Tips, Tricks & Piano Playin' Resources

How long does it take to learn and be skilled at piano?

I’m going to teach myself to learn piano because I can’t afford lessons. I really love piano and I’m going to play everyday.

How long does it take to become skilled at piano?
How many grades are there? How long does it usually take to move to the next one?
Would it be a lot better to take lessons?
What’s the best way to teach myself?
Where can I find exercises online to teach me?

Anything would help..thanks. :]

It took me around 4 years to learn to play the piano. I wasn’t Beethoven-good, but I could play stuff after trying 2 or 3 times flawlessly. Online lessons aren’t all that great, though I’m sure you can look on google for some. I had a teacher from my old high school give me lessons after school. You need to practice regularly, though. I had books. I had around 8. I needed to memorize each piece, and she’d ask me at random to play them. First, I would learn the right-hand [ie the keys on the right side], and then the left-hand [ie the keys on the left side]. Then I’d play them together.