What I Wish I Knew When I Started Piano 

Read my newsletter about starting stuff: joelsnape.substack.com/

1. Hard pieces are a waste of time (when you're not at that level yet) 2. Dynamics are important 3. Metronomes are helpful 4. Learn to pedal 5. Sight reading can be fun (if you keep it up) 6. Learning some theory is worth it 7. You will get it eventually :)

But also, everybody in similar advise videos forgets to mention one thing. Doing it the way you did, made you stick with it. And later, when you were interested, invested, had some kind of skill, only after that you really can see the purpose of all exercises and skills you've mentioned. There is a possibility, that when starting from scratch, doing it for the long term, hoping that after some years all those scales and chords just click together, burn you out faster, than that happens. So just don't forget to enjoy the process of what you doing, and train and practice for the purpose of more enjoyment. For most adult players it's a hobby , not a job

I agree with everything stated here. I've been playing for a year and a half and I realized about 2 months ago the biggest mistake I was making was pushing myself to play harder and harder pieces instead of getting the sight reading up. I'd basically memorize pieces and they would come out alright but then I'd think that I need to play a harder piece. What was happening was my actual skill wasn't improving very much just my skill for a single song. What I started 2 months ago was basically playing much easier music (Alfred's rags and blues 2b, Alfred's pop music 2A, Adult piano adventures 2, Adult piano Christmas 1, Adult piano popular 1, and RCM level 1). With this I was learning around 4-6 songs a week. It's been MUCH more fun and I'm improving sooooooo much faster. It's also making me want to play more because it's not as tedious. I think my ego was telling me I was around a level 4 (but who knows with how piano levels work honestly they are the strangest leveling system I've ever seen for anything lol) but in reality if I'm not brute force rote memorization a song I'm probably a level 2 or maybe even a very high level 1. Anyways I know this message is too long and probably almost no one will read it but in case you do. I appreciate your channel I know I give you crap all the time on it but I'm very impressed with all the stuff you accomplished and I can tell you're always grinding things that you like which I think is pretty cool. Take care.

I always looked up to people who spontaneously sat before a piano and started playing a great piece. One Day I started learning my favorite song and by remembering patterns I was able to play the hard piece relatively fast without even being able to read notes. To me it is a great success. Now, months later I am happy every time I play my favorite piece.

As an adult BJJ student (47) approaching three years in April it is so true how much progress you make by continuing to show up. On a daily basis it doesn't feel it as you continue to get smashed by your peers but relative to those starting after you it's apparent. Same is true as someone starting guitar and french..I won't be Django or Proust but there's zero question after the bjj experience that I just have to continue to show up

I have dysmusia, so I can’t read music. So I studied theory, learned how build chords, inversions etc. then I just pull up the chords for the song and play any melodies by ear.

Thank you. The metronome tip is gold. Once I sussed how useful it became a regular to learning pieces.

Found this very inspiring, thanks! I started piano at 40 and am halfway through Alfred’s all in one book 2. Started on this journey in 2019! It has been tough and continues to be so, but I love it. My dream of being able to play is what keeps me going 👍

This is nice, and good for him. He looks good at the instrument, has well formed hands, and a naturally quiet technique. I’d add to his list get a good teacher who is 1. a player himself/herself, and 2. is skilled with adult learners.

Watching yr video actually encouraged me to start learning piano along with my daughter , who is taking piano lessons at school. Thanks!

First step he is 100% correct , don't buy a toy. Buy something with weighted keys and a sustain or you will never learn .

Your first point is so true. I started off playing a fairly difficult song, but then started doing simpler songs and it taught me to adlib and do cool things over the melody because the chords were so simple and repetitive. I progressed so much playing those songs that used no more than 3 chords. Learning basic theory is soooooo helpful, especially when you want to learn how to play your favorite songs. I mainly wanted to learn piano to play along with my favorite songs, so knowing theory helped me figure out the basic chords of most songs in 10-15 minutes. Not to mention if you like songs in a particular genre, you find so many songs use the same keys and chords.

As someone with vision issues, sight reading is mostly a non-starter. I don't care that I ever learn someone else's song, I did it to create from my own mind. I know theory plenty well enough to compose but what I didn't know (coming from guitar) was the proper fingering of scales/chords...for that, I went to a piano teacher for a few lessons.

