So I have been thinking about learning piano (without taking lessons). Always wanted to, so I might as well.

Anyone here have any experience with piano/keyboards? Just looking for advise concerning just how hard it is ect. I have already gathered that I would need to purchase a digital keyboard (preferably 88 semi/fully weighted and touch sensitive keys).

So if anyone has had experience learning on their own, I would love to know where to begin. Regardless, I'll be scavenging google for these answers.

My CnC is, Piano is fun. Derp, I can play fur elise and a bunch of other stuff that I don't remember the name of. :I

I can play happy birthday.
I don't really know much except for the generals. Like octaves and scales and middle c and stuff.

Have you ever played an instrument before? Have you ever been (and payed attention) in a Choir class/group? Are you familiar with notes, chords, and octaves?

I paid little to no attention in music class throughout school. I know I will have to learn those specifics beforehand.

From what I can think of, its possible to learn the basic fundamentals online that tell you how to read notes, count in 4 4 time, what a melody is, and etc. However, a large part of piano is knowing where to place your fingers so it doesn't tangle up as you progress through the keys upward or downward. It can be confusing at first to the point where you may need someone who has experience with a piano in real life to ensure you are doing it correctly. It is also beneficial to have someone personally help you with sheet music as it can also be confusing if you've never tried to understand one before (assuming you don't know how). Piano requires you to know how to read notes on both the base and treble clef with some degree of dexterity.
While a good portion of this is possible to learn through online (albeit difficult), I think it's a good idea at the very least to borrow someone's piano book. Generally they're more specific and helpful, so you can skim through it and refer back to it if you're ever stuck.


EDIT: Probably a better answer to your question, learning piano can be moderately okay to difficult depending on how much effort you're willing to put in. Learning by yourself is pretty damn difficult, especially if you have little experience with music in general. If you just want to learn the basics, it shouldn't be too brutal, but I'd advise that you get at least some outside help (it doesn't even have to be from a tutor; just a friend who knows about piano) or else you're going to have a rough time.
If you ever want to get into music, then learning the piano is very helpful, so there is a worthy output.

honestly, you might be better off if you buy a piano lesson book written for complete beginners. while you might find those resources online, I feel like having a physical book in front of you while you're playing would make the entire process more accessible. that and there's a ton of information out there that isn't necessarily helpful to learning piano as a beginner.

as far as music theory fundamentals go, you should be able to learn those online, especially scales, keys, rhythm and chords. PM me if you need help with anything specific related to theory.

Quote from Exilement

honestly, you might be better off if you buy a piano lesson book written for complete beginners. while you might find those resources online, I feel like having a physical book in front of you while you're playing would make the entire process more accessible. that and there's a ton of information out there that isn't necessarily helpful to learning piano as a beginner.

as far as music theory fundamentals go, you should be able to learn those online, especially scales, keys, rhythm and chords. PM me if you need help with anything specific related to theory.

I'll definitely look for some books. What sort of things do these books usually teach though? As I can't imagine it being very easy to teach hand positioning techniques and such in a book with still images.

usually finger placement is taught using numerical representations for each finger.

for example, an ascending C major scale played with the right hand is played like this:

C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C
1 - 2 - 3 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

it's been a while since my last piano course so I'm hoping that's correct. I'm only recommending a book because you need to learn some fundamentals of music before you start, and a piano book will focus on the fundamentals that are immediately applicable to piano for a beginner and give you a solid framework to work with, and leave all the other stuff for later lessons. if you try to sift through all of it on your own without any direction it can be pretty overwhelming.

Quote from Cronos

I'll definitely look for some books. What sort of things do these books usually teach though? As I can't imagine it being very easy to teach hand positioning techniques and such in a book with still images.

It's just the basics. But it can help you a lot. I have one, I forgot the name though lol

Try also joining on a piano class or music class or what not, mostly there are many open for the summer, you have a high chance at the season. I am not living in murrica or australia though, but there might be some music teaching class or something in there.

Ah nice, I see what you mean Exilement. I remember something like:

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - F - E - D - C - B - A
5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 3 - 2 - 3 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

Anyway I found a somewhat highly regarded series of books for beginners just then. Will look into them.

Quote from Exilement

usually finger placement is taught using numerical representations for each finger.

for example, an ascending C major scale played with the right hand is played like this:

C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C
1 - 2 - 3 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

it's been a while since my last piano course so I'm hoping that's correct.

Looks about right.

Quote from Cronos

I'll definitely look for some books. What sort of things do these books usually teach though? As I can't imagine it being very easy to teach hand positioning techniques and such in a book with still images.

Books generally help with teaching the fundamentals and what order you should learn them in. At the very least, reading the book will get you the feel of what you need to look for/work on if you're lost. You can always refer to youtube videos or even personal help as an alternative. The main point is that books will give you a safe sense of direction of where you're going and what you need. Without the book, its pretty much like walking with a map without a compass.

Been looking around for a decent digital keyboard. I don't want to go over $300 since I am only a beginner. Although there's a nice one at $500 which is tempting me. It just feels over the top for my situation.

Yamaha NP-31 (76 keys, semi weighted, graded, velocity sensors) $270
Casio PX-130 (88 keys, weighted, graded, velocity sensors) $500

Both come with sounds such as grand piano/electric/strings ect. With the ability to combine two (ie. grand piano+strings).

The reason I am considering the Casio is because of the full 88 fully weighted keys and better sound quality/key quality. Also, it comes with a sustain pedal+stand and has a USB port as opposed to a MIDI port (and I can't be bothered buying a midi>USB adapter lol)

I might have to try them both out and see how I feel. Will probably go with the NP-31 since I am just a beginner.

if you're on a budget you should go for a MIDI keyboard and download a piano VSTi. the sound quality and # of velocity samples are way beyond what you'll get in a digital piano for that price range.

So you can basically just replace the default sounds with new ones?

If so that's pretty awesome.

And wouldn't velocity samples be somewhat restricted by the particular keyboard?