Hi,

I am a new person on this forum

I am now 17 years old. I had played piano for 7 years. However, I have not played in the last 2 years because I don't have chance after moving to US to study. In the last 2 years, I have been playing French Horn.

At my school, there are kids who are phenomenal at piano. It kinda pushes me returning to practice again. I want to buy an Yamaha NP30 and self practice.

Do you guys think that I can self practice with my level ?? ( I am not that good, I really wish I practice way more and be much better)

What do you guys think about NP30 ?? Is it a good portable and contemporary one ?? Is it a good investment.

Thanks a lot.

Any suggestions ??

There may be a problem with the number
of keys. This has 76 keys. Chopin's
piano had 76 keys, and so you can play
all of his music on 76 keys. However,
the layout of the keys on a modern
76-key digital piano and on a 19th century
76-key piano may be different, that is,
the number of keys above and below middle
C could be different. And with composers
like Liszt you're already using more than
76 keys in some pieces.

If cost is a major factor, then I'd
suggest buying a used digital piano.
Digitals are essentially a computer with
a keyboard and speakers, and so they
lose value fast, like a use pc. A
10 yr. old dp, like a 10 yr. old pc,
is worth little, maybe a couple of hundred
dollars. But it would play similar to
a brand new dp costing thousands. Moreover,
as far back as the 1980's there were
already good dp's that played like today's ones,
but a dp from that era, like a 1980's
pc, is essentially worthless and you
can get it for $50 or less.

Hi Son,

Welcome to the forum. I think you've gotten some basic advice on the NP30 over in the digital forum. It doesn't have weighted keys and if your goal is to be able to play acoustic pianos, then this is a big disadvantage.

There are a lot of people on the forums who are self teaching, but I find that I generally learn faster with a teacher. There are things that they can spot that is very hard for you to notice on your own. Even an occasional lesson can help.

However, all things considered, the most important thing is to get started.

Rich

Hang in there, Son!

The journey in piano playing begins with the very first step. Just do it! There will be times one will fall down, but keep at it.

Mark

Thanks guys.

I really want to get back to practicing as soon as possible. As I mention above, my case is that I am not at home (I have an acoustic one at home) so I need like a portable, contemporary one just to practice.

Through out 7 years I was playing, I always had a teacher so now I feel kinda inconfident of teaching myself. I am just afraid I don't have enough skills to teach myself. You guys think it is possible ?? I don't even know if my fingers are still that flexible to run some fast movements or not.

Through out 7 years I was playing, I always had a teacher so now I feel kinda inconfident of teaching myself. I am just afraid I don't have enough skills to teach myself. You guys think it is possible ?? I don't even know if my fingers are still that flexible to run some fast movements or not.

Your fingers probably aren't as flexible as they were when you were playing, but if you remember the basics, you'll be able to get back to it fairly easily. I would suggest you get copies of some of the easier music you've played before and work on that to get yourself back up to speed. Another thing you might look at is see if a church near you will let you practice on one of their pianos. I don't know about New York, but down here in the South, so many churches have a piano in every one of their classrooms.

DO you think with practice again, I can run some fast movements, probably something like Fantasy Impromptu and beyond ?

DO you think with practice again I can run some fast movements, probably something like Fantasy Impromptu and beyond ?

What do you guys think ?

With practice you can do it, aim for regular practice every day.

That makes me feel better. How long do you think it will take ??

How long should I practice everyday ??

I sent you a private mail about a book I find inspiring, Playing the Piano for Pleasure by Charles Cooke, he gives advice how to practice one hour a day, starting with easier beautiful classic pieces, techniques, sightreading. He learned something like five new pieces a year and maintained them, mastering them, playing them from memory. Here, it may be in your local library. Now if I stop posting on PW I can follow his advice... Rochester library

You should check out the thread on Chopin's Revolutionary Etude study group for tips and ideas on how to practice. Also search for Fantasy Impromptu for tips.