Learning an instrument

[Kakids]

Can I teach myself to play piano? I've never played an instrument and can't go anywhere to take lessons. What could I use to help myself learn? Does anyone have any suggestions?

[GraciebytheBay]

Good for you! I know someone who did well using this:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Alfreds-Basic-Adult-Piano-Course/dp/0882846167

 

and I have used:

 

http://www.amazon.com/KP1B-Bastien-Beginning-Lessons-Technic/dp/0849773024

[Erica in OR]

Agree with GraciebytheBay about the Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course. DH worked through it with success. Regular practice and a willingness to learn can take you a long way, no matter what materials you choose.

 

Have fun! It's a great and useful thing to know how to do.

 

Erica in OR

[gardenmom5]

yes. I'm flipping back and forth between bastian and alfred's adult beginner courses. My dd's friend teaches piano, and prefers thompson.

 

also - must do arpeggios. My dd had some piano, and has mostly progressed herself as she simply didn't have time for more formal lessons. (she's probably an intermediate level) one thing her last teacher did with her was arpeggios and it really makes a difference for speed and fluidity.

[Kakids]

Thank you. I'm looking forward to starting this!

[violamama]

You can totally do it. Most of the major publishers also have links to video tips on their sites and if you hit a song that is hard you can often find that somebody somewhere has posted a video of it to help.

 

Rock on!

[sheryl]

You can totally do it. Most of the major publishers also have links to video tips on their sites and if you hit a song that is hard you can often find that somebody somewhere has posted a video of it to help.

 

Rock on!

 

I have a question for you on this topic. Would it be possible for me to learn violin and voice over internet? Free. I just can't afford to put out any more right now.

[violamama]

Voice maaaaaybe, violin in my humble opinion: nope.

 

Violin has a verrry steep learning curve. You could take 5 or 6 in person lessons and perhaps run with that, but I really strongly discourage adults from starting on their own unless they have no other options. It's almost impossible NOT to be gripping everything too tightly and this not only leads to difficulty with playing stuff well, it also can lead to repetitive use issues with your body. Full disclosure: I teach violin. So YMMV and perhaps I have scars from trying to help somebody rehab from starting on their own. Adults are often much harder to start than kids because they have unreasonable expectations about how fast they will progress. If you already read music and have experience on some other instrument, maybe a few friends who play and would give you tips & jam together once a month or something, it may be fun. But most of the time, violin is just so tricky off the bat that it's not a great choice for adult beginners.

 

Piano is great. I would look at why you want to play and then choose the instrument that most closely matches your reason for your goal/project.

 

ETA: Okay, i look like a big adult-violin scrooge, re-reading what I wrote. Some of my favorite students have been adults but I just mean to say that, to a man, they all at some point expressed that it was harder than they thought. And the ones that did stick it out and enjoy it all had a way to play with others from time to time.

[sheryl]

Voice maaaaaybe, violin in my humble opinion: nope.

 

Violin has a verrry steep learning curve. You could take 5 or 6 in person lessons and perhaps run with that, but I really strongly discourage adults from starting on their own unless they have no other options. It's almost impossible NOT to be gripping everything too tightly and this not only leads to difficulty with playing stuff well, it also can lead to repetitive use issues with your body. Full disclosure: I teach violin. So YMMV and perhaps I have scars from trying to help somebody rehab from starting on their own. Adults are often much harder to start than kids because they have unreasonable expectations about how fast they will progress. If you already read music and have experience on some other instrument, maybe a few friends who play and would give you tips & jam together once a month or something, it may be fun. But most of the time, violin is just so tricky off the bat that it's not a great choice for adult beginners.

 

Piano is great. I would look at why you want to play and then choose the instrument that most closely matches your reason for your goal/project.

 

ETA: Okay, i look like a big adult-violin scrooge, re-reading what I wrote. Some of my favorite students have been adults but I just mean to say that, to a man, they all at some point expressed that it was harder than they thought. And the ones that did stick it out and enjoy it all had a way to play with others from time to time.

Yep, I looked at your signature and thought you played violin. My almost 14 yo dd played her first year violin about 3 years ago, but it was only for 1 year b/c her homeschooling teacher had to return to work "more" full time. We just found a "VERY" experienced teacher (30 years and professional) who is now my dd's teacher. She is homeschool friendly and out of her kindness she is offering a true budget price. My dd just had her 2nd lesson this past TH. DD is now in a 4/4 so I thought I could use her violin to learn. I just don't have the extra money to spend on violin/voice lessons for me (with other paid classes/activities); although this woman can teach voice she doesn't have time right now. She teaches approx. 200 students each week!!!!!! Why would I like to learn to play - really? It's a desire. I love the sound of the violin and flute most and piano after that. Voice - because I'm always singing - always. I just have not been taught and am not learned with proper technique, etc. Am I good - no, I'm not compared to so many people, but I'd like to learn techniques, pitch, tone, etc, etc.

