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Have read a few threads on beginners attempting to learn without a teacher.

Here are my challenges. I'm rural and 2 hours south of San Diego. My internet is via satellite and that means that YouTube videos deplete what little internet bandwidth available to me. I am an ignorant beginner.

I see Alfred, Faber and a few other books recommended. Any others? Also any DVD packages to get me through year 1? I'm headed to San Diego next week to buy learning material.

Might look for a Mexican teacher locally or find someone in San Diego to help me on occasion.

I do have the time to get in 1 hour per day. Thanks for all of your suggestions and knowledge.

Hi bajadock,

What works best depends a lot on how you learn. A lot of people use the various courses successfully while others need the regular input and motivation that a teacher gives.

What might work for you is a combination of the two: if you can find a teacher that will work with you when you're able to get into the "big city", say once a month they can give you feedback on technique, posture, etc and provide "mid course corrections" to your self study. This could be valuable in preventing bad habits that you might pick up if you're completely self taught. They could also suggest repertoire that is suitable for your current level of play. The difficulty will be finding a teacher that will take you on those terms but San Diego is a big city so there should be lots of resources there.

Hope this helps and good luck!

There are threads here for the Alfred series of books. Those look good. Very complete. Alfred also has CD and DVDs that go with the books. Plenty of people here using those books if you have questions.

Two hours S. of San Diego sounds like maybe quicker to Encenada than to go north and deal with border crossing. Lots of musicians there playing in all those bars. Someone had to teach them.

Excellent advice.

Hi there,

You might take a look at my method (in my signature). It is a book, and I am currently releasing videos covering the whole thing. The videos download to your computer so you can watch them offline. Seems like that would help with your bandwidth issue.

A lot of people have success with Alfred, too.

As often as you can get with a real teacher, the better!

Good luck!

Hi,

I think it's also depend on what you want to learn : classical pieces, pop/rock, blues/jazz (with improvisation) ?

I find easier to learn classical piece, OST, ... without a professor than jazz/blues standards. Often (taking the "Real Book" for example) you have only the chords (C, , Dm, G7, ...) for the left hand and you have to find how to play them : it's a lot easier with a teacher.

Update that I have found a reputable piano teacher here in Ensenada. Received the referral from a solid keyboard player in a popular rock band here.

My piano adventure reminds me of my early golf experience. 2 years on my own produced a 24 golf handicap, essentially shooting in the 90's on easy golf courses. A series of lessons with a golf pro moved my handicap down to 8 within 6 weeks.

Oscar Peterson and Monty Alexander are my favorite players. Hope to be able to play jazz standards in time. Very much appreciate your advice and guidance in this forum.

Still headed up to San Diego later this week to purchase self-learning materials. Saw the thread discussing Carl Humphries' Piano Handbook and Piano Workbook.

That's great news!!

Check the baja themed message boards and and the ensenada newspapers. I agree with another poster, Ensenada is just too big to not have quite a few piano teachers and having a teacher is a MUCH better way to go. I know, I've done it both ways.

Kurt

An ex-Baja Rat.