Can you teach yourself piano? - 5 mistakes and how to avoid them

I know many of you are trying to use KZbin or other online resources to teach yourselves how to play piano (or any musical instrument, really), or just to learn how to play piano online alone. Here are five tips to help you avoid some common mistakes all self learners encounter.
(For the record, I think that studying with a teacher is ALWAYS better than studying alone, but I understand many of you don't have this opportunity, due to cost, location or other factors.)

[@elmohead]

1. Pick a song that you like. 2. Try to play it until you hate the song and want to murder the composer.

[@MangoldProject]

Haha, that's great advice! :)

[@steve122288]

lels

[@TheYohize]

XD

[@Noah-be5rj]

It's so funny that you start of listening to it and it's amazing, then after blood sweat and tears you play it yourself and it sounds great to another person but to yourself it sounds fucking overplayed and like nothing.

[@izeuss6042]

So true.

[@bloodssucka6037]

Him: you may be watching this in 2019 for all I know Me: in 2021 👁👄👁

[@MangoldProject]

2020 squad report!

[@thegoblin3629]

@@MangoldProject Just found the video. Decided a couple days ago that I wanted to learn, as a 30 yr old. It bothers me that I don't know how to play an instrument well. here's many songs on piano that elicit that emotional energy, and I want to be able to create that. Thanks for the tips!

[@Kris102]

published in 2017

[@arinm49]

I literally just watched it! 😂 The video was published 3 years ago for me!

[@justinn9342]

hahaha samee

[@eleventhcassette]

"You might be watching this video in 2019, for all I know." Creepy

[@bis9817]

I know!! Lol

[@rawr446]

He predicted the future

[@sceptreace]

Righhhtt?

[@becreative8868]

LoL!!! I was thinking the same

[@8bitheroes86]

Haha yes!

[@wil4212]

No. 2 Unrealistic Expectation Lol. After one week of practicing my parents are already expecting me to play like mozart

[@inpectionyt.6109]

Kawaiii koto

[@adamizham3319]

Just ask chika :)

[@inpectionyt.6109]

@@adamizham3319 ik she is the one who taught me how to dance

[@RJ-jx7zu]

Please give us an update how's it going 🥺 are you teaching yourself? I want to start

[@wil4212]

@@RJ-jx7zu Yes! I'm teaching myself along with watching yt videos and tutorials. I've been practicing everyday for more than 3 months and can play two songs smoothly. I think I'm doing good but obviously I still need A LOT of practicing to do. Overall I enjoy being able to play piano. Hope you do good too :)

[@yxshmusic]

You know he's a great guy when he's liking comments and replying to them in 2020.

[@MangoldProject]

why, thank you ;)

[@loverd9991]

this video is teaching me how to teach myself how to play a piano

[@KoganeKeith]

😂😂😂

[@neonparalelworld4932]

True 😂😂

[@LeventK]

Not funny Not laughed _Liked_

[@rashmipanchbhai936]

😂😂😂

[@snazzycat207]

Voila!

[@elvisarias7236]

"You might be watching this video in 2019, for all I know." Too slow, bro 2020

[@Lifetap]

He said that, and I thought "YES I AM". And then I read your comment and realized it's not 2019 anymore 😂😂😂

[@darkosstrife]

Extra slow, 2021 (Too soon I know lol)

[@deonnayoutube]

"1 year ago"

[@marylyne]

2021

[@helloscrubs]

Play a song you like *Tries to play moonlight sonata 3rd movement*

[@abdelrahmanhossam7258]

so true 😂😂😂

[@nickanthropocene6502]

*tries to play Unravel by Animenz* *screams*

[@piyushkumar-ms8xi]

That's totally me😂😂😂

[@ketereissmore3967]

*Tries to play Toccata composed by Bach*

[@moji2596]

I did play that piece for my school concert, It took me 5 months

[@newpianotutorials]

I taught myself how to play before the internet was around... now there are so many resources available to learn by yourself it's easier than ever. Just remember music is sound which is heard by the ears, not the eyes - so ignore those that will tell you that the only way to learn is to read sheets and study - hearing and making music came before transcribing it - sure it's a great skill to have, but it's not the only way to learn

[@MangoldProject]

True.

[@jaelsosa]

So if I was blind and locked in a room with a piano for a year without any music knowledge I could still become good at it?

[@newpianotutorials]

Absolutely - depending on your age and your natural musical ability, but locked in a room for a year anyone would become a proficient piano player

[@EdzCreationz]

@@jaelsosa Stevie wonder was blind, there's actually quite many musicians who's blind

[@Anisometry]

I’d say learning how to read sheet music is important for advanced pieces though

[@TheVincentVanGogh]

"Focus on a song that you like" Moonlight Sonata 3rd Movement , yes

[@alwaysuseless]

Learn the first page of Für Elise for starters.

[@ubermensch5781]

Lmao.. Sem. Learning only to play classic 😆

[@pianoman4036]

Thats what I was thinking I only want to play classical, but its too difficult!

