smallstonefan
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Piano learning software?
Hi all,
It's time that I bit the bullet and learned how to play piano. I have way too much invested in soft synths to keep banging on a keyboard like an ape, and guitar to midi just doesn't get me there. :)
Is there a good software product for learning piano? Time is limited and I'm not stoked about trying to get to weekly lessons...
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cclarry
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/24 11:37:38
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Mesh
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/24 11:43:00
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☄ Helpfulby cclarry 2015/09/24 12:00:58
James, there's probably some good stuff on Youtube (for free) to get you started.....
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cclarry
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/24 11:52:40
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Mesh
James, there's probably some good stuff on Youtube (for free) to get you started.....
THAT is ALWAYS my first destination...to see if it's out there for free..
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MachineClaw
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/24 12:15:57
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Piano for dummies or Idiots guide to Piano. $20 or free if you go to your local library.
really go to your library and check out some books - it's free, you can get by. if you already know guitar and the notes then it should be just fingers to keys practice, you already know what a chord is and that's more than most hobbyists know.
Libraries have DVDs, books, etc for free check out. invaluable resource especially for something like fundamental learning.
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Crowned One
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/24 14:02:01
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I have been doing the same thing the last year or so, youtube is a great resource and has plenty of diversity for different needs.
I did use a free program called Jalmus which was good for price! which required you to use your midi keyboard to follow pieces of music and also helped with sight reading as well.
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lawajava
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/24 15:02:53
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Playground Sessions. Well thought out and motivating. YouTube of course for all sorts of things.
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smallstonefan
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/24 21:16:41
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thanks guys! I think I'll check out Playground Sessions simply because I'd like to follow a program. My son learned some cool stuff on youtube though, so that bears a search as well.
Much appreciated! :)
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Ripwolf
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/27 10:38:41
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Check out PlayPianoToday.com. For $29.95 there is a 3 month subscrition during which you can download all the courses. Starts with the very basics up to some pretty detailed concepts. Includes video lessons, finger excercises, charts, backing tracks, an ear training program, daily practice plans and pdfs. My main instruments are guitar and bass and I wanted to improve my piano playing. This has worked very well for me.
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JonD
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/27 11:02:34
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AllanH
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/27 12:08:54
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☄ Helpfulby Mesh 2015/09/28 10:00:24
I see JonD posted the essentially the same. Let me give our experience: I used "eMedia Piano and Keyboard Method v.3" to get my son started on Piano. It's $32 at Amazon. It requires QuickTime for lesson playback. For a beginner with the willingness to do the lessons, it's well done and can even use a microphone to "observe" your playing and let you know if you are playing correctly. If you have midi, that (of course) is more accurate. The lessons are brief and clear. Licensing requires entering a code, but I've moved computers with it a few times, and that has worked without licensing issues. In the end it took too much discipline for a kid, but I thought it was well done, and I think work even better for an adult. Edit: After 6 months with this program (used occasionally) we found a local teacher, and his skills improved dramatically in a very short period of time. I don't think there is a computer-substitute for a skilled teacher. For his younger brother we went straight to the teacher.
post edited by AllanH - 2015/09/27 12:20:21
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Fog
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/27 18:56:08
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groove 3 also have lessons on there.. can't comment on how they are other than that they are there.
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smallstonefan
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/28 09:39:28
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Thanks for the great options guys! I'm a Groove3 subscriber, so I think I'll start there.
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Mesh
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/28 09:53:04
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Where there's a will, there's a way. 
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Bonzos Ghost
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/29 15:38:33
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I wouldn't dismiss some lessons from a teacher while you're at it.
Proper fingering is vital to progress. I don't think any software will wrap your knuckles with a ruler when you use bad technique!
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TheMaartian
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/29 15:54:19
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I agree completely that having a teacher in the mix can really help, assuming you have a good teacher. Huge amount of variability there. But there are techniques, hand shape and position, hand exercises, etc. that you really should know, or at least know about. I recommend the following 3-book series highly. It's designed to be instructor-led. The links I'm posting are for the student versions (without the supporting CDs, which I don't think you need, and which add significantly to the cost and the difficulty in even finding the sombeatches). Piano was my first instrument, starting at age 8. From 10-12, my teacher was the soloist for the St. Louis Philharmonic. I think she would approve of this series, Alfred's Basic All-in-One Course for Piano with Lessons, Theory and Technic (their term). Great product to have on your music shelf at home. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0882848186http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0882849956http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0739000683
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kennywtelejazz
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/09/29 17:27:37
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☄ Helpfulby TheMaartian 2015/09/29 17:41:35
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smallstonefan
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/10/01 13:49:39
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Wow, thanks so much for the additional info guys!
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arlen2133
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Re: Piano learning software?
2015/10/01 20:02:01
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Some of the stuff from Pianist magazine is good and they have UTube videos as well See here. I've been working on my piano technique/music theory/harmonization/all that for the last two years. I must say the internet has oodles of free and "for a slight fee" programs out there that are worth their weight. Also, once you feel you've gotten "decent" with the fingering, you can look up Greg Moody's Harmonization course and program. Lots of good stuff there.
Arlen aka Mr Grant my music
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