# I need to learn how to play piano. Advice needed

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-learn-how-to-play-piano-advice-needed/314541>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [July 28, 2005, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-learn-how-to-play-piano-advice-needed/314541 "2005-07-28T06:13:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sleestak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-learn-how-to-play-piano-advice-needed/314541/1 "2005-07-28T06:13:49Z")

</div>

I need to learn how to play the piano. Well, actually a keyboard.

Anyway, I play guitar and know theory pretty well. I can read music but not very well.

Anyone have any suggestion on book/videos/cd’s/dvd’s on how to play piano?

Slee

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Joools](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6de8d8/32.png) [@Joools](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joools)\
**Post date:** [July 28, 2005, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-learn-how-to-play-piano-advice-needed/314541/2 "2005-07-28T06:59:15Z")

</div>

> [@sleestak](#):
>
> I need to learn how to play the piano. Well, actually a keyboard.
> 
> Anyway, I play guitar and know theory pretty well. I can read music but not very well.
> 
> Anyone have any suggestion on book/videos/cd’s/dvd’s on how to play piano?
> 
> Slee

I’d recommend finding a local teacher and taking lessons. Look at music stores, local universities, or get recommendations. The piano is such a complex instrument that I wouldn’t consider self-education a viable approach. Generally, people learn to play a piano through instruction.