work in things you like, such as sheet music of popular songs or popular groups. I took lessons as a kid and played keyboards / synth in bands in college and grad school.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

All three of my kids learned to play piano from a classically trained Russian pianist. They enjoyed it until they decided they wanted to broaden their musical taste and learn other instruments as well.

I on the other hand can only mess around on the guitar and not very well at that. I recently had the idea maybe it would be nice to learn the piano or keyboards. I’m not interested in playing classical pieces or I’ll quit before I get started. Any suggestions on how to get started? Do I find a teacher or do I grab my computer and learn from YouTube or a book?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!

If you want to be good, get a quality instructor. I am self-taught, and always thought I was pretty good, but then I took piano as an elective at IU, and quickly discovered how terribly lacking my technique was, and how it was holding me back. I learned/improved more in that one semester than any amount of practice before then.

 

[IUclover]

This won’t be helpful but I bought an electronic keyboard from goodwill ten years ago that lights up the keys for pre programmed songs. I can absolutely show you how to play ‘My Heart Will Go On.”

I did a few YouTube lessons that I’d need to lookup and kind of took a break other than just trying to play with headphones on. Looking to get back into it though and have my kid take some lessons.

 

[kurt cloverdales]

never too late to try something in life, but I wonder how many people become accomplished musicians starting out as adults, seems like everyone I know who has talent playing instruments started young..

 

[T.M.P.]

All three of my kids learned to play piano from a classically trained Russian pianist. They enjoyed it until they decided they wanted to broaden their musical taste and learn other instruments as well.

I on the other hand can only mess around on the guitar and not very well at that. I recently had the idea maybe it would be nice to learn the piano or keyboards. I’m not interested in playing classical pieces or I’ll quit before I get started. Any suggestions on how to get started? Do I find a teacher or do I grab my computer and learn from YouTube or a book?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Find a teacher. Preferably one that teaches you songs (or styles) that you want to learn while teaching you basic musical theory as a complement. Fun first, theory last.

If you find one teaching you musical theory exclusively and all you are doing is playing scales, which is literally torturous, find someone else.

Talk to them, ask how they teach and explain your goal ...

 

[hoosboot]

All three of my kids learned to play piano from a classically trained Russian pianist. They enjoyed it until they decided they wanted to broaden their musical taste and learn other instruments as well.

I on the other hand can only mess around on the guitar and not very well at that. I recently had the idea maybe it would be nice to learn the piano or keyboards. I’m not interested in playing classical pieces or I’ll quit before I get started. Any suggestions on how to get started? Do I find a teacher or do I grab my computer and learn from YouTube or a book?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I may be the only one who will go this way, but I'd encourage you to get what you can from YouTube first. The amount you can learn that way is really massive if you're motivated and sets the stage for being able to gain so much more from a private instructor.

My opinion is that you'll learn to play piano because you want to and that will happen between lessons anyway, so challenge yourself to learn as much as you can before you go to a teacher. The biggest benefit they can provide is (as Goat notes) in improving your technique once you've shown yourself that you care enough to learn some and in understanding theory (as Goat notes) once you've shown yourself that you care enough to learn some.

Regardless, get motivated to play because it's the best. Totally agree with TMP that you should make it fun first and the rest comes once you're having fun.

 

[TMFT]

If you want to get “good,” get a teacher. It’s tedious but trying to self teach and getting a teacher later you’ll find you have all kinds of bad habits.

If you just want to be able to bang around and have fun with some songs, go YouTube.

If you go the YouTube route, I recommend getting a chord chart picture/poster and then you should be able to go to any music website looking for the chord progressions for about any song.

 

[Eppy99]

So does anyone know a teacher in Indy that might fit what I’m seeking?

 

[TMFT]

So does anyone know a teacher in Indy that might fit what I’m seeking?

Butler Community Arts School

Offering private music lessons, group classes, summer camps, and more, the Butler Community Arts School is designed to meet community needs through high-quality arts instruction, all while developing civic-mindedness in University students.

www.butler.edu

If you’re in midtown.

 

[Eppy99]

Butler Community Arts School

Offering private music lessons, group classes, summer camps, and more, the Butler Community Arts School is designed to meet community needs through high-quality arts instruction, all while developing civic-mindedness in University students.

www.butler.edu

If you’re in midtown.

Yea, Butler isn’t far from me. I’ll have to see if they teach non classical piano instruction.

 

[larsIU]

I'd encourage you to get what you can from YouTube first. The amount you can learn that way is really massive if you're motivated

THREAD HIJACK

What have you recently learned how to do from watching You Tube?

