self-educating playing keyboard

[Afterhour Ali]

I just got my Korg Kontrol 49 and want to start learning how to play.
Probably I'll later take a teacher because that is the best approach but for now some self-educating would be cool.
Anyone knows good books/programs or whatever?

I'm of course willing to study the theory as well.

[Lambox]

Let me start this by saying I'm not an expert keyboard player. At all.

It's my personal opinion that just playing through some music is the best way to learn. There's loads of sheet music on the internet that you can get for free. Forcing yourself to play music that's difficult (and even maybe that you don't care for) is a excellent way to get better. It'll build finger strength, and if you just read the sheet music, you'll force yourself to learn to read it.

On the other hand, taking lessons will teach you proper finger use (or whatever it's called), and probably make the whole process a bit easier. Watching someone that knows what they're doing is always helpful imo, if not also a bit intimidating.

On the other, other hand, taking lessons most likely will be expensive.

I would also suggest going to your local library, I'm sure they have books full of sheet music and maybe even some beginners guides to playing piano, which no doubt will help you.

[Str8upDrew]

I get loads of sheet music from these 2 sites.
http://pianolicious.blogspot.com/
&
http://www.abcmusic.net/

Just be patient man. It will be frustrating, but it just takes time.

[Afterhour Ali]

Thanks for your advice.
It took me one hour to be able to play the "Body Language"-rhytmn so patience it is.
Instead of watching an episode of a random series, I'll play keyboard.

[lsmith]

I started off with the free GarageBand lessons.

[loslosbaby]

The GarageBand lessons got my kids going, all ages 8-18...and then they con'd me into getting the paid lessons. They're all still playing 90 days later!

Better to learn the right way than undo lots of bad habits! ...I'd say take about 5 lessons and see if you like that way of learning.

G.

[djhipnotikk]

the internet is FULL of pretty much everything you'd ever want to know about playing piano. nothing beats a live instructor, but hey it's really whatever works for you.

i've never really learned how to play properly, but i know my music so i play how i taught myself :P

[Str8upDrew]

I just found this the other day, and this thread came to mind.
Here are a bunch of Scales, Arpeggios, and Exercises, that i've used alot over the years. Most of them have finger positions on the sheets, and they're all pdf files.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RST4MCFS