Piano (1 Viewer)

[stmls]

Hi anyone play piano? I bought one in lockdown and still struggling to play? any help welcome. Thanks.

 

[herald_400rl]

Sorry its not good news from me, I had lessons weekly for 2 years and played at least 30 minutes a day, sometimes much longer, and eventually gave it up as I couldn't string much together above grade 1. It's just not for me which is a shame as I love the noise.

 

[mitzimad]

Hi anyone play piano? I bought one in lockdown and still struggling to play? any help welcome. Thanks.

Thats a lot of payload gone

 

[U.Toadifact]

I was a brass player for many years and then I thought I'd try a piano. I regretted it straight away as the piano I purchased at great expense was faulty. It had not been fitted with a mouthpiece.

 

[The Wino]

Hi anyone play piano? I bought one in lockdown and still struggling to play? any help welcome. Thanks.

Are you having lessons?. I play the guitar ( after a fashion) the thing that made a difference was playing with others so I don't know how I would have got on with the piano.

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[Alsatian]

I was a brass player for many years and then I thought I'd try a piano. I regretted it straight away as the piano I purchased at great expense was faulty. It had not been fitted with a mouthpiece.

Me too, in fact that's how I met my wife (we both played in the same brass band). I could cope with the different combinations of 3 valves but, when I tried keyboards (SWMBO plays organ) there was far too much choice!

 

[stmls]

Sorry its not good news from me, I had lessons weekly for 2 years and played at least 30 minutes a day, sometimes much longer, and eventually gave it up as I couldn't string much together above grade 1. It's just not for me which is a shame as I love the noise.

thats exactly how I feel but thanks anyway

 

[U.Toadifact]

Me too, in fact that's how I met my wife (we both played in the same brass band). I could cope with the different combinations of 3 valves but, when I tried keyboards (SWMBO plays organ) there was far too much choice!

Eeeh lad. Thou was t'lucky one. I had to play with a four valve euphonium!

 

[Bailey58]

Son bought me a uke for a birthday a few years back and despite encouragement from Janine and others it still sits in the corner, I struggle to get my fingers around the long bit!

 

[Lisa]

Just a suggestion but have you looked for tutorials on Youtube? I had a quick glance and there are loads available....
I used to play the Cello and would have loved to have played the piano properly but ended up selling the cello to buy my first pony!

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[Steve and Denise]

Just a suggestion but have you looked for tutorials on Youtube? I had a quick glance and there are loads available....
I used to play the Cello and would have loved to have played the piano properly but ended up selling the cello to buy my first pony!

I bet the cello was cheaper to run

 

[Lisa]

I bet the cello was cheaper to run

Definitely!

 

[Parrot Face]

Bought a piano in lockdown about 3 years ago I got hold of loads of video tutorials but then followed a guy on youtube for the first 6 months. I even learnt and practised scales. Then I got hold of a couple of EZ play piano books which make it a lot easier to play. Practised every day at least an hour sometimes maybe more and eventually managed to play a few tunes. The only thing is we go away for 10 weeks in spring and the same in autumn. When I return it always feel like i'm starting again. Last saturday I had a bit of a doo in the house and friends asked me to play, we started playing 'name that tune' and most were able to guess the tune in a few seconds so quite pleased that what I play must sound a bit like the tune. I would definitely get hold of the EZ play books.

 

[meanders]

I bet the cello was cheaper to run

I don't know. A good slap on the hindquarters is free and will almost certainly make a pony run.

 

[Beryl]

Depends what style you want to play. 2 years in on classical piano you will probably feel that it's still an uphill struggle. However, you can get a decent sound out and enjoy yourself by just learning some left-hand chords and banging out a tune with the right. Despite being classically trained, this is what I most often do these days as I'm too lazy to practise!

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[Charlie57]

Bought a piano in lockdown about 3 years ago I got hold of loads of video tutorials but then followed a guy on youtube for the first 6 months. I even learnt and practised scales. Then I got hold of a couple of EZ play piano books which make it a lot easier to play. Practised every day at least an hour sometimes maybe more and eventually managed to play a few tunes. The only thing is we go away for 10 weeks in spring and the same in autumn. When I return it always feel like i'm starting again. Last saturday I had a bit of a doo in the house and friends asked me to play, we started playing 'name that tune' and most were able to guess the tune in a few seconds so quite pleased that what I play must sound a bit like the tune. I would definitely get hold of the EZ play books.

Buy a small electric keyboard for the van

You will probably find one cheap in a charity shop

 

[pappajohn]

A bloke used to play guitar in the local pub on a weekend.
He never learnt to read music but could just about play any tune asked of him and played well.

 

[Alsatian]

Eeeh lad. Thou was t'lucky one. I had to play with a four valve euphonium!

That's what my wife played! I ended up playing Eb bass

 

[TinaLes]

The one interesting thing I have noticed over the years is those that learn to play music by reading it, cannot play a tune without it written down on a sheet.
Those that play by ear, are much better at playing most things, but especially when they want to improvise toward something like a jam session or even jazz.
Reminds me of "You hum it son, I will play it"
LES

 

[Janine]

The one interesting thing I have noticed over the years is those that learn to play music by reading it, cannot play a tune without it written down on a sheet.
Those that play by ear, are much better at playing most things, but especially when they want to improvise toward something like a jam session or even jazz.
Reminds me of "You hum it son, I will play it"
LES

I think a lot of depends on how your brain works rather than how you learnt originally.