[@justavoidme827]

Well he said songs, not pieces🤣

[@chocolateislife9667]

I started playing the piano 5 years ago, self-taught ofcourse. At first, I never thought I would be able to play with my both hands, I felt like it was impossible, actually when I played a song, I would look only at the right hand of the song, and then I would play it with my both hands, it's like playing one hand with both of my hands if that makes any sense, anyway, so I tried to play a real left and right hands, and it worked! Then I started learning faster and faster songs, these days I play very fast with my both hands and professionally, I wish someone told my younger self that I will reach this far. Why I'm feeling confident about my playing? OK here's a story, my cousins take piano lessons, and when they watched me play, they said I was doing everything wrong, they said that all I'm doing is not good enough because (as they believed) I didn't take any lessons, not even at school. They depressed me, but I didn't give up, until one day when I played in front of a university music teacher at my sister's University, she was impressed, that after one song of me playing on the piano, she asked me to play with a whole band in the University concert. I will leave the comment for you. Edit: thanks for the likes! And guys believe in yourselves you can do it!! Don't wait for anyone to cheer for you, be your own cheerleader❤ Edit (July 2021) Sooo I've been playing for 9 years now, and I just wanted to update you on the process. I'm playing hard pieces I only dreamt of playing. I'm doing my own arrangements, improvisations, and all that Also, I started doing orchestra music!! And it went better than I expected, I got to compose my own music for a short movie I made! So keep going, you don't have to get an official music education to be a good musician, the internet rn has sooo many resources you can literally learn ANYTHING by your own, I wish I had these resources when I started playing the piano in 2012 So, cheer for yourself, keep going, be your own cheerleader ❤️

[@fozfoz6743]

Rana Shalaby how you learn

[@chocolateislife9667]

Foz Foz some KZbin videos, and a few apps

[@chocolateislife9667]

Freeman319 wow that's awesome! 👏👏👏

[@steve122288]

ha, people telling me im doing it wrong depressing me, thats my life in a nutshell. Slowly but surely I find ways of doing things without others interrupting me. People are fucked because they think putting others down benefits them somehow

[@abielcotto2392]

Wise observation my friend Ha-ha so true!

[@robi-1125]

i've been playing piano for a whopping 2 months and can successfully play the first 7 notes of welcome to the black parade i know, i know. i'll sign autographs later

[@blossomyphan654]

You went there-

[@chuvii]

honestly if i ever do get a piano i'll end up g noting myself-

[@joyce-marilyn8152]

“Cries” I just heard the g note in my head

[@julianachille3406]

Update?

[@Sunsetdazzling3000]

Omg same but I cried on the g note

[@mohammadthulqarnain9334]

Whenever I hear professionals play classical songs, all pianist friends go "I give up!" But for some reason, it just really fires me up to practice more and become the best I can at piano!

[@MangoldProject]

Courage is important in life, even when just playing the piano.

[@teddyslightmusic7204]

Mohammad Thulqarnain pieces*

[@mohammadthulqarnain9334]

t e d d y ‘ s l i g h t m u s i c damn I’m real glad you waited 2 years to correct me on that bud. Did the anger swell up inside you much like some ever-growing hemorrhoids until you decided you could no longer contain it? Or did you perhaps just stumble upon this video, see my two-year-old comment, and confident in the chance that I would never see this reply-knowing that even though the recipient will never see this comment, you have indeed made the world a better place, giggling as you send the comment and climax as your oh-so-swollen brain releases a year’s worth of dopamine, beginning the cycle anew?

[@grat995]

Exactly this!!! Dwindling motivation is never my issue because I really do want to be the best me at playing piano!

[@rainqd1889]

Mohammad Thulqarnain classical pieces are beautiful and almost anyone can play them given enough practice, I’m not sure why some people hear something beautiful and get thrown for a loop

[@pegah9413]

I bought a Yamaha 115b (one of the cheapest digital pianos) with a lot of hopes and dreams...and I left it to collect dust for 2 years in my living room. I had the biggest excuse of all, to be a phd student in a foreign country with hella problems back at home. I started some scattered practice sessions and even enrolled in an online course that seemed quite fun and, yet I left it. I simply couldn't get over the guilt of not working while I was practicing piano and not practicing piano while working....so I gave up. Until a faithful day that I was fed up with my one dimensional life and the robotic routines of the phd program and I snapped. Started ice skating, piano and languages as hobbies. Threw all piano lessons I had out of window and started playing a simple song, mad world. A guy on KZbin could do it within his first week, why wouldn't I? And I did it in 3 days! I was so proud of myself. Picked a folklore song from my hometown next (another 4 days to master it) and then full version of fur elise (about a week). Soon my practice sessions went from 1 hour a day to 3 hours! That was a month and a half ago. I still work, still catch deadlines and still have problems back home. But I get up every morning to start my piano session and that gives me a soothing feeling.I started learning more theory and shaped my routine into a more professional ones thanks to many kind people out there such as yourself. Thank you is not enough but is all I can say :)

[@ketharm147-8]

_I play piano to express my feelings instead of saying it._

[@freshpotato2019]

This gives me your lie in april vibes for some reason

[@melianka3689]

Me too

[@csrlwenty7249]

@@freshpotato2019 i was about to say that- Im so s l o w

[@Senpai-tb6lo]

That's the main reason I want to learn how to play this wonderful instrument, as a way to express my true feelings and emotions that I can't put into words

[@Eak12345]

I started playing piano when I was 8 (21 years ago) went to a muscial school for three years when I was 15-18, I was pretty good (I used to think at least since this was before youtube) but after I was 19-20 I kind of stopped practicing.. I still played, maybe once every 1-2 weeks and sometimes it could go months without playing and now I'm sitting here at 29 years old, been playing the piano for 21 years and when I look up videos on youtube I see people playing for 1.5 years who are a billion times better than me. It's depressing really! So don't be like me! Practice everyday!

[@berniebrooker78]

,

[@togeka6295]

.

[@Kit-bk6hf]

‥

[@S0M3THING]

...

[@SiameseDream97]

:

[@shaelynowens8591]

I really needed to hear #2. Sometimes I consider giving up piano if I can't learn a song in less than 3 days lmao

[@charleydriscoll160]

“You need to sit down everyday at the *same time* and practice.” Me: Oh it’s 4:00...time to practice! *clock changes to **4:01* Me: Well sh*t.

[@Bonk742]

WHY IS THIS SO ACCURATE?