This is all such great information. A good teacher to help guide you will increase your efficiency and cut your learning curve in half. They'll also catch technical mistakes early on, and help you develop good practice habits. The only thing you say I disagree with (as someone who learned "some" theory as a kid then had to relearn it all to play in bands & improvise), and has been teaching for 35 years -- learn theory out of the chutes, and integrate the theory by playing some pieces by ear, and every song you learn will make sense in a much shorter period of time and you'll HEAR the music more deeply. It's a language. Not integrating theory is like learning another language but ignoring syntax!

Thanks Joel. Very interesting and informative video. Great advice, for those wishing to learn, without jumping ahead before they should and wasting a lot of time on unnecessary stuff.

Great insights and you spend a lot on making actual videos which are really good. Around 30k of viewers seem to like it - they obviously can't be wrong :-) I started from zero around 3.5 years ago and my objective is simple - to play "decent jazz". All of your (classical) insight applies to jazz as well but there is so much more that goes beyond that in jazz. To play music, in general, is one thing - and to play it effortlessly without thinking is another. The latter comes after years of sustained effort, not after months. There are NO SHORTCUTS in learning how to play music. Sorry but it is what it is. Thanks for your insights Joel!

Thanks so much for this pep talk. Much needed! I've been teaching myself via Alfred's Adult, achievable Reinagle pieces and RU-vid. I'm still in search of a local piano teacher who is comfortable teaching adults ! I think that would be a game changer! Thanks for your advice 🙏🏾🧡🙏🏾

I would argue Hard Pieces are not a waste of time if you know how to break the problem down into smaller and easier to manage pieces. You tackle each small bit piece by piece and once you completed the full set you can put it all together and play the full song

Amazing progress!!! Keep it up :)

I love your final speech, its so inspiring! It took the dread and fear of beginning and it now looks like an exciting adventure

Thanks Joel! Happy New Year!

Thank you for sharing these great tips!!

This is helpful. I’m loving piano and will take on your advice

Great video, great motivation. Thank you!! I just bought an FP30X.

I think what's absolutely most essential for starting on piano is having good hand posture and developing strength, endurance, and finger dexterity first and foremost. My early piano instructor started me on the Hanon books and before I'd even start playing (starting with easy music for learning coordination and sight reading!), I'd warm up with bad a$$ drills up and down the scales, staccato and forte, pianissimo touch, etc., so piano playing has always been a fun exercise that sounded beautiful, and thus I'd enjoy working on newer and newer pieces! What matters is not focusing so much on playing specific pieces that you want to play, but enjoy simply playing piano. Plus, you won't play well if you have poor hand posture, are weak, and don't have the coordination necessary, let alone the ability to easily sight read, and it won't sound that great. Becoming a pianist is a really fun and addicting journey once your hands are developed and reading music becomes easier and easier!

Just watching your video. I started learning piano in September last year. I actually started with John Lennon's Imagine. Nice and simple to get me started. I am starting out by learning from RU-vid videos. I'm now actually learning Maxence Cyrin, Where Is My Mind at the moment. I've been learning it in sections and I'm about half way through. I've only been learning the song for a couple of weeks and I'm so happy with my progress so far. It's such a beautiful piece of music.ive made sure that I have started out with a piano that has weighted keys and built in pedals in order to save upgrading later on. Whilst I feel I'm learning well for a beginner, I'm really struggling with the pedals. Every time I try to use the sustain pedal I lose focus on the notes and chords I'm playing and I make mistakes. I have a habit of keeping my foot on the pedal constantly which I know is not right but I'm really finding it difficult.

Excellent video and advice!

You have done a fantastic job! Congratulations!

I believe if you can hear it in your head, you can play it! You just need to learn the basic major minor patterns, be able to learn the difference and then spend time working it out. The Super Mario melody for example (C major with some embellishments). If you can hear it in your head, sit down at the keys and allow yourself to be completely horrible, once you break that ceiling, you’ll start to work out more songs a little bit quicker each time!

Going to practice now..... 🎹

ive been playing piano for 14 years. I am 19. Dw, every single person struggles with learning a new piece. I still feel like a noob compared to many ppl on youtube, and everyone including you, inspires me to try even harder one thing I learned though: most pieces are doable once you have the foundation (ofc not if it's a concerto). But what makes most people give up is the practice. anyone can learn a piece they want if they practiced. but it is hard to find the time to practice, so you don't try. so if you don't have time, just learn a few bars per day slowly. PRACTICE

Yeah I think I want to learn to play that piece, after all I am from the Caribbean, and love swimming

Very cool! I've been meaning to get back into piano, so this is a great segue into jumping in again!

