Piano as an adult intermediate re-learner

[Starcaller]

I played piano as a child up till about grade 5/6 and recorder to higher. I've played piano off and on a bit over the years but haven't had my own for a number of years. Lovely DH has bought me a new digital piano for my birthday and I'm looking forward to getting back into it.

I can still remember much of the theory, I can read music, I can still play my grade 5/6 pieces and some other pieces such as Für Elise, although mostly due to muscle memory at this stage I imagine.

At some point I might think about taking lessons, but for now, does anyone have any recommendations for books or anything else I could use to kind of get back on the wagon and start improving again? I find it difficult, being not a total beginner, to figure out what level I need to kind of get started at again.

Any suggestions?

[runningfromreality]

Something like this would be perfect. www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Piano-Classics-Famous-Pieces/dp/3795747090/ref=nodl_?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[runningfromreality]

You're at a perfect level for a book like this, you can dip in and out of it and should be able to attempt most of them. I have a slightly different one that has a wider variety of composers but this would def be a good start!

[runningfromreality]

Ah found it. This one is better - The Giant Book of Classical Sheet Music (Giant Book of Sheet Music) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/073907346X/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabcNK4YYM4YM8SQWTVFZ7WN??encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime]

The simply piano app is good. It both teaches you how to play from beginner to expert but also has sheet music. I like how the sheet music automatically moves on instead of turning the page. I believe they offer a free trial.

[Starcaller]

Brilliant, thanks! I'll check that book out and the app. I hadn't thought about apps! Shows how long it's been since I was learning I guess ... Very exciting!

[Fairysocks]

Ive just started learning piano as an adult - I’m having lessons but I also use Flowkey which has some great songs.

[DCINightingale]

Always would recommend Islands by Einaudi or Yiruma's Best Of for a really good range of beautiful music of varying difficulty.

Enjoy your new piano, what a fantastic gift!

[WaverOfSticks]

Or, you could just find some music you like, or have heard and want to try, and download it free at IMSLP.

[WhatWillSantaBring]

I literally logged on to MN this morning to ask the same question. I know I need to work on my muscles and technical skills to get back to where I was, but no idea where to (re)start! The piano sits there, daily, taunting me with its loveliness....

[londonmummy1966]

I'd go back a couple of grades - look at what is set for Grade 3, listen to the pieces on Youtube and then download from IMSLP as suggested above. Try and learn a couple of Grade 3 pieces (it should be fairly quick so not disheartening,) then move on to Grade 4 and 5.

[Alittlenonsensenowandthen]

There are graded piano books by Abrsm that are good of various kinds. You can gauge your level on those. The best thing you can start doing is scales and exercises to strengthen your hands back up. Boring but true!