Learning Piano on Your Own: A Roadmap

[@brendamengeling4653]

After spending a few months feeling like I was getting nowhere, I came up with a new plan. I’m not good at looking at music and knowing how hard it is. Therefore, I bought several of the graded exam books for grades 2-4. Grade 2 is easy. Grade 3 is about right, and grade 4 is more challenging. The pieces are different styles, so things I find difficult like swung rhythms or syncopation I do the grade 2. Pieces with scale passages: grade 3. I also keep a notebook with monthly calendars and a numbered list of pieces, and I write the numbers on the day I practiced that piece. I will start your idea of monthly recording myself. That’s an excellent idea. I also went back to Burgmuller Opus 100, as a focal piece to work on each month. I’ve got No 6 pretty close to where I want it. I love the sound of scales in thirds.

[@PianoRoadmap]

Some teachers also struggle with finding appropriate rep for their students, usually airing on the side of too difficult. Your plan sounds smart, and I love your organization!

[@DivineCodes101]

It's been a year since I started playing the piano on my own. Can't believe I was able to progress this far tho there are times I stopped practicing. Now, I feel motivated again and gonna take piano more seriously so I decided to buy that book to master all the basics. Thanks for this vid!❤

[@PianoRoadmap]

Awesome, good luck!

[@loripage5477]

Thank you. I really like your videos. I have started the Fabre adult course. I keep going with it by doing 15 to 20 mins each morning after I get up and before I get distracted by anything else. I find the ‘little and often’ works for me!

[@ashrafulalam2967]

Following this channel for a while. I believe it will hit a million subscribers very soon 😊

[@PianoRoadmap]

😬😊 That would be amazing!

[@froamer5]

I'm a Music producer and I don't know how to play piano😂 I've been producing music from 2 years ig and NOW I'm feeling the NEED to learn piano, add up skills in music it'll be challenging but will go through this after all music is fun! I'll hit the stage one day fs! Thank you so much ma'am for this super comfy video, this video just removed the fear of even touching the piano!🙌🏻❤

[@mattoppilip5996]

Thanks, great video, it boosted my motivation !

[@radmirr0r]

Thank ya! Your video is so clear and qualitative, but so simple at once. Soon I will start making music following your roadmap :)

[@stevenkaiser3837]

Susan, I am so glad that I found your site! I'm looking forward to learning from you!! Thank you for doing what you do.......

[@PianoRoadmap]

I'm glad you found it too! Thanks for being here 😊

[@stevenkaiser3837]

@@PianoRoadmap ♥

[@Major_Rain]

wow your voice is so nice

[@jedidiahopasho6119]

Thank you very much ❤

[@manu-singh]

Congratulations for your new piano course mam

[@PianoRoadmap]

Thank you! Still a work in progress, but it's getting there.

[@sp1704]

I completed Faber Book 1 and am 50+ pages working my way through Book 2. I'm also using the Alfred Basic Books 2 and 3, and have the RCM Book 2 and Alfred Basic books 4-6 ready to go when I finish all that. I also have most of the old Schaum books, which I think are more or less graded. I just don't know when I can start playing things like Burgmuller, Czerny, Clementi and Grieg? I also play Hanon, scales etc. and understand general music theory. I don't know how far I can realistically bring myself without a teacher. :/

[@PianoRoadmap]

If you are 50+ pages through Faber Book 2, you can certainly try some Czerny. Even some easier Clementi and Grieg might be a good challenge for you! I have lessons on the first 5 etudes from Czerny's Op. 139 within the Piano Roadmap Membership (www.PianoRoadmap.com). The score is free too!

[@sp1704]

@@PianoRoadmap Thank you! I really appreciate your response! I found some Greig a waltz that's actually grade 4 but it doesn't seem like a terrible stretch. I jumped to the end of the Faber and am working my way backwards because even the end of the book is not difficult. I just need to practice and get my strength and muscle memory going again. It's fun because the pieces are a bit nicer towards the end, but the material gets easier as I go! I've been working through lots of different repertoire books and having so much fun! (Albert Basic level 3s, MWC Book 3, essential piano repertoire vol 2, Faber Adult Classics classics book 2 etc), and some easier prep level books I'm taking my daughter through (technic made easy A, RCM Prep A, Bastien level 1 etc) #playallthethings That Essential Repertoire book is fantastic! I'm playing Bach (Musette from English suite No 3) and Schumann (Happy Farmer) in their original forms!

[@bethanyodwyer8584]

​@@sp1704 seeing as you have had all of these books, which book would you recommend me to start playing piano with as someone who can already read music and play grade 5 on the flute?

[@sp1704]

@@bethanyodwyer8584 All of them start out assuming you understand the basic concept of notation. The notes start off simple because you are training your fingers to do something you don't usually ask them to do. I have not yet played through all the methods TBH but the Faber Adult all in one, I thought was not bad. Lately I have been playing a first book of Bach, the Clementi Op 36, lots of RCM through grade 4 (and my daughter's Bastien method.). I think the Alfred Adult 3-book series ends at a higher level though than the Faber, and some of the pieces at the end are "real" pieces, so you may find that more rewarding as a musician, since the Faber is mostly very watered down arrangements. Thompson too, while I have not specifically gone through the adult book (modern method for adults or something like that) is a very solid, what I would consider "gold standard" approach. From playing through some of the regular grade level books. I got a lot of his grade books second hand from goodwill etc or eBay and I think even the children's ones are not childish or tepid in terms of the musical selections. There is also an older Thompson adult method in multiple books (not the modern 2- book one). I sometimes pull the Thompson and Schaum pieces out to supplement my daughter's repertoire.

