I wanted to let you know that my 20 year old son discovered your lessons March 2020 . He was out of sorts after we brought him home from University due to Covid - He lacked purpose and found online school difficult. He decided he would learn to play piano, he bought a keyboard and started your classes playing everyday. He has finished all the beginner sessions . Your courses helped him through a difficult time in his life and wanted to thank you. Will be sending a donation to you. All the best
Hello! I am 10 years old and love to play my piano. Because I struggled with most parts, I decided to start practicing with you. I feel better and better every morning I practice!
I was raised by two Keyboard Arts teachers. They NEVER taught me how to play scales - supposedly because their program was aimed at 4- and 5-year-olds, whose hands simply aren't big enough to do that crossover thing. So I ended up doing a lot of "1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2" finger runs to complete scales, for a long time. But now, at almost 53, I'm stunned by your lesson on scales here, and how simple it is, and how much more sense it makes than the way I had to learn haphazardly, on my own. I am going to retrain my hands until this is muscle memory, and I feel somewhat cheated that this was never a part of my piano learning before. Thank you for creating this course - even for those of us who've been playing for 50 years, there's still something new to learn.
I am 67 years old and piano bug has bitten me. I tried to throw out its intoxication since last few months. But couldnt. And youtube helped in increasing my intoxication. I subscribed to many piano tutorial channels. And I brought a yamaha p-225. I am a laughing stock before my children, grandchildren and myself. But it has gone deep in my head. Only few said that it is God given, something coming from above. Yes, it is my mental disorder coming from above. Many local teachers turned up to take my tuition. But I refused to take their brain mapping. Finally I found your channel explaining sheet music. I have come to lesson 4. Meanwhile I am practising Major and Minor scales with both hands. Thanks. For the records, I started on 1st March 2024.
I was gifted a piano recently and lessons near my house are extremely expensive. I wouldn’t have attempted to play or progressed so well without these lessons. I don’t mind paying money once I have some experience but it’s still a new hobby. So thankful for these print outs and exercises.
If you're finding this course useful, remember to check out my Patreon page at *www.patreon.com/billhilton* - supporting me on Patreon doesn't cost very much (from as little as $2 USD per tutorial I post on RUclips, which means no more than $6 per month). In return you get *priority support* from me personally, access to my very popular *Piano Packs* (great if you're learning improv) and *previews* of upcoming projects. Plus my Patreon community is really *friendly, supportive and fun*. Please do check it out when you've finished watching the tutorial! ~Bill
Hi. I'm 68 and decided I wanted to learn how to play the piano. There are SOOO many options out there. I consider it divine intervention that I came across you. I spent a lot of time on the early lessons...as you have recommended. I review them all daily. Still get frustrated when I look at a note and know what it is but stumble to play it quickly. That being said, I've decided it's time to move on to Lesson 4. Excited to see what is in store. I'm LOVING this journey. Thank you!!!
Hi Ruth! Glad to hear my stuff is helping you! It’s definitely a good idea to get the early lessons really well nailed-down, so it sounds like you have a good approach so far. If you need any help or have any questions at any stage, just give me a shout!
I haven't played in forever, and it was incredible how my hands just knew what to do when playing the scale. Guess all those hours of playing scales ad nauseum as a kid weren't for nothing! Thanks again for making these. You're a great teacher.
No problem at all! It's actually really interesting how procedural memory works - all the neural circuits you laid down years ago when you learned your scales will basically still be there. It's just a case of dusting them off and fixing them up a bit!
Excellent lesson. I am new to keyboard having come from classical guitar. I have Yamaha keyboard, has a nice sound and touch so you get soft and loud notes, only 66 keys, but I think that's ok to get started with. I love the sound of organs and piano accordions. My wife wants a piano as that's what she is used too. We did have a nice piano before, but it need a lot of money to fix it. I think 3k to 5k too much for an old piano. We have looked at electronic pianos, but the wife doesn't like the keyboard action. .I am hoping the lessons I learn here can be transferred to any instrument that uses a piano styled keyboard. Thanks for these good starter lessons. Much appreciated.
Thanks Bill, love your clear style and thorough approach to teaching. I have been working through your printouts and videos and it is definitely making a difference. Many thanks Sir.
As a beginner, this is where it’s starting to become a bit more complicated but I’m just so glad that you’re an awesome guide who is making this way less intimidating.
Thanks very much indeed, Richard - that's very good of you! Good luck with the rest of the course, let me know how you get on, and of course please do get in touch if you run into any problems!
@@BillHilton Thanks Bill, enjoying the course, doing my best to stick at it most days. One question I suppose- I'm using a metronome on some of the exercises to keep to a steady beat, but it's not something mentioned in the videos (so far, I think) - i don't know if you discourage that?
@richardmoloney2252 Good to hear! I don’t discourage metronome use - though I do encourage people to take care, as metronome practice can be demoralising in the early days, and remains somewhat tyrannical and something to be approached with care. So by all means go for it, but, as one of my old music teachers used to say, “don’t get in a fight with the metronome” - ie don’t worry too much if you’re finding it a significant challenge to stay on the (very precise) metronome beat in all circumstances. Does that make sense?
John M Johnson Fantastic for beginners---best I'v seen. Just as good or better for those which haven't played the piano for years. Highly recommended for all piano players. Thanks Bill.
I love playing scales once I get to middle C I switch to my right hand and play the two octave C major scale then I reverse and go the other way and, in a back and forth motion. I love it! I am looking forward to playing a two hand piece :)
I've been looking for a good keyboard lesson channel for a while and you're the answer. You're teaching is great - I've learnt a lot, and you deserve a lot more subscribers than you have. Thanks a lot!
