Any tips whatsoever for an absolute piano beginner?

Question

really want to learn to play a few peices, namely mozarts moonlight sonata and Andante Grazioso.

how long would it take a complete newcomer to at least pick up basic things?, obviously practice makes perfect.

also if you are a decent player or a beginner what helps/helped you, anything is appreciated.

...bearing in mind i cant read music

Answer 1

Honestly I would recommend finding a teacher, self-teaching really can't compare. However, if not, at least buy a book for beginners just to help with technique and reading the music. Sadly most beginner piano books are for young children, so I would recommend Bastien's  Piano for Adults.

Holding the hand correctly is another thing which you should be aware of. At higher levels the shape of the hand changes depending on the composer and style and to create different tones but far too often I see beginners trying to play with completely flat fingers and a wrist which is far too low. I was brought up with the image that you have a hamster underneath your palm. You don't want to crush it (so keep your hand rounded) but you don't want to let it escape (so don't hold your wrist too high). Your hand and wrist should feel comfortable when you play.

Thirdly, don't underestimate the power of scales! They are the building blocks for a vast number of pieces and so if you practise them early then it will make playing in the future a whole lot easier too. Arpeggios are useful too and would probably help with the Moonlight Sonata (both the first and third movement when you come to it!)

But it all boils down to practise. Perhaps along with a book to help you play, you could buy a book to practise sight-reading. I would suggest Improve Your Sight-reading grade 1 by Paul Harris. This includes lots of practise tests and methods to help you.

When practicing, make sure that you learn the notes hands separately, slowly and push the keys down very hard. This helps to provide a 'scaffold' for when you put it hands together, faster and with emotion. But try to resist moving onwards with the piece before you're entirely happy with each hand separately and slowly.

Ok, good luck with learning!! :)

(Oh and... Beethoven wrote the 'Moonlight' Sonata)

Answer 2

wow you are ambitious haha

but i know what you mean it would be nice just to sit down at a piano and play away the greats?

unfortunatly its not the case

i know that many people think playing the piano is easy because so many people do it but it really takes alot of time and effort

i suggest that if you cant read any music, you could get some beginners books, some admittedly are insulting to your intelligence im sure but it rally helps and it a good bit of fun doing the basic patterns

if you have any spare cash and time it would be good to get lessons

and once you can start to play little bits and peices, don't rush into it and play it hands seporatley first, and slowly, you can then gradualy build up speed!

hope i helped!

xxxxxx