There is spot on… thanks man for this video and everything you have done. You said it all… 👏👏

proud of you

Thank You!

This is really good advice. Keep practising everyone!

Thank you professor snape

Thank you Joel. Your videos gave me a bit of confidence to try to learn the piano and more importantly keep going when it gets difficult. I'm about a year into the first Alfred book and it's coming along good. I never thought I could learn anything new esp music. I was struggling bad in my life at the time. My confidence was at zero so it's been a real help to me, like a meditation to get my head straight and give me a focus. I'm certainly no Horowitz but enjoying the wee moments you get when it all starts to click and you don't think about what you are doing. I would not have tried had I not seen your videos. Your energy and lack of ego is a credit to you. You are very genuine and honest in your approach. Top man!

Great video. Excelent.

Thank you for the video. Just came across your video in my feed. I’m 45 and started learning Piano in November. I practice at least 1hour on avg 4 days a week. I’m learning through the Yousician app which I see some good and bad. I like it forces you to learn through reading which makes me better in reading music but it limits me to reading instead of memorizing. I’m not a music person, I don’t have good rhythm and at the beginning I doubt I could learn but it has been a steady progress. The hand coordination is quite difficult at times but I can clearly see progress. I will watch some of your videos but I like to see some other people feedback that are learning on their 40s and it helps me keep positive on it. I’m enjoying after all which is quite important.

Very informative and helpful video. Thank you

Haha I've been on and off piano for over 20 years. Wish I had this video when I first started. Learned all of this the hard and long way. Thanks for sharing your journey as I continue my own!

Thank you.

I only just discovered your channel recently have really enjoyed it. Being a professional pianist/keyboardist and teacher this video really caught my eye. All great advice not just for beginners. I have gone back to classical, after years working as a gigging/jobbing musician and am experiencing some of the things you mentioned! One thing I would add (you may have in other videos) is when I have adult students I make sure they are really clear on their goals. That will play a huge part in what I get them to focus on. ps I started BJJ a few years ago, but my fingers were getting smashed so stopped! ;)

So many good tips here! Music is such a journey and a retrospective like this is very helpful. 21 years of music later and I can confirm... dynamics are the still most important & often overlooked thing 😂🤣

Fantastic video, and what I needed to hear, as trying to learn Jazz theory has always seemed like trying to climb Mt. Everest. But if I don't start now, not only will i never have a chance of reaching the summit, I won't even be able to make it to the first base camp.

Sight reading truly sucks! But this is the gold mine of learning any piano music fast.

I’ve played for more than 20 years (with breaks here and there) however I never cared about reading music and just stuck with synthesia and midi. Now I realize my mistake so I’ve started learning to read sheet music better now and I only play beginner level songs even though I can play more advanced songs from memory. But I think it’s kinda fun even if the songs are easy! (I’ve started doing arpeggio and scale exercise and I feel it’s gotten fun playing again!)

Omfg thank you dude. Noooo- the first 30 seconds you have shown me not to give up. That pixy piece is hard THANK GOD. I need to look for easier stuff. Lmao I have been puttering around my piano, NOT PLAYING thinking wow I can’t even play the simplest sheet music.. ok I need to get back to learning then thank you

1 is such a struggle for me. So many good pieces that are way beyond me. So what I do when Im getting that itch is to target a couple measures. In an evening I can get a few bars of a Ravel or Debussy piece. Maybe a couple of Mozart. Though I dare not even bother with Listz or Chopin lol. Then its back to my boring study books. All in good time though!

I just bought a Roland FP10. I am a complete beginner. The keyboard got a sustain pedal, weighted keys, 3 touch sensitivity and 88 keys. This video truly told me that i got a good beginner piano! Ty for that!

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with playing "stretch pieces" that you love and might take a couple of months or more, PROVIDED you also play easier stuff and do the other things you mentioned. You can always put them aside and come back to them when you are more ready, and it might give you an idea of the sort of work/pieces that would help you with them. Also find exercises or ways of playing them that make them more enjoyable... scales in thirds, for example, when you find scales boring, are a lot more fun than simple scales, and are useful too.

