Learning Piano on Your Own: A Roadmap

There are many reasons why you might choose to learn the piano on your own: flexibility, no pressure, saving money, lack of quality teachers in the area, or simply because you feel like it!
This is the Roadmap that I recommend. Do with it what you will, and I hope it's helpful!
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Check out the Faber Follow-Along Piano Course, Book 1 here:
www.pianoroadmap.com/store
If you've ever wondered how, what, and when to practice as a self-learner, this series is for you. We go through the entire Faber book together, step by step. I also give you supplementary exercises and pieces that go hand in hand with book 1.
If you want to support this channel:
Patreon: / pianoroadmap
PayPal: [e-mail]
Stay in touch!
Facebook: / pianoroadmap
Private Facebook Group: / pianoroadmap
Instagram: / pianoroadmap
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:26 This roadmap is for all self-learners
1:35 One
2:06 Two
2:55 Three
3:48 Four
4:32 Five
5:25 Six
6:07 Outro

[@jokoboyama6322]

W video thank you

[@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!

[@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!

[@mattoppilip5996]

Thanks, great video, it boosted my motivation !

[@benitezpiano5876]

Thank you for the tips.

[@PianoRoadmap]

You're welcome!

[@MotifMusicStudios]

Great, well presented video!

[@PianoRoadmap]

Thank you!

[@ashrafulalam2967]

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

[@PianoRoadmap]

😬😊 That would be amazing!

[@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!

[@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. :/

[@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.

[@manu-singh]

Congratulations for your new piano course mam

[@PianoRoadmap]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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/

[@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!