[@puzzledpenguin6728]

*now I need to wait until tomorrow*

[@sorrychangedmyusername3594]

Oh well another day i guess

[@mathew2378]

@@puzzledpenguin6728 no you mean, tomorrow, I will wait tomorrow

[@prachibainwal]

Hey worldwide handsome!!

[@Zero_8347]

i taught myself how to play. been playing for over a decade (never had lessons or forced by parents to play) and still cant read music. but through repetition i was able to reproduce songs simply by listening to them, and simpler songs even from memory alone. first you need the muscle memory; typically when im learning a new song, i focus on playing the left or right hand by itself until i have the muscle memory for that hand, then vise versa until i'm comfortable playing both hands at the same time. also its important to take breaks from practice whenever you get tired or feel discouraged. rewarding yourself when you make progress is also important. the biggest thing is probably patience and commitment. if practice feels like a waste of time, rest assured knowing that simply putting in the hours, no matter how many times you fail, you are always improving. edit: i want to keep listing tips because i can probably thing of a hundred things that might help. -once you have some muscle memory down, if you notice your rhythm is off, then direct your focus to your hearing while relaxing your focus on how your fingers are moving. -if your hands are having trouble moving to reach the keys, experiment with finger placement at a much slower tempo. if stretching your hand wide is hurting then you may need to try a different grip or simplifying the chord itself so that you can reach it. sometimes it's better to move your whole arm rather than contorting your hand -if playing with both hands feels too tricky even with individual hand memory, then relax your focus on the rhythm and focus instead on playing the correct keys instead of keeping the beat. you can learn the rhythm later after you have coordination with two hands. -TAKE PLEASURE IN YOUR PROGRESS! it takes years of combining the all the various skills needed to gain broader understanding of how to play

[@jakubpaciej6508]

Who's in quarantine?

[@dupiti1033]

Time to learn the piano😂😂

[@jakubpaciej6508]

@@dupiti1033 Yup :D

[@vuto8089]

I’ve been playing piano 8 hours everyday 😂

[@beckyyule1228]

Gotta do something with all that free time

[@jakubpaciej6508]

@Rinkan Tsuyuri NOOOO!!!!

[@davidstrahl928]

I would add: Think about spending some more money on your starter instrument. Firstly, progress is way faster on a higher quality instrument and secondly, you are more motivated because stopping or pausing your exercises would be such a waste of your valuable money. Keep up the great work!

[@MangoldProject]

This is true up until a point. Almost all $500-or-so entry level digital pianos are great! No need to spend more than that on a starter instrument. So you won't do much better by spending $2500 on a roland RD-2000. But I agree that a $100-$200 casio toy is a much worse choice than a $500 entry level digital piano.

[@davidstrahl928]

That's what I meant. Of cause, you should not spend $2500 on a digital piano or around $10.000 on an acoustic piano. But at least getting not the worst instrument is the best you can do for yourself.

[@KyleHohn]

David Strahl in addition, high quality instruments will sell much closer to their original price. So even if you quit or decide to upgrade down the road, it will have retained value.

[@oliverbolts3759]

Do you happen to have advice for someone that switches interests frequently? I want to learn, and have for two months now, which is solid for me, but still don't wish to spend $600 since I'm known to have expensive hobbies that only last a week or two...

[@davidstrahl928]

Maybe try to find a place where you can book a training room to get some more solid impressions or take lessons. Most teachers have high-quality instruments If you have a friend who plays the piano, ask him whether you can use his instrument (maybe even with a small payment) or join him. You will stay way more motivated when exchanging ideas and from practicing together.

[@daisyp1518]

Proper fingering!! I self taught myself to play some songs that i like but don’t know any scales or how to read sheet music. One of my friends basically cringed at the way I played the piano with my fingers lol and it’s hard to reprogram muscle memory so just learn it right the first time.

[@iamgem]

This is so true. I’ve been only playing for a few days now and the songs I’m learning are only by memory. I need to learn how to read music sheets and know where to position them on my keyboard. It’s so hard

[@illuminardypotato5776]

PROPER FINGERING AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA IM SO IMMATURE

[@VeronicaGorositoMusic]

This! I play the wrong notes or play random chord patterns, never with same fingers, I just go by ear, is not so easy as playing guitar where I can play whatever chord/scale with whatever finger pattern and I do it well, even very complex shred scales. Piano is my ''you shall not pass'' instrument :'(

[@rathven4917]

Yep, I'm learning To Zanarkand right now and I had to correct my fingering SOOOO many times. Each time I play with the wrong fingering I start the song to the beginning, trying to not fuck up again. lol

[@cryofantasia]

Illuminardy Potato lmao

[@knightofhope2479]

I'm self taught I'm a beginner and What I learned was the most important thing for playing the piano is your hands letting the music breath while you play and press the right keys it's so addicting playing the right keys that's the feeling it takes a lot of practice I always see my self becoming a great pianist and greater. That's my dream

[@brucecoulda1596]

Still doing this?

[@Pvaeerener]

You're so very inspiring. 😁

[@djpollo2474]

Update?

[@AltoonaYourPiano]

I taught myself to play piano 30 years ago, before the internet, it took me a REALLY long time to get good, what helped me out was a passion for using music as creative expression and by 1994, I was composing melodies that actually sounded like real songs and not just someone jamming for a few minutes. Over the years I managed to teach myself how to read music, learn an intermediate level of music theory, as well as improve my skill to at least what I'd call "decent" by professional musician standards. I'm no Chopin, but I'm also good enough that if I encounter a beginner to intermediate piece of music I can learn to play it within an hour enough that I can play it for an event (still, I like to take a week to truly memorize the songs so it's committed to muscle memory). More advanced pieces take a little more time but the challenge can be good fun. One thing I think all musicians, self-taught and classically trained, need to remember is that no matter how much they love music, they *WILL* encounter a dry period, it's inevitable. I have times where I go 2-4 years barely playing and composing maybe 1-3 new songs a year but also times of abundant inspiration where I compose up to 100 new songs a year.