i really admire your efforts on learn from zero and from books (only). honestly i started 2 years ago and stoped on november of 2022, i spent all 2023 learning other stuffs and ''forging'' my brain to learn more and more.. ok Now i am back and i bring all the knowledge i learned with other stuffs: i noticed that ''the more we learn, the more we can produce'' so i ask: can i make something knowing nothing about that?? the more i know about make an toy,an sculpture,to play piano,the chords and scales and time,beat etc... the more i can produce,and produce i mean: play piano or make an music. now look at masters, what they have more than ''years of practice'' ? they have ''years'' of knowledge.. what can you do to acquire knowledge like them but maybe faster if you want or faster on the pespective of: dont waste time? you learn with them! simple as that. find the master that you can acquire the most advanced knowledge or find many and learn with many. so it is like an vampire,this vampire drains blood but also drain knowledge, the more people he drains blood the wiser he becomes. i love to remember the movie dr stranger (1) when he asks the ancient ''how i go from here to where you are?'' she answear: how you become a doctor? '' he answear: with years of study and dedication. That movie is an inspiration to my life and is the movie that i love so much even to watch again and again from time to time.

A great insightful video. I started piano lessons two years ago and although my progress has been very slow, despite practising every day. I have made improvements and thoroughly enjoy learning. My Piano Teacher encourage the ‘Hal Leonard for adult piano learners’ course which contains much of the information you have commented on. Highly recommended. An excellent place to start. Thank you for reminding me and encouragement.

Hmmm I agree with most of them except for the first one. In a way it’s true, but for me, as someone who played guitar for 15 years before picking up the piano, I just couldn’t be bothered to learn easy cliché stuff just because it’s easy. I started out with some intermediate stuff I REALLY liked to use it as a piece to push myself and learn some easier stuff I like in between push sessions. In the end you should play what keeps you playing or else you’ll never learn if you quit.

As a piano teacher, I'm cringing at your keyboard setup (assuming in the early days when you started) with the keyboard resting on laundry hampers or a shelf etc. PLEASE get a Z stand for the keyboard so you can sit comfortably and with your arms at a more natural resting position. It's great to see how far you've gotten with little or no instruction! A couple of other tips I noticed in your playing: loosen up those wrists and play with the full weight of the arm rather than your finger muscles as you'll produce a better and more controlled tone and will be more relaxed in doing so. Keep up the good work my friend!

Thanks. I am going back to basis.

You all right talking about beginners... I'm just pass 11 month and still not learning ANY sight reading , instead all RU-vid "flying " notes and watching players fingers and copying... But, I love keys pushing and will continue my practice. Thanks for nice experience sharing. P.S. One thing bother me...everyday I playing, I doing repeating ALL my learned pieces at list once, quick...because I talked with one guy and he is about 2+ years learning piano (he's playing everyday and learning something new) and asked him to play any whole previous learned piece , he said he needs to RElearning this piece...so I think the sight reading will help for remembering already learned pieces... Your opinion Please.

Great advice video! It's well put together and easy to understand.

Funny you playing at the end there and people just going about their business. 😂 Thank you for the tips! 44 and ready to get back to piano. 😀

Hey Joel, just wanted to say I appreciate the channel. I just turned 30 and I'm really evaluating my life on the day-to-day. I found you because I wanted to play an instrument and I'm set on the piano. I also hit the gym, but it's always been for aesthetics and bodybuilding. I'm tempted to switch to something like BJJ that offers me more functionality and satisfaction. Cycling is a consideration as well

For the great majority of us, the piano will always be a journey that ultimately falls short of the desired destination. Reading the score accurately requires keeping your eyes off your hands. Its a difficult but critical skill that slowly improves over time.

So many things to focus on! It’s gonna regardless of what. Anyway, it’s time time well spent

Inspiring

Nice video. One thing to add, probably the first and most important thing is to get a Piano teacher. You think you might have learned a lot but a teacher will make you unlearn all those bad habits and techniques first before they can teach you the proper ones, so better start it at the earliest time.

Casio Lighted Keyboard has a version with weighted keys. It goes without saying that you should only buy such one, otherwise time and money cost getting rid of the cheaper ones.

I remeber after 1 year of playing the piano i picked a very hard piece for my level, It was from Well Tempered Clavier, Prelude and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 875. After very hard work and lots of months of practicing i managed to learn both of them. But i ended up injure my self cause my technique was very poor at that point. I also was very lucky cause i was practicing in a digital piano where the keys are lots of lighter than in classical piano. In my experience its doens't worth it.

Iv been thinking about Getting myself a piano, then i build a stand for it then i challenge myself to learn how to play... so you recommend weighted keys piano to start with? Whats the pedal thing for? It looks expensive lol... your videos are very useful Joel, wishing u more success on youtube.. please remember to ask/tell us to like the video, a lot of people forget to click. Before u know it, ul be at 100k!! 🎉🎉

Great video! Would also love to see some more Bjj content.

