Can you Self teach your self to play the piano

[bigtiger12]

Hey Music is some thing I always want to do. I took piano lesson years ago . but stopped.but now I;m getting back into learning the keyboard. I alway wanted to play..Can I learn  to play the piano or bye online teaching by jeff or should I get a teacher to help me.. because there are many thing to learn..and how should I practice far as scale, chord major,min,What should I be practice the most if want to learn I need help Please!! :?:

[T-Block]

It is definitely possible to learn to play piano by yourself, but it would be better if someone could show you.  As far as steps to teaching yourself, here is what I recommend:

1. Learn every key on the piano, every black and white key.  What I mean by that is, if i say "Play the last/highest E for me" or "Play the second Bb from the bottom," you should be able to go to it and play it w/no hestitation.  

2. Learn as much music theory as you can.

3. Learn all major scales and be able to play them using correct fingers.  As far as sound and playing goes, there are 12 major scales.  But, in actuallity there are 15 major scales.  You don't believe me? Here they are:

C, C#, Db, D, Eb, E, F, F#, Gb, G, Ab, A, Bb, B, Cb (12 + 3 enharmonics)

4. Learn all basic types of chords and there inversions.  They are the major, minor, augmented, and diminished chords.  If I say to you "Play me a C minor chord in 2nd inversion," you should be able to first see it, then play w/out too much hestitation.

5.  Learn about progressions and how to incoroporate them into your playing.  I kid u not on this one, learning progressions will save you many hours on learning a song.  I can pick up songs in like 5 minutes just using progressions.

6.  Start learning everything above, especially the theory, in the Key of C.  Once you got it down in C, don't stop there.  Move on until you learn all the other keys as well.

If you need any specific help, ask me.  That's what I'm here for.

[rjthakid]

Welcome to the group BigTiger12.

In case you don't know, T-Block is the resident guru around here, so if you follow his directions you'll be fine.  I've only been playing for about a month, but things are sinking in.  It's a slow process, but I just wanna encourage you that if you're consistent with practice, you'll see results.  

T-Block, how long were you playing before you started recognizing progressions and started playing simple songs by ear? (and how much/often did you practice in the beginning?)  As an encouragement to us beginners.....

[T-Block]

rjthakid wrote:

T-Block, how long were you playing before you started recognizing progressions and started playing simple songs by ear? (and how much/often did you practice in the beginning?) As an encouragement to us beginners.....

It didn't take long for me to start recognizing progressions.  I'd say as the same days I learned it in Theory class, I started recognizing it in songs.  I always had an ear for music, and sometimes i can tell right away where a song is going, but Theory helped to understand why.  So, depending on how good your ear is, u can pick up on progressions good in mayber a month or even less.  As far as playing songs, I'd say it took me about a good year of going over progressions and scales before i was brave enough to start playing in church by ear.  It's been 3 now, and I am still learning.  In the begining, I used to practice like 3-4 hours everyday.  Sometimes I would be up 3 o'clock in the morning thinking it was just 10 p.m.  Time flies when u having fun!!!  Don't get me wrong, it was boring at times also.  Going over the same thing over and over and over, it got boring a lot of times, but I didn't quit.  Even today, I still run my major scales, I still practice progressions, and whatever else.  I am still in the process of learning fast songs in every key.  And every now and then, I panic and resort to transposing.  But, it's all a learning process and u never really stop learning cuz u will never know everything.  There will always be somebody better than u, so just be the best u can be to the glory of God.

[michaeln]

"Somebody pass the desert I'm full now" Bless you Tblock and keep ministering to us with what GOD has put in you.

[rjthakid]

How importat is getting scales down and why?

[T-Block]

Running scales help to keep your fingers limber and forces you to use fingers that you normally don't use.  For most people, their weakest fingers are their index (2), ring (4), and sometimes the pinky (5) fingers.  Which means that most people use the same fingers to play all their chords.  They do that cuz they ain't used to playing w/all they fingers.  If you been running scales for a long time, u can use whatever finger u want cuz they have all been trained to do what u tell them to do. Essentially, you will come to a point when your fingers will automatically go to where they need to w/out hesitation.  

Scales is also good for improvisation.  You ever see people just running their fingers all over the place and to u it look like they just hitting random notes?  Well, I used to wonder about that too, but then I realized over time that it's just scales.  Those people have mastered their scales and can run them at low and high speeds.

