Adult and child beginner piano

[Sleeperandthespindle]

Our piano is arriving next weekend. I have wanted to learn to play since being a small child and now have the space and money for a piano.

Very little time though!

I've found someone to give lessons in her home to DD (7) and me (separately). As a complete beginner, with no musical knowledge (grade 4 descant recorder and grade 3 classical guitar but stopped age 11), does anyone have any advice for me?

This will be entirely for pleasure - I don't expect great things of myself but would love to be able to play some music that is nice to listen to!

DD has been asking to learn an instrument for a year or so, but I wanted to hold off for a while. She's dyslexic - I don't know if that will have any effect on learning to play. Playing music may well benefit her I think.

Anyway, I'm excited. Any adult beginners with stories to share?

[Ferguson]

I assume it's an acoustic piano? I would have advised a reliable digital one for several reasons - but if your committed I'm sure you will enjoy it.

As a teenager I played piano 'by ear' but always refused to consider lessons. Then I started trumpet, self taught from a tutor book. Aged twenty I started drum lessons, and played drums for forty years - pubs, clubs, student bands, and eventually old time music hall group, that led on to pantomimes and amateur stage musicals. I also started learning electronic organ from Kenneth Baker books, and he does very good piano tutors and repertoire books.

As a TA I taught informal recorder for ten years, and coached Year 2 children on percussion to accompany the Christmas production.

The main thing for you both, is that you ENJOY it. Take things gradually, and support each other's learning.

Come back if you have any particular difficulties. Listen to your own playing, and also to as wide a range of music as possible.

[Sleeperandthespindle]

Thanks, Ferguson. I knew you'd reply.

We deliberated for a while between a good digital and this acoustic. It has been tuned by the local piano tuner/ seller for the past 25 years and he is very highly regarded around here so I'm trusting his judgment that this is a decent piano. He sells digitals too, so wasn't really trying to sway me either way.

[LooseAtTheSeams]

I did this and have never regretted it! I do have a couple of tips - make sure you find time to practise - it doesn't have to be very long at first, little and often is better. I used to fit it in round waiting for the oven to heat up, making s cup of coffee etc although I need more time now! Do make sure people know you have to practise but if DD sees you she will be more likely to want to as well!
My other tip is don't be pushed into exams if you aren't interested in them. You should aim to play a range of music that you like - these are your lessons! I do them now but I played a lot of jazz tunes for the first couple of years because I liked them.
Oh, and although I am further along than DS2, he is catching me up!

[Mistigri]

We just bought an acoustic piano too and I've started playing again - I may take some lessons in the autumn.

As you played music as a child I think you'll find it all comes back quite quickly. I have found that while my fingers aren't as supple as they were, I can still read music without difficulty (in fact I'm a far better sight reader than my daughter, even though she is a better pianist than I ever was in all other respects).

I also play guitar and haven't found time to practice as much as I would have liked though I've been more regular recently. Probably the best advice if you are short of time is to set aside a minimum amount of time every day and stick to it - little and often is your friend.

I've found learning as an adult much more difficult than as a child - I have better practice habits and I'm more disciplined but find it takes much longer to learn pieces properly to the point where your fingers play them automatically.

[Scarydinosaurs]

My mum learnt to play at the same time I did, with absolutely no musical background at all. I think she only stopped having lessons in the last ten years or so. She really enjoyed it and definitely thinks it helped stop developing arthritis. It's a lovely thing to be able to do.