Learning the piano - how hard?

[Lonyo]

I have never lernt a musical instrument in my life, except a bit of poor teaching is school, basic stuff, and I didn't learn much.

How easy would it be, if I bought a keyboard, to learn to play with acceptable proficiency (I'm not expecting to become a master overnight)?
I can't read music (I know what the stuff means, like different notes), but I can't sight read or anything, so I'd need to pick that up.

I don't want to pay for proper tuition (not yet anyway). So how easy is it for a beginner to begin?

 

[thirdlegstump]

If you just want to learn 'how to play' a few tunes, it can be easy...but if you want to be GOOD at playing any musical instrument, it's a matter of whether you're born with "it" or not. No ifs and or buts.

 

[Platypus]

It totally depends, if you're looking to fool around, it's very easy to pick up a few licks, if you want to master the instrument, it takes years and years of dedication (piano that is.) Hell, I gave up after 13 years of practice and I still don't feel like I mastered the instrument. I can obviously play lots of things but if you WANT it, you will understand what it takes out of you.

 

[Howard]

I have no idea since I'm not a piano player, but I think learning it is more difficult than learning a stringed instrument, which I DO know how to play. After 7 years of regular playing, I still don't think I'm that good [at viola/violin].

 

[Lonyo]

I have lots of free time that I totally waste, so I should take up something constructive.
I could easily manage to fit in 1+ hours a day if I wanted to, I think I will have to work out if it's worth it.
Half the people I know can play at an acceptable level

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
If you just want to learn 'how to play' a few tunes, it can be easy...but if you want to be GOOD at playing any musical instrument, it's a matter of whether you're born with "it" or not. No ifs and or buts.

And the "it" is the motivation to learn! Please don't minimize the ambition of others by suggesting that you're simply born with the ability. Anyone with dedication can learn to play respectibly; they might not be like Alfred Brendel (largely self taught), but they can still play well.

Be prepared to spend a lot of time if you wish to learn. I've been playing since I was about 4, first by ear, and then I learned to read. It takes a long time to be proficient, and you'll never come close to mastering the instrument. Don't even think about it that way; just play because you enjoy it, and keep improving. I can get through many of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas, and for that I feel complete.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Howard
I have no idea since I'm not a piano player, but I think learning it is more difficult than learning a stringed instrument, which I DO know how to play. After 7 years of regular playing, I still don't think I'm that good [at viola/violin].

My instruments are the violin and piano, and I maintain that a discussion of which is harder is simply meaningless; they're different, and that is all. I think the violin requires more time to produce anything resembling music initially, but that's primarily because the intonation on the violin is at the control of the musician. A pianist can produce something palatable much sooner than a violinist, imo, but once a pianist wishes to master more complicated pieces they have to surmount the mechanics required to do so; by that time, the violinist will have mastered intonation and have begun more complicated pieces as well. In other words, I think they end up equally....

 

[rotarychainsaw]

I hear DVORAK takes some getting used to.

 

[thirdlegstump]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: deathkoba
If you just want to learn 'how to play' a few tunes, it can be easy...but if you want to be GOOD at playing any musical instrument, it's a matter of whether you're born with "it" or not. No ifs and or buts.

And the "it" is the motivation to learn! Please don't minimize the ambition of others by suggesting that you're simply born with the ability. Anyone with dedication can learn to play respectibly; they might not be like Alfred Brendel (largely self taught), but they can still play well.

Be prepared to spend a lot of time if you wish to learn. I've been playing since I was about 4, first by ear, and then I learned to read. It takes a long time to be proficient, and you'll never come close to mastering the instrument. Don't even think about it that way; just play because you enjoy it, and keep improving. I can get through many of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas, and for that I feel complete.

I think you misunderstood by my idea of "it." "It" isn't about motivation although it can be a resultant of it. It's the sheer natural ability to sense things in a very musical way that makes you a better musician and a more particular and a "complete" listener.

You hear things differently than others and pick out parts that others would usually not be hearing. You may start to listen for harmonic references to the main melody or precisely pick out difficult rhythmic parts and maybe come up with your own modifications to the harmonies and changing the mood of the tune or part of the tune or other little things like tasty string bends of a guitar that may be slightly out of tune but sounds good or whatever. You may even find yourself being able to learn and play tunes without even looking at the transcription. (my problem is, transcriptions confuses me so instead I just listen to the tune and just play it without thinking too hard)

Nevertheless, it never hurts to try and if you find yourself enjoying practicing it for hours on end, you may actually have "it." If it feels like work to you, most likely you're just another "I can play a bit of that" who typically do not possess much musicality.

I've played guitar for about 7 years and constantly try and spend every last minute of free time on it because I love it to death. (even neglecting my own girlfriend!) I used to practice guitar without sleeping without even noticing it's broad daylight of the next day. Not that I have "it" or anything, I feel that I'm constantly in the zone...if you know what I mean. I even daydream music stuff over chicks.

Just start playing and maybe you'll find that you'll love it regardless of how much time you think you'll have to spend on it to be able to play it a little bit. Music is very deep stuff and I've only skimmed the top crust of it.

 

[Kelemvor]

I don't know how you'd get very good at it (except over long periods of time) without taking lessons to at least get started. Once you have the basics down you can get better by just playing different songs all the time but just starting out you'd have to learn out of a book or something...? I'd check the local Tech Colleges and see if they offer lessons, or check the phone book. I'm sure you can get some starter ones for cheap to at least get you going.

 

[DingDingDao]

Having played piano for over 20 years, I can tell you several things:

1) The learning curve to play piano well (to the point where you can pick up music you've never played and sight-read it) is pretty steep. It's not difficult to pick up the basics, but the complexity inherent in the piano makes mastering it a lifetime's work.

2) Pay for lessons. It's worth it. Trying to learn from a book is impossible without the proper guidance of a good teacher. Trying to learn to read sheet music is difficult enough (there's a complete language in there, with structure, tempo, inflection, dynamics, etc etc), and a good teacher can help guide you in both learning to play and learning to read music.

3) DO NOT try to learn via the Suzuki method. While the results will provide some immediate satisfaction, it will severely hinder your ability to develop complete musical ability (even if you're just playing for fun).

4) Don't give up! Initially playing piano is something like trying to ride a bike or learn to ski. It will be frustrating initially, but once you get over the inital learning hump, it will only inspire you to push yourself further.

Good luck!

 

[ItTheCow]

Originally posted by: DingDingDao
Having played piano for over 20 years, I can tell you several things:

1) The learning curve to play piano well (to the point where you can pick up music you've never played and sight-read it) is pretty steep. It's not difficult to pick up the basics, but the complexity inherent in the piano makes mastering it a lifetime's work.

2) Pay for lessons. It's worth it. Trying to learn from a book is impossible without the proper guidance of a good teacher. Trying to learn to read sheet music is difficult enough (there's a complete language in there, with structure, tempo, inflection, dynamics, etc etc), and a good teacher can help guide you in both learning to play and learning to read music.

3) DO NOT try to learn via the Suzuki method. While the results will provide some immediate satisfaction, it will severely hinder your ability to develop complete musical ability (even if you're just playing for fun).

4) Don't give up! Initially playing piano is something like trying to ride a bike or learn to ski. It will be frustrating initially, but once you get over the inital learning hump, it will only inspire you to push yourself further.

Good luck!

Excellent advice, although I haven't had any expereince wiht the Suzuki Method (at least I don't think I have). Here's the secret to learning to play the piano well:


http://www.lofthouse.com/music/piano/