Online websites that connect midi to your keyboard allowing you to see your mistakes are amazing.

I've been playing piano since I was 5 years old and now I am 16 so that makes it 11 years. I don't really remember how I started at first and how I progressed 🙄. But yeah, if you start with easy pieces you can slowly progress until you can play really hard ones. You can't climb a mountain with a huge leap. You can only do it step by step...

I have been learning through the Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano 3-books. I have been playing piano about 1-year and guitar about 3-months. I have been focusing on everything you’ve mentioned in this video AND I have a bad habit of looking at my fingers, so if I’m not allowed to look at my fingers, how do I know where they are? Just force myself to only look at the music sheet and figure it out? Like force myself to be a blind man and just feel around with my fingers? Btw you are a super inspirational to me! I’m excited to learn good habits, if you have some spare time can you look at one of my videos? I also notice bad habits of straight instead of curled fingers, what else do you think I can work on? Cheers! 🎹

Hi, what book(s) would you recommend about chord progression and such?

Like the reference to Dan Gable.

Overclocking tempos on songs you are learning are a good way to get mastery over them

Julie here. Your piano teacher should have taught you all that from the beginning. Unless, you're like me and didn't have great teachers. Great video

Hey Joel i have 1 question, how do you reccomend me to start playing piano as an absolute begginer, is there any RU-vid program or something i should follow day by the day, thanks in advance!

I heard you in Life Kit podcast, and you mentioned a book for a beginner in piano. What is that name of that book? Thank you

i am quite agree, personnaly i did very big mistakes ... my advice for a beginner : 1 - don't learn pieces (unless you do not want to learn the piano, but wasting your time) 2 - learn sound and key theory (keyboard topography, pentatonics, diatonics, cycle of fifths and fourths) instead of chords (with their billions of names, you will easily name them when you will need to talk to someone else about what you are playing, if you find someday somebody interesting in it !) 3 - learn the left hand first (not pieces but only cadences) : easy (few notes, few variations, slow rhythm) BUT also difficult (needs very high precision) TILL IT BECAME AN AUTOMATISM !!!

I would add to learn rhythm language. Rhythm is my hardest part.

You can take on hard pieces. It just won’t be at speed. Eventually you’ll be able to play them if you keep working on it. You just probably don’t want to focus on them exclusively or you might frustrate yourself & you will miss other important aspects (which you mention). - guitar player

I answered and said, "If I have found favor in thy sight, O Lord, show this also to thy servant: whether after death, as soon as every one of us yields up his soul, we shall be kept in rest until those times come when thou wilt renew the creation, or whether we shall be tormented at once?" 76 He answered me and said, "I will show you that also, but do not be associated with those who have shown scorn, nor number yourself among those who are tormented. 77 For you have a treasure of works laid up with the Most High; but it will not be shown to you until the last times. 78 Now, concerning death, the teaching is: When the decisive decree has gone forth from the Most High that a man shall die, as the spirit leaves the body to return again to him who gave it, first of all it adores the glory of the Most High. 79 And if it is one of those who have shown scorn and have not kept the way of the Most High, and who have despised his law, and who have hated those who fear the Most High -- 80 such spirits shall not enter into habitations, but shall immediately wander about in torments, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways. 81 The first way, because they have scorned the law of the Most High. 82 The second way, because they cannot now make a good repentance that they may live. 83 The third way, they shall see the reward laid up for those who have trusted the covenants of the Most High. 84 The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days. 85 The fifth way, they shall see how the habitations of the others are guarded by angels in profound quiet. 86 The sixth way, they shall see how some of them will pass over into torments. 87 The seventh way, which is worse than all the ways that have been mentioned, because they shall utterly waste away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and shall wither with fear at seeing the glory of the Most High before whom they sinned while they were alive, and before whom they are to be judged in the last times. 88 "Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they shall be separated from their mortal body. 89 During the time that they lived in it, they laboriously served the Most High, and withstood danger every hour, that they might keep the law of the Lawgiver perfectly. 90 Therefore this is the teaching concerning them: 91 First of all, they shall see with great joy the glory of him who receives them, for they shall have rest in seven orders. 92 The first order, because they have striven with great effort to overcome the evil thought which was formed with them, that it might not lead them astray from life into death. 93 The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the unrighteous wander, and the punishment that awaits them. 94 The third order, they see the witness which he who formed them bears concerning them, that while they were alive they kept the law which was given them in trust. 95 The fourth order, they understand the rest which they now enjoy, being gathered into their chambers and guarded by angels in profound quiet, and the glory which awaits them in the last days. 96 The fifth order, they rejoice that they have now escaped what is corruptible, and shall inherit what is to come; and besides they see the straits and toil from which they have been delivered, and the spacious liberty which they are to receive and enjoy in immortality. 97 The sixth order, when it is shown to them how their face is to shine like the sun, and how they are to be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then on. 98 The seventh order, which is greater than all that have been mentioned, because they shall rejoice with boldness, and shall be confident without confusion, and shall be glad without fear, for they hasten to behold the face of him whom they served in life and from whom they are to receive their reward when glorified. 99 This is the order of the souls of the righteous, as henceforth is announced; and the aforesaid are the ways of torment which those who would not give heed shall suffer hereafter." 100 I answered and said, "Will time therefore be given to the souls, after they have been separated from the bodies, to see what you have described to me?" 101 He said to me, "They shall have freedom for seven days, so that during these seven days they may see the things of which you have been told, and afterwards they shall be gathered in their habitations." 102 I answered and said, "If I have found favor in thy sight, show further to me, thy servant, whether on the day of judgment the righteous will be able to intercede for the unrighteous or to entreat the Most High for them, 103 fathers for sons or sons for parents, brothers for brothers, relatives for their kinsmen, or friends for those who are most dear." 104 He answered me and said, "Since you have found favor in my sight, I will show you this also. The day of judgment is decisive and displays to all the seal of truth. Just as now a father does not send his son, or a son his father, or a master his servant, or a friend his dearest friend, to be ill or sleep or eat or be healed in his stead, 105 so no one shall ever pray for another on that day, neither shall any one lay a burden on another; for then every one shall bear his own righteousness and unrighteousness." .....2 Esdras 7:75 ///////////////

