piano lessons for a total beginner....

Where do you live?

If a reasonable distance from Worcester, I will come over and set you off! I was never any good at the piano, which is a long way from not knowing what is good, or which key applies to which written note!

Let me know. Weekend days are the only possible ...

ATB from George

Hi George.

Thank you, that is a very generous offer indeed. Unfortunately I live near Newcastle, a fair old distance.

Paul.

Yes that is further than I have been in the car for more than two years. In fact I have not used it for anything for three weeks. My commute is by cycle ...

What you need is someone to set you off. The First Prelude is harder than it sounds. Lots of nice things that are pleasing to play that are easier! Including some Bach.

If nothing else, hunt a second hand book shop for a piano primer, which will give you the key to the notes, and so on.

Really you need a single lesson at least to get your hands in the right position over the keys. This is not so easy to get from a book, but essential at the very start to avoid bad technique, which might have to be unlearned.

Best of luck with it! ATB from George

All very good points George.

Now that you mention it I may be well advised to at least get a technique lesson or two. And certainly I don't intend to leap head first into the first prelude, that is strictly a target for much further down the line.

Thank you for your interest and advice, I'll let you know how i get on.

Regards, Paul.

I am delighted that anyone actually starts an instrument. Be ready to enjoy listening much more after the experience as well. Horse and cart, your listening will be filled with insider knowledge after playing! Non-players are not happy to hear this, but it is irrefutably true as you are about to find out!

ATb from George

Mongo, do you read music? In two clefs?

If not, that would make a good component of your beginning.

I think there are good resources for this on the web.

Let me know, and I'll go looking for you.

I don't understand why us non players might be miffed by that? It seems obvious to me that if you study music then the listening experience must change. Although I am too old to become anything other than adequate, even with years of practice, I still expect the learning experience to add something to my enjoyment of at least some kinds of music.

Can't wait.

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:
Mongo, do you read music? In two clefs?

If not, that would make a good component of your beginning.

I think there are good resources for this on the web.

Let me know, and I'll go looking for you.

Hi Mike.

No, alas, I don't read music. That will be my first major hurdle I think as having recently looked up some to familiarise myself with it's appearance, as it were, it seemed quite scary.

But it also looked far more complex than anything I'm likely to begin with.

Excellent Stu. Thank you.

I anticipate hard work, but it will be easier, I'm sure, If I start in the right direction.

I know a couple of people who can play guitar very well by ear. It is a very, very enviable skill. Although it actually seems more like magic to me.

Regards, Paul.

I am jealous of Mongo. The rush of doing your first tune. Bravo. By three months, music will have changed for you.

Mongo, I Googled "learn to Read Music", and looked through the first page of entries. If you spent an hour reading them, it would give you something to chew on. So go Google and read for a bit :-)

Mongo,

Where abouts in the North East do you live?

I'm originally from there and know many good teachers that could set you off on the right track (for a minimal fee...)

It's great that you want to get into learning an instrument Paul. The going rate for piano lessons in the south-east is now in the £20-£30 range. It may be cheaper in the north-east but it will still require a large financial commitment on your part.

You can teach yourself! When I worked for a local authority music service, we used the Schaum tutor books for beginner pianists. Start with the green book. There is a new copy on offer at Amazon Market place for £1.26. Check out the link:

http://tinyurl.com/ydunzaa

You should be able to work through this fairly quickly and then you should move on to the Red Book (Course A). This is more expensive at £1.32 from Amazon Marketplace. Here's the link:

http://tinyurl.com/y9hk4nv

Living in the north-east you at close to The Sage in Gateshead. They are at the hub of some great community music making projects. They might be able to point you in the right direction. If you ring The Sage, ask to speak with Katherine Zeserson. She is Director of Learning and Participation. I've wokred with Katherine on several occasions and she is an inspirational character. You might also consider joining a community choir. This will enable you to develop general musicianship skills and ensemble skills.

Be positive about this although don't be disappointed if you are not able to access the Bach 48 for a few years. They are really tricky. The C major prelude poses many technical challenges. It is not unusual for for the Bach preludes and fugues to turn up in the syllabus for piano diploma (LTCL). When I did mine, I really struggled with the D minor from Book 1.

If you want final inspiration, check out this YouTube clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J503OvHWKko

I've played gigs with Guthrie on several occasions. He has never had a lesson in his life and he worked in McDonalds while he honed his self taught skills. He is now regarded as one of the finest players in the world (Rightly so!) and has a John Suhr signature guitar:

http://www.suhrguitars.com/art...odels.aspx?series=gg

Good luck with your musical ventures!

I'm very impressed Paul, go for it. Are there anything like community colleges around to take basic music lessons for a term? I took art lessons and ended up with an AA in art and use the cheap college fee for "self directed" to do my etchings because I can't afford a print shop.

As said before, doing and learning the basics only helps to inform you of talents of others. Something about the hand and mind that makes for very happy people, whether it is cooking, art, music, gardening, construction. Have fun. I"m sure at a coffee house or friends (put the word out) might have had lessons and help you understand a few basics.

Cheers everyone for the support and inspiration.

By tuesday I will have finished painting the spare room where the keyboard and I shall do battle, I'm looking forward to it.

Stu, four teeth dude??? Ouch!

Doc. Thanks for that clip. He's awesome. I watched it thrice to try and see what he's doing. I've also ordered the first book to see if I enjoy it's approach.

My local library lady has ordered some beginners texts through the inter library loan scheme for me to choose from, should have them by next weekend.

I'm also off to my local piano shop (Windows in Newcastle), on Saturday to see what they have in the way of primers and sheet music.

And Mike, I've followed your advice and there's a hell of a lot to read! I'm going through it a little at a time with note pad to hand. I'm hoping I may begin to grasp some of it soon(?)

The adventure begins.