A bit like an artist versus someone painting by numbers.

I learnt to play by reading music -I played trombone in the school orchestra - but have never been able to play by ear.

I did teach myself to play piano as a young teen using my grandmother’s hymn books

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[The Wino]

A bloke used to play guitar in the local pub on a weekend.
He never learnt to read music but could just about play any tune asked of him and played well.

Up to doing pub music you don't need to really read music but when you get to a certain point you need some chord theory if you start to get into jazz.

 

[PhilMary]

Buy a small electric keyboard for the van

You will probably find one cheap in a charity shop

As it happens, I have one for sale if there's any interest.

 

[Ridgeway]

We got a piano 2yrs back, since swapped it for one with a silent (thanks god) 4 of ours play but have all used an app on an iPad that they follow. My neighbours just shrug their shoulders at the thought of learning piano via an app, both are piano teachers with one being a classic pianist

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

About 10 years ago having no musical experience I bought a Yamaha keyboard with great intentions, but alas life got in the way and I sold it, then 2 years ago I retired early as health issues made my physical job too demanding.
Earlier this year having exhausted all the little jobs my wife could find for me I found myself with too much time on my hands, so I went to Ebay and bought the same model of keyboard which I'd sold.
First thing I bought was these key stickers https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/38398741...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1 and a Hal Leonard Super Easy songbook of Pop Standards.
I threw myself into it for a few weeks (as you do) playing an hour a day. Now 3 months later I play once or twice a week, sometimes not at all. I've watched a good number of YouTube videos.
I can now read music and understand it (to a point) Without the book and the stickers I would definitely have given up by now, can't recommend them enough. I can play the left hand and right hand parts ..... but not at the same time I've taught myself to play 'Flower of Scotland' and 'Loch Lomond' by ear (if you can sing along it helps greatly with your timing) and I'm presently working on the iconic 'Whiter Shade of Pale' which would be an absolute dream come true to learn
Good luck

 

[Beryl]

The one interesting thing I have noticed over the years is those that learn to play music by reading it, cannot play a tune without it written down on a sheet.
Those that play by ear, are much better at playing most things, but especially when they want to improvise toward something like a jam session or even jazz.
Reminds me of "You hum it son, I will play it"
LES

I learnt to read music about the same time I learnt to read, and I agree it‘s a real challenge to teach yourself to play by ear after that. I did it so that I could join in during sessions at folk festivals.

I remember in the higher grades my flute teacher wanted me to play from memory, and I just couldn’t do it, even though with the music in front of me I barely looked at it.

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[Wee Bold Davy]

About 10 years ago having no musical experience I bought a Yamaha keyboard with great intentions, but alas life got in the way and I sold it, then 2 years ago I retired early as health issues made my physical job too demanding.
Earlier this year having exhausted all the little jobs my wife could find for me I found myself with too much time on my hands, so I went to Ebay and bought the same model of keyboard which I'd sold.
First thing I bought was these key stickers https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/38398741...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1 and a Hal Leonard Super Easy songbook of Pop Standards.
I threw myself into it for a few weeks (as you do) playing an hour a day. Now 3 months later I play once or twice a week, sometimes not at all. I've watched a good number of YouTube videos.
I can now read music and understand it (to a point) Without the book and the stickers I would definitely have given up by now, can't recommend them enough. I can play the left hand and right hand parts ..... but not at the same time I've taught myself to play 'Flower of Scotland' and 'Loch Lomond' by ear (if you can sing along it helps greatly with your timing) and I'm presently working on the iconic 'Whiter Shade of Pale' which would be an absolute dream come true to learn
Good luck

 

[Parrot Face]

Buy a small electric keyboard for the van

You will probably find one cheap in a charity shop

Buy a small electric keyboard for the van

You will probably find one cheap in a charity shop

I bought 3. Finding the time when abroad is dificult and my home piano has weighted keys. Don't want to go back to electronic as it might interfere with any progress. But good suggestion.

 

[Janine]

Cash Converters (or whatever it's been rebranded as) is usually a good source of cheap musical instruments. I guess it is the first thing to go when money is tight.

I got a small keyboard for £15 a couple of years ago.

 

[The Wino]

Our keyboard came off Facebook marketplace for a tenner. It's just used for working out keys/scales etc. I don't really use it Liz is the " proper" musician grade 8 piano and flute as a yougster now jazz sax and flute improvises in her head usually without music and playing often without really knowing why she's playing what she does unless she stops and thinks about it. I'm a mere mortal!

 

[Diabalo]

I took up the Harmonica, can knockout a tune that I recognise, not sure anyone else does though. Like anything practice practice practice and after awhile it falls into place. My main problem is remembering where I am in the tune. It amazes me when you watch someone playing a really complicate piece without music is how they remember it.

I also made an electric 3 string cigar box guitar that is great fun.

I like watching this guitarist.



And this Harmonica rendition of Bring him home.

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