1. Drywalling and mudding in a corner
2. Changing a head light on an older Nissan
3. Replacing drum brake pads (same Nissan)
4. How to setup a tetra tank

Just to name a few.

 

[TMFT]

THREAD HIJACK

What have you recently learned how to do from watching You Tube?

1. Drywalling and mudding in a corner
2. Changing a head light on an older Nissan
3. Replacing drum brake pads (same Nissan)
4. How to setup a tetra tank

Just to name a few.

Hell yeah brother. YouTube has to have killed the handyman business.

Over the years I’ve learned how to fix my washing machine as well as change the auxiliary water pump on Mrs TMFT’s Mercedes (she bought it when she was single, it’s gone now, I don’t live that expensive car life).

 

[larsIU]

Hell yeah brother. YouTube has to have killed the handyman business.

Over the years I’ve learned how to fix my washing machine as well as change the auxiliary water pump on Mrs TMFT’s Mercedes (she bought it when she was single, it’s gone now, I don’t live that expensive car life).

Similar but not from You Tube....however, when a friend taught me how to change disc brakes (rotors and pads) and how easy it was I almost lost my shit. considering how much Midas/Meineke charge for it.

It's a scam.

 

[Eppy99]

THREAD HIJACK

What have you recently learned how to do from watching You Tube?

1. Drywalling and mudding in a corner
2. Changing a head light on an older Nissan
3. Replacing drum brake pads (same Nissan)
4. How to setup a tetra tank

Just to name a few.

Effing hacker!

Ive fixed many toilets and my POS front loading Samsung drier.

 

[UncleMark]

THREAD HIJACK

What have you recently learned how to do from watching You Tube?

1. Drywalling and mudding in a corner
2. Changing a head light on an older Nissan
3. Replacing drum brake pads (same Nissan)
4. How to setup a tetra tank

Just to name a few.

Back when I was still fixing computers, that's where I went for instructions on opening up laptops. Every fvcking one is different. But once I got inside, they were all about the same.

 

[T.M.P.]

So does anyone know a teacher in Indy that might fit what I’m seeking?

You're better off sticking with guitar ..

Why did you quit learning? Hit a wall?

 

[GuyDatHoo]

I can tickle those ivories with the best of them. Those who know me call me HooDat Joel? I will teach you, but first I will have to break you.

 

[Crayfish57]

Similar but not from You Tube....however, when a friend taught me how to change disc brakes (rotors and pads) and how easy it was I almost lost my shit. considering how much Midas/Meineke charge for it.

It's a scam.

You have to have an aptitude though. I am kind of skeptical about this being that easy . You have to have tools #1 , the right tools #2 , nothing is stuck , Ive had to cut stuff off with a grinder doing my own and have a place to do it. Friend in HVAC that does really well had a customer that the guy had a few houses made a lot and decided to do a filter change ..............forgot to take the plastic wrap off.

Everyone thinks it is all easier watching someone else do something . The drywall one, I'm really good at most things but not that , Friend can't change a tire but does drywall great, on the other side I have helped him do concrete and he has me be in charge of finishing it. Hell I did surgery on my self from Youtube so what do I know?

 

[Joe_Hoopsier]

You have to have an aptitude though. I am kind of skeptical about this being that easy . You have to have tools #1 , the right tools #2 , nothing is stuck , Ive had to cut stuff off with a grinder doing my own and have a place to do it. Friend in HVAC that does really well had a customer that the guy had a few houses made a lot and decided to do a filter change ..............forgot to take the plastic wrap off.

Everyone thinks it is all easier watching someone else do something . The drywall one, I'm really good at most things but not that , Friend can't change a tire but does drywall great, on the other side I have helped him do concrete and he has me be in charge of finishing it. Hell I did surgery on my self from Youtube so what do I know?

F Drywall. God made Mexican's for dry wall. No clue why, but it just seems to come natural to them. I can do Drywall as well as a cat playing fetch.

 

[larsIU]

You have to have an aptitude though. I am kind of skeptical about this being that easy . You have to have tools #1 , the right tools #2 , nothing is stuck , Ive had to cut stuff off with a grinder doing my own and have a place to do it. Friend in HVAC that does really well had a customer that the guy had a few houses made a lot and decided to do a filter change ..............forgot to take the plastic wrap off.

Everyone thinks it is all easier watching someone else do something . The drywall one, I'm really good at most things but not that , Friend can't change a tire but does drywall great, on the other side I have helped him do concrete and he has me be in charge of finishing it. Hell I did surgery on my self from Youtube so what do I know?

