Anyone play the piano?

[johnjohn320]

Piano is my job. All I can say is get lessons, make sure it's someone who you like, (your teacher), and be certain that you have common goals for yourself before you start with her/him.

 

[SaltBoy]

Almost 19 years classical here. If you want to get good, you have to practice practice practice. My Mom forced me to practice for an hour a day everyday for about 10 years. I hated her at the time for it, but I'll be darned if it hasn't gotten me some hot women, including my current g/f!

 

[perry]

<< Get the meanest teacher you can find. Those who are too nice about you not practicing are worthless. >>



I had a mean teacher, and she completely turned me off from playing piano. I took lessons for about 10 or 11 years, the last 3 or 4 under this mean teacher. By the time I decided to quit, I never wanted to touch a piano again. Completely ruined it for me.

 

[freebee]

Don't get a mean teacher (i hated all my mean teachers) but get one who is demanding for practice. Too many teachers I see only want students to practice 20-30 minutes, which is simply not enough.

Practicing anywhere from 1 -2 hours is necessary for you to become highly skilled. Consider that warm ups are usually 20-30 minutes, and each peice may last anywhere from 5-15 minutes to play. Oh, and practice playing blind folded (after you have played the peice a bit)...i found it really helps in the expression of the music.

 

[johnjohn320]

<< Don't get a mean teacher (i hated all my mean teachers) but get one who is demanding for practice. Too many teachers I see only want students to practice 20-30 minutes, which is simply not enough.

Practicing anywhere from 1 -2 hours is necessary for you to become highly skilled. Consider that warm ups are usually 20-30 minutes, and each peice may last anywhere from 5-15 minutes to play. Oh, and practice playing blind folded (after you have played the peice a bit)...i found it really helps in the expression of the music. >>



Uh, to each his own I guess, but playing blind folded (in my opinion) doesn't help anything...

As for a mean teacher, demanding practice and what not, well, if you're serious about learning, your teacher's strictness will have nothing to do with it. Motivate yourself to practice.

And, Freebee, man I don't mean to rip on your advice or anything, but giving a number on this sort of thing is impossible. It's not how much time there is--it's what you do with it. There's always gonna be someone out there who practices half as much as you and is twice as good as you. So, it's all a matter of what you want to accomplish, and how long that takes you.