Yes! I want to take lessons so what do I need?
- A piano or keyboard! You will need something to practice on at home. As a beginner it doesn’t need to be anything high end or fancy – you just need keys to practice on. People often sell or give away old studio pianos that they don’t have space for anymore. Ask around on Facebook, craigslist, churches. If you are looking to get a keyboard and can spend a little bit more look for a keyboard that has at least 66 keys, full size keys and if you can – weighted keys. Weighted keys feel more like a real piano and will help a lot in your practicing. They also allow you to play the dynamics (louds and softs) which many basic keyboards do not
- Books – I primarily use the Faber “Piano Adventures” series. If you are a true first time beginner don’t bother getting books until after we get started. I’ll start you in a book to learn the first notes and rhythms and then you can purchase your own. If you have had prior lessons – bring everything you have – we definitely can use other books and music.
Links to resources
- Piano Adventures Level 1 – Lesson, Performance, Technique & Artistry (I do not use the theory book from this series so don’t bother getting that)
- Concepts of Piano Theory – a writing book to help learn the notes, rhythms, symbols, scale theory, etc.
- Learn Notes! – an app for your phone to practice memorizing notes. Learning the notes is the most important piece to being able to play quickly. This app is simple, allowing you to choose which notes you like to work on – bass or treble. I’m sure there are many other options – I just like this one.
Places to buy resources
You can get the books and apps anywhere you’d like. The links are to a music resource that I really like – They have a warehouse in Atlanta so they ship quickly. There’s also Amazon! Or in town for the piano adventures series you can use “Music & Arts” – next to Harris Teeter on Gilead.
Carrie's Piano Studio 