All the best advice in a video that I should have watched a couple of years ago. Of course Russ Conway would disagree with most of it, except for do it every day.

Hi sir ! I just want an advice. Planning to buy a piano but i dont know which is better. Yamaha psr e373 or yamaha piaggero np-12b?

I think everyone starts with a cheap something or other because who knows if you are going to like it or not. But when you get the 2nd piano, buy once cry once, eh?

Joel, I have a few questions regarding piano playing. I have a 100 year old baby grand to start with. Sounds ok but not a Steinway. I realize until I get eye, hand and brain coordination in sync it’s going to sound rough. My thought is to buy a digital keyboard under $1,500. This way I don’t need to do an upgrade. It has to be 88 keys, and they have to be weighted. And I won’t be torturing anyone at home. Funny you said about playing hard pieces. I purchased a piece written by Lyle Mays which will be years out there, if ever I could play, it’s about 16 sheets. So, I will lower my goal to learn over time “It Might Be You” by Dave Grusin. There are easy version and more complex ones available. Right now for a digital Keyboard I am looking at a Korg Grandstudio used witch is in the $1200 range. Your thoughts, Kevin

Hi! Any good book for music theory to recommend? Thanks!

Thank you, I love your presentation. I don't have a pedal on my electronic yamaha, so I just delect "dual" "sustain" and "harmony" buttons and it kinda "sustains" the notes, it even sounds "ok". Is this a solution? I hate the idea of getting a pedal (is that's a thing nowadays lol) and then having to think about what my feet are doing, it's tough enough concentrating on what the fingers are doing. At nearly 60 I'm too old for "too much stuff at once", or was I always like that haha.

I have learned piano like most things I try to learn, arse backwards. I can play some really complex stuff but I don’t know any chords or a single note on the piano.

How often did you practice and how long did you practice for?

AH-Ha....! Your final destination was to play airports and train stations...! Went through it. Self taught, off & on lessons. Then gave it up. Now wanting it back. I did not ever really get into the metronome but will this time. Was hard into scales but daughter said to focus on chords first, or the progression they bring.

You forgot one, go to a music conservatory (often cheaper than music school) and you will progress much faster with proper teachers

We ❤ need the mortar b4 the mortgages ❤🎉

I agree with everything you said. I am curious though, why not go to a qualified piano teacher? That way, all the stuff you wish you'd known when you'd started would have been taught to you, right?

Great video! Just started at 44 (week 2). What books do you recommend? I've heard you say Alfreds? Anything else (specifically for sight reading)?

Do i have to buy a pedal? I bought roland fp10 now, Im begginer

1:00 goal pieces that are outside your comfort zone

Hey! What's the name of the book that shows up at 4:28? It looks so cute