I bought a Korg 88 note piano keyboard and going to use some of my new found leisure time to study it. I used to read both clefs, although rather slowly on the bass. I could try and relearn standard piano music, but it is too time consuming at age 82. Strict reading is too individualized and rather use the chord method. The choosing of the proper inversions and progressions is the first chore. I can choose a suitable left hand rhythm, but choosing the proper progression up or down is a question I presume changes with the song.

I know what the purists will say, but with thousands of songs I can play with an arranger, I want to take advantage of the years I have put in. I found a piano chord course I am looking into.

I know some of you have adapted somewhat to piano, and would like to hear your opinions.

You're never too old.

Bill

Hi Bernie, what’s the course you’re looking into. I’ve dabbled with a few online.

Hi Rikki

I was hoping you would respond. The course PIANO 21 DAYS by Jaques Hopkins. The course, upon further examination, is geared more for absolute music neophytes. I already know how to find middle C and what a chord is. The tail end starts showing you to add arpeggiation, or the like, to a block chord for movement. Left hand manipulation is really all I need. The coarse is too expensive for me at $970. I guess instructors can't make any money on abbreviated courses, as I would have to start in kindergarten .

I know it Bill, it was just a lazy excuse.

What about a piano teacher. Take a few lessons to get you started. A book that has been helpful to me is, "Tonal and Rhythmic Principles", by John Mehegan. It is all about jazz improvisation. As other have said, it is never to late. Have fun learning the piano.

Good for you, Bernie. You do know how to keep the juices flowing. I went down this path a month or so ago (digital piano) and although I have an acoustic piano, it just wasn't inspiring me to play it much. Maybe because it's in the living room (??-psychological?) or MAYBE--after half a lifetime of playing organs an synths, I just need something with some electricity in it. It's like flying a glider; there's no engine to pull you out of trouble if the thermals go bye-bye. However, you WILL learn A LOT about airmanship in a hurry . My biggest problem is the (artificially) weighted keybed (not that great on the FP-e50, I probably should have listened to Bill and gotten the FP-90x with the (much) better keybed. I keep missing notes in well-known and well practiced runs and arpeggios, that I play with ease on the organ or a semi-weighted keybed. Through practice, I have gotten better though (requires more concentration).

The FP-e50 suits my purpose though, as I use the drum patterns (which can be played seperately from the rest of the (meager) accompaniment parts). They are a help with practice and also helps with your timing. I use the Bk7m the same way in my rehearsal room with my organ.

In any case, have fun, and concentrate on the things you feel weakest in. My 'left hand' is a problem as well. I can't play a bass line and I can't just 'comp' either. I have to start thinking like a SOLO pianist. Soooo, I guess we'll fight this fight together. Keep us informed of your progress (you too, Rikki).

chas

Thank you for your replies. I am gathering information on how I can learn just what I am weak in, and not go through superfluous and repetitive exercises on material I already know. I believe in working hard, but smart. I had a piano teacher in 1954 that would rap my knuckles and grab my cheek. No more of that sh...


My korg keyboard will arrive tomorrow with semi weighted keys and three velocity settings, along with organs, strings, etc. The fully weighted keys are too stiff for me

I will let you know how I make out.
Bernie

Hi Bernie, that sounds expensive.
I joined Pianote a couple of years ago, did it for few months. She has a heap of utube clips you could check out to see if it’s what you may want.
I think they have a trial period, or at least they used to.

Half tempted to give it another go now that I have 88 notes on my Korg.

Another one I found the other day Piano with Jonny. More so jazz based. Heap of utube clips to checkout. I think a 1 or 2 week trial period. Heap of stuff on chords.

The other one I used to enjoy was called Piano with Willy.
I used to be awake half the night in bed with a set of ear plugs and iPad listening to the guy or joining live forums. It was really very interesting.

I think it’s now called JazzEdge Academy

https://jazzedge.academy/credits/

They seem to have a new system going something about credits. Got an email this morning about it.

It used to be a case of you choose what you want to learn.
Definitely with Lisa’s Pianote, and with Jazz Edge. I’ve spent time on both sites.
Pianote used to be if you wanted to play pop , ballads , though there’s probably more choice by now..

JazzEdge I joined because I wanted to play standards. He used to have a great course where you’d work on the same song starting from simple chord shells, to filling it out to quite a complex arrangement.

Not sure if he has utube clips, but there are clips on his site for the courses.

What I normally do is sign up for a monthly if possible, work out what I’m interested in. Download the music provided. Work out roughly how to learn the songs, rather than spend days , weeks whatever learning a song thoroughly. I watch the clips of the music I’m interested in, over and over I stay for a month or 2. I then learn the songs thoroughly in my own time . A month , 2 or 3 months later, I join again and find some new material to learn. The idea for me is how to play the songs ie tips and tricks I can pick up , that will work for numerous songs.
On Pianote I did a course , something bizzare like 500 songs in 5 days. I saved the sheet music, I watched the lessons ( they didn’t teach 500 songs ) just a method of being able to play them.
The only reason for signing up for 12 months or long term would be if you want to keep progress on what you’re learning, ie you’ve finished 50% of this course, and 20% of that, I don’t need to spend $100’s per year so that I can know how far I’ve progressed.
Work out in the first month or 2 what problems you may have and ask the questions during that period.

