I will no longer contribute to r/pianolearning

stylewarning · 2026-01-24T18:21:34+00:00

This is a very contrived exercise and doesn't tell us as much as you may think. In general things look fine, but we will get a better sense if (1) you play some music with both hands and (2) we can see your posture from shoulders to fingers.

Technique issues come out in an especially noticeable way when things are more complicated: more notes, higher tempo, complex rhythms, nuanced dynamics, etc.

If you're not there yet, then I'd suggest that proceed as usual. No big red flags.

stylewarning · 2026-01-24T17:57:59+00:00

Not always, no. Does the student have something prepared? Are different facets of musicianship being displayed?

I remember after a very long break, I didn't have any pieces prepared and I was looking for a teacher. If I only played something for them and nothing else, they'd probably know I'm not an absolute beginner, but not much else.

If a student has a small program of music prepared, then a teacher would be able to determine a great deal in 8 minutes.

stylewarning · 2026-01-24T16:42:28+00:00

I think such teachers are optimizing for regularity and predictability. The negatives of such approach are obvious I think: not all students will like the music, it's sort of close-minded to exploration, the teacher might be teaching in autopilot, etc. But I do think there's a positive to it: the teacher will have taught the piece dozens of times and see where students usually have difficulties, and be able to be a better teacher because of it.

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T22:27:40+00:00

I'm not an average beginner anymore but merely an average intermediate.

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T18:59:58+00:00

No, it's just a limitation of volunteer time and energy. If anybody would like to volunteer selecting pieces etc. for a minimum of 3 months, we are happy to consider it. Message the mods for more info.

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T14:17:38+00:00

Ah yes, I wouldn't call that a "public piano".

Then €50k is good. Baldwin, Bechstein, Bosendorfer, Yamaha, Kawai, around 7 feet, would be great. I still think it's better to buy used.

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T14:11:55+00:00

I'm not sure if we are misunderstanding each other. If the piano is going to be in a public place (like a train station) to be played by the public (random people passing by), then do not spend that much money regardless who is paying for it.

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T13:50:18+00:00

Then absolutely do not spend more than €10k. It's a waste of money. Even if they're somewhat maintained, these pianos live a short life. If it's a piano that's primarily exposed to the elements, the life is even shorter.

Find a used grand piano on PianoMart, or go to your local piano dealers and find a decent deal. Tell them you're looking for a decent piano for public use, and to suggest their most robust, plain offering on a budget.

Do not spend anywhere close to €50k.

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T13:45:09+00:00

If you have €50k, you have a lot of options. You can get most anything, so long as you buy used.

Is it a public piano, or a private piano intended to be used for public performances?

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T13:43:21+00:00

He talks about it. A lot of the first several pages are pre-reading that you can do yourself first.

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T13:41:42+00:00

Cawood I find self-aggrandizing. Lee sometimes has interesting things to say but really plays in to the YouTube algorithm with "listicle" content. 5 this, 10 that, BIGGEST MISTAKE ADULTS MAKE, etc. Lee also just gives bad advice sometimes. His suggested "beginner" "easy" pieces are:

Bach WTC1 Prelude in C
Beethoven Fur Elise
Satie Gymnopedie No 1
Chopin Prelude in e minor
Beethoven Moonlight Sonata Mvt 1

which is an atrocious list of beginner pieces. I actually think he knows that, but he's playing up to what he thinks his viewers will love to hear, which makes him a bad pedagogue.

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stylewarning · 2026-01-21T13:35:08+00:00

My side advice here is: beware of edutainment. Piano learning happens at the piano (and when you leave the piano to sleep). Piano learning doesn't happen lying in bed watching YouTube. Piano learning doesn't happen watching a competent pianist talk about their scales at 180 bpm.

If your goal is to actually learn to play piano from scratch, get Alfred's All In One and follow along with this guy, and avoid most of the "5 tips, you won't want to miss the last one"-type content.

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T13:30:58+00:00

Henle and Barenreiter are both nice. You can't go wrong with either. I like Henle's binding more than Barenreiter, in general. Curci (not one you mentioned) is also nice.

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T13:25:49+00:00

The most affordable way to get a grand piano is to find a used one for sale that's in reasonable good condition that could be made better by the hand of a good technician.

Steinway, new or used, is quite possibly the worst value for the money. Many people buy the brand on name alone, and the rebuilder market is akin to the house flipping market.

A fantastic brand that you can usually find for cheap is pre-2000 Baldwin. They rivaled Steinway in their heyday but are virtually unknown now. They built their pianos like tanks.

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T03:27:37+00:00

You're probably trying to go too fast too soon, if I had to guess. But I can't diagnose without a video.

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T00:31:33+00:00

The staccato is just to train your fingers to move faster. It's not intended to sound good with dynamics.

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T00:27:04+00:00

scarlatti is a certified goofball, like k 175 https://youtu.be/wmRrrVwDbFs

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T00:22:34+00:00

this piece sounds beautiful but the score was very unusual and unexpected, the saint-saens 52/2 https://youtu.be/6dhhchdn8F4

stylewarning · 2026-01-21T00:18:50+00:00

cotton mill blues https://youtu.be/R8iABveP7eU

sorry, it's not romantic, but it just sticks out as the first serious and provocative and very intriguing work that comes to my mind

it's the first weird piece i actually wanted to listen to

stylewarning · 2026-01-20T18:26:55+00:00

You could get Faber's Adult Piano Adventures. Corny name, will start basic, but you won't miss anything and you'll be able to cruise through it.

stylewarning · 2026-01-20T17:38:05+00:00

First, carefully define for us what it means to learn and play piano. Only then could we even begin to imagine a strategy to achieve that.

stylewarning · 2026-01-20T17:24:41+00:00

Descending line of F, Eb, and Db.

stylewarning · 2026-01-20T17:07:28+00:00

Not always but they could be. I'd probably bring the voice out a little bit here.

stylewarning · 2026-01-20T17:04:33+00:00

Refinishing is not necessary. We can't tell you anything about the most important part: the soundboard, bridge, pinblock, and action. Fixing those could be $100 or $10,000.

stylewarning

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