*UPDATES, DECEMBER 2022:* If you have any trouble accessing the PDFs, make sure you're using the links at www.billspianopages.com/beginners - they're all live and working. If you enjoy the series, you might also like my new book, How To Be A Better Musician: it's jammed with ideas, advice, practice strategies and exercises for every kind of musician, from beginner to pro. Right now it's available as an ebook (PDF and/or EPUB) with a print edition coming in 2023. Learn more and buy and download your copy at www.bettermusicianbook.com
Hi Bill, Thank you for your time and great video's. In a couple of weeks now I'm figuring out playing the piano and it's getting more and more fun! The thing I'm really struggeling with now is the bass cleff and remember what note on paper is what.... waauw, some brain pain throughout the learning process 😉 It's just taking time, rewatch your video's etc. I already watched your next lesson and that gives me some extra spirit to keep learning the basic stuff before going to next 'BOSS LEVEL' hahaha, super funny
@@BillHilton Only ever had three ambitions. 1) start & run a small business. 2) Meet the right woman 3) Learn to play piano. At 59, I'm about to embark on that third success. Loved the first few lessons and don't even have a keyboard yet: just using an app on a fold-flat laptop. It will be a pleasure to donate. This is a crouded market and the quality of your instruction is unsurpassed. Probably mix it up with a few in-person lessons locally.
Hello, I am from India ... sending you a lots of love ❤️ your lessons are really helpful and with your help only I am able to learn the musical note and it's meaning...thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I have just discovered your lesson on you tube. All the on line sources were lacking of clear and precise explanation.Thank you very much. I would like to access your teaching classes. Can you please send me a link?
I'm not quite sure which bit you're referring to, Rita, but the short answer is no, not necessarily. If it's a left hand scale then you should use the left all the way up and down; if it's marked in the lower stave of a piece of piano music then you should always assume it's the left hand you're using, wherever it is on the piano, unless the composer very specifically and clearly tells you other wise (usually with an "m.d." (mane dextra = "right hand") marking, which isn't at all what's happening in any of this tutorials. Does that help?
🎶🎹💙I know this is a great lesson, maybe try this simple version with a free piano lead sheet -- here is the link: ruclips.net/video/pHCc0qHpqQI/видео.html
Yes - I'm about halfway through shooting and editing. The plan at the moment is to have it out before the end of the month. I've got the tricky bit done...! :)
Hello everyone. I am practising now the exercises and I find it very difficult do get that fluency in pressing the right keys. Any suggesstion on how to develop an automatic response in order to press the right keys without to much conscious thinking? Some times with notes that are consecutive (Ex: C,D,E,F,E,D, etc) is easy because I just follow the pattern up or down. But when they don't relate so much is hard... Do we have to get to that point where we can press a key without looking at it? some times I close my eyes and try to know the keyboard better. Thank you.
Hi Andrei! You don't necessarily need to get to a point immediately where you can press a key on the piano keyboard without looking at it - although that's a handy long term goal. In terms of fluency on the keyboard, you're going to hate me for this but it all comes down to the grind of practice. One of the problems of piano practice is that it only rarely results in linear progress: more often, you'll plateau for ages and then suddenly find you can do something - it's very much a case of the circuit building in your brain for weeks under the pressure of consistent practice and then suddenly snapping into life. So: regular, thoughtful, disciplined practice - stick at it and you'll definitely see progress!
Practice. I stopped doing the word-counting thing, I feel it's really bad. Instead, I found two keys I considered easy to remember (c and g), and also that every note will alternate from being on a space then a line or a line then a space. Then I just look at the keys, and imagine where they are on the staff in my mind, hit the key, and do this repeatedly. Over time you start to associate the notes easily to the image of the music sheet, without ever thinking about Every Good Boy and such. You will quickly realize things like "F is first in the bottom space, the next F up is on the top line, because notes alternate from space to line to space, so the next one can't be on another line" or "C is on the first ledger line under the staff, the next one it is in a space", "G is on a line, the next one up is in the first space above the staff", "A is the first ledger line above the staff, so C is the second ledger line above the staff, which is also the first line under the staff, so we have gone full circle". Etc. Practice, look at the piano keys and imagine the sheet and the notes in your head, move you hands, do it again, and so on. It's really about visualization, not about counting, just like we don't count the letters in the alphabet. Think of every note on the staff like a letter in the alphabet, and a combination of notes is just a combination of letters, so you will manage to read the notes as quickly as you can read words eventually :)
@@nononono3421 thank you very much for your in depth reply. So kind of you. Meanwhile I've got better at this, following exactly your suggestion and Bill's. Indeed the brain needs time, to properly build and develop new circuits to sustain the new skill. P.S I ve visisted your channel. I love the ambiance playlist. I was looking for something like this to help.me focus. My best regards from UK.
@@nononono3421 i have a question also if you don't mind answering. what are some tips for sight reading? I don't know if i should think about the intervals while reading to boost my speed or should i consider what note im looking at individually per beat or should i do both?
Morning! I'd say you don't need to be perfect. If you work on them thoroughly for a few days then move on, that should be fine. You might find it takes a little mental effort to work them out for some time to come, but that comes with the territory. Obviously, the more you nail down the basics at this stage the better, but you have to strike a balance between the relentless grind of doing that and actually feeling like you're making some progress. Does that make sense?
@BillHilton Yeah it makes sense. Thanks. I cant pick out all of the notes without giving it some thought, but im practicing them with flashcards as i go through your lessons. Currently just started lesson 7, and have done the other lessons exercises quite a lot of times to perfection.
COMMENT AND QUESTION: Wonderful calm teacher, clear for us dummies. Thank you so very much for your time and effort and patience with us. God bless you dear man. One question, i dont understand the reason for a time signature,. is it not redundant as the number of notes in each measure speaks for itself and the type of note speaks for how many beats? What am i missing? Please can anyone tell me? btw its sooooo much easier to just hear the tune and figure it out than READING it finding it difficult.
Thanks for the kind words, Lucy!Yes, a time signature can sometimes seem redundant. Its function is to clarify where the stress is in case of ambiguity. So, for example, a bar of 2/2 and a bar of 4/4 can look identical - but one has an underlying two beat, and the other an underlying four beat. Likewise (in some circumstances) 3/4 and 6/8, or 4/4 and 12/8. Again, it's another of those things that seems pointless to start with, but the meaning of which will become clear as you get further on in your piano learning.
Question here about the practice sheets. When I've practiced and completed it, once I start playing, is my thumb always C, or is my my pinky finger always F? I just use those two as an example. Don't know if I explained myself properly.
II have not been able to get the link for lessons 2 and 3 . ma Would you p?ease give it to me it doesn't show up at the end Thanks for patient!y explaining this .