[@Grozdor]

1:14 I am watching this at the 2nd of January *2019* lel

[@jeremygarcia4095]

same

[@Telsion]

February 6th here XD

[@tanklessbread5355]

Telsion 9th of february

[@KenHudson]

January 23, 2019 I have found these videos very helpful!

[@raymondleongilpin82]

Me too

[@clover7359]

I've been teaching myself piano for 1.5 years. I've been trying to play the 3rd movement of the moonlight sonata for the last half a year. I'm only about a minute in, but I never thought I'd make it this far.

[@MangoldProject]

Don't give up and take it slowly. It will come. If you run into difficulties take a break and take on a different piece, and then come back and try again.

[@furahaaswan]

You should post your progress on your channel. I’d like to see. Also, what have you been doing to self teach?

[@dupiti1033]

@@MangoldProject How did you start learning? Where did you learn from? I wanna learn too

[@joannele2857]

I hope you've been able to make amazing progress by now!!!! I know how you feel... I've been teaching myself piano my whole life as well. Finally about to finish canon in d (lee gallowway) and I can't believe it.

[@joen9800]

i started playing the piano one year ago after being inspired by two animes (shigatsu wa kimi no uso and sakamichi no apollon ). i started on a cheap plastic keyboard and after 2 months i bought a kawai es100! i practiced with scales, arpeggios, and hanon. my progress was quick and i started uploading on youtube. but unfortunately after ~5 months i stopped my daily practice routine and i havent improved since then.

[@MangoldProject]

es100 is great! Glad to hear you found a routine that worked for you. Try to get back to your daily routine, even if it's not as extensive as it used to be.

[@joen9800]

MangoldProject yup i was super stoked when i found it on sale at the mall! while i started learning the piano i kept watching motivational videos on youtube and i stumbled upon a book called "outliers" which talks about this thing called the 10,000 hour rule. it pushed and motivated me to keep practicing and to meet those 10,000 hours. when i kept noticing progress as i practiced more, i tried to pick up another skill, i tried to learn table tennis, i stuck with the same principles of practicing a lot, trying to reach 10k hrs. and to my surprise my university noticed me and invited me to the varsity team. and since then, i realized pretty much anything can be learned as long as you put effort and time into it. unfortunately, because of that realization, in just one year, my life went from no hobbies to too many hobbies and now i just cant set my priorities right :(

[@JohnRyder-]

I've played keyboard ever since i was 7 or 8 years old, selftaught ofcourse. And I'm in my late 30s now. And its so hard for me to relate to how people need motivation to play their instrument. To me, the keyboard has always been there, and I've always played it trying to using my ear to make arrangements of popular songs. When I'm stressed out, I play the keyboard and I get calmed. The same when I'm happy, i play it and feel even more happy and so on. Maybe because I started so young, it became a part of me? Not playing it is like stop eating, same thing lol But hey, I think I got it.......maybe that is what people need? Playing your instrument when you're feeling down or stressed out. Try to compose what you're feeling, then your instrument will become the typewriter to your soul, a way to channel what you feel. Maybe it will help with you being dependent on your instrument? Sry I'm blabbering :)

[@BeautifulFreakful]

Practicing only with scales, arpeggios and Hanon will make you a good monkey piano player, but you will never or hardly understand the underlying mechanics and compositional aspects. I don't know what your goal is however. If all you want is grab any piece and play it, you are on a path that will get you there somehow. If you want to be able to sightread or arrange and compose music, you will have a hard time with this method. Try to buy yourself a music theory book ;)

[@pota7opotato573]

Heheh I wonder where I've heard that story before. I blame shigatsu especially for making me go learn Winterwind as my first classical song. def not recommendable. But i really am greatful to them. I've been practicing properly for about a 8 months now, a year and a half in total, on my schools pianos and my 88key keyboard. And by properly I mean 2-4 hours a day. You can definetly get good if you try hard enough. But you really need to love it. At this stage, I sucked at first, but i've learnt to read music in the last month, and I'm at the stage where I can play etude runs (currently working on getting revolutionary up to speed) and my playing has become more efficient. Still cant play the Bunkasai duo tho, that was one hard arrangement ;(

[@bhargavbhatt6531]

I've been self teaching myself Piano from last 6-8 months and I have to say, you covered all the main points that one needs to self learn piano - I know because I follow each of those points (and Yep your channel helps more than you know) except performing weekly for a friend, maybe I'll have to go find someone who doesn't think I'm just bragging my skills to him/her. Lol.

[@rodgermyles2871]

Do you have a young child to play to with simple songs they like. Try that with say Pepper Pig or whatever they are into.

[@bhargavbhatt6531]

Rodger Myles Unfortunately I don't, but Hey I think having a target of recording a perfect transcribed song/piece every week will compensate for this.

[@swaralik7841]

How did you start with it? I've been struggling with my left hand... How did you learn that?

[@bhargavbhatt6531]

Li Ari I started, just like most of the people, with basic (non-inverted) chords and then moved onto slow left hand arpeggios - and they were of a big help. I think arpeggios are the best way to train your left hand. Good luck, and don't give up :)

[@caggianokelsey4538]

Guys I am learning advance level piano at BestWay2LearnPiano.blogspot.com All you guys should try it….

[@sorenwebermusic3056]

To all people who want to learn the piano... I hope you all get it and don't give up your dreams!

[@MangoldProject]

Indeed.

[@Arkshire]

If you're feeling discouraged on learning how to play the piano on your own, look for any song by Ryo Fukui. Dude taught himself piano at age 22.

