I understand learning from a Piano teacher is the best way to learn piano but I don't have the funds at the moment and I really want to learn. Are there any other foolproof methods online or books with tips and tricks to speed up the learning curve. I've played guitar for 5 years now and I know music theory and scales and all the notes of the piano but concepts like sightreading are beyond me. So can anyone help? And please, SERIOUS ANSWERS!
If you cannot afford a private teacher, then take a CLASS – but being on your own will prove slow and frustrating. "Play the piano" covers as lot of territory – if you want to pluck out simple things, then you can probably teach yourself, and unless you have truly horrible posture and alignment, do it without injuring yourself – although bad fingerings and the over-repetition that comes with self-teaching will lead to injuries such as carpal tunnel or thoracic outlet syndromes. The smallest touch or correction that a teacher gives you, that you think NOTHING of, is often the difference between progress and pain. Even in a class, a good teacher will spot this, or give overview statements about proper ergonomics, learning skills, etc.
The person who said the even professionals never learn sightreading completely, is WAAAY off the mark. The topic of my Masters Thesis at Boston University in 1978 was sightreading, and I have maintained current status on this topic, as has my husband. It is a learned skill – it is NOT just getting faster as "OMG!! Look at all those notes! YIKES!!!" Once you learn how to sight-read effectively, ALL or your problem-solving skills get better in life, too. We teach this for pianists, orchestral and band players, and SINGERS – the hardest, since they must audiate ( hear it in their head before they play. If you have heard guitarists who *sing* all the notes as they improvise – you can tell it is in their head first, fingers second.)
The book s designed for instruction as just that – designed to be used by a qualified teacher. You cannot teach yourself form those, even if you go thru each song, turning a page a day. When I was teaching in schools (1971 to 2008) when I gave a pre-printed theory assignment, I would white out the directions on the master sheet, so that they HAD to listen to me give the directions. Other wise, you pass out something for homework, and the FIRST kids tries to finish half of it before the last kid gets theirs – and since they are NOT listening to you – it is wrong.
I found yesterday a question in Performing Arts, where I am the Leader, about teaching yourself voice through videos, etc. Since I taught vocal music all those years in school, I read it – and based on responses I have given BEFORE about this, one responder used this as a vehicle for a particularly nasty and profane ad hominem attack on me. Of course, I responded, in a polite and well-informed manner. But my convictions remain the same. ANY guidance from a qualified teacher is better than none – perhaps you can take a few *get started* lessons, work on your own, and then call in for consults later. I know that this is not cheap – we have taught private lessons since 1973, and a school year of lessons ( ot counting the summer) is over a grand for most HS students. However, the parent TELL us – as do the kids – that they SEE results – state assessments, placements in top performing groups, ability to SAIL through those works that were once considered Mt. Everest. PLEASE consdier calling a teacher for only the BRIEFEST of time, if only for THEM to choose what books will do you the most good! Asking the person in the music store means you are talking to not much better than some gum-chewing HS kid in a rock band – HARDLY an instructional expert.
Good luck to you – I have devoted my entire life to music education, instruction, and competition judging, because is care VERY MUCH about people learning music. I hope you find the best person to start you on this path.