Piano - a beginner’s guide! Tips?

[Piaaaanoo]

I’ve always wanted to learn to play the piano. When people talk about it and sit down and just play, I’ve always been a tiny bit envious. When I see them at people’s houses, I itch to have a go.

I have absolutely zero musical skill whatsoever. But I’m in my 40s now and I think “why not have a new hobby and try that thing?”

So I want to get one and start taking lessons. I am also going to get lessons for my children, too.

Where on earth do I start? A keyboard piano? A small actual piano? I know nothing!

Help!

Look up Denis Zhdanov (a concert pianist / conservatoire lecturer) on YouTube. He does a video call "What every Beginner MUST know about Piano Technique". The first thing to learn before you start playing the piano is how to avoid injury and the correct way to move your whole arm, not just your fingers. The video does a good job explaining both. If you can get lessons from Denis (he does zoom lessons) then you are onto a winner. If not, after watching this and some other of his videos, at least you'll recognise a bad teacher when you see one. Good luck!

PS Bad keyboards are not ideal, good weighed keyboards are expensive so I'd probably rather get a real piano. There are people giving away their pianos all the time, see if there's a piano tuner near you who could recommend one. Otherwise Besbrode in Leeds has a good range of little cheap pianos (as well as fancy hundred grand ones) that would be good enough for beginners.

PPS if Classical music isn't what you want to learn, after watching the first Denis video regarding posture / movement (which applies to everyone whatever the type of music), you might want to look at LearnPianoLive (general music concept and popular music) or PianoPig (for Jazz & Blues) on YouTube. Get an idea of what playing the piano is about.

I've just got my first (2nd hand) keyboard as a 61st birthday present and absolutely love it! Practising for at least 2 hours a day using the Robin Hall Udemy course :)