[@hannahgetty1185]

I’m 21 and trying to learn on my own 🥺

[@LoomiYT]

Doesn’t matter because there will always be prodigies

[@METRI.A]

@@hannahgetty1185 22 gang🔥

[@37bvedsawdawkar70]

Guys I am going to start learning piano now I am an absolute beginner any tips u guys want to give me? :)

[@Shubham-si6hd]

@@37bvedsawdawkar70 bhai how's its going??

[@rodgermyles2871]

I teach myself after having some jazz piano lessons. Some extra point seem to me 1. Get books with accompanying play along tracks. 2. Consider an electric piano so you can use headphones and make sure the keyboard noise does not reverberate through the house so you will not p*** off other occupants. 3. When you do scales records yourself playing and make sure you are playing notes exactly together before you attempt higher than your starting tempo. 4. You will need to develope a high degree of motivation to get passed that "I can't be bothered with this" point. 5. If you know the words to a song (I got a simple Beatles book) say them as you play then you have a good chance to get the rhythm and tempo right. 6. Do al least 2 hours a day split up to suit your situation.

[@MangoldProject]

Excellent advice, Rodger. Thanks for sharing! (Although I think many people don't have 2 hours a day to practice ... )

[@jacksonbenner9879]

I tried to use headphones with my keyboard but it has a very specific audio jack so my headphones don't work with it. I just use an vertical piano and nobody really minds. (I'm lucky for that)

[@elizabethhollins5988]

Jackson Benner: you can pick up a headphone jack adaptor for a couple bucks at any guitar center or instrument store.

[@gaberwokykerfuffle2763]

I use what I think are very good quality, Sentry Colorbuds ear buds from Dollar Tree for $1 and an adapter from Micro Center for under $3. They're SO much better than any other earbuds or headphones I've ever tried that I bought 15.

[@nilen]

gaberwoky kerfuffle yikes

[@edwardhim2276]

I will say, these tips are pretty good for any venture really. Too many people stress about being perfect from the start. Doing something incorrectly consistently will still to faster and better gains than doing something perfect inconsistently.

[@anton79ru]

There's actually one thing you can do wrong when choosing a digital piano: gettign an instrument with lighweight keys. I made this error when I purchased a Kurzweil MPS10. Your goal is to train your weaker fingers to perform evenly along with the stronger ones. When your muscles are weak, you do weights. A P45 is a good choice, it's pretty heavy. Rolands are great. You may want to go to a physical store and try pressing the keys to see which instrument has the most solid feel.

[@MangoldProject]

A P45 would be a better choice, I agree. However, even though the Kurzweil MPS10 has a lightweight Fatar action, it's pretty awesome, too! You don't need very heavy keys to become a good player. For the first year or two the MPS10 will serve you well. You're not really training the muscles in your fingers, but the neuronal connections in your brain.

[@anton79ru]

I sold the MPS10 to a girl who sing and needs the piano for auxiliary purposes and got myself a YDP-163. It was really a breakthrough in terms of how thigngs started progressing. You're right about neuronal connections, but one of the major errors a beginner makes is we're trying to play faster than we can. For example, in Burgmuller's Arabesque, there are series of cascading notes, and one is tempted to play them with the original speed because we have an illusion that we can handle it. In reality fingers move reflexively one after another with the brain actually controlling only the first one and the last one to stay withing the rythm. Lightweight keys allow you to get away with it and you have a feeling you're playing in right. With heavier keys you immediately realize that your fingers are not doing a good job because you're not really controlling them and the only way to overcome it is to make sure you work each finger mindfully. Just my personal experiance, I only started in March.

[@MangoldProject]

I agree that " Lightweight keys allow you to get away", but the opposite is also true: Do not use the weight of the heavier keys as a crutch to slow yourself down. The execution must be even, regardless of the keyboard you are playing on. You must will your fingers to play correctly whether you're sitting at an unweighted synth keyboard or an Imperial Grand.

[@anton79ru]

Thanks, Master, I'll definitely keep that in mind.

[@seiph80]

I have a Casio PX-560 which has weighted keys... and I love it!

[@PianoFromScratch]

I am 95% self taught and fully believe if you are the right kind of person and put in the work it can be done! A teacher can save you some painful mistakes though

[@MangoldProject]

Indeed they can.

[@josecampos-yt5fk]

That was your very interesting article, here are a few more tips on how to play the piano… Try practicing for an hour a day, or half an hour if you have a busy schedule. Do extra practice whenever you have more time. For example, on weekends you could do more than an hour, like two or 3, or even more. This is very helpful because it pulls you out of the routine of piano playing, and lets you practice more and perfect the pieces you play. Try not to look at the dynamics in a piece, as rules you cannot break. For example, if the piece starts with an 'mp' (mezzo-piano) it only means 'moderately soft' these dynamics don't have specific volume levels. If you are practicing, you don't need to play accordingly and then have a difficulty hearing yourself, you should only play as it tells you when you are actually trying to play it properly. (I read about these and more on Denelle piano lesson site )

[@maryjane212]

i mastered my first song river flows in you(self taught) in 2 weeks and it makes me feel awesome! XD next song im going to learn is nuvole bianche wish me luck also nice video it helped me a lot. Thank You

[@MangoldProject]

Good luck!

[@maryjane212]

Thanks!

[@otakufangirl3195]

Naruto believe it !

[@maryjane212]

hell yeah XD

[@krzysztof6633]

well, he shouldnt have started just playing the piano from scratch and 2 weeks later original river flows in you, but learning and mastering that particular song from scratch is pretty easy in 2 weeks time if u have additional help like flowkey or whatnot

[@mam5144]

Love that he said ”for all I know you might be watching this in 2019” its funny cuz I am🤣

[@today1471]

no. 1 should be , knowing the theories , scale , notes etc...

[@xelonix_]

It is now 2023 and I just bought a MIDI keyboard and I can vouch that this channel helped me so much, not only about teaching me how to play piano, but to be a better musician overall (since I play the guitar).