If you head over to www.billspianopages.com/beginners you’ll find all the lessons linked in order, along with their PDF downloads. Hope you’re enjoying the series so far! 😀
You're welcome. Keep pushing through (life and the piano course), give me a shout if you have any questions/run into any problems, and let me know how you get on. I'll be rooting for you 👍
Over at www.billspianopages.com/beginners - if you can’t find it or it won’t download, just drop me a message via the contact form on the same website and I’ll be happy to help 👍
Sorry to hear this! Have you been to www.billspianopages.com/beginners ? All the PDFs are linked from there. Give me a shout via the contact form on that website if you still can’t find it…!
You should find that it gradually improves as you practice, especially if you work on scales carefully (more scales are going to appear in tutorials in June...). The thing to remember is that you're essentially using it for something it didn't evolve to do, and it takes a bit of time to adjust. It might help to think of it in terms of control rather than strength, and certainly I'd be wary about over-practising with it in an attempt to speed up the process. I realise that sounds like a bit of a lame response (!) but it's another of those areas you come across when you're learning the piano where it really is just a matter of time and practice!
I am a tenor sax player. I've always played my sax by ear. I'm enjoying working through your tutorials, but I am wondering if there may be a way for me to learn how to play and read The treble clef as is appropriate for a saxophone player. I guess I'm wondering whether I need to integrate my left hand or if you have other suggestions for horn players
Good question, Jeffrey. Certainly the stuff I'm doing should help your general music reading skills, but you probably need to put it into practice with your own instrument fairly consistently. The other thing I regularly recommend to people who want to improve their reading is joining a choir: choral singing from a score is just about the best way to improve your reading that I, at least, have ever come across.
lots of practicing but it is slowly getting easier. Think I had a mind block in the beginning and made it more complicated than it is because I thought it should be complicated! Thank you for the extremely clear instructions.
Ideally, yes - it doesn't matter quite so much if you're a bit behind with figuring out stave notes, especially in the bass clef or on ledger lines, but being able to identify which note is which (visually, not by ear - that's way harder!) is pretty critical. It might be worth investing some time in really targetting that area of knowledge so you're secure in it as you move through the next lessons. Shout if you have any problems - I always reply eventually!
@@invinceble5882 Cool! Don't worry about being able to identify notes by ear - I'd have my work cut out trying to to that, and I've been playing for 37 years!
sorry but im having problems with learning the piece idk if how should i go about leaning it. should i learn each part one hand at a time then tie them together or should i learn both at the same time?
Hands separately to start with, Luis, definitely - and it might take a while to get them to a level where they'll work together. Keep on pushing through the difficulty - it'll pay off in the end!
Hello, I've subscribed to your channel to learn how to play the piano/keyboard. The main reason I want to learn is because of synthesizers (I am guitar player who recently got into synths). I have been learning the keyboard chord shapes on my Arturia Microbrute (which has I believe two octaves). Im interested in getting the Deepmind 12 which has 49 keys. Would that suffice or is it better to get a 61 Keyboard/controller/synth to learn how to play properly?
Hey Al! It kind of depends what your end goal is. If you want to play piano music on a piano, then really you need a full-size, 88-key digital or acoustic piano with decently weighted keys. If you're interested in any kind of *performing*, on any kind of keyboard, I'd also recommend something full-size, or a 61 at a minimum. If, however, you're mostly interested in stuff like studio work, MIDI programming and so on, then size is less of an issue and a 49 should be fine. An unweighted keyboard will be handy for learning things like chord shapes, but of limited use for developing playing technique and no good for developing "touch", which is what you need if you're interested in playing anything that requires dynamic expression. Whichever option you choose, getting a sustain pedal to go with it will be very handy, even if you're not principally using piano sounds.
🎶🎹💙I know this is a great lesson, maybe try this simple version with a free piano lead sheet -- here is the link: ruclips.net/video/pHCc0qHpqQI/видео.html
As an European, when I learned what the clefs are and the notes in relation to them, I was taught that the note that's on the same line as the clef's "beginning" has the same name as the clef itself, so there's the Fa Clef and Sol clef, though from what I've seen, Do-Re-Mi solfege is rarely used in English tutorials, so they're called bass, treble and alto
Bill, im onto lesson 4, I know the notes on the treble clef but im still very slow at reading the music. Do you recommend learning bass and treble at the same time?
Yes and no is the short answer, Jaye - it's usually a good idea to continue separate hands practice beyond the point at which you can play two hands together (a point I explain in more detail in this tutorial: ruclips.net/video/jClSxqmNWKo/видео.html ). Btw, bear in mind what I just said to you in that RUclips Story thingy: learning piano is always hard, but starting off is hardest of all. It's really worth nailing the basic skills, though, so you've got a firm foundation to build on. Another tutorial you might find useful to kind of orient you on approaching practice is this one: ruclips.net/video/Xk9ozR2rPOQ/видео.html
🎶🎹💙I know this is a great lesson, maybe try this simple version with a free piano lead sheet -- here is the link: ruclips.net/video/pHCc0qHpqQI/видео.html
Hi Bill, sorry I am having trouble downloading the pdfs again, frustrating as not consistent! could you possibly email lesson 4 notes? Sorry about this. I love your instruction technique and don't pull any punches about the need for practice!!
Diolch Euron! Hmmm, finger strength is a tricky one. Most piano teachers will tell you playing the piano is like playing footie: the best way to build up fitness for it is to do it (and not overdo it, as it's pretty easy to hurt yourself). The usual hand-strengthening techniques (squeezy balls, etc) are no good, as they don't target the fine finger muscles but the larger hand and wrist muscles: you just end up with bigger (and maybe less flexible) hands. I *do* think that general physical fitness makes a difference - obvs fingers are extremities and can suffer from relatively poor blood flow. Some people say you should avoid racket sports and cycling (I don't really agree: I ride my bike several times a week and it's never really affected my hands). The short answer, boring as it is, is "stay moderately fit and keep playing the piano..."
I came to this lesson and shut it off right when I was done watching it... Refused to practice it.... I need to be brave.... Learning the base stave scares me... Should I forget about the treble clef for awhile and just focus on base stave??
