Good softwarer to help learn to play piano

[QueBert]

I picked up an M-Audio Midi controller today, Back in the day I had the Miracle Piano system, it was pretty good. But I never really got too far with it before it broke. I don't mind shelling out something in the area of $200 for something that'll help me learn to play and read music.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

$200 worth of piano lessons. Then practice on your own from there. $200 might buy you 10 weeks worth of lessons with a cheap teacher. Learn fast and you should pick up the basics of how to read music

 

[Tegeril]

If you have a keyboard with input to a mac, Garageband, definitely assuming you don't go to a person.

 

[JaYp146]

Software is no substitute for human tutelage.

Real music instruments (ie. ONES THAT AREN'T THE GUITAR) require actual instruction by experienced musicians.

 

[Tegeril]

I have to agree with JaYp146, I'm just saying that if you really want a software solution, the lessons provided in Garageband are helpful.

 

[cheesehead]

Step 1: Get a real tutor. Preferably some music student who will do it cheap. Most of what you pay is for someone willing to deal with six-year-olds.
Step 2: Get a real, weighted, touch-sensitive keyboard. I recommend Alesis or Kurzweil. It'll cost you at least $400 to get a good one, but it's worth every penny. Trust me on this one - you learn a LOT more.

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
Step 1: Get a real tutor. Preferably some music student who will do it cheap. Most of what you pay is for someone willing to deal with six-year-olds.
Step 2: Get a real, weighted, touch-sensitive keyboard. I recommend Alesis or Kurzweil. It'll cost you at least $400 to get a good one, but it's worth every penny. Trust me on this one - you learn a LOT more.

I have a semi weighted velocity sensitive 49 key one right now. I looked at a few Rolands that were full weight and they just cost too much. I will look into a tutor as everyone here suggested, I did end up buying some software off a guy on Craigslist called PianoSuite. Obviously it won't have me playing like Alicia Keys, but I'm about 3 lessons in and I'm learning a great deal already. If I bang threw all the lessons it should make starting lessons with a real teacher easier and faster. I know there's no substitution for a human teacher, but sometimes when it's 2AM (like now lol) and I want to try to learn something, a piece of software is better than nothing.