[@PinaCoco]

I started to play piano 1 and a half years ago and my level is decent but I had 7 years of fingerstyle experience before hitting the piano. What I noticed that "Lack of motivation" is a really common problem among people who first pick up an instrument. I don't wanna be that guy but this is something you are born with it, some people have pure passion for music and some just don't. I believe almost every person can pick up an instrument and play but not everyone can play it constantly. "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result" - Albert Einstein.

[@veep5508]

I don’t even own a piano and I proceeded to watch it fron the beggining to the end😂

[@suitup7305]

yayy i‘m not the only one in 2021

[@-sueda-]

1:55 that "meow" sound melted my heart ❤️❤️❤️😂

[@user-pf8hw7uh9z]

Yo who are guitarist trying to play piano? I gotta say, piano is pretty hard.🥺

[@MangoldProject]

Same goes for guitar.

[@TachyBunker]

Everything is a matter of knowledge and practice ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@anon2030]

Piano is harder bcuz u have to do both: accompaniement or rhythm, sometimes with big strides, while doing a difficult solo. This can drive a man crazy. We’re told to do 1 thing at a time, not 2. The good thing, it makes both sides of the brain work at the same time. Apparently, it’s a great tool to prevent dementia, n other brain degenerative diseases. Otherwise, I’d put it aside. Well! I’ll try to do, at least, a few exercises.

[@thefbiagentbehindurscreen5390]

I learned piano at school for a bit so I know basic things but we'd rotate to then different things so when we got back to it, ukulele skilles were great but Piano skills? Non existent. It's a skill that needs to be continuously worked on

[@violetnaidoo7829]

I am and really struggling with piano

[@jaredfoley4758]

I started in 2014. First instructional song I searched was Ben Folds' "Brick." Simple, knew it by heart (so you can audibly tell when you're off), and among my favorite songs growing up. Step #1 of learning anything is getting excited about it. Chords and scales, etc. mean nothing to an uninterested person. Get excited!

[@deaddoll1361]

Good advice. Playing material you like or love is where my motivation comes from, I'll practice that to death. However if a teacher gives me something saying "practicing that will be good for you", and I hate it, then I never put the work in. "Give me something that will be good for me AND I like" is how I ended up approaching it. Teachers can tend to make things easy on themselves and use material they have, are familiar with or like themselves regardless of whether it's the most suitable for the individual.

[@yeeteshpulstya9890]

I'm literally watching in 2019!

[@mrjuicejar_yvk]

Do you ever find yourself figuratively watching videos in 2019?

[@Anisometry]

OMG!

[@YessiWaters]

I’m watching this in 2019 how crazy

[@DaughterofTheMostHigh85]

Care Full!!!! THERES A PANDEMIC COMEING

[@damhood2033]

"You might be watching this video in 2019, for all I know." Um... it's 2020 as a matter of fact

[@sadmanfuad5410]

Sir, I have been watching this channel for some years, It is one of the best channels on KZbin teaching piano. Thanks a lot for this.

[@shadowkiller6851]

I started playing Piano about two weeks ago; and progress started crazy fast, although quickly started to slow down. At first it was frustrating, but after realizing that the speed of progress doesn’t matter, I regained my patience. My problem now is majorly lacking hand independence and not finding the motivation to learn how to read music. I instead use Synthesia, which I’ve been told isn’t as applicable as the grand staff; and I can barely play basic two handed songs.

[@MangoldProject]

You will need patience for a lot longer than just two weeks :). Relax, work on your fundamentals, stick a rigorous schedule and if you feel like you're stuck, seek a local teacher. Reading music is not essential when starting out.

[@yaboi3749]

Who else is watching in 2019

[@TechTins_Projects]

I am and things are less good, after the global 2018 crash its gone downhill fast. ;-)

[@MangoldProject]

I am watching in 2025 on a repaired CRT TV salvaged from the wastelands after the 2024 nuclear war.

[@TechTins_Projects]

Has to happen sooner or later. Are people still making music in 2025? That is all that matters really. ;-)

[@MangoldProject]

Little Timmy is training several irradiated cockroaches to harmonize.

[@TechTins_Projects]

Good to know about little Timmy. At least there is some kind of future for us all to look forward to. ;-)

[@baguette9385]

“You might be watching this in 2019, for all I know.” ...heyo

[@jpea9112]

heyo

[@HierIsJesse]

I am watching in 2019. Got spooked for a moment.

[@jighardy]

whoa, it's almost like time passing is a universal constant, and the internet doesn't get deleted at the end of every year. Spooky.

[@essennagerry]

"Play simple songs that you like" God bless you! That's what I decided on doing upon finding no sense in drilling music theory or piano exercises. When I learn a few simple songs and feel more comfortable playing I will add in more theory. Then I'll learn to read notes, maybe add in exercises, who knows, but I had already decided to first learn simple songs I enjoy and it's nice to hear you say it.

[@indusharma8960]

This probably helped me.... For 2 months now I've been trying to learn moonlight sonata mvt 3, it still seems too difficult but I literally played some part of it and I couldn't believe my hands could even do this. I don't even have a full sized piano but that doesn't stop me from learning piano. Thanks for actually cheering nervous and beginners like me..

[@cankutbayhan]

To be Honest, im a newbie here and in immediate need of asking if you consider putting forth a curricular development program on your channel, like an online tutorship that is gradual and academically concerned, in short a free online conservatory...i think it would be revolutionary...or at least would you suggest an ordered playthrough for the past videos you have shared with, to track down in a pedagogical sense you know.

