Teach yourself to play the piano?
443320
I think this is WONDERFUL!!! You are homeschooling what age are they? I have Crystal 8 yr 2gr, Jeffy 6yr 1 gr, and Robin 5yr kgr.  I have taught my self and know how to read music and that's what I did is went to a few different stores started with my fav. home school store and they told me of their fav. music stores and found a few begg. song books 1 I got was How to teach Keyboard.  But if cost is the problem check out your library (really good if you live in a city!)  You can make copies and recheck out many times!  Or Check ebay they have lots of good cheap stuff!  and you don't have to use a credit card ( I thought this was the only way but learned many people will take money orders!)  Good luck and keep up the good work!  if you need another home school support mom to bounce around ideas always can email me tishniaeq069696@yahoo.com! Have fun!
72507
There is the one way of buying your keyboard and just watching a self-help tape or there is the option of spending a little extra on a keyboard with a step lighted teaching system where the keys actually illuminate as you are learning your song. They work great and help you from beginners stage to advance...real easy to get the hang of. Again, The only downside to this is that the price of these keyboards can run a little higher than the normal keyboards, but if your really into learning on your own they are worth the trouble.  Hope i was of some help!
226077
I have been playing the piano for 14 years, and i love it. I actually started to play the piano, not because i wanted to, but because my parents pretty much made me. My mother always played the piano, and when she broke her hand, she made me start taking lessons, and im glad she did!\n\nI guess i just have an ear fo rmusic. I can hear someone play a song on the piano, and then repeat play it without seeing the music. I love to make my own songs.\n\nMy first child, a son, passed away as a baby in 2004. Since then, i have been working on composing a song for him. The main chorus of the song so far that i have come up with is:\n\nIn the morning when i wake up\nill be here, youll be there\n\nBut i know i'll be okay\ncause your watching me throughout the day\n\nAnd when i go back to sleep\nw'ell meet in our special place\n\nSo from now until then,\nwhen i dream of you again, \nyou'll be watching me throughout the day\n\n\nI'm almost done with the song, and i think it will make a beautiful piano peice. It's a slow, emoitional song, and starts in the key of A. \n\nPlaying the piano is so relaxing to me. I can let out all my feelings on the keys, and express myself in the music i play.
87653
Here's something that may be of help.  Try this link:\n\nhttp://www.pitt.edu/~deben/freebies.html#Keyboard%20Classics\n\nThis link as free sheet music and simple to play.  It should play well on a key board.\n\nGOOD LUCK!
831505
Practice each hand seperate, then put both hands together working on just small chunks. Work on getting the notes, then the rhythms and then adding in the dynamics and expression. And if you dont have a piano teacher.. getting one would be a good idea
885103
Just learn how to play by yourself.  Programs suck for learning.  Just learn a bunch of songs by your favorite bands.  TAB sites are good for that.  Hendrix, Dylan, Page, Cobain, and Frusciante all did that and they are G R E A T
875044
Buy an audio tape with learn tables to music. It will stick in yer brain easier when you have a tune to memorise them by.
423175
I found some interesting sites such as: http://www.notationmachine.com/how_to_read_sheetmusic/readingmusic.htm\nhttp://library.thinkquest.org/15413/theory/note-reading.htm\n\nplus... you can try some applications (games) that will make you practise readin "on the go"... for example...\nhttp://www.funbrain.com/notes/index.html\nthis might seem childish but it should help... Best way you can practise is to buy a midi keyboard and then play some note reading games...
560974
play the piano-I never learned, could never read music.
148174
I don't know. I only play the piano.
336867
Depends on how much talent you've got.  You're already familiar with music, so you've got a head start there, but the coordination for piano is very different from guitar.  Another thing is how "good" do you want to be?  Good enough for just family and friends?  Or Good enough to audition for paying positions??
80978
Well I just started learning jazz piano in the fall to accompany my singing.  I actually learned some good rhythm patterns for the standards so far, I know they arent pop or rock songs, but it might help.\n\nSome suggestions:\nIn the left hand you can play the root tone (C7 it would be C) and then the 5th note (G) alternating.  So like on the first beat C and then on the 3 beat G.  To make it more interesting play the C on the 1 and the 2.5 (leading to the G) and then the G on the 3 and 4.5.  (I usually do that on swing songs, so you play the offbeats right before the next beat so it has that swing feel)  You play the chord in the right hand on the 1 and 3. (or in swing songs sometimes on the 1.5 or you play the chord on the 4.5 of the measure before)  Also for the left hand you can think of a bass line, which is a little more complicated.  Where you play bass notes on each note according to the chord and you lead it to the next chord.  I believe that the notes on 1 and 3 should be in the chord.  Im not very good at that yet, so I cant really say much more about bass lines.\n\nFor bossa (or a latin feel), you play the left hand like my first example but in a straight feel.  Then you play the chord in the right hand on the 1 (1/8note) 2 (dotted 1/4) 3+ (1/4note) \n\nAnother suggestions is to listen carefully to music you like and hear what they are playing.  Try putting up the bass and figure out what they are playing exactly in the bass. Then analyze the chords, try playing along. It takes some time and effort but will help develop your hearing and make you a better musician.  \n\nIt might help to get an experienced musician to give you lessons. I would suggest going to jam sessions and finding a piano player you like and ask he/she if they would give you lessons.  I really learned a lot in a short time with the help of guided lessons.  (I know some other patterns as well, but they are difficult to explain in a forum, it helps to see and hear them in person.)
174465
I would totally love to do that but I don't know how to play any instruments.
1121768
It is quite easy to play by ear. You don't really need any music background to play by ear, although it would be better because then you can play the chords correct. Just listen to your favorite song and only try to play the song with single notes. If you feel you've figured it out, try combining it with simple chords with your left hand. Just fool around till you think you've got the most fitting chords to the single notes and then try to make it more complicated by adding more complicated chords. In that way you become more familiar with the different sound and chord combination possibilities on the piano. This broadens your knowledge to make your own combinations.
1007241
i have been playing for almost 20 years.  i think there is something very profound about playing an instrument, especially the piano.  i think classical is very underrated (something that should be observed live).  there is a passion that comes with the piano and playing several notes as once.  \n\ni think it also brings your experience as a person.  shows yourself how to have control and discipline and that hard work actually works.  the result is amazing knowing that you work on this piece and you made that sound come from your finger tips.  each note perfects by the way you touch, and how loud or soft it resonates from the piano itself... helps everywhere (even the bedroom) to have such an art!  did i get a little carried away there?
299479
Me? I would pick playing the piano because I love the piano.\nBut if you are asking for advice for yourself, pick the one you love most. You wouldn't want to put your energy and time into something you do half-heartedly.
370796
Try a book. Microcosmos by Bartok. It starts in SUPER easy and by the time you're done with it you play great.