Anyone here used something like Yousician (or similar ideas) to learn the piano (or any other instrument)?

I know some chords on the piano but use the basic 4-3 and 3-4 rules to work basic major and minor triads. Other than that i don't really know much. Additionally i dont have the muscle memory to play anything other than 4/4 chords and as soon I try to play 'licks' or play 8th or 16th notes I start going all over the shop, so wanna improve my dexterity, though I am a long time guitarist, bassist and drummer.

Just looking for a recommended and quick eay way to learn the piano ideally, though obviohsly appreciate learning an instrument takes as long as it takes.

Any thoughts, opinions or recommendations?

Cheers!

 

Find a good teacher. Remember to reuse those 1st 3 fingers (once) when u practice scales, to give u 8 notes. Practice scales! Also use ur left hand much moar, cos u will need dexterity. Ideally, learn to flip pens / coins down ur fingers. Practice writing w/ left hand, assuming ur right handed? Now, tell me how 2 play guitar! Cos ima interest!

 

Can't really afford a teacher or I would. Maybe in time, but at the moment it's something I'm gonna have to work out a way of doing on my own. In UK piano teacher generally cost around the £25-35 per hour (probably equates to around $40-50). For an hour a week, that is a lot of money without much actually learning time per week in reality. True, they may be able to optimise learning, but it is still a premium I can't afford at present.

And yeah, I am right handed. And always been rubbish at things like flipping pens of coins

 

I mean, it's a bit difficult to fuck up ur technique, rly, as long as u get used to slipping ur thumb underneath, "reusing" ur best fingers, which is (supposed to be) proper technique. Worth playing along to songs u know when u hear em; "living" music is a good thing anyway. Good idea to get used to typing properly, w/ all fingers, if u don't already. All good practice is good practice.

It's difficult to know (without knowing what u want) how to advise. If u wanna learn to read & play music, or to improvise better? I'm guessing the latter, but it honestly gets easier w/ practice. Just the whole intellectual insight, even. Just playing random comping w/ left hand & concentrating on playing melody w/ right will help. Then doing it the other way around. I think they call it jazz >__>

If u can start getting into the habit of using a metronome to practice along to, it's invaluable.

Yeah, that's a bit expensive, but try finding that old lady teacher who's happy to share & does it for flowers, cookies & conversation, moar than cash!

 

There are no shortcuts in learning a musical instrument. The only "fast forward" button is a good teacher and lots of practice.

 

Yup. I have given up on ever reading music and just want to be able to play and improve in order to better and quicker write songs.

 

This isn't true. I picked up my uncle's guitar at age 8 or 9 and taught myself from a starting point of not even realising you had to tune a guitar! I also taught myself to play bass and drums in my teens. I have never ever had a teacher, but still been on tour with my bands supporting established and well known mainstream bands playing both lead guitar and bass in the bands I was in at the time so not having a teacher clearly had no negative effects. Practice, I agree with, teacher not so much. If anything, I believe I am a better player now for not having a teacher and therefore not being "limited" to what is meant to be the "proper" taught way of playing an instrument. And yes, I can play improvised guitar stuff as well as advanced level stuff. All without ever having had a teacher.

For me it is about finding a method that works for the individual, and being in my 30s now with a full time "day job", it means there is less time available for things like practice. I was just wondering whether these resources are any good in focusing attention into a practicing routing that enables you to learn quicker.

 

Like I said, it's good to find ways to make ur dexterity improve just in everyday life. I dunno what ur work involves, but even that thing about (fake) playing along w/ ("living") music is smthn u can do all day w/ headphones. If ur job involves typing, doing the same w/ keyboard inputs is smthn u can do all day. If u can start 2 incorporate music into everything, then everything becomes more enjoyable. Plus, ur also learning. I mean, for me, practice is (and should be) fun. Well, it is once u learn a few scales. I guess u could bring (ie) lil bluetooth MIDI keyboard 2 work & play / practice w/ fone @ lunchtime & on commute?

 

Well, you never had a proper teacher so you can't really know what it would have done to your proficiency, do you? You definetely practiced a lot with your instrument, so you used one "fast forward" button instead of two. So no, I don't believe you're better at all because of not having a teacher. That's the lie you tell yourself and the main argument of people who didn't learn properly in the first place. I've known a lot of people like you, and they all end up taking lessons or getting stuck in their upper-intermediate level forever.

You can be a successful musician and have no clue about your instrument. You can also be a wonderful teacher to yourself giving the endless material that now floats on the net. What I know for sure is that most theory/teaching detractors are the ones who never had it. And they don't know what they're missing.

 

If you wanna really master it. search for a good teacher.
If you just wanna be a good player search the internet.

You said you play bass and guitar. If you allready have a good theory fundamt yousicion or simillar sites are probably the most easy way for you to get better. Cause all you need to do is translate your knowledge to a new instrument.( ha its sooo eeeeaaasyy ; ) ) Get the muscle memory...

This means play play play. So yes if you have a good theoretical understanding of music, sites that give you direct feedback to your playing like yousician are for you.

 

Last edited by a moderator: May 28, 2017

Hi...i am a new user here. It's difficult to know how to advise. If u wanna learn to read & play music, or to improvise better? I'm guessing the latter, but it honestly gets easier w/ practice. Just the whole intellectual insight, even. Just playing random comping w/ left hand & concentrating on playing melody w/ right will help.