Hi everyone - I've been lurking for quite a while but thought I'd finally jump in and join the party. I really like many of the people who post here because they all seem so nice and helpful. And some even have a keen sense of humor, which is important to me and which I really appreciate!

I'm just starting to play and like different kinds of music and have an old instruction book by Thompson that one of my kids used aome time ago.

If I was going to teach myself at least for a little while would this be ok or should I go with the Alfred series since it seems to be so popular here and has a lot of support and there's 3 separate threads dedicated to the books.

And how long should I teach myself before considering taking on a teacher?

PeggySue

Hi PeggySue and welcome to the forum!

Although I can't speak from personal experience since I took lessons when I first started learning to play, my wife is teaching herself using the Alfred series and is making pretty good progress. I like the way the Alfred series mixes learning new pieces with bits of theory and notation so you're getting a reasonably well-rounded start. I coach her a bit on technique, posture, rhythm, etc., but I freely admit I'm not a professional teacher. She's happy enough with the progress she's making though and is working hard at it.

The one thing that you potentially run into with no guidance is that you'll develop bad habits (posture, hand/arm position, etc) that may hold you back later on. Should you do this and these habits become ingrained they'll be difficult to break. Also, all other things being equal (they seldom are) you'll generally make faster progress with a teacher than going it alone.

Having said that. You can go a long time teaching yourself and making good progress without a teacher. If your goal is playing for pleasure and isn't the concert stage and you're satisfied with your progress and having fun there's no reason you ever have to have a teacher. It's all up to you how far you want to go and how quickly you want to progress.

Welcome again and good luck!

PeggySue,

I'm a co-lurker, and your question prompted me to my first post.

I took a semester of group piano in college, then a 10 year break, another year or two of group piano, another long break, about 18 years. During the break I occasionally tried to re-teach myself what I had learned during group classes. About 2 years ago, I signed up again for group lessons, and we used the Alfred books. I really like them for learning the basics, and beyond. They seem to do a good job of explaining the lesson, then giving short recognizable pieces to play. With the added support of this forum you should have lots of help while you decide if and when to take lessons.

A little less than a year ago I decided to take private lessons. I was afraid I was developing poor technique that could not really be noticed or corrected in a group class. I also wanted to learn more classic music, and more jazz. With the private lessons, I do not struggle as much to figure out how to play a piece because my teacher is there to point out the stumbling blocks. I still struggle to play many pieces because I can't get my finger on the correct key at the right time. I feel with private lessons I have a personal guide, someone to show me the way. I am progressing much faster now than in the group setting.

Good luck, I look forward to hearing what you decide.

Trish

"And how long should I teach myself before considering taking on a teacher? "

Interesting question! It all depend on what your goals are and what you expect learning from a teacher. I think you can learn really much by yourself and on the internet. But it also depend on what kind of person you are. I guess some people have trouble motivating themself without a teacher.

This value of this shouldn't be understated. As adults we generally don't like to "fail" at things so when we're given an assignment to learn three bars/a page/a piece and a deadline (the next lesson) we put pressure on ourselves to deliver thereby resulting in faster progress.

Like anything else that requires self-discipline, it's easier when someone else is "counting on you". I'm also a long distance cyclist and I ride at least 5 days/week. Some mornings I get up and my first thought is "not today", most days I eventually come around and get myself to go out. But on days when I've arranged to meet someone else or a group there's never any question of not going (unless I'm seriously ill), it doesn't even enter my mind.

That's part of the reason I said all other things being equal you'll make faster progress with a teacher. In addition to the value of having someone point out the tricky parts and help you through them you also are given a task and a deadline to complete them. You're paying for it, you don't want to waste your money (or your teachers time) so you make yourself do it. It's much easier when self-taught to say "I'm busy today, I'll practice tomorrow".

Welcome PeggySue - haven't heard that name since the great old days of Buddy Holly and the Crickets - but that was probably before your time (it was almost before mine!).

The Alfred series is excellent - especially for self-instruction - many of us here are using it successfully - but unless you are highly resourceful and highly motivated (like only a few of us) I would rcommend getting a teacher if you can - there are some disadvantages to this but on balance it's probably a good idea for most (but not all) beginners.