[@woshuer]

1:53 *_MEOW_*

[@MangoldProject]

You have some really good (or loud) headphones :)

[@dizzylion9186]

Or really good hearing. I'm kinda deaf. :3

[@ignaciodambrosio6094]

i hear too :3

[@jiro8233]

I thought I was the only one who heard that XD

[@oblongboss1159]

b bb I heard it my too dude

[@stian6453]

"for all I know you might be watching in 2019". It is so, sir

[@DJKoollord]

I learned all I wanted to learn in less than a year, keep getting better everyday. good lucks beginners.

[@t0fu.0215]

at first it was hard for me to learn piano, but I strive for it, now I know how to read sheets by myself and I'm progressing, I know you can do it too! I'm not afraid or embarrassed to be a beginner because that's where we all started. Good morning

[@rowni]

Hello... actually I AM watching this in 2019! HAPPY NEW YEAR! 💖

[@jahazielice777]

Him: 'You might be watching this in 2019, for all I know.' Me:*eyes widen* Who's watching in 2019 with me?

[@anna.1353]

"you might be watching this video in 2019, for all I know." me in 2020 like 😶

[@strwbbyy]

Anna. I was looking for a comment like that😂

[@typ0id]

I recently got my very first piano, an Alesis Recital, and it was only $250! It has worked very well as a beginner piano. I recommend it to those who are buying their first piano. Anyway, I want to say that my journey so far was rough. I started learning from "Piano for Dummies", and "Easy Piano Songs for Dummies". "Piano for Dummies" is very very slow for me to learn from. But I bought it for a reason. But the other book I paired the first book with, gave me songs to almost instantly play. It is a great book for me, and I recommend it. Sorry, this sounds like an ad or something, but it did work for me. One more thing, good luck to those who are still trying to learn piano as beginners, intermediates, or advanced learners. I wish the best on your journeys.

[@saz8219]

I'm so happy that I found this channel. Highly recommendable for beginners & intermediate players to follow. I just started playing piano and I'm loving this guy.

[@itsbuchie]

Just listened to 1:15 on December 31 2018. What a coincidence.

[@juanignaciojaime7563]

Well, technically if I watch this video I'll stop learning by my own 😅

[@MangoldProject]

Haha, true! It's the catch-22 of piano lessons :)

[@officerpoopnugget9989]

When I started out I didn't know what chord inversions were, so when the was a c first inversion I called it a g super major bc it had four half steps between the first and second note lol

[@anoshakm]

just fyi having a music background beforehand actually helps you a lot. i played trombone for 3 years prior and have been singing all my life so i could already read sheet music for both clefs and knew most of the musical signs. knowing this actually allowed me to jump into two handed playing off the bat.

[@jersey282]

I'm watching this video in 2019, seriously...it's Jan 1, when you said that it made me smile.

[@bloedekuh]

Oh shit, I just realised I am watching this video on 2019-1-1 xD

[@Tidus13666]

Well I guess I'm screwed. Everyone says that you must practice everyday at the same time but I work differrent shifts.

[@MangoldProject]

The importance of practicing at the same time is to maintain a schedule so you don't miss out on practicing. If you can practice daily consistently then you should be fine.

[@Tidus13666]

Thank you very much, I just heard this "same time" so much that I thought it realy does something to your brain :)

[@iamlegend5373]

Gonna post my progress here: I'm one month in as of posting this 1 month: I can kinda play with 2 hands now. I'm trying to do a simple version of ode to joy. Its sounding pretty good. I'll ipdate in a week 5 weeks: Ngl I didn't play much this week because I've been busy, currently have my piano out rn about to practice 7 weeks: I can now play mad world by Gary jules(kinda) 9 weeks I think: I learned for the damged code in a couple days. I'm getting better, that's the quickest I've learned

[@tori4770]

Alright now don't keep us hanging then

[@iamlegend5373]

@@tori4770 its hasnt been 5 weeks yet

[@tori4770]

@@iamlegend5373 ik just sayin'

[@deverart3808]

Did you stop or keep going?

[@iamlegend5373]

@@deverart3808 i stopped unfortunately but i will pick it back up eventually

[@samkzz9148]

I am a self taught guitarist too.. been playing for a year and a half now and now i can play intermediate fingerstyle arrangements too.. practice everyday and constant motivation is the biggest factors in learning a musical instrument... I never thought i would get this far in my guitar journey.. when I started playing guitar i always just wanted ti strum chords and sing songs that i love.. fingerstyle was never in my radar.. i always thought it was really hard and complex... Now i only play fingerstyle.. just practice and don't give up

[@williama2349]

I have been teaching myself piano and it’s not bad if it’s not your first instrument (I play 6 others so I know how to read music pretty well) but I learned to not focus on one song! You will hate that song! Practice a couple songs and that way you will get better at one song while playing the other and you won’t hate the song with a burning passion!

[@crimsomnia1415]

My very first song shall be... Kuusou Mesorogiwi - Animenz piano cover Lessssss go boiiiissss!

[@tara6637]

LMFAO I ALREADY TRIED 😂😂 I LOVE MIRAI NIKKI 2 I GET U

[@note5068]

What the 1st mistake is truly a mistake i tried practicing anime opening

[@nelsonstevencu3112]

Teacher: Play song that you like Me(Beginner) : Ok then.Bohemian Rhapsody My friends: ...

[@nelsonstevencu3112]

@@salzigkid wdym? im a queen fans for 4 years

[@sophiarosas8015]

Haha yeah I learned borhap as my first song without a teacher or knowing how to read music

[@nelsonstevencu3112]

@@sophiarosas8015 me to :v

[@jeremy9951]

@@sophiarosas8015 I did exactly the same thing when I first played the piano in december 2018, the only song I wanted to learn was Bohemian Rhapsody, Except when I did, it made me want to know more about piano pieces, and I ended up (of course) loving classical music, whereas it made no sense to me before that moment that people could enjoy this type of music, now 3 months later I dont even play Bohemian anymore ^^ I'd say play what you like, but dont stick to one genre or one song/piece. @Lxse G

[@SobrietyandSolace]

@@jeremy9951 Similar journey to me; I only started playing because I just wanted to learn To Zanarkand and I ended up loving minimalist composers, Romantic period and Baroque music. And sometimes I play Green Day.

