A Word to Students
About Learning to Play. You will be able to play simple songs from the very beginning when learning to play from key diagrams or key maps. As you progress, you will be able to play more interesting and complicated pieces. Eventually, as you continue to play over time, you will be able to play whatever you want with ease. But piano playing is kind of like exploring. There is always something new to learn. There is no end of learning for the keyboard. There will always be new and interesting pieces for you to explore and enjoy!
About Playing as a Physical Sport. You should be aware that learning to play the piano (or other keyboard) is as much a physical sport as it is a mental exercise. One cannot learn to play well just by knowing and understanding how notation works and how you are supposed to play the keyboard. The pianist depends as much on physical habits, developed by much repetition over time, as on knowing how to play. It is necessary to repeat physical movements on the keyboard until they become second nature. This happens with repeated PRACTICE. When these habits are combined with your knowledge of how to read and play, you will be able to play with sensitivity and ease.
About Having a Teacher. Some people do learn to play without a teacher. You can learn a good bit about playing from this website. But, doing so is going the hard way! You are urged to have someone who knows how to play help you get started. Get the best teacher that you can, and stay with your lessons as long as you can.
As much as we would like these instructional series to work as self-instructional materials, we doubt that many students will be able to become competent musicians on their own. Learning to play the piano well is complicated, and requires persistence over a long period of time. In view of this, the do-it-yourself mode will work only for the MOST dedicated students. (Maybe you're one of them!) Our materials make beginning to learn the keyboard much easier than traditional methods, but "much easier" on a task very difficult still requires serious persistence and dedication. We DO NOT RECOMMEND self-instruction for learning the keyboard. Be sure to get some help along the way. You'll be glad you did.