Don't get me wrong, I didn't expect it to be easy. I completely expected it to be bloody difficult.
But after sailing through the bits about where to put my fingers and where the notes are on the keyboard, I've hit the part about getting my hands to play together. And it's all coming horribly unstuck.
Doing two different things with my hands accurately at the same time in this way is really hard. I've been stuck on the same lesson for several days now, but I'm getting there. I'm now just not very good at it, instead of completely unable to do it.
I'm also finding reading the music accurately (ie translating the notes on a stave to keys under my fingers) really hard, too. Putting it all together in a way that sounds like something approaching music is a bugger.
I now understand why kids struggle so much, and it's easier for them.
If you must have sex with a frog, wear a condom. If you want the frog to have fun, rib it.
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I think doing different things with both hands is the hardest bit.
Just gotta keep bashing away I think.
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Try playing the scale of C (major) with the left and right hands - an octave apart obviously - at the same time.
Once you've got that cracked then play the scale with the left hand starting at Middle C only descending, and the right hand starting on the same Middle C note, but ascending. (Easier to do than it is to describe I suspect). Get those two working together in parallel and you've started making inroads into getting both hands working together - and independently
Yes, I am a guitarist, and playing fingerstyle is something I was able to do. I've forgotten most of the pieces I used to learn, but I was able to learn them. Yet piano has been a much bigger struggle for me.
And the Rocket Piano course I have has lots of scale exercises of that sort, I just need to force myself to find the time to get doing them.
Which I think is my biggest problem, really, as it was with the guitar - finding the time to practise properly.
For me, the right foot swell thing was unexpectedly difficult, it was like it got stage fright and froze. I just didn't have enough coordination skills left. I got there of a fashion in the end, but you could hardly call me a virtuoso.
Another odd thing for me was sitting, but with all of your limbs flayling about! :0)
btw: I find guitar harder.
With you left hand play this Am arp in this order
A - C - E - A - E - C - A so going from A through to the octave and back using these notes
Now with your right hand start by playing a Higher A note every time you left hand starts the sequence. Just one simple A to begin with. Then add the C when your ready, then the E etc.
It won't sound much but it will keep your hand coordinated which is all you need to be able to do in order to play complete bits of music ... your left hand outlining the chords .... the right hand playing the melody. Then in time comes tricks to make is sound more interesting. I like to transpose guitar solo's from guitar onto the piano and then play the outline chords with my left hand ..... something like this where I have played the first solo from Comfortably Numb. Although the left hand part looks complicated it's really the simple trick I mentioned above with some extra notes added .... sometimes adding with the right hand while stepping on the sustain footswitch to keep the melody note ringing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB55zq3PGg8
Thanks for the tip, I'll try that.
Btw, I especially like the handbag on the door handle in the background, bet it goes beautifully with your eyes
I always neglected learning them (especially the scales they make you do in parallel thirds, single handed. Even the chromatics!!! painful) and I think it held back my progress really when it came to the harder stuff. On the flipside I've never learnt scales or arpeggios on guitar, having never had a teacher, and I'm not sure if it would make the blindest difference whatsoever
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The other thing they are good for on piano (and I presume other instruments) is they give people a ground knowledge of keys, notes of chords, harmony etc etc
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liked the music tho.
ive been playing piano for a few years now. I find it really interesting and have been doing my grades on it. Would heartily recommend getting lessons ( I get a lesson every two or three weeks). I’d say do the trinity grades rather than ABRSM as the pieces tend to be more interesting and you can do things such as improvisation and compositions part of your grades.
I feel your pain though, as I experienced great trouble trying to learn the Chapman stick years ago. I learned some pieces and could play them OK (video evidence!) but could never get proper hand interdependence going. I gave up in the end, but I still have the stick so I will pick up again one day.
Surprisingly playing guitar doesnt help - in fact the opposite is true, it actually hinders. You may "Think" your two hands are independent playing guitar - but in fact there not., There used in tandem but together - that is they do different things to produce one outcome (is your plucking or strumming the strings you fretting) - so as far as you mind is concerned they work together. With Piano thats not the case - there playing different patterns, in different keys, at different rhythms in many cases - truly independent.