Learn to Play The Piano | How to do it Yourself... Or Not...

Well, there are different kinds of pianists, but if you're looking to learn piano, you've probably got something already in mind. Pianists generally fall into one of two categories. Classical, or Jazz. Within each group, there are many subgroups, or specialist categories. For instance within the category of Jazz, you might find "latin", "dixieland", "bebop" etc... Within the larger category of classical, you might find pianists specializing in certain kinds of music as well, such as "baroque" or "contemporary" music.

Here are some examples of different kinds of Pianists.

Evgeny Kissin Rocks the Rach

Chick Corea at "Jazz Legends"

The Piano Handbook
A Complete Guide for Mastering Piano Book/CD
(Hardcover)

Learn to Play Piano in Six Weeks or Less

Piano for Dummies

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Piano

Piano with Dot. The fun way for kids to learn piano.

DVD-Learn To Play Blues Piano #1

Pianos range in quality and size vastly, and the market for pianos is always changing. Here are some tips to help you pick a piano.

When you pick a piano, it's important to consider your needs, as well as your goals. Is your goal to become a concert pianist? Then it would probably be best for you to invest in a nice semi-concert grand or studio grand type piano of the highest quality you can afford. Is your goal to play on a hobby level? Perhaps a nice upright or a baby grand would be for you. Wanna play in a band? Try a keyboard, the options are limitless

When picking a piano, brands are important to keep in mind. If you can afford it, try to stick to some of the better known piano names. Steinway, Yamaha, Kawaii, Baldwin (now out of business), Petroff etc.... The same with Keyboards. Rolands, Yamahas etc... will generally be pretty high quality keyboards.

Remember, Keep your goals in mind, and shoot for the highest quality piano you can afford.

Most importantly, play the sucker and make sure you like it!

Choosing a piano teacher could possibly be the most important step of your career as an up and coming pianist. Regardless of what your goals are, if you choose to pursue a teacher, rather than to teach yourself, your choice of teacher will be paramount, and essential to your progress.

When searching for a teacher, take your time and consider the options. You will want a piano teacher that you'll get a long with. Frequently, piano teachers will offer trial lessons at a discounted rate. Take a few with a few teachers just to see what you like and what you don't like.

If you're having a hard time finding a teacher, I suggest contacting your local MTNA chapter (that's acronym-speak for Music Teacher's National Association) or your local university's music department for help finding some good teachers in your area. You can use This Link to find phone numbers for your local MTNA chapter.

Also, after narrowing yourself down to a few teachers, I would ask to see if they host student recitals. You will want to go to these, and see how your prospective teacher's students play. MTNA chapters will also typically hold recitals with many teacher's students involved. You may consider starting your search there, and simply talk to teachers of the students that you like.

If you're interested in taking up the piano as a hobby, it might be best if you started with an online piano course of some kind. This way, you can start without blowing a bunch of money on lessons, you can work at your own pace, and you won't have to worry about having something ready for a teacher every week.... Here's a list of the best Online Piano Lessons.

Play Piano Tonight Multimedia Ebook!
Ron Worthy Brings years of personal experience to this Online Resource for learning the piano. He teaches unique and innovative methods of practice to have YOU playing the piano the way you want to when you want to. Ron Worthy has been playing and teaching the piano his entire life, and is a versatile pianist and teacher, experienced in many different realms of the piano. His online course is also unique in that he offers his REAL TIME SUPPORT Have any questions? Go ask Ron. Can't figure out a lick or a scale? Go ask Ron! You couldn't not succeed with support like this!

Rocket Piano
Rocket Piano is a unique synthesis of many methods of learning the piano. It boasts the most effective traditional elements of learning the piano while being simultaneously revolutionary in it's approach to learning piano. You won't spend hours drilling the same scales and exercises here! Ruth Searle is a classically trained pianist, but over the years has continued to hone and practice her art, and is now an accomplished pianist in every Arena. Let Ruth take you on your journey to learn the piano. You won't regret it. Rocket Piano includes lot's of cool software along the way to enhance and speed up your learning process at the piano. What are you waiting for? Get started NOW

Piano For all
Piano For all is a comprehensive online piano course designed to take you on a tour de force of every significant style of piano playing. It includes 10 ebooks, 50 audio books, and 200 videos! Yeah, you read right... 200 Videos! So what're you waiting for? Learn to play now!

Pitch Master Pro-Ear Training Software:
Train your ear, and learn relative or perfect pitch. Having a well trained ear is essential to any musical endeavor.

The Pure Pitch Method-Perfect Pitch Ear Training:
A new and revolutionary way to train your ears. Learn to break apart music in your head quickly and then be able to turn around and play it.

Audio Wizard Pro Ear Trainer Course:
Learn the Theory behind playing by ear so you know what you're doing, not just how to do it.


Secret of Exciting Piano Chords:
Learn the secret of exciting Piano Chords! This will send your improv abilities through the roof! Every pianist knows that exciting chord progressions are the key to GREAT improv.

How to Harmonize any Tune on the Piano:
Learn to Pick out any tune, and the right chords for it too! Amaze your friends with your Mozartian abilities to hear anything and reproduce it at the piano!

Jazz Piano For Beginners:
Interested in learning Jazz? Start here. You'll learn the fundamentals of great Jazz performance, and you'll be off playing yourself in no time flat!

I hope this lens has been helpful to anyone looking to start on the road to becoming a pianist, or to anyone who's been interested. Thanks for reading!