Learning to play the piano

[SithMaster]

I'm tempted to try an online guide to learn or maybe a piano simulator for the pc.  Has anyone here tried either of those two options?  The main problem I see going the sim route is I'm going to have to learn how to hit keys on two very different keyboards.  Any advice on how to get started is most appreciated.

[ark_ader]

I bought a second hand keyboard and a book on how to play.  After practicing for two weeks I got the hang of finger placement, chords and a rudimentary understanding of sheet music.  It is not hard, just frustrating the during the first week.

Your question isn't keyboarding, but piano, which (my brother was a concert pianist) needs a proper piano and instruction from a qualified teacher.  Also you need patience and the willing to become a pianist, and not just a piano player.  There is a difference.

You see gimmicks on the web about a video regarding the pianist cheat book, which has the basic chords of a song, but you need to know the basics first and more before you can use it.  It looks easy...

Look in the paper for a piano teacher, unless you just want to tinker on the Casio then get a book at the music store.  It's the best minimum outlay, and then you can determine if you want to undertake something more serious.   

p.s. Oh and don't let anyone, especially the teacher discourage you.  If you want to learn to play, ignore any criticism.  It is odd but they love to try and tear you down.  Some have an elitist attitude, probably due to the commitment they have to  make in order to teach you.   

[ChadTower]

Heh, I had a piano teacher once that used to do that... pretty much from the second I showed up I was doing everything badly.  Then she was shocked when I told her I had found a new teacher and wouldn't be coming in anymore.

[Ummon]

Teaching is like training. Start from scratch with the posture and breathing, then in this particular case hand orientation, and onward to triads in root position as complexes of scales, a little time in playing scales within the octave, both hands separate and in unison, and then basic tonal harmonic language, which takes one into triad inversions. Pick a book of short pieces. Many of the small Beethoven works, one page or two often, are perfect. Oh, best to have a weighted keyboard, whether digital or actual, and get a keyboard chart.