Is it easy to learn the piano yourself?

[Slapntickleothewenches]

Just that ^^ really :)
DS plays guitar and oboe and has a reasonably good keyboard which he uses for tinkering about. He has recently started studying grade2 theory and I have been advised that higher grade theory is easier for those who play the piano.
Given that he really enjoys music, has good motivational skills and a keyboard ready and waiting, would it be fairly easy to pick up using YouTube or a book? Or perhaps look at casual lessons occasionally as he's not after picking up a third instrument full time and DH would have a fit at the cost!

[boogiewoogie]

Get a teacher if you are serious about him becoming a competent pianist. You can't pick up good technique from Youtube. I did start out teaching myself but after a while I wanted to learn properly without having bad habits ingrained. I feel much better having someone tell me whether I'm doing something right (or wrong) than making slower progress on my own with a book or screen tutorial. There is also lots of rubbish on Youtube which if you are not very musical, may not be able to discern.

Good luck, learning the piano is a very enjoyable journey.

[ShellingPeas]

Not Youtube please! For every sensible video on technique there will be many more which are rubbish.

Perhaps look at having some starter lessons to look at technique, hand position etc. I have adult students who are self taught and very few have correct technique and it takes an awful lot of effort on their part to fix years of bad playing.

If he doesn't want to be a 'pianist' as such perhaps some good quality keyboard lessons with someone who does Rockschool or the Trinity Rock and Pop syllabus would be an option?

Many kids playing single clef instruments get through grade 5 theory without playing piano so I wouldn't be unduly concerned - just takes a bit more effort, but not any more than learning a whole new instrument!

[puffinnuffin]

I think lessons would be the best thing to do rather than picking up bad habits. It also depends what he wants to play.

[ShonaTorch]

Yeh, get The Complete Piano Player Series by Kenneth Baker. Got book one and was playing in seconds. Now on book two, making slower progress, but only because I don't practice enough.

[HolidayCriminal]

I taught myself to about Grade 3. I used children's books (Alan Haughton & Piano Time). He could start with those & move onto a teacher later if he's keen. Every time I read about bad habits I had figured out not to do those things by myself. Didn't need a teacher.

[MuscatBouschet]

I self taught as a kid to grade 3 because we couldn't afford lessons. I played other instruments. Got lessons after that. Didn't appear to do me too much harm because I went onto grade 8. If he wants to learn piano to help support his understanding of music then teacher less important IMHO.