Blitz that bass, Abi, especially if you're right-handed! When it comes to learning music always, always, always pays to really attack the stuff you find challenging: doing so patches up potential weak spots and helps you build strong foundations. Let me know how you get on!
Is there a way you can upload a version of these videos WITHOUT the mnemonics? Mnemonic additions make it extremely hard for me to actually learn the content because I attach to the words instead of what I'm supposed to remember. It adds too much abstraction from me being able to know the keys naturally.
I see where you're coming from, Vincent, but that probably wouldn't be a good use of my time. One of the things I've REALLY learned doing this stuff is that people learn in such a variety of different ways that it's impossible to create tutorials that work for everyone. Mnemonics are the traditional way of doing this stuff and they seem to represent an efficient way of remembering the information for most people. I absolutely realise that doesn't mean everyone, but I have to do what seems to work for the greatest number. If I tried to create stuff that suited every possible learning style and preference, I'd go nuts!
@@BillHilton Hey y'know? That's okay =) Thank you for replying and I gotta admit you're right that redoing the entire series wouldn't be time well spent, having thought about it. Your tutorials really are fantastic and helped me get some basics down, so thank you for posting them to begin with!
🎶🎹💙I know this is a great lesson, maybe try this simple version with a free piano lead sheet -- here is the link: ruclips.net/video/pHCc0qHpqQI/видео.html
If you move on to lesson 5 you should find that helps to reinforce your knowledge, but by all means give me a yell if you have any specific questions about the left, or specific stuff you're struggling with!
Yes indeed! In general it's a good idea to spend a bit more time than you think you need on these early tutorials in the series so you get the basics good and nailed down. A lot of people make the mistake of skimming through the early stuff and then they come unstuck when things begin to get a little more challenging. Slow and steady wins!
hi Bill, what is the name of the device that u hv on top of ur keyboard? coz i have a digital piano as well maybe i am thinking to buy some added device to maybe do some mixing or some kind of device to enhance the sound? thnks
7 лет назад+2
Mazween Maruan it is part of his piano, looks like Nord
Yup, it's the built-in controller of my Nord Piano. You could try an external mixer, or maybe running your keyboard through an app like Mainstage (or even Garageband).
Bass clef is so difficult after learning the treble clef 😭I'm having so much trouble reading it, but I'm trying. Constantly confusing one for the other
Funny thing is "Clef" in french for key is actually pronounced "Clay" we dont pronounce the "F" so its a fastly pronounced "Clay" like you dont emphasize on the "AY" it just like saying "Buckley" the end of the word is the exact sounding. :) Little info for those interested.
Merci bien! It’s a word I know pretty well, because when my (French-speaking) wife gets angry with me (which she does pretty much daily) she often does it in French, so I often get OU AS-TU MIS MES CLÉS!?!??? shouted through my office door 😂
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
I wanted to let you know that my 20 year old son discovered your lessons March 2020 . He was out of sorts after we brought him home from University due to Covid - He lacked purpose and found online school difficult. He decided he would learn to play piano, he bought a keyboard and started your classes playing everyday. He has finished all the beginner sessions . Your courses helped him through a difficult time in his life and wanted to thank you. Will be sending a donation to you. All the best
Wonderful,I wish he gets better ❤️
Lovely story ❤
Hello! I am 10 years old and love to play my piano. Because I struggled with most parts, I decided to start practicing with you. I feel better and better every morning I practice!
you’ve got this!🎉 👏🏻
@@itsYAVSxCO Tysm!
I was raised by two Keyboard Arts teachers. They NEVER taught me how to play scales - supposedly because their program was aimed at 4- and 5-year-olds, whose hands simply aren't big enough to do that crossover thing. So I ended up doing a lot of "1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2" finger runs to complete scales, for a long time.
But now, at almost 53, I'm stunned by your lesson on scales here, and how simple it is, and how much more sense it makes than the way I had to learn haphazardly, on my own. I am going to retrain my hands until this is muscle memory, and I feel somewhat cheated that this was never a part of my piano learning before. Thank you for creating this course - even for those of us who've been playing for 50 years, there's still something new to learn.
I am 67 years old and piano bug has bitten me. I tried to throw out its intoxication since last few months. But couldnt. And youtube helped in increasing my intoxication. I subscribed to many piano tutorial channels. And I brought a yamaha p-225. I am a laughing stock before my children, grandchildren and myself. But it has gone deep in my head. Only few said that it is God given, something coming from above. Yes, it is my mental disorder coming from above. Many local teachers turned up to take my tuition. But I refused to take their brain mapping. Finally I found your channel explaining sheet music. I have come to lesson 4. Meanwhile I am practising Major and Minor scales with both hands. Thanks. For the records, I started on 1st March 2024.
You're welcome, and I hope everything goes well for you. Let me know if you ever run into problems or have any questions!
@@BillHilton Thanks.
I was gifted a piano recently and lessons near my house are extremely expensive. I wouldn’t have attempted to play or progressed so well without these lessons. I don’t mind paying money once I have some experience but it’s still a new hobby. So thankful for these print outs and exercises.
I studied playing piano lessons for couple of years on and off, I must say your teaching method is excellent.
Thanks Maria!
you are a good teacher.
Yes, I agree! 🎶🎹💙
great actually!
Yea I think so to
himanshu bhai seekh gye ya nahi?????
@@Shubham-si6hd 😄 learning is lifelong
If you're finding this course useful, remember to check out my Patreon page at *www.patreon.com/billhilton* - supporting me on Patreon doesn't cost very much (from as little as $2 USD per tutorial I post on RUclips, which means no more than $6 per month). In return you get *priority support* from me personally, access to my very popular *Piano Packs* (great if you're learning improv) and *previews* of upcoming projects. Plus my Patreon community is really *friendly, supportive and fun*. Please do check it out when you've finished watching the tutorial! ~Bill
Hi. I'm 68 and decided I wanted to learn how to play the piano. There are SOOO many options out there. I consider it divine intervention that I came across you. I spent a lot of time on the early lessons...as you have recommended. I review them all daily. Still get frustrated when I look at a note and know what it is but stumble to play it quickly. That being said, I've decided it's time to move on to Lesson 4. Excited to see what is in store. I'm LOVING this journey. Thank you!!!