[@bethanyodwyer8584]

@@sp1704 that helps a lot, thanks :)

[@teresahucal836]

Do you need to purchase the book with cd/dvd when taking your course

[@PianoRoadmap]

Hello! You just need the Faber book, not the CD/DVD.

[@ahmadsaeid]

Thank you for these videos, they give me a bit of guilt for abandoning my piano, but also give me motivation. I wonder if you can recommend any discord servers for piano learners? or whether you would consider having one yourself?

[@PianoRoadmap]

I'm not on discord at all 🥲 Staying consistent with any social media is a stretch for me, so I can't see myself starting another one! I do have a facebook group (piano roadmap community), but I can see if you'd like to stay away from FB.

[@ahmadsaeid]

@@PianoRoadmap yeah, not a FB fan 😅 thanks though.

[@benitezpiano5876]

Thank you for the tips.

[@PianoRoadmap]

You're welcome!

[@luckystar5432]

I was given a older 61 keyboard. Will i be able to learn on this with the books you recommend to start? I've never played instuments, but fully aware its not a 88 key piano and wont have the same feeling but is it possible to start this way?

[@PianoRoadmap]

Yes, absolutely. Out of all the pieces and exercises in the Faber Book 1, there might be 1 or 2 notes that aren’t available on your keyboard. And if you end up loving the piano (chances are, you will!), you can consider upgrading to a full 88, weighted keyboard.

[@MotifMusicStudios]

Great, well presented video!

[@PianoRoadmap]

Thank you!

[@dinkinflicka2797]

Hey, I have a question: If I completed all the 3 Scale and Chord books, what method should I use next? Adult book 2 or? Thanks!

[@PianoRoadmap]

Are you talking about the 3 Scale and Chord books from Faber? Did you complete a method book 1?

[@dinkinflicka2797]

​@@PianoRoadmap Yes, I am talking about the Faber books. I just finished Scale and Chord book 1 and was wondering if I should continue with the next 2 books from that series, or jump to the one that u are talking about in the video - Adult Piano Adventures.

[@PianoRoadmap]

@@dinkinflicka2797 Personally, I would use the Adult Piano Adventures as your main book, especially if you're still learning the ropes of reading music and all that. The Scale and Chord books are great to use as supplemental technique. Note that if you're already reading music fairly well, the beginning portion of the Adult Piano Adventures may be review/too easy for you. It may take a little trial and error to find the best place to begin. If you'd like to reply here with other pieces that you've played, I'd be happy to recommend a place to begin (either someplace in Book 1 or beginning in Book 2).

[@dinkinflicka2797]

@@PianoRoadmap That'd be great. Well, the last lesson in Scale and Chord book 1, is I - IV - I - V7 - I cadences in all major and minor keys. After that, there are short parts from different pieces, that u have to transcribe and play in all keys (both M and m). One such it is Allegretto by Carl Czerny (8 measures).

[@PianoRoadmap]

@@dinkinflicka2797 Sounds like you have an excellent foundation in chords and scales. My suggestion from the little I know about your current level: if you'd like to focus on being able to read music more fluently, I'd go with Piano Adventures Book 1. Much of it might feel quite easy for you to play, but it'll reinforce your note reading in contexts other than scales and chords. If you feel like you can read music just fine and you're wanting to challenge yourself with learning new piano pieces in a structured way, start in book 2. And at $20/each, if you're unsure, you can always buy both! Hope this helps.

[@jokoboyama6322]

W video thank you

[@ameer6168]

i completed firstt faber book and i don't want to go through second book is it ok to just learn and play easy pieces instead of following book?

[@courtsfrancis8660]

As an adult learner who had a year out I honestly don’t recommend it. I had a great year of just learning and playing hymns and sacred songs ( which is my aim) but I feel I was missing out. I’ve learnt so much more having a teacher and following a method book you’ll pick up and perfect skills, be introduced to different types of music. I know lessons can be expensive (worth it if you’ve got a great teacher) still play your own pieces but I would strongly suggest a method book/ teacher

[@PianoRoadmap]

Congrats on finishing book 1! The difficult thing now is having a path forward. You definitely don't HAVE to get through book 2 of the Faber, but as @courtsfrancis8660 said, it can give you a lot of direction, plus you can play other things at the same time. You could try playing whatever you like for a few months, and then assess whether it feels right to you. If it doesn't, consider adding a method book 2. Good luck!

[@edwardhenderson3580]

How do I get started

[@PianoRoadmap]

If you're interestd in trying out my new piano course, see here for more information: www.pianoroadmap.com/

[@p4rzy123]

thank you thiswas really helpφθλλ!