Piano/keyboards practice (wanting advice)

[Evan]

Hello. I have been playing the keyboard for many years, but I am self-taught and have minimal skill and technique. I have no problem constructing complex arrangements in my mind and in the MIDI editors. I figured it's time to work on my playing technique as it will be a great help in my songwriting.

I know the basics of playing a few scales, and major/minor chords. I am not sure about the correct fingering. That's about it.

I want to build my finger technique to achieve:
- fluidity of playing
- playing stable and on time
- instinctively use correct/comfortable finger positions in my improvising
- jump through scales and chords with ease

There are tons of free piano tutorials out there and I am grateful for that. My problem is lack of direction and a solid plan.

My thoughts are the following:
- Play all common major and minor scales up and down, both hands, in time. Learn them inside out. Practice them with academically-correct fingering only.
- Do the same for major/minor chords and inversions.
- I like arpeggios but I do not know if I should practice them at this stage along with the previous two.

Anything you'd like to suggest for me?

Thanks

[Zergling]

Hello. I have been playing the keyboard for many years, but I am self-taught and have minimal skill and technique. I have no problem constructing complex arrangements in my mind and in the MIDI editors. I figured it's time to work on my playing technique as it will be a great help in my songwriting.

I know the basics of playing a few scales, and major/minor chords. I am not sure about the correct fingering. That's about it.

I want to build my finger technique to achieve:
- fluidity of playing
- playing stable and on time
- instinctively use correct/comfortable finger positions in my improvising
- jump through scales and chords with ease

There are tons of free piano tutorials out there and I am grateful for that. My problem is lack of direction and a solid plan.

My thoughts are the following:
- Play all common major and minor scales up and down, both hands, in time. Learn them inside out. Practice them with academically-correct fingering only.
- Do the same for major/minor chords and inversions.
- I like arpeggios but I do not know if I should practice them at this stage along with the previous two.

Anything you'd like to suggest for me?

Thanks

How about signing up for piano lessons? I think its great to get personal feedback and work on musical goals with a teacher. I know you can do it on your own, but still its nice to have someone who has went through the hoops, and can guide you down a path that will offer results. Most teachers will ask you what you want to learn, and what you want to get out of your training. So tell them what you do, and what your musical goals are?

You don't necessarily have to live by the strict narrow minded structure of classical music training. Just be pragmatic and select the stuff you want, so signing up for casual lessons would be what i would recommend.

[EricWatkins]

You might look up the Hanon books and The Contemporary Keyboardist.

[Evan]

Thank you. It's a tight economic situation for me so I will have do with free resources, can't afford a tutor now.

I have found free videos on youtube with practicing scales with correct fingerings and everything. I was thinking on starting with those (need to collect+organize first), along with your feedback.

[Nystul]

Can you read traditional notation? It seems like a shame to have to call up and loop through videos for something like scale notes and fingerings. I know sight reading is a very low priority when you intend to make your own music rather than playing other people's.

[Evan]

I used to be able to read basic traditional notation (music lessons many years ago). I am sure I can pick it up again fairly easily.

I like the videos because you also get a demonstration of the technique, so you see exactly how it's done, not simply which finger goes where.

Yeah, sight reading is a low priority for me. I don't compose on paper nor do I play other people's music (though it would do me good).

[psenior]

I am pretty much in the same boat as you. As far as fingering scales goes, I have found some good fingering info on a classical piano forum called Pianostreet.com. You can search that forum on the keyword 'fingering' and username 'berhnard' to locate the info I'm talking about. For arpeggio fingerings, I can point you to a good 3-part YouTube video that starts here:

I don't worry too much about correct fingerings; I'll put my thumbs on black keys or press two keys with one finger if I feel like it. I just try to be aware of my posture and having as little tension as possible in my hands. A good book and video for you to download would be "Mastering Piano Technique." It gives lots of detail on and exercises for the physical aspects of playing.

[JoseC.]

http://www.pianopractice.org/

Here you can download Fundamentals of Piano Practice, by C.C. Chang. Interesting read.

[chrispurchase]

I know you said that it's a tight economic situation but...

I have played for a number of years and have been in a simular situation as you being able to bash away at the keyboard but slowly and not to any kind of level that i wanted too. I also tried free stuff on the net, books, dvds etc but didn't really make any real progress until i started seeing a teacher. I feel that it may cost you a bit in the short term but feel that i've made more progress in six months with a teacher than what i have made in 2 years self directed piano studies.

[Nystul]

I am pretty much in the same boat as you. As far as fingering scales goes, I have found some good fingering info on a classical piano forum called Pianostreet.com. You can search that forum on the keyword 'fingering' and username 'berhnard' to locate the info I'm talking about.

I didn't know about that website until you posted this, but it is really a great resource for a classical piano players. Or even, I suppose, for people who just like listening to classical piano players (if such people actually exist)!

[arbogast]

Just from the topof my mind:

* Practice with a metronome.
* Make a realistic practice plan & stick with it everyday (or as often as poss)

I've seen many piano students attempting to practice scales in all keys every day before they were ready for this. A practice plan with too much 'content' is detrimental to learning.

By all means, do learn the standard scale fingerings and play scales up&down over 2 (or more octaves).
Also practice improvising in each scale. Examples: -start by changing direction at random places in the scale, -invent small 'motives' and play these at diff points in the scale.

Do everything slowly enough that you feel relatively confident.

Use a metronome.

I'm for seeing a tutor. But you don't necessarily need to do this an a weekly, or even, regular basis. 45 mins. tuition will give you lots to work on.