Hi Ruth! Glad to hear my stuff is helping you! It’s definitely a good idea to get the early lessons really well nailed-down, so it sounds like you have a good approach so far. If you need any help or have any questions at any stage, just give me a shout!
I haven't played in forever, and it was incredible how my hands just knew what to do when playing the scale. Guess all those hours of playing scales ad nauseum as a kid weren't for nothing!
Thanks again for making these. You're a great teacher.
No problem at all! It's actually really interesting how procedural memory works - all the neural circuits you laid down years ago when you learned your scales will basically still be there. It's just a case of dusting them off and fixing them up a bit!
thank you , you are a giver , invaluable .
Thanks Ray!
simply piano couldnt teach you to play piano like this, great tutorial
Yes, I agree! 🎶🎹💙
Yes yes yes so true
@@cherryli4141 ikr
Thanks for another really helpful tutorial Bill. You're a great teacher. I'm a complete beginner at 47 and actually making progress! ☺
Thanks Karen, and glad to hear it - more tutorials coming very soon, so keep plugging away!
...music comes from the heart...one can learn at any age 🎶🎹💙
From the brain actually (creating new links via neurons). The heart is just an organ/muscle.
i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/191/035/135.png@@musicmaker3859
Thank you so much. You are a good teacher.
You're welcome, and thanks!
Excellent lesson. I am new to keyboard having come from classical guitar. I have Yamaha keyboard, has a nice sound and touch so you get soft and loud notes, only 66 keys, but I think that's ok to get started with. I love the sound of organs and piano accordions. My wife wants a piano as that's what she is used too. We did have a nice piano before, but it need a lot of money to fix it. I think 3k to 5k too much for an old piano. We have looked at electronic pianos, but the wife doesn't like the keyboard action. .I am hoping the lessons I learn here can be transferred to any instrument that uses a piano styled keyboard.
Thanks for these good starter lessons. Much appreciated.
Thanks Bill, love your clear style and thorough approach to teaching. I have been working through your printouts and videos and it is definitely making a difference. Many thanks Sir.
You’re welcome Gary - really glad you like them!
As a beginner, this is where it’s starting to become a bit more complicated but I’m just so glad that you’re an awesome guide who is making this way less intimidating.
think it as not learning but for having fun and good time. play keyboard for pleasure instead of learning and ive gotten better using that
Yes, I agree! 🎶🎹💙
Thanks!
Thanks very much indeed, Richard - that's very good of you! Good luck with the rest of the course, let me know how you get on, and of course please do get in touch if you run into any problems!
@@BillHilton Thanks Bill, enjoying the course, doing my best to stick at it most days. One question I suppose- I'm using a metronome on some of the exercises to keep to a steady beat, but it's not something mentioned in the videos (so far, I think) - i don't know if you discourage that?
@richardmoloney2252 Good to hear! I don’t discourage metronome use - though I do encourage people to take care, as metronome practice can be demoralising in the early days, and remains somewhat tyrannical and something to be approached with care. So by all means go for it, but, as one of my old music teachers used to say, “don’t get in a fight with the metronome” - ie don’t worry too much if you’re finding it a significant challenge to stay on the (very precise) metronome beat in all circumstances. Does that make sense?
John M Johnson Fantastic for beginners---best I'v seen. Just as good or better for those which haven't played the piano for years. Highly recommended for all piano players. Thanks Bill.
Thanks John - really glad you like it!
Thank you soo much Bill i'm going step by step
You're awesome Bill.
I love playing scales once I get to middle C I switch to my right hand and play the two octave C major scale then I reverse and go the other way and, in a back and forth motion. I love it! I am looking forward to playing a two hand piece :)
oh boy this lesson is going to be a toughy i can tell
Letss gooo I think I'm ready to finally move on. very exciting
I've been looking for a good keyboard lesson channel for a while and you're the answer. You're teaching is great - I've learnt a lot, and you deserve a lot more subscribers than you have. Thanks a lot!
No problem - really glad you like it!
*UPDATES, DECEMBER 2022:* If you have any trouble accessing the PDFs, make sure you're using the links at www.billspianopages.com/beginners - they're all live and working. If you enjoy the series, you might also like my new book, How To Be A Better Musician: it's jammed with ideas, advice, practice strategies and exercises for every kind of musician, from beginner to pro. Right now it's available as an ebook (PDF and/or EPUB) with a print edition coming in 2023. Learn more and buy and download your copy at www.bettermusicianbook.com
Hi Bill, Thank you for your time and great video's. In a couple of weeks now I'm figuring out playing the piano and it's getting more and more fun! The thing I'm really struggeling with now is the bass cleff and remember what note on paper is what.... waauw, some brain pain throughout the learning process 😉 It's just taking time, rewatch your video's etc. I already watched your next lesson and that gives me some extra spirit to keep learning the basic stuff before going to next 'BOSS LEVEL' hahaha, super funny
I'm 50 yo trying to teach myself piano. Excellent videos! Thank you.
No problem, Donna - glad you like them. At fifty you're practically a teenager compared to some of the learners I know...!
@@BillHilton Tell that to my knees. LOL
...music comes from the heart...one can learn at any age 🎶🎹💙
@@BillHilton Only ever had three ambitions. 1) start & run a small business. 2) Meet the right woman 3) Learn to play piano. At 59, I'm about to embark on that third success. Loved the first few lessons and don't even have a keyboard yet: just using an app on a fold-flat laptop. It will be a pleasure to donate. This is a crouded market and the quality of your instruction is unsurpassed. Probably mix it up with a few in-person lessons locally.
Hello, I am from India
... sending you a lots of love ❤️ your lessons are really helpful and with your help only I am able to learn the musical note and it's meaning...thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️
You're welcome Sakshi!
Thx bill 👍😊 for your lesson I don't know anything about key bored but I know very well camipon me now
thank you, im very excited for that video.
I have just discovered your lesson on you tube. All the on line sources were lacking of clear and precise explanation.Thank you very much. I would like to access your teaching classes. Can you please send me a link?
Thank you so much for your time and I will finish this course. NO MATTER HOW LONG !
these lessons are absolutely incredible
Thank you!
