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As some of you will know, I've spent 2yrs self learning, but after joining this forum and watching some of the "beginners" videos, I'm thinking that I can't actually play as well as some of the beginners. I'm sure all is not lost, 'cos I have learnt quite alot over the last 2yrs, but now I'm actually comtemplating starting from the begining, I've got a book, Carl Hemann "First six months" at the piano, well I say contemplating, I started it today! Any advice/suggestions?

or if any one fancy's swapping me their alfreds book lol, for "Golden Book of Melody, by R.Kleinmichel" edition no. 47

my crappy youtube chanel lol
http://youtube.com/wayne26yrs

Wayne, I am almost in the same situation as you. I have been playing for less than two years and now, it seems I am going nowhere.

But, I know what you need and I know what I need. It is call a TEACHER

I just can't find one myself but depending of your situation and if you are serious about your playing, that is the best way to go.

I think that self-taught students do risk rushing through pieces without fully "getting" them (amongst other things). "Starting over" sounds promising - I know I did that myself. And then did the exact same thing.

Now, this is "just me saying": A few months of lessons improved my piano more than 20 years of my self-taught playing.

The world is made up of some people who can work through the available material on their own perfectly well, and some who can't.

I do think that both types would do better with a teacher but it's no failure if you're one of the latter. We're all different, we all have our own strengths and weaknesses.

I'm somewhere in the middle, I think. I get on fairly well to a point and then I flounder. I know I need a teacher but my finances won't allow it right now, so I do the best I can.

That's all any of us can do. But the internet is invaluable for the sharing of information, tips and techniques which could help even with the absence of a teacher.

Wayne - I don't think the rest of us think you're crappy We have some amazing piano players here - some classical, some other - so if you're going to get lessons, don't do it because you're crappy, because you're not. Do it because it looks like so much fun to learn some of that stuff maybe faster than you can otherwise. For me, it's the learning part that's fun, no matter how I learn it, teacher or no. Your 2 years has definitely not been for nothing - you play well.

My temperament is such that even if I could afford lessons I most likely wouldn't take them. I like learning things in the order in which I'm interested, and I like figuring out what I need as the basics to do those and building on them. So what I learn suits me well. I'm frustrated sometimes because I can't do some things I'd like to do, but it seems everyone is, teacher or no. Given who I am I don't think weekly lessons would work for me. Workshops work for me. Limited term group classes work for me. But then I can take what I've picked up and apply it what I really want to do.

So, if you want to take lessons go for it. Just don't think you're crappy

Oh, whoops, I got distracted by the ever-popular do-you-need-a-teacher debate, and didn't address "starting from the beginning." Go for it! I'm always going back and picking things up - one of my favorite mathematicians said he's checked a lot of math books out of the library, but he's read very few of them all the way thru. But he learned a lot of math from the first 50 or so pages of each one! Who knows what really helpful things you'll pick up.

Cathy

Thankyou all for your support and advice, Unfortunatly, I can't afford lessons either, so looks like I'm gonna give this book a try, aswell as carrying on practicing scales, arpegios and chords.

I don't know if you guys noticed, but the way I play bass on all my songs is the same all the time, say the chord is c major, then I'll either play just C and C an octave above at the same time (I don't know if this has a name) and the same as before only alternating the C's, or I'll play C, G, C, G up and down an octive (i don't know what u call this either lol) This is the MAIN reason for me starting again, because I want to develope different playing techniques and diversify playing with my left hand. I hope this makes sense!

I'm not so sure you really need to start again as you can supplement what you have learned so far. You might to take a look at pianoforall. I never got round to purchasing it myself but i did research it and would appear to be something you could benefit from.

My advice is not to compare yourself to others. I know it's easier said than done, and I still fall into that trap from time to time.

thnx, downloading it now!

Waynes First Piano lesson:

Teacher: "Hello Wayne"
Wayne: "Hello Teach"
Teacher: "Now Wayne, (pointing to a note near the piano keyhole)
do you know why we call this middle C"

Wayne: ( Thinks: I am not going to fall into the "trap" of saying its because it's in the middle of the keyboard)

"Is it because it's in the middle of the treble and bass staves?"

Teacher: "well done, yes that's it exactly, I can see your racing ahead allready"

Wayne: "why thanks teach"
Teacher: "today we are going to learn the scale of C major"

Wayne: "Is it Ok if I play it with both hands at once like this?" (plays two octaves)

teacher: "are you taking the P***?"
Wayne : "No, I was just saying..."

Teacher: "could you just stop whistling for a moment please it's distracting"

Wayne: "It wasn't me"

Teacher: "look I dont't quite know how you are managing to do that without opening your mouth, it's a clever trick, but enough now"

Wayne: "okay, but it really wasn't me, I have even posted a video of it to ask people what they..."

Teacher: " look, we need to get on, just quit the whistling and see if you can tell me what key this piece of music is in"

Wayne: (looking at twinkle twinkle little star) "ah, its got a C# and F# so it must be Dmajor?"

Teacher: "Very good Wayne, but there is no nead to make train noises."

Wayne: " I wasn't"

teacher: "then just how do you explain the whistling and train noises that I am hearing?"

Wayne: "It's funny you should ask that, because...."

teacher: " I don't quite know what's going on here but I dont like it, look I will not charge you for this, but I dont really want to come back"

Wayne: "Thats a bit Irrational isn't it?"

Teacher: "maybe it is, or maybe it isn't " (leaves)

Rostosky, thanks for the laugh. I took a risk to read your long post, because I know I could be using the time to practice instead.

I'll play the teacher now and give Rostosky 10/10 for accuracy and amusement!

Rostosky, your tale is brilliant. You have a vivid imagination.

Wayne, if I had had your thoughts when I became a member of Piano World, I had stopped playing piano immediately. Here there are very good amateur pianists.

Don't worry and enjoy your piano. You have a nice playing. As we say in Spain: Don't eat your head!!!

I got it, only skimmed through it, but it looks good, i'm suprised how much I actually already know! would have been great to have had this in the beginning. Will let you know more when Ive had time to read through the TEN books (LOL) properly. There's also media clips in places to help you understand whats going on! I would recommend this to anyone setting out to self learn. Thnks for the recommendation stevemac

Oh and Recardo, I'll try not to eat my head

The one most useful resource for self learners must be Piano World. And it seems to be useful for a lot of others too. I find good stuff here almost every day. The last thing I found is Pianoforall. I think I am going to use that.
I play other instruments, and I have been messing around with keyboards for some time, but one year ago I decided to get really serious about it. It has been a year of trial and error, but now I think I finally have got my stuff together. I have the instruments I need, the learning material, and I know what to practice, and HOW to practice.So now everything is fun, even practicing scales.
I think the most important point for self learners is that you must find your own way of doing things, and that can be frustrating sometimes.

what you guys think to this, I'd normally just use my right hand, rather than swapping arms over!

I think the exercise is meant to introduce hands-crossed playing, which crops up enough to begin getting used to. My 6.5 year old son even had to cross hands for his recital piece last month!

cheers ben, will try n incorporate "hand crossing" in my practice, hope I don't get tangled up, lol!