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Hello. I played the piano between the ages of 4 - 15 years and gave up (due to being a rebellious teenager!). I have always wanted to return but the opportunity has never presented itself, until now! I was a Grade 6 theory student when I stopped. Can anyone recommend a great way to (re) start playing? I'm not confident that I could read music even..... please let me have any thoughts! thanks

Of course, a good teacher is best. But if that is not an option right now ...


If you are interested in classical music ...

http://fundamentalkeys.com/


It might be a little simple for you in the initial stages but if you skip through it and find your level should be able to build your skills back in a proper manner.

Get a good teacher at least to bring you back to your old level, I assume that would take a few months

welcome back Helen Start anywhere and be patient with yourself. Some things will come back way easier than you think, others will take way longer than you think.

Pieces you used to love to play, that aren't the hardest things you ever played, are the best restarting point for most people. Plus some scales (which you'll probably be able to approach more wisely now than as a young teen) and very easy material to practice reading.

No grades to worry about now, isn't that nice, you can just go in the directions you are most interested in at a pace you have complete control over.

Welcome HappyHelen
Welcome to the forum! I am in a very similar position, returning to piano after more than a 40 year absence. I expected tearful frustration. Although certainly rocky, it was better than I thought, and yes, I did remember how to play and read music.

Why don't you dig out a couple of your old favorites and try? IMSLP.org was not around when you quit.. but it is great for getting free PDFs of out of copyright music.

I, too, would strongly recommend a teacher. After 18 months back, I am not back to where I was, but I am getting there, and in some areas, I will be better. .. really because of the weekly lessons. Please don't expect overnight success.... there will be plateaus, but you can do this!

welcome to the forum, and back to a life of piano

Hi Helen,

Welcome at PW and welcome to the keys too. Music is so nice! Perhaps take a teacher for some lessons.......

I had also a keyless period. From 1966-1988 I was churchorganist,.....left church and the organs....only rarely playing keys........in 2006 I restarted playing music after a burnout. Purchased a nice digital piano and till now.....I play about two hours every day.

So Helen....just enjoy music and the piano.....

Kind regards,
Johan B

Lots of us are in the same situation here. What I did was get the Alfred's Adult method books and find my level based on what I could play. I then spent about a year working my way through book 3.

A teacher is your best bet, regardless of what you do.

Sam

One of the best things I did when I re-started a year ago was to actively cultivate a rich informal learning environment. It's keeps me very motivated, focused and continuously learning and improving. Mainly I made more friends in the local music community (performers, teachers, retailers), attended more local music events, created musical activities with the family, joined a local band, collected multiple sources of music information to study and listen to ... and of course joined the PianoWorld forums.

After all that, finding the right teacher was the cherry on top. I highly recommend, it's a very good combination: a rich informal learning environment + formal lessons.

Thanks everyone with your really helpful info! I got a little overwhelmed to begin with but now have a route to follow to help me start playing again! I am going to start looking for a teacher and also find somewhere I can practice as I don't want to invest in a piano at this stage. I will keep you updated with my progress -- thanks again

Hi Helen
I would strongly recommend that you get a piano, as practice needs to be consistent... and I don't see how you can make arrangements for daily practice somewhere else. Much better to practice for a limited time every day rather than a lengthy session on the weekend.

I do appreciate you don't want to make a huge investment, and I actually applaud that perspective.

Have you considered renting a piano from a music store or looking for an inexpensive piano?

+1: There is a comprehensive book, _The Piano Book_ by Larry Fine, as well as his semiannual supplement, _Acoustic & Digital Piano Buyer_. (_The Piano Book_ last came out in 2000; the supplement was released most recently last November.) They are full of timely information about what to look for in buying a piano, and how not to get "taken," well worth the small expenditure (of the books) before making the larger expenditure of buying a piano. There are other guides, too, but these (by Fine) are generally well-regarded and will hold you in good stead/ will guide your purchase with information it is unlikely a first-time buyer already possesses. Best of luck in your pursuit!

IMHO, you're much more likely to practice with a keyboard _in your house_ (or room, or apartment).

If you have a choice between "no piano" and "inexpensive digital piano", get an inexpensive digital piano. "Inexpensive" (IMHO) still means around $500, but that's cheaper than an acoustic upright in good repair. And you can carry it around with you, unlike an upright.

A thread has just begun in the "digital pianos" forum that will give you some ideas:

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2508472/SEEKING_ADVICE_FOR_BEGINNER_DI.html

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Actually, depending on where you live, inexpensive acoustics can be cheaper than the $500 digital... prices and quality vary hugely by market region. My first piano as a returning adult was a name brand console in perfect repair for much lower money than a digital would have been...

Advice: check Craig's list, rentals and digitals.

True -- There are always bargains, and I hadn't considered rentals or the used-gear market..

Add recurring tuning costs, and moving costs, to the price of any acoustic piano. [I am, no doubt, biased!<g>]

$500 isn't a "hard floor" for digital keyboards. It'll buy an 88-key, weighted-action instrument.

61-key, synth-action keyboards are appreciably cheaper, and might meet the immediate needs (and budget) of the OP. If she wants to play classical piano music, she'll replace it quickly. (Been there, done that.]

All this info is just fabulous! I had no idea you could rent pianos/keyboards so I am going to look into that. I will also keep an eye out on second hand pianos (I am used to the upright style rather than keyboards) but am flexible so will see what is out there. THANK YOU SO MUCH everyone for your input -- I am really excited!!

Happy Helen,

You pretty much already know how to play the piano. Now you are just getting back on track. Many people here (myself included) are in the same situation. I started playing again 4 years ago after 25+ years of break. I found a great teacher and practiced as much as I could (while working 45-50 hours at my day job). Now I am still not very good by any standards, but I started participating in recitals and performing in front of people. I am having a great time - only regretting I did not start this sooner.

My advice is: 1. Find a great teacher. 2. Get a piano 3. Keep practicing 4. Play the music you really like. 5. Have fun!

Good luck!