Good luck and Regards, JF

Hi PeggySue
My first introduction to piano (long time ago)was with a teacher and my first book was John Thompson's Modern Course for the Piano. I still have it. I decided to return to the piano last year and joined the Alfreds forum. It has been great and I think you would enjoy it, even if you decide on private instruction. It is good to converse with people with similar goals and there is plenty of avenues for inspiration and growth.

Trishiedear
Now that you are out of the closet- keep us posted on your progress.

Ya, I tried self-learning for 8 years before I decide to learn from a teacher formally. I am not the very detailed kind of person, so long as I managed to play the tune out from the scores, I considered myself as have mastered the piece, and I moved on.

And when I decided to get a formal training through my current teacher, I notice that a lot of my skills and techniques were not trained correctly. I can read notes, play them, but mostly without the expression and focus on the details of the piece.

So, it depends on what kind of person you are and what do you want to achieve. Self-learning is not impossible. But it will be easier and also more expensive to have a teacher to point out your weakness, help you understand the music theory better and to force you to keep playing & training coz you will have homework...

BB Player - thanks for the good advice - I'm going to look into Alfred and maybe at least talk to a local teacher to ask some questions and get some input.

One question: how does one insert those "smiley faces" into one's posts - these forums are all fairly new to me? Thanks.

PS

Thanks JF - that's the kind of up front advice I'm looking for because I am resourceful and very motivated to learn!

And I actually do remember Buddy Holly and his real big hit "PeggySue". My grandfather gave me that nickname because he always liked that song. Funny you should mention it. As you probably know it went:

I love you Peggy Sue
With a love that's oh so true
Oh Peggy, my Peggy Sue
Well I love you girl
And I want you Peggy Sue . . .

Or something like that . . . highly literate and sophisticated, huh? Ha Ha

Take care, PS

When posting or replying, look at the icons in the left hand corner just above the area where you type your response, there's a smiley face. Clicking on it will give you an assortment to choose from. Alternatively, if you know the code for the ones you like to use, you can just type it in directly.

BB - the entire row of buttons starting on the left with the "smiley" seems to be only available in Full Reply mode (or Full Quote mode) - is this correct?

Also, what is "spoiler text" (the button with the S with the slash thru it)?

And, the "Enter an Image" button (4th from left) - is this what's used to post a photo and what's the difference between a "floating" and "non-floating" image?

Finally - the two rows of "smileys" opposite the words "Posting Icons" - what is their purpose and how are they used?

Regards, JF

Wow, you sure ask a lot of questions!

The answers are:

Yes, the smiley icons are only available in full mode (reply or quote). If using the quick reply area at the bottom you need to remember the code for the icon you want to use.

Spoiler text is used when you want to talk about something that other people might not want to know yet e.g., the winner of the Tchaikovsky Competition was

The difference between a floating and non-floating image is the picture's position relative to the surrounding text. If you say "Have a look at this picture <image> isn't it pretty" and insert it as a non-floating image, it will be inserted exactly between the words "picture" and "isn't". If you insert it as a floating image, the text will wrap around the picture. The "left", "right" and "center" options for floating image determines how the text wraps.

Finally (!). The "posting icons" are used to indicate your thoughts relative to a post you're making, For a new thread, it will show to the left hand side of the thread list. It doesn't have any effect for thread responses but appears anyway.

Hint: you can experiment with all of these by using full reply mode and preview post.

Hope this helps.

Thanks BB & JF for the info

Are the recitals for everyone and how often are they held?

PS

Welcome to the forum, PeggySue! The recitals are indeed for everybody. They're held quarterly (2/15, 5/15, 8/15, and 11/15). On the first of the month in question, I'll open a thread inviting recital submissions that will give all the instructions, but basically all you need is a recorded piece in mp3 format. So you've got plenty of time to get ready for the next recital.

You're welcome. If you've not already done so, you might want to have a look at this thread that we hid away under the title "Important Topics" at the very top of the page The recital dates and much more are revealed.