Learning the piano

Russinating

Russinating

Russinating

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Joined
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Bristol
I'm 24 and I've never played (or barely picked up) a musical instrument. My dad always wanted me to but it was on those things: my dad wanting me too pushed me away, and I wasn't interested in being in a band at school and all non-band instrumentals were uncool.

Anyway, I love piano music and I regret not knowing how to play an instrument.

I know 24 isn't too old to start playing. I don't intend to play concerts or perform at all, but it would be an unlikely dream if I were one day able to play Moonlight Sonata or Clair de Lune.

Trouble is, I don't know what's the least waste of money: getting lessons and starting right off at the basics, or buying a cheap second hand keyboard. Either way if I don't enjoy it then I've wasted money but I guess the keyboard can always be resold. But then will I enjoy it if I'm self teaching myself the basics anyway?

So, advice please! Also, if I were to look at getting a basic keyboard, what brand/model/type etc should I be looking at?
 
If you want to learn the piano then buy a piano, at least a digital piano. Buying a keyboard will give a different feel than a piano. You want one with hammer action at minimum and 88 keys preferred.

Unlike the guitar, where a lot of people can be self taught, piano learning really do require lessons. In finger placements, timing, being shown what a piece of music should sound like and taught how to read music (although you can do this with Youtube tutorials).
 
Considering I'm an amateur, what's the difference between a digital piano and a keyboard? And how do I make sure I'm looking at one or the other? And how much should I be looking to spend for a beginner (new and second hand)?

PS. I don't have much room so something that can be dismantled/stored away is almost a necessity.
 
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I'm learning moonlight sonata AND clair de lune via you tube.

I've never taken a lesson BUT I wish I had. I'm learning to play clair de lune but should be learning to play the piano. I'm convinced that I would be further along in playing clair de lune had I had lessons. Plus lessons would mean I can play something else.

Unfortunately I'm too busy with work to be able to set a time for lessons at the moment. So spending 30-60mins every couple of days when I get chance is the best I can do.


Check out this guy's lessons

The lessons can seem slow at first because of the amount of detail he goes into but worth sticking with especially later on
 
I've always understood a digital piano to be a keyboard with 88 weighted keys and a good piano sound. The idea is that a digital piano is a simulation of a real one as apposed to a keyboard perhaps having fewer keys and the keys may not be weighted.

A digital piano is likely to have less sounds programmed in (mostly piano like sounds) as apposed to a keyboard which might have all sorts of synth stuff. However the quality of the piano sounds is likely to be higher on a digital piano than an equivalent priced keyboard (less sounds but higher quality).

Most digital pianos will also have at least a sustain pedal whereas a keyboard may not (you really need at least that if you want to play piano music).

As for a recommendation, I bought mine about a year ago and after a lot of research went for a Yamaha P95 for a bit under £500 brand new. The stand and extra pedals (has a better sustain pedal than the one that came with the piano itself as well as the extra two pedals) was extortionate for what they were in my opinion (about £90 and £50 respectively!), but I just went for it in the end as I didn't want to find out they were discontinued if I wanted to buy them in the future.

If you want to go cheaper, try second hand and maybe look for one of Yamaha's older models (their discontinued P85 had similar good reviews). You can get other cheaper pianos but you may find they will lack certain things (non weighted and/or less than 88 keys). I tried a bog standard x stand in a shop and just plain didn't like it as I couldn't fit my legs under the piano.

If the price puts you off, don't forget, unlike a guitar for example, once you have it you don't need to spend any extra on it (amps, extra strings etc). The only extra you may need is a chair but if you have a suitably heighted one lying about that you can use that should be fine.

Lessons are highly recommended as well. With piano there are subtleties that you can't really figure out for yourself that might seem insignificant at first, but will really be a problem later on. For me to start with it was the subtleties with hand and finger placement and dynamics.

Prices will vary between teachers, but from my experience you will find that teachers that charge a lot may not necessarily be the best. Shop around and try one lesson with a few and see which you like the best.

I'm far from an expert but I was in a similar position as yourself about a year ago (I had just over a years proper experience with the electric guitar at the time though) so I'm happy to answer any of your questions about being a beginner as best I can.
 
Russinating said:
Considering I'm an amateur, what's the difference between a digital piano and a keyboard? And how do I make sure I'm looking at one or the other? And how much should I be looking to spend for a beginner (new and second hand)?

PS. I don't have much room so something that can be dismantled/stored away is almost a necessity.
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A Keyboard normally has non weighted keys and a piano feel like a piano which mimics the real weight of a real piano key (where it has a hammer inside that hit a string, it is how piano makes its sound).

A lot of keyboard has a lot of snazzy tech, if you just want to learn piano then you just want a simply digital piano, Yamaha and Casio both make them. I have a Yamaha P70 which I picked up on Ebay for £300, the girl even gave me a stand for free to go with it.




Something like this would be the minimum (I had the same brief as you a year ago) and this is what I ended up with. I don't think I will lose money on it as I just saw another on Ebay listed for over £400 !
 
Or if you have the space, see if you can pick up a bargain old piano on eBay. Friend at uni got an old piano for £20, loaded it on a trailer and brought home. £40 for a tune up and it sounds great. If you have the space and don't have sensitive neighbours then I'd def consider it.
 
Unfortunately I don't have any space and I do have "neighbours"; I live in a 5-bed flatshare. So portability/size and a headphone output are essential.

That one looks really nice Raymond. I wish I had my own place or a bigger room at times like this!
 
Get lessons, no question about it. Theory mixed with learning pieces and getting into proper habits is key to getting the most out of the instrument.
 
They are very similar, same keybed, same sound but the p80 is lighter I think.

Get the P80 personally because it is more up to date and tiny bit less deep so to save space but I'll cost you £50.

Although if you need to collect the p80 then I'll be £350 + fuel so the p70 might be more than £50 cheaper if your gf can collect it...btw, she'll need a DEEP boot and help to pick it up.

I can pick it up myself but it is awkward to carry and unless your gf is quite strong...I am going to bet she will need a hand. And I don't think it will fit into a hatchback's boot unless she drops the seats down and have it stick it through the passenger side.
 
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If you are going to buy second hand, make sure you test every key to see if they are all in working order. If any of the keys stick or anything like that, I wouldn't bother as that sort of thing will only get worse and will get annoying very quickly.
 
Picked up a P70 on Friday for £250 :). Really nice bit of kit, just very large! Struggled to fit it anywhere.

Learnt the start of Clocks since. Feels very nice when you get it all spot on :p.

Can anyone recommend any good theoretical articles/sites etc?
 
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