[sharrana7]

As a newcomer to this site, I've already found lots of information maybe TMI (just kidding!) but I took lessons a looong time ago, broke my arm and for the rest of my life have tried to teach myself for awhile then have many other things keep me from practice.  So it's been and off and on thing.  Well, now because our church is without a pianist, and I've always wanted to learn and I felt God impressing me to really learn I've committed myself to practice practice and practice.  I've been using Jermaine Griggs' course on the secrets to playing piano by ear to refresh on the basics and continue to the theory I don't know.  It's beginning to pay off.  I'm getting better at my major scales and I've started on the minor scales.  I can read notes and tend to rely too much on seeing the notes for the melody.  But today, I had a few choruses with the progressions noted and sat down and started trying to pick them out without "peeking" at the notes.  The last one I tried, as far as I know I haven't ever even seen the melody notes to and I actually was able to play it with my right hand so that it sounded right!  I'm struggling now with getting my right hand and left hand to work with each other.  Also, our pastor likes to sing really fast songs and by the time I figure out what chord and inversion to play, it's almost the end of the song.  
Well, I'm not usually this long winded but thought I'd share my experiences.  I've printed out some of the tips TBlock has posted and will be incorporating them into my practice.  
The guidelines in this post I'm replying to are good too!

[pleazurefem]

I have been playing for a few years now and I am still learning something new everytime I play.  I had to teach myself.  What helped me the most was listening to other good musicians.  I went to as many concerts and churches that I could in my free time.  When I would go home, I would try to play some of the chords I heard others play.  I am a music junkie, lol.  I will never try to copy anyone's style though..I only take their chords and fit them into mine.  May God bless you all.

[lilbud2]

I'm really feeling everythiing that was said in this post.  I recently started playing for a church also.  Thank God that it is one of those churches that appreciate anything you do for God, because I know I have a lot  of learning to do, but they allow me to do whatever and encourage me in spite of my mistakes.  I too have purchased Jermaine Griggs' course, and it has made a tremendous difference in my ability.  Again, I keep practicing and to God be the glory for what I can do thus far.  I suggest you purchase the hear and play series, practice, and play.  God will provide the increase!!

[Seven]

T-Block You really bless me.  I'm going to go home and Practie right away!!!

Seven

[rjthakid]

I'm thinking about getting Jermaine Griggs Course.  Would yall say it's worth it?  Does it really help in development?

[karltondt]

rjthakid Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 2:50 am    Post subject:  

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I'm thinking about getting Jermaine Griggs Course. Would yall say it's worth it? Does it really help in development?

Oh My GOD YES!!!!   I've been studying with Jermaine for a little over a year now and it has truly been a blessing to me.  When he explains the different lessons and techniques, he breaks it down to where anyone can understand it. I also like that he not only teaches the "how to play it" but also the "why to play it". (OR THE THEORY BEHIND IT) He just recently released his Gospel Keys 500 course which teaches you how to play shouting music. I'm expecting mine in the mail in a few days. I can't wait!!! For those of you who don't know Jermaine Griggs, check him out at www.hearandplay.com  

Be Blessed

[LATONYALASHAWN]

WELL.....I JUST STARTED KEYBOARDING A MONTH NOW AND I WANNA KNOW ...... WHEN WILL I BE ABLE TO PLAY MY FIRST SONG?.....LOL I CANT WAIT[color=Red

[4hisglory]

HOw much do you practice per day???

[T-Block]

Also, it depends on how fast you learn.  Music starts in you mind, so the faster you get it into your head, the faster you can translate that to your fingers.

[JoyCH1]

You can do anything you want (including learning the piano) but you have to stay consistent. That's the key.

[bishopcole]

Also, it depends on how fast you learn.  Music starts in you mind, so the faster you get it into your head, the faster you can translate that to your fingers.

Bingo! you have stated it!  Bishop Cole

[rjthakid]

I used to think Playiing the Organ(my instrument of choice) was this super-complicated, nearly impossible feat.

In the 3 months since I started playing, I found out 2 things:

1. It's not as complex as I thought it was.

2. It's MORE complex than I thought it was.

    

In other words, it's very possible, and it's not something that you can only do if you were born with this supernatural gift.

But on the other hand, there's alot of theory to learn, it takes alot of time, practice and dedication, and it won't happen overnight.

In short, yes it's possibe to teach yourself, and no it won't happen overnight.  But with enough dedication, and enough practice, you WILL learn how to play.

[diverse379]

I asked the same question over twenty years ago concerning the martial arts can i learn martial arts from books?
on my Own?
without a teacher?


many told me know
one told me yes if you concentrate on the basics

all the advanced stuff you hear played is a result of mastered basics

if you are learning on your own cds need to become your best friend sit with those song s and transcribe transcribe transcribe

I would say you can learn

but to really get a good foundation

you should check a teacher out from time to time

even if it is another church musician

from time to time

the information is very valualble 

I am seeing three teachers this week
not a normal occurance but

For me knowledge is power

I learn tons on my own

i get inspired by the right teacher

and some teachers get me out of bad habits

like tension in the body

playing without a metronome

not transposing whatever I learn

the list goes on