[sheryl]

 

Maybe your daughter could get you started on the basics. It's just nice to have someone who can at least show you a few things and critique what you are doing. I see my instructor once a week for an hour. It is still a lot on me. But just checking in with him and having him tell me what I'm doing wrong or right, and explain stuff I don't understand in the book is very helpful.

 

Right, Wendy, I thought of this. Since my dd is in a weekly, private class, I may just try to follow along on posture, etc. But, I would not have an instrument. And, I don't know "how" to read music. Still, you have a good idea and I may go with that. This woman has a large studio room and a "waiting" room next to it. I can easily wait in the room and watch/listen to my dd playing - that would be helpful. THANKS!

[Storm Bay]

Voice maaaaaybe, violin in my humble opinion: nope. Violin has a verrry steep learning curve. You could take 5 or 6 in person lessons and perhaps run with that, but I really strongly discourage adults from starting on their own unless they have no other options. It's almost impossible NOT to be gripping everything too tightly and this not only leads to difficulty with playing stuff well, it also can lead to repetitive use issues with your body. Full disclosure: I teach violin. So YMMV and perhaps I have scars from trying to help somebody rehab from starting on their own. Adults are often much harder to start than kids because they have unreasonable expectations about how fast they will progress. If you already read music and have experience on some other instrument, maybe a few friends who play and would give you tips & jam together once a month or something, it may be fun. But most of the time, violin is just so tricky off the bat that it's not a great choice for adult beginners. Piano is great. I would look at why you want to play and then choose the instrument that most closely matches your reason for your goal/project. ETA: Okay, i look like a big adult-violin scrooge, re-reading what I wrote. Some of my favorite students have been adults but I just mean to say that, to a man, they all at some point expressed that it was harder than they thought. And the ones that did stick it out and enjoy it all had a way to play with others from time to time.

 

Okay, I totally agree about violin, but I have to say the very same thing about piano. You can teach yourself, but you're going to have bad habits and won't be able to get nearly as far. Most top musicians have had lessons, and ideally started with a classcial base. This is especially important with voice, too, as it's very easy to ruin your voice with poor technique, including singing too hard & often too hard too low. If you choose to take lessons later, it is far harder to unlearn bad habits than it is to learn it correctly in the first place. I know a Julliard graduated concert pianist who'd learned on her own until she was 7 & it took years for her to unlearn bad habits--now you're probably not trying to get to Julliard, but I'm making a point with a very gifted, talented person. Piano is far more technical than many realize. LIke Violinmamma I teach music, only I teach piano.

[Kakids]

I'm aware I'll probably pick up habits that would make an instructor cringe, but I just can't do lessons right now and don't want to keep putting off learning. I just want to play for enjoyment anyway. If I can learn enough to play I'll be happy.

[Storm Bay]

I'm aware I'll probably pick up habits that would make an instructor cringe, but I just can't do lessons right now and don't want to keep putting off learning. I just want to play for enjoyment anyway. If I can learn enough to play I'll be happy.

 

Exactly, but it's hard not to put a word in. You're just going to play a bit for fun,. As an adult and as a parent I'd put any money into music lessons for kids. My grandfather was self-taught on the piano, but I can never in good conscience recommend it, kwim? Also, you can never tell when a child is going to become passionate about music. I'm now only homeschooling my youngest, but one of the rules I made for my middle dd before she was allowed to go to ps was that she had to join band. It wasn't her passiion, but she likes the dc in band. Now, nearly 2 years after starting flute, and in her third semester in ps, she announced that she is interested in majoring in music. We couldn't afford lessons that first year in ps (she has some to start her off) & when she started lessons again she has some bad habits to overcome because they don't get one-on-one attention in band, and no band teacher is an expert in every instrument, but it can be done (hard, though).

[Storm Bay]

 

I actually did just the opposite. I'm putting the money into music lessons for me. Why? Well when we first started off my kids were taking violin lessons with me. Which was horrifically expensive. A stretch to say the least. Well they did nothing but whine about it and they wouldn't practice without me forcing them to. It is something I have always wanted to do and never had the chance to do and I practice every day and love every minute of it. My kids didn't want to play the violin. I wanted to play and thought maybe I'd get my dream watching them. Well heck to that now I'm doing it. LOL

 

: )

 

Not that I don't sacrifice for them all the time. Because I certainly do. But I don't feel guilty about this one bit. And I think I'm setting a good example for them regarding going after something I want, working hard, practicing, not giving up, etc.

 

That makes a lot of sense, too :). I was thinking of when the kids want the lessons & want to play, of course.