• Software
  • Piano learning software? (p.2)
2015/09/27 12:08:54
AllanH
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.
 
 
2015/09/27 18:56:08
Fog
groove 3 also have lessons on there.. can't comment on how they are other than that they are there.
 
2015/09/28 09:39:28
smallstonefan
Thanks for the great options guys! I'm a Groove3 subscriber, so I think I'll start there.
2015/09/28 09:53:04
Mesh
Where there's a will, there's a way.
2015/09/29 15:38:33
Bonzos Ghost
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!
2015/09/29 15:54:19
TheMaartian
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/0882848186
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0882849956
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0739000683
 
2015/09/29 17:27:37
kennywtelejazz
 
Learning how to play the Piano over here myself  ….
 
I'm enjoying the hell out of it even though I suck at playing keys  …anyway , I'm looking to change that 
 
The Hanon exercises are real good for having a system of coordination between both hands …
I have them on a PDF and I'm still working on the first 2 ..
progress is slow, i keep crashing and burning 
 
 
this site is interactive and it features 30 of The Hanon exercises 
 
https://www.soundslice.com/collections/hanon/ 
 
this PDF has helped me w scale fingerings for when I noodle around and practice scales 
https://www.csustan.edu/sites/default/files/Music/documents/PIANO_PROFICIENCY_PACKET.pdf
 
 
Kenny
2015/10/01 13:49:39
smallstonefan
Wow, thanks so much for the additional info guys!
2015/10/01 20:02:01
arlen2133
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. 
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