Piano tips/sheet music

[blake]

In an attempt to learn sheet music, I've bought the book '100 Greatest Songs of the 80s', by VH1, which looks amazing. It has so many good songs in there and I know at least 80 of them which is perfect, and I would love to know how to play all of them on piano. Hopefully this will be a great way to help me learn sheet music.. really excited now. Even the cover of the book makes me want to play..

Included a link so everybody can see what songs are on there. I didn't buy mine from that site though as shipping is quite expensive there.
Link

 

[MasterBlaster76]

Progress on 'River flows in you' so far. Sorry for the audio quality just turn your speakers down.

This is the intro and chorus. BTW I have given up on having my wrists not be too straight, its impossible to correct and I am not trying to be a concert pianist so I don't really care.

Wow, that's great, and no lessons at all! Seriously, you're going to be a better pianist than I'll ever be - I'm concentrating on guitar more now, I think that's my instrument.

 

[blake]

I'm now trying to learn Message to my Girl by Split Enz, completely by ear - nothing at all to help. It's going to be a challenge, as I haven't learnt too many full songs by ear - only mostly riffs and basic stuff, as I struggle a lot with the bass. Absolute classic of a song though, and will sound fantastic on piano if I can get it right.

 

[blake]

Is this thread dead?

Played for a good hour just then. Mucking around on all of the songs I knew.

Set the drums up and brass/strings for Fade to Grey... sounds great on keyboard, especially when you take the time to get the reverb and backing perfect..

If only I had a camera! Considering getting one for my birthday, then I'll be able to record all of this...

 

[pcfan123]

Nah not dead, I can play River perfectly now, will post a recording one of these days.

Looking for a new song to learn, any suggestions? Am thinking Canon in D right now

 

[Chewie]

Nah not dead, I can play River perfectly now, will post a recording one of these days.

Looking for a new song to learn, any suggestions? Am thinking Canon in D right now

Maybe try Moonlight Sonata? It's not a hard piece but the getting the expression to mean something takes time. And yes you have horrible technique Because you play just for fun I'd say it doesn't really matter but your wrists and hand-shape are completely terrible :laugh If that's how you play though, I'd just say not to change what you're doing, because if it works, there's not much point in changing it, especially if you don't plan on playing hard pieces. The main problem with someone who doesn't play with correct technique is that your fingers are more stiff and it more like you're hitting the key rather than playing it if you know what I mean.



Canon in D would be a good choice to move onto, the only thing with it is that I don't like it played on the piano because it's for string quartet

Chewie added 4 Minutes and 18 Seconds later...

oops didn't read your first post :laugh

Chewie added 0 Minutes and 37 Seconds later...

Maybe try some Chopin? He has lots of nice small pieces that can get quite difficult, but are fun to play and pleasing on the ear.

 

[pcfan123]

Chopin is a bit out of my league, Moonlight Sonata I already know (1st movement).

I think I will try Canon in D, and yes my technique is horrible but then again I first played a piano when I was in my early 20s.

 

[Chewie]

Yea it's hard to get the right technique if you haven't had any lessons. Re Moonlight sonata I read your first post in this thread after writing that

Chopin's not too difficult, some of his preludes are rather easy. The difference between Chopin and Canon in D however is that Chopin you have to focus on both hands, whereas for the majority of Canon in D it's your right hand doing all the work.

 

[pcfan123]

Nocturne in C Sharp minor is my all time favorite piece of music. I would kill to be able to play that.

 

[Chewie]

The actual notes don't sound too hard, it's the intense expression that would be difficult to achieve. Just playing the notes sounds boring, but to get real meaning from that piece would take a lot of skill.

And there are 4 against 3 or 3 against 2 (can't tell) parts which I hate playing.

 

[pcfan123]

Meh, I have no formal training (and don't intend on getting any) so I have to "feel" it, all this 3-4 3-2 talk is gibberish to me.

I understand what you mean about playing the notes exactly. Listening to all my recording on here,I can hear how I was just playing the notes for the sake of doing so and not letting the music dictate. Can't really explain it, but Ill try to post a video and show you what I mean. When I play it now it just sounds completely different (to the video) despite being the same notes.

 

[Chewie]

Sometimes not having formal training is good, especially when you get older. I had piano lessons for 7 years with a teacher, and I would hate practicing. Now that I've stopped the lessons, I like playing the piano more, and have learnt to play with expression more. 'Feeling' the music is to do with when to play louder or softer, when to play the notes smoother or more short, that sort of thing.

4 against 3 or 3 against 2 just refers to 3 notes being played in one hand, while the other hand plays 2 in the same period of time, not really technical stuff It's so hard to time right though, and I can never get it.

I think it's pretty amazing how you're teaching yourself piano, and how far you've got. I tried teaching myself guitar for a while, but my fingers didn't seem to be suited to pressing the strings correctly I would teach myself drums and I think I would be not bad at that because I have good rhythm but my parents won't let me buy a drum kit :laugh

 

[pcfan123]

I plan on recording a full version of the river song tonight, would love for you to critique it as brutally as you can.

Also, drums and guitar and all that jazz are fun but no way near as powerful and self sustaining as a piano. Unless you're in a band, drums seem useless to me. Sound like ████ by themselves and just gives me a headache.

 

[blake]

Not to worry Mark. I think I have similar technique to you, as a result of being 'self-trained'. My wrists are very flat when I play.. having them up feels strange.

 

[pcfan123]

Looks ugly hey, whenever I see proper pianists playing their hands look so musical and soft. I guess we are doomed with ugly technique but as long as the piano sounds good who cares, im not trying to be a concert pianist.

Just tried to record but damn camera is dead, charging battery and should have the recording up in the next few hours.