Best drywall guy I ever saw had about 800 DUIs and couldn't have a driver's license. Like, he'd done time. Drank every day. Was usually drunk when you picked him up for a job (at noon).

Good news, he did paint too.

You're right on the tools. Had a 91 Chevy Lumina and the rear discs (can you believe it) you had to have this special tool to depress the piston. Well, i'd figured it was just like the fronts. Shit. Well, let's just say that right rear brake was just clamped off after that. Drove fine for like a year before the engine died.

 

[UncleMark]

F Drywall. God made Mexican's for dry wall. No clue why, but it just seems to come natural to them. I can do Drywall as well as a cat playing fetch.

My Mexican next door neighbor of 15 years has been getting up and going to work five and six days a week since they moved in, at what look to be a series of different jobs. Just from the hours and the clothes he wears and what he looks like when he gets home, they all appear to be manual labor. Not long ago he came over to the deck to "chat" -- as best he can since he can't hardly speak a lick of English. It took me a while to understand what he was saying, and it took some pantomime as well, but it finally clicked -- he's learned how to finish drywall. He says he loves doing it, has gotten skilled at it, and it pays berry berry gud.

 

[Joe_Hoopsier]

My Mexican next door neighbor of 15 years has been getting up and going to work five and six days a week since they moved in, at what look to be a series of different jobs. Just from the hours and the clothes he wears and what he looks like when he gets home, they all appear to be manual labor. Not long ago he came over to the deck to "chat" -- as best he can since he can't hardly speak a lick of English. It took me a while to understand what he was saying, and it took some pantomime as well, but it finally clicked -- he's learned how to finish drywall. He says he loves doing it, has gotten skilled at it, and it pays berry berry gud.

Dude, My pacifist rainbow unicorn brother recently Berated me and many others have as well, about my comments on Mexican's and Drywall.
I have to put them in their place every time. Hispanics have taken over the industry and they own it. My "jabs" are not derogatory, anyone who is worth a crap, in that trade, that I have seen in 25 years, have been Hispanic's that don't speaka mui englesa!
I couldn't care less about the stereotype crap, all I know is they have embraced the trade and own it.
Much like the Italians in the Pastry industry, the Chinese in the buffet, the Russians in the auto parts delivery......oops.... hang on. I have nothing but admiration for the Hispanic Drywall finishers. When I poke fun at them, that literally means that I know, if you want it done, give them 1st level respect!

 

[T.M.P.]

Dude, My pacifist rainbow unicorn brother recently Berated me and many others have as well, about my comments on Mexican's and Drywall.
I have to put them in their place every time. Hispanics have taken over the industry and they own it. My "jabs" are not derogatory, anyone who is worth a crap, in that trade, that I have seen in 25 years, have been Hispanic's that don't speaka mui englesa!
I couldn't care less about the stereotype crap, all I know is they have embraced the trade and own it.
Much like the Italians in the Pastry industry, the Chinese in the buffet, the Russians in the auto parts delivery......oops.... hang on. I have nothing but admiration for the Hispanic Drywall finishers. When I poke fun at them, that literally means that I know, if you want it done, give them 1st level respect!

You're a drooling idiot .

 

[Joe_Hoopsier]

You're a drooling idiot .

And you belch Bologna after breakfast.
Next.

 

[outside shooter]

And you belch Bologna after breakfast.
Next.

I grew up on fried bologna on toast for breakfast. I think it's a southern Indiana thing. Or maybe a poor white trash thing. Either would apply to my upbringing.

 

[Eppy99]

You're better off sticking with guitar ..

Why did you quit learning? Hit a wall?

Yea, I kinda did hit a wall. I just didn’t see enough improvement and I find it hard with my fingers to press down on strings and avoid muting additional strings. I suppose an acoustic makes it more of an issue…

Regardless I’ve got this piano at home thst the kids still use staring at me and was thinking of giving it a try.

 

[T.M.P.]

Yea, I kinda did hit a wall. I just didn’t see enough improvement and I find it hard with my fingers to press down on strings and avoid muting additional strings. I suppose an acoustic makes it more of an issue…

You were also fretting too hard, but that's probably due to bad positioning, or bad (too high) action on the fretboard. It actually takes very little pressure to fret a string. Fretting too hard also makes you slower ...

Try moving your thumb and wrist for better position. Most people have their hand and thumb positioned too high, the thumb on most grips should be more on the back, not top of neck.

Or just give up like a giant wuss and try to play piano ... vbg