TEACH YOURSELF (or your kids) THE PIANO
Naturally the best way to learn a musical instrument is with the help of a teacher. However, a teacher may not be available or affordable, or students (or parents) may want the challenge of teaching themselves (or their children). This piano course is designed to be simple enough so that it can be used with or without a teacher. (From time to time, however, students should play for someone who knows the piano and can determine if they are playing correctly.)
| You don't need. . . | You do need. . . | |
| To get a CD, a DVD or computer software | A piano or keyboard | |
| To attach a keyboard to your computer | A desire to learn | |
| To pay $100 or more for a full music course | Book One of the John Hanson Piano Method |
Some piano courses advertise that you can “become an excellent pianist before you learn to read notes”; or, you can start learning the piano with chords and chord progressions; or, you can learn by improvisation, or by “playing by ear.”
But if you're an average person with little or no music background, you will soon be frustrated if you don't first learn the very basics.
For a proper foundation and understanding of music, you need to learn the keys, to read the notes and to understand “timing.” All of these areas of music will be presented so gradually that the student will not be overwhelmed and can make rapid and encouraging progress.
Book One contains 164 tunes and exercises, and you'll become familiar with over 50 music terms. There's also a section on composition, so that you can begin to compose your own tunes, developing creativity, giving a greater understanding of music and improving your ear and sense of pitch.