[@justinbaker5373]

Tip 3 was helpful for me, as someone who often loses motivation in hobbies I’ve picked up over the years playing for someone once a week and recording myself was helpful

[@JD-jv5pp]

I am self taught piano player. I praticed fingerings for a period of time then praticed worship songs slowly. Pratcice around 3 hours everyday, abour half year, I could play for the choir. Haven't play piano for ten more years by now. Tried a few times but couldn't continue. Recently just started fingering again about 1 hour per day. Just take it easy to myself and hope this time will be succeed

[@RFC66]

He: Play the songs you like Me: likes Moonlight Sonata 3rd Movement. I'm going to learn it in a Year (Practices in an hour) Me thinks again: Well know what I give up.

[@xtfragnarox]

Start with the first movement.

[@dantoxism8538]

"You might be watching this video in 2019 for all I know" OMG

[@oliviabrown9032]

i AM watching this video in 2019!

[@Magyckman]

Me too!

[@BernardM]

im teaching myself how to play guitar. pretty sure it is the same (as im now learning to play piano). and these are the mistakes i make in my journey. 1. always try to play too fast instead of trying to play clean. i didnt build fundamental on my finger as long as i can play it at decent speed and it 'sound' good even it wasnt clean, i rly didnt care at that time. 2. ignoring mistakes. well, you would know it pain in the ass after play for 8+ years you make the same mistakes over and over again and your finger already 'built-in' to that mistakes. i did get over it, but still xD. learn when it is time to learn. 3. fingering at random note i dnt know about like a psycho. xD 4. practicing when your body and mind doesnt get excited at all, like just woke up or just got home after college or work (body was tired). at least try to make ur mind excited for play even when you tired, try to never skipped even for a day. for me. it did impact the speed of learning. 5. didnt learn scale at all. the most annoying (at least for me) yet important in music. conclusion : dont be like me. \m/

[@sourabhkumar8552]

I am watching in 2020...You tube videos are really overwhelming... The way they play it seems it will take me ages. However tips were great. Thanks

[@jibrilonce7431]

my mom bought me a piano or something cuz i told her that i really love monika's your reality song so im trynna learn it LOL

[@whatcouldpossiblygowrong6053]

I got a 500 dollar piano for 200 at a pawnshop. What luck and I needed one or more like wanted one to learn.

[@MangoldProject]

Lucky find! It's as if the universe is telling you to learn piano ...

[@whatcouldpossiblygowrong6053]

I feel like the samething to. It is a Yamaha DGX-640

[@dialovas]

WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong same with me. But im clueless.. i dont know where too start..

[@whatcouldpossiblygowrong6053]

I know who you feel.

[@salilbhattachrjee9941]

How did you know I would watch it it 2019? How? I am surprised!

[@kennethwood88]

I tough myself how to play the piano. I've been playing for 22 years. I can play Beethoven, Chopin, Scott Joplin's music. Josh Groban, Celine Dion and a few others. The first thing that you have to do is learn the notes on each staff. Learn the timing of each note. Start out playing slow songs until you learn how to calculate the rhythms and timing of each note. Learn the key, so you can play the correct note during each song. But don't get very frustrated during the beginning. If you want to have some assistance. Listen to what you are trying to play. Not everyone can play by ear. But listening to what you are trying to play can help you out. If you are having trouble getting the rhythm of the song.

[@robinbebbington7063]

These are just the same for guitar including choosing the instrument. It doesn't matter what type or style of guitar you choose as the basics are all the same. Just choose what you like. I also use a structured lesson plan with applicable songs and its been really motivating for me and allows me to play songs I like. So agreement across the board here.

[@saito853]

Tfw you're actually watching this in 2019 1:15

[@kawaiipotato2874]

"You might be watching this video in 2019, for all I know" Damn, I'm a bit late aren't i?

[@MangoldProject]

Just scroll down and read the comments ...

[@kawaiipotato2874]

@@MangoldProject Okay, i did it... What else?

[@BethanyMcS]

Literally watching in 2019

[@heyflame9502]

Well, this is a good video , but the most important thing is to learn theory , this is a big tip to help you, I'm playing for 4 years by myself, and I don't know how to play by notes , now I'm learning waltz in c sharp minor by Chopin and all what I can say is that it is a lot harder when you can't play by notes, so this is a important thing , if you want to be a prof. Also play only what you want , start from some easy pieces, and you will go to the harder, so your level will be rising gradually. I hope you'll gonna learn and remember practice 40 hours a day, you can do everything 💜

[@dad6451]

I've been teaching myself for about a year now, I still learned something from this video.

[@MangoldProject]

Great to hear. Keep up the good work!

[@yainimary6524]

Where's my 2021 people at?!

[@MangoldProject]

Yo.

[@arotaruus3253]

Why am I here, I’ve been playing for about 7 years

[@MangoldProject]

I don't know ...

[@vycka7360]

Actually watching at 2019 lol

[@adrianjames1151]

I want to teach myself piano because I feel like paying for lessons will just frustrate me. And you know, after this video, I am now determined to play. My goals are: -Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis) -Thomas the Train theme song -Your Reality (DDLC) and last but not least, -Wayward Son (Kansas) I feel very motivated after this video to try and learn these :)

[@RetroPlus]

A few years ago I just started playing simple songs like the Tetris theme and Ievan polkka, now I have practiced every day for 2 years and now I'm able to compose my own music and I've recently got a job composing music for an indie game! All learned by ear and on a basic Casio.