Any adult pianists here ?

[Kissthepastrychef]

I'm interested how other adults organise their practice time and whether you have any tips for learning new material/techniques without a teacher.
I did grade 6 in school but stopped lessons at 18. I've recently got my old piano home and have started playing for pleasure again. Also what is anyone learning or playing ? I rehash some old pieces but I've also been learning Chopin Nocturne 9 no2 (ie the one in E flat major) and an piano arrangement of the Dance of the Sugar Plum fairy but it's challenging without a teacher (DD learns piano and flute so there's no more money for me 😆)
I'm going to Finchcocks in April for a piano weekend, so excited, I can't wait ! So I'm practicing half an hour to an hour a day so I won't embarrass myself

I've been playing a lot more since the first lockdown - my main musical outlet during normal times is singing with a chamber choir but obviously that's not possible at the moment, and I've been surprised how comforting the piano has been in the absence of being able to sing.

I got to Grade 8 at school but like you stopped lessons when I left. I took charge of my grandmother's old piano when my elder daughter started having lessons - she's just taken her Grade 3. I don't worry about technique I'm afraid, I just sit down and play whatever I fancy! Over lockdown I've been playing Debussy (especially Children's Corner), dipping in and out of a book of contemporary piano pieces, and some Brahms/Grieg etc.

It's been lovely rediscovering the piano, I haven't played this much since I was at school.

Good luck for your piano weekend!

OP I had been meaning to start my own thread but I hope you don’t mind if I ask here as it will give your thread a bump.

I never learned anything about music as a child, was told I was time deaf!

I have recently bought a cheap keyboard from eBay and using an app to learn basics. I was wondering if there’s any hope of progressing to piano as I’m enjoying it. I don’t know how big a difference it would be.

Thanks for any thoughts.

I can't see why not @AcornAutumn. Why not find a teacher locally and ask for a trial lesson? (Many will be teaching virtually - although nicer if you can meet face to face after lockdown).

It's not easy to learn but so worthwhile. Being able to make music of any sort is a blessing.

My daughter's exam result just came through - she got Distinction! I'm so proud I could burst. It's her first Distinction and a high one too (137 out of 150). She worked so hard at her pieces, I'm so happy for her :) :) :)

Thank you June and congratulations to your daughter.

I can’t really see the point in lessons now, are you thinking a teacher could teach virtually with me on my keyboard? It’s just a 61 key cheap keyboard.

I already really enjoy it. I think it must be amazing to be able to just sit and play for enjoyment. I like having something that requires a lot of concentration. Also, I thought I was dyspraxic but maybe I’m not, or the keyboard is helping?

Well, my daughter had lessons via FaceTime during the first lockdown and it was fine (in fact the teacher was using a keyboard). A good friend of mine is a piano teacher and has done the same with some of her pupils. It’s not ideal but actually still works quite well.

Having said that, as you’re a complete beginner it might be too weird to start with virtual lessons! You could start asking around for recommendations so you’re ready to have a trial lesson when lockdown ends?

I’m glad you’re ignoring past comments about being tone deaf - go for it!

I have online piano lessons as I’m starting the Taubman technique to improve my speed.
They are ok but I’d far prefer face to face - though obviously this isn’t possible at the moment.

Thank you both

Re the tone deaf ...later in life I heard that quite a few children are told that in school and actually only a tiny % really are.

My school seemed to work on the basis that you must have been taught something at home, which I wasn’t.

I can imagine that zoom lessons to start would be weird. So I’ll sign up when things go back to F2F.

I actually would like to take exams. It feels like a thing that I missed as a child. I read about a man in his 70s who did grade 1 ballet and his response was “I’ve never passed an exam before”.

Music seems like the sort of hobby you can enjoy for life.

I taught myself to play basic keyboard as a child. At the start of lockdown I got back on the DC’s keyboard and with the help of the Usborne First Keyboard Book determined to teach myself to play both clefs! I did that, worked through the book, then ordered some grade 2 sheet music to have a go at. It was pleasantly challenging but I soon got frustrated at the keyboard and ended up buying a digital piano. Now I play every day and working on grade 3 pieces. I’ve never had a lesson or used an app, just books and the (very rare) YouTube video. So I’m sure I’m a bit of an idiosyncratic player but I can read music and appreciate what I’m playing, and that’s what I wanted. I’ve already started learning some carols for Christmas.

Theres a thread on the mumsnet music forum, lots of keen adult amateurs there!

Oh thanks, I didn’t know there was a music board!

I'm similar OP - played until I was a teen and only recently started again in my thirties.

Ludovico Einaudi got me back into it (nuvole bianche, divenire and I Giorgni are favourites) and I also really like Yiruma's River Flows In You.

Should say that if you did grade 6 you might find the pieces I've recommended quite easy but they're lovely if you're looking for something which isn't too challenging.

Thankyou bellinique, would be nice to have some easier new stuff which doesn't stretch my ability (and hands) to the max. I played moonlight sonata the other morning which I used to play really easily, I now have no idea how I managed to stretch my hands so far !

It seems that the pieces I'm learning are around grade 6/7 so I've bitten off a bit more than I can chew although I can get through the whole of the Chopin nocturne now although not with all the chords on the bass hand. That's next 😂

@Kissthepastrychef

Thankyou bellinique, would be nice to have some easier new stuff which doesn't stretch my ability (and hands) to the max. I played moonlight sonata the other morning which I used to play really easily, I now have no idea how I managed to stretch my hands so far !

Wow!

I have very small hands and was wondering if that would be an issue.

PS I am not Donald trump!