Thank you so much Bill for these tutorials, they help me out so much here in the beginning!
You're very welcome!
Good teacher... thanks
thanks for the lesson!
No problem Igor - hope you found it useful!
You make learning the piano really fun! Amazing teacher
Thank you! 😃
I don't know why but i felt so cool when I did the left hand scale
Dude same! My right hand is funky and not all that smooth but playing the C-Major scale with my left hand was soooo satisfying!
Help! when I get past middle C with the left hand am I supposed to still play with that hand or do I use my right hand?
I'm not quite sure which bit you're referring to, Rita, but the short answer is no, not necessarily. If it's a left hand scale then you should use the left all the way up and down; if it's marked in the lower stave of a piece of piano music then you should always assume it's the left hand you're using, wherever it is on the piano, unless the composer very specifically and clearly tells you other wise (usually with an "m.d." (mane dextra = "right hand") marking, which isn't at all what's happening in any of this tutorials. Does that help?
bar 2,9 and 10 in the exercise go to c and higher,the answer is clear,
@@BillHilton mo
🎶🎹💙I know this is a great lesson, maybe try this simple version with a free piano lead sheet -- here is the link: ruclips.net/video/pHCc0qHpqQI/видео.html
He's an excellent teacher BUT, he has serious issues with his G's hahaha. Suscribed.
He has serious G-ssues LOL.
What do you mean? 🧐
do you plan on doing another jazz piano lesson?
Yes - I'm about halfway through shooting and editing. The plan at the moment is to have it out before the end of the month. I've got the tricky bit done...! :)
Thank youuuu
You're welcome!
Hello everyone. I am practising now the exercises and I find it very difficult do get that fluency in pressing the right keys. Any suggesstion on how to develop an automatic response in order to press the right keys without to much conscious thinking? Some times with notes that are consecutive (Ex: C,D,E,F,E,D, etc) is easy because I just follow the pattern up or down. But when they don't relate so much is hard... Do we have to get to that point where we can press a key without looking at it? some times I close my eyes and try to know the keyboard better.
Thank you.
Hi Andrei! You don't necessarily need to get to a point immediately where you can press a key on the piano keyboard without looking at it - although that's a handy long term goal. In terms of fluency on the keyboard, you're going to hate me for this but it all comes down to the grind of practice. One of the problems of piano practice is that it only rarely results in linear progress: more often, you'll plateau for ages and then suddenly find you can do something - it's very much a case of the circuit building in your brain for weeks under the pressure of consistent practice and then suddenly snapping into life. So: regular, thoughtful, disciplined practice - stick at it and you'll definitely see progress!
Practice. I stopped doing the word-counting thing, I feel it's really bad. Instead, I found two keys I considered easy to remember (c and g), and also that every note will alternate from being on a space then a line or a line then a space. Then I just look at the keys, and imagine where they are on the staff in my mind, hit the key, and do this repeatedly. Over time you start to associate the notes easily to the image of the music sheet, without ever thinking about Every Good Boy and such. You will quickly realize things like "F is first in the bottom space, the next F up is on the top line, because notes alternate from space to line to space, so the next one can't be on another line" or "C is on the first ledger line under the staff, the next one it is in a space", "G is on a line, the next one up is in the first space above the staff", "A is the first ledger line above the staff, so C is the second ledger line above the staff, which is also the first line under the staff, so we have gone full circle". Etc. Practice, look at the piano keys and imagine the sheet and the notes in your head, move you hands, do it again, and so on. It's really about visualization, not about counting, just like we don't count the letters in the alphabet. Think of every note on the staff like a letter in the alphabet, and a combination of notes is just a combination of letters, so you will manage to read the notes as quickly as you can read words eventually :)
@@nononono3421 thank you very much for your in depth reply. So kind of you. Meanwhile I've got better at this, following exactly your suggestion and Bill's. Indeed the brain needs time, to properly build and develop new circuits to sustain the new skill.
P.S I ve visisted your channel. I love the ambiance playlist. I was looking for something like this to help.me focus. My best regards from UK.
@@nononono3421 i have a question also if you don't mind answering. what are some tips for sight reading? I don't know if i should think about the intervals while reading to boost my speed or should i consider what note im looking at individually per beat or should i do both?
Hi Bill, how well should i know the notes on the bass and treble clef in order to move on to lesson 5? Thanks
Morning! I'd say you don't need to be perfect. If you work on them thoroughly for a few days then move on, that should be fine. You might find it takes a little mental effort to work them out for some time to come, but that comes with the territory. Obviously, the more you nail down the basics at this stage the better, but you have to strike a balance between the relentless grind of doing that and actually feeling like you're making some progress. Does that make sense?
@BillHilton
Yeah it makes sense. Thanks. I cant pick out all of the notes without giving it some thought, but im practicing them with flashcards as i go through your lessons. Currently just started lesson 7, and have done the other lessons exercises quite a lot of times to perfection.
Thank you very much,in Africa we say 'Asante'.
Here from far away In Kenya am learning alot ,Asante.
I'm really glad to hear it! Asante kwa kushukuru!
COMMENT AND QUESTION: Wonderful calm teacher, clear for us dummies.
Thank you so very much for your time and effort and patience with us.
God bless you dear man. One question, i dont understand the reason for a
time signature,. is it not redundant as the number of notes in each
measure speaks for itself and the type of note speaks for how many
beats? What am i missing? Please can anyone tell me? btw its sooooo much
easier to just hear the tune and figure it out than READING it finding
it difficult.
Thanks for the kind words, Lucy!Yes, a time signature can sometimes seem redundant. Its function is to clarify where the stress is in case of ambiguity. So, for example, a bar of 2/2 and a bar of 4/4 can look identical - but one has an underlying two beat, and the other an underlying four beat. Likewise (in some circumstances) 3/4 and 6/8, or 4/4 and 12/8. Again, it's another of those things that seems pointless to start with, but the meaning of which will become clear as you get further on in your piano learning.
Question here about the practice sheets. When I've practiced and completed it, once I start playing, is my thumb always C, or is my my pinky finger always F? I just use those two as an example. Don't know if I explained myself properly.