Enjoy

P.s. I’ve also tried some of the apps. Don’t waste your time, it’s more fun when there’s a human involved.

My first piano teacher told me I was too old to learn at the ripe old age of 20.
I didn’t want to become a concert pianist, I just wanted to be able to play, something , anything.
We parted ways a few months later. Boring as, I was learning classical tunes that 6 year olds played.
Thank goodness we’ve come a long , long , way. There must be plenty of people out there like me who just want to play for fun. Don’t necessarily want a music career, just be able to play an instrument and have some fun.😀

Hi Bernie,
I just signed up with Pianote for a free week.
Before you sign up for anything , send me an email.
I have some sort of voucher I can share, don’t know if it will work, as I’m just in a trial period at the moment. But worth a try to see if it does.

I appreciate all of your research Rikki. I will check them out and email you before I go off half cocked lol.

Hi Bernie, sent you a coupon for Pianote.Hopefully works.

Mighty nice of you Rikki. I am enrolled and doing great.
Thanks old friend,
Bernie

Good luck Bernie. I admire your enthusiasm.

I too am always wanting to study piano and dream of the day to leave the arranger behind (well, for a couple gigs anyway). The 4X piano does nothing for me, so the excuse to buy a better acoustic was not really a good one....but

I listened to so many different boards and decided that the Nord was the coolest one available for piano, organ and synth, all wrapped up in one. This way, if piano man fails, I sure have a great board anyway! I always will have the arranger.

What I do is just take a song, a bit out of my comfort zone and keep working on it, both hands at a time. This way, I have a very cool song done and have stretched a bit for the next one.

Wish you well..zuki

Hi Bernie, so coupon worked. Fantastic. Lisa is a hoot. Bright smiley face, full of enthusiasm. Most of the other teachers are new. They weren’t there last time Idid lessons.

( can we give the “ old “ a miss. Haha😁

Hi Zuki

I think you probably made a good choice with the Nord, being that it is so versatile. I went for a cheaper Korg Liano because of the sound, being semi weighted, and it's Grand Piano is taken from their top piano. I never got into piano much because of the heavy keys, but semi weighted is just right and is about 10 lbs. I too am enjoying piano style with both hands since I know most chord inversions with both. It is a new experience for me after 60 yrs of split keyboard playing. It is both intriguing and challenging to chose different left had rhythms. I am starting with slower ballads with arpeggios but eventually will introduce some octave jumps etc.
I hate to say this here, but I find I can really jam over backing tracks also. What an adventure for you, me, and Rikki.
Best to you
Bernie

Hi Bernie, had no idea what the Liano was . Looked it up. Interesting piano,
can’t believe it can run on batteries. Amazing you can connect to iPad and play backing via the speakers. ( if I read correctly).

Backing tracks, that’s how initially I used my Kawai piano. Used to record backing tracks on sx900 then play them back as MP3’s in the piano and play along.
Initially I had them in seperate rooms.

Glad you’re enjoying yourself.

Hey Bernie,

I think it’s great you’re still seeking ways to grow musically. I picket up a used Baldwin baby grand at the end of the year. Looks great in the living room but I still got my digital ( with headphone) when I’m working on the super annoying material, which is most of the time!

I’ve been studying with a master jazz pianist at the local community who’s refining my touch and rhythmic feel. I’m sure in Florida there would many great piano teacher too, if not, there.’s a ton of on line options. I’d like to join Open Studio some day.

Congratulations on the Korg. I hope it serves you well!

Hey Paul,
Thanks for the holler. I can't imagine a better teacher than yours, and can see why you are going for proper instruction. I am not as young and busy as you, so taking a more abbreviated route. I am taking advantage of the time I have not had for many years to learn the piano as part of my bucket list. I am using Pianote that Rikki suggested. It is chord based where I can take advantage of my years with the arrangers.

The best of luck to you also, in your endeavor.

Bernie

Hi Bernie, how are the lessons going?😀
I’ve decided to stay on a bit longer.
There’s a heap more content and at least 6 more teachers , teaching a variety of stuff.
When I first joined 3 years ago , it was only her and a couple of offsiders.

Hi Rikki
I am very impressed with Pianote, am into a bunch of stuff. Your hints were invaluable because of the vast material. I am into Pacs and completed the grade questions, which they grade as a level 6.3. This means I am not wasting time on beginner material. The whole premise is that there is no right or wrong as long as you stay in the chord parameters. One can make any song their own with the chord method, and use my arranger knowledge.
Thanks for checking in and helping me wade through the site. I am staying, also.

Hi Bernie, so happy to hear it’s working out for you.

Hey Bernie,

You got me very curious about the Korg Liano. How's it going so far?

[video:youtube]https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=kor...C&FORM=VIRE[/video]