Hey guys, I just got my casio PX-110 about a week ago, and am currently saving up some more money for PianoMagic (I'm 16, tight budget, and am paying for everything myself). I was wondering what you recommended for in-the-mean-time? I havn't really tried to learn any sheet music since I will be learning to play by ear.
Lately I have just been messing around w/ some "how to" videos on Youtube, and copying what other ppl do on the piano for a few songs, and then practicing it. I am running out of "how to's" though...hehe

Thanks for all your advice, I would have probably ended up w/ a 100 dollar "toy" without the help.

It never hurts to get familiar with sheet music, even if playing by ear.... Also, any time spent on learning scales and chord progressions would give the background you will need when putting songs together (at least based on what I've read here, as I do not have this skill..). If you are looking at a few months before PM, then I would suggest getting a beginners book (Alfreds, Faber, etc.)for a few bucks to start on a process of learning the "lay of the land" so to speak. Any time spent on learning the basics is not wasted, no matter what direction you end up going. Someone mentioned an on-line beginners course that was free....somewhere here in the AB Forum -might want to check that out as well.

Congrats on your new piano! I have a PX100 and have been happy with it. Since you want to play by ear I don't have any advice, sorry!

Hi caraudio,

If you want to get a cheaper start to playing by ear, check out Gary Marks\' method. It'll get you up to speed in all major scales, modes, and all major, minor, and dim chords (in root position and inversions) in a few months, along with developing your ear and improvising. There's no musical notation involved.

Congratulations, caraudio! I think the PX-110 is a tremendous value.

I like gmm1's advice quite a bit. Even if you want primarily or exclusively to play by ear, it doesn't hurt to learn where all the notes are and how they correspond to sheet music. (After all, you may want to play from fake books at some point, too.)

I'm amazed at how many good teaching resources are available on the web, and a lot of them are free. It's worth searching the archives for "self-teaching" or "on-line lessons" or various phrases like that. I know I've seen many good suggestions for web sites (that I just can't remember where I've read off-hand, darn it!).

Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress.

I agree with gmm1 and Monica, pick yourself up a decent method book like Alfred's Adult or similar and spend some time familiarizing yourself with the keyboard and the basic music staff.

At the same time, work on learning your scales. It's always a good thing to learn the scales. Concentrate on the major keys and one hand at a time.

Bob

thanks for all your advice...I will be sure to take everyone's into consideration... I think that I have found a new passion, as I have had no musical experience other than car audio, hence the name.

Piano is the first instrument I will ever learn to play...I'm already falling in love with it. I'm undoubtedly happy with my decision

isn't that great to get a piano to play? i'd suggest you to learn to read music, which will benefit you tremedously in piano playing.

Here is some free lesson material listed on my site http://www.anointedsounds.com/FreeLessons.html


Here is another link with some interesting reads: http://www.playpiano.com/101-tips/IndexOfThe101WeekCourseInChordsChordProgressions.htm

That's great, caraudio_guy. You sound like a responsible young lad. I have a PX-100 (similiar, I suppose) and I very much enjoy it. Welcome.

In order to show Casio solidarity, perhaps I should revive that sig line?

All bow down to "The Count of Casio" !

I personally think Casio's are excellent digitals for the price. I've played digitals costing MUCH more and like my little Casio better!

If I remember correctly, that Casio has a large built in library of pieces both classical and popular, and includes the sheet music.

Pick a song and play along. You can set the tempo to anything you want, so slow it way down, and play one hand along with it, then the other, etc.