Your lessons are great bill but how do you go loud and soft
Thanks very much, Saima! I've just replied on your other comment - might be worth checking your keyboard/piano is touch-sensitive!
13:05
II have not been able to get the link for lessons 2 and 3 . ma
Would you p?ease give it to me it doesn't show up at the end
Thanks for patient!y explaining this .
If you head over to www.billspianopages.com/beginners you’ll find all the lessons linked in order, along with their PDF downloads. Hope you’re enjoying the series so far! 😀
my life is literally falling apart and these lessons make me feel like everything might turn out ok, thank you
You're welcome. Keep pushing through (life and the piano course), give me a shout if you have any questions/run into any problems, and let me know how you get on. I'll be rooting for you 👍
I hope everything is OK with you. Good luck, pal
thank you bill
Where is the link to the pdf u talking about
Over at www.billspianopages.com/beginners - if you can’t find it or it won’t download, just drop me a message via the contact form on the same website and I’ll be happy to help 👍
Bill, I cannot see the PDF file! 😢I look and look down on the lesson page and I see nothing! Where must I go, please?
Sorry to hear this! Have you been to www.billspianopages.com/beginners ? All the PDFs are linked from there. Give me a shout via the contact form on that website if you still can’t find it…!
My pinky is really useless. What can I do to improve its strength?
You should find that it gradually improves as you practice, especially if you work on scales carefully (more scales are going to appear in tutorials in June...). The thing to remember is that you're essentially using it for something it didn't evolve to do, and it takes a bit of time to adjust. It might help to think of it in terms of control rather than strength, and certainly I'd be wary about over-practising with it in an attempt to speed up the process. I realise that sounds like a bit of a lame response (!) but it's another of those areas you come across when you're learning the piano where it really is just a matter of time and practice!
Great tutorial, thank you very much!
Thank you so much its really use for
You're very welcome!
I am a tenor sax player. I've always played my sax by ear. I'm enjoying working through your tutorials, but I am wondering if there may be a way for me to learn how to play and read The treble clef as is appropriate for a saxophone player. I guess I'm wondering whether I need to integrate my left hand or if you have other suggestions for horn players
Good question, Jeffrey. Certainly the stuff I'm doing should help your general music reading skills, but you probably need to put it into practice with your own instrument fairly consistently. The other thing I regularly recommend to people who want to improve their reading is joining a choir: choral singing from a score is just about the best way to improve your reading that I, at least, have ever come across.
Thank for the lessons they are great!!
Glad you like them!
!!! Thank you
No problem - glad you liked it!
lots of practicing but it is slowly getting easier. Think I had a mind block in the beginning and made it more complicated than it is because I thought it should be complicated! Thank you for the extremely clear instructions.
You're welcome, Carol - let me know if you have any questions!
Will the notes outside the stav always be middle C?
This is so awesome! Thank you!
scales here you don't have your thumb going under. I was they just reposition the hand for the new notes
Hello! do i need to perfectly identify what note is played on the keyboard by this time?
Ideally, yes - it doesn't matter quite so much if you're a bit behind with figuring out stave notes, especially in the bass clef or on ledger lines, but being able to identify which note is which (visually, not by ear - that's way harder!) is pretty critical. It might be worth investing some time in really targetting that area of knowledge so you're secure in it as you move through the next lessons. Shout if you have any problems - I always reply eventually!
@@BillHilton Ok! I got visually down but I was afraid of what you'd say for being able to identify it by ear haha. Thank you!
@@invinceble5882 Cool! Don't worry about being able to identify notes by ear - I'd have my work cut out trying to to that, and I've been playing for 37 years!
thx for uploading another one
No problem - more coming this month!
sorry but im having problems with learning the piece idk if how should i go about leaning it. should i learn each part one hand at a time then tie them together or should i learn both at the same time?
Hands separately to start with, Luis, definitely - and it might take a while to get them to a level where they'll work together. Keep on pushing through the difficulty - it'll pay off in the end!
Hello, I've subscribed to your channel to learn how to play the piano/keyboard. The main reason I want to learn is because of synthesizers (I am guitar player who recently got into synths). I have been learning the keyboard chord shapes on my Arturia Microbrute (which has I believe two octaves). Im interested in getting the Deepmind 12 which has 49 keys. Would that suffice or is it better to get a 61 Keyboard/controller/synth to learn how to play properly?
Hey Al! It kind of depends what your end goal is. If you want to play piano music on a piano, then really you need a full-size, 88-key digital or acoustic piano with decently weighted keys. If you're interested in any kind of *performing*, on any kind of keyboard, I'd also recommend something full-size, or a 61 at a minimum. If, however, you're mostly interested in stuff like studio work, MIDI programming and so on, then size is less of an issue and a 49 should be fine.
An unweighted keyboard will be handy for learning things like chord shapes, but of limited use for developing playing technique and no good for developing "touch", which is what you need if you're interested in playing anything that requires dynamic expression. Whichever option you choose, getting a sustain pedal to go with it will be very handy, even if you're not principally using piano sounds.
Bill Hilton Thank you so very much!
Al S i
Nice.
Thanks!
Thank you
You're welcome!
So on the bass clef, all notes are shifted down by two notes.
Yes, you can think of it that way - down a line and a space, and two octaves lower :)
🎶🎹💙I know this is a great lesson, maybe try this simple version with a free piano lead sheet -- here is the link: ruclips.net/video/pHCc0qHpqQI/видео.html
very helpful , really lovely
Glad it was helpful Hamid!
How can we vary dynamic s ,by changing loudness of le?
Assuming you have a touch-sensitive keyboard, Asfa, then just by pressing the notes harder :)
@@BillHilton I don't have a touch sensitive keyboard
Am a kid but am want you to make more piano videos
Pls I need you to make it in example
Your tutorial ROCKS! Thanks :)
Thanks Babak - let me know if you ever run into any problems with them, or have any questions!
@@BillHilton Thanks Bill :)
As an European, when I learned what the clefs are and the notes in relation to them, I was taught that the note that's on the same line as the clef's "beginning" has the same name as the clef itself, so there's the Fa Clef and Sol clef, though from what I've seen, Do-Re-Mi solfege is rarely used in English tutorials, so they're called bass, treble and alto
Where are the downloads? i can't seem to find them.
Apologies for the delay, Alan - bit of a busy week! You should find them all at billspianopages.com/beginners
Bill, im onto lesson 4, I know the notes on the treble clef but im still very slow at reading the music. Do you recommend learning bass and treble at the same time?
Yes and no is the short answer, Jaye - it's usually a good idea to continue separate hands practice beyond the point at which you can play two hands together (a point I explain in more detail in this tutorial: ruclips.net/video/jClSxqmNWKo/видео.html ). Btw, bear in mind what I just said to you in that RUclips Story thingy: learning piano is always hard, but starting off is hardest of all. It's really worth nailing the basic skills, though, so you've got a firm foundation to build on. Another tutorial you might find useful to kind of orient you on approaching practice is this one: ruclips.net/video/Xk9ozR2rPOQ/видео.html
@@BillHilton thanks bill, I will stick it out, thanks for the video recommendations, they really helped
🎶🎹💙I know this is a great lesson, maybe try this simple version with a free piano lead sheet -- here is the link: ruclips.net/video/pHCc0qHpqQI/видео.html
Hi Bill, sorry I am having trouble downloading the pdfs again, frustrating as not consistent! could you possibly email lesson 4 notes? Sorry about this. I love your instruction technique and don't pull any punches about the need for practice!!
Sure thing, David - will drop you an email now!
@@BillHilton Received, with many thanks.
Hi Bill, just wondering if you recommend any finger strengthening exercises when not in front of the keyboard. Really enjoying the videos by the way.
Diolch Euron! Hmmm, finger strength is a tricky one. Most piano teachers will tell you playing the piano is like playing footie: the best way to build up fitness for it is to do it (and not overdo it, as it's pretty easy to hurt yourself). The usual hand-strengthening techniques (squeezy balls, etc) are no good, as they don't target the fine finger muscles but the larger hand and wrist muscles: you just end up with bigger (and maybe less flexible) hands.
I *do* think that general physical fitness makes a difference - obvs fingers are extremities and can suffer from relatively poor blood flow. Some people say you should avoid racket sports and cycling (I don't really agree: I ride my bike several times a week and it's never really affected my hands). The short answer, boring as it is, is "stay moderately fit and keep playing the piano..."
In spirit
sir, what is your piano model
It's a Nord Piano 2 :)
I came to this lesson and shut it off right when I was done watching it... Refused to practice it.... I need to be brave.... Learning the base stave scares me... Should I forget about the treble clef for awhile and just focus on base stave??
Blitz that bass, Abi, especially if you're right-handed! When it comes to learning music always, always, always pays to really attack the stuff you find challenging: doing so patches up potential weak spots and helps you build strong foundations. Let me know how you get on!
Your playing will become better over time. Be patient and practice little and often. 🎶🎹💙
@@MoveOverMozart I got this 900 dollar keyboard. Yamaha.... And struggle desiring to use it
Is there a way you can upload a version of these videos WITHOUT the mnemonics? Mnemonic additions make it extremely hard for me to actually learn the content because I attach to the words instead of what I'm supposed to remember. It adds too much abstraction from me being able to know the keys naturally.
I see where you're coming from, Vincent, but that probably wouldn't be a good use of my time. One of the things I've REALLY learned doing this stuff is that people learn in such a variety of different ways that it's impossible to create tutorials that work for everyone. Mnemonics are the traditional way of doing this stuff and they seem to represent an efficient way of remembering the information for most people. I absolutely realise that doesn't mean everyone, but I have to do what seems to work for the greatest number. If I tried to create stuff that suited every possible learning style and preference, I'd go nuts!
@@BillHilton Hey y'know? That's okay =) Thank you for replying and I gotta admit you're right that redoing the entire series wouldn't be time well spent, having thought about it. Your tutorials really are fantastic and helped me get some basics down, so thank you for posting them to begin with!
@@vincentherrington2817 You're very welcome!
🎶🎹💙I know this is a great lesson, maybe try this simple version with a free piano lead sheet -- here is the link: ruclips.net/video/pHCc0qHpqQI/видео.html
thank you for this course its helping me very much but i need a little bit more explanation about the left hand notes
If you move on to lesson 5 you should find that helps to reinforce your knowledge, but by all means give me a yell if you have any specific questions about the left, or specific stuff you're struggling with!
Looks like I am going to spend more than just one day on this lesson!
Yes indeed! In general it's a good idea to spend a bit more time than you think you need on these early tutorials in the series so you get the basics good and nailed down. A lot of people make the mistake of skimming through the early stuff and then they come unstuck when things begin to get a little more challenging. Slow and steady wins!
hi Bill, what is the name of the device that u hv on top of ur keyboard? coz i have a digital piano as well maybe i am thinking to buy some added device to maybe do some mixing or some kind of device to enhance the sound? thnks
Mazween Maruan it is part of his piano, looks like Nord
Yup, it's the built-in controller of my Nord Piano. You could try an external mixer, or maybe running your keyboard through an app like Mainstage (or even Garageband).
Ok thnks for the tip 😉
Got em, guess I should take a google course
Bass clef is so difficult after learning the treble clef 😭I'm having so much trouble reading it, but I'm trying. Constantly confusing one for the other
its super
You help me a lot thank u !!
Glad to hear it, Cherry!
☺️☺️
Piano rules
At L 4
I prefer good boys do fine always
watching your tutorials is better than paying for piano lessons
Oh boy God help me with this lesson
Funny thing is "Clef" in french for key is actually pronounced "Clay" we dont pronounce the "F" so its a fastly pronounced "Clay" like you dont emphasize on the "AY" it just like saying "Buckley" the end of the word is the exact sounding. :) Little info for those interested.
Merci bien! It’s a word I know pretty well, because when my (French-speaking) wife gets angry with me (which she does pretty much daily) she often does it in French, so I often get OU AS-TU MIS MES CLÉS!?!??? shouted through my office door 😂
@@BillHilton That's hilarious love it hahaha.
Not gonna lie having spent a few weeks learning the treble I’m not that excited about learning the bass
It's worth the pain!
I am proud to state that I have made it to lesson 4! It only took 3 months :-|
Well done David! Keep plugging away!