learning music on the web?

Factual Questions
1

Anyplace to learn basic music on the web? I’m talking about starting at the basics, like reading music, scales, and that sort of thing.

Also, once that’s understood, is there a place to learn piano or guitar?

thanks

2

This site lists 20 music theory sites. You can visit them and see which ones look like they might be helpful to you. Google on music theory and music basics for more.

3

Gawd, there’s a zillion. I learned to play piano (well, people who don’t play themselves think I can play) entirely from the 'Net. Google “learn to play piano” and stand back.

Also there are useful fora similar in concept to GQ here. I find them useful for hard-to-answer questions. And, of course, here at GQ I’ve had obscure questions answered.

4

Gary

Thanks for the link. There is a lot of stuff on that page, and I’m sure I’ll be able to harvest quite a bit from that.

Vorpal,

Thanks for the google suggestion.

To be honest, I did google some things before posting this question, but was overwhelmed with options. I really don’t know where to begin.

I’ve wanted to learn to play an instrument for a long time, but I can’t even read music. So I really don’t know the proper steps to take, or what order I should tackle the building blocks. I love music, and I can plink out tunes on a piano that I have heard, but I have no idea what key they are in, how I would read music and transfer that info to my fingers and play the song written.

I’ve also wondered if this is possible without being taught the basics from someone in a classroom type setting, so your post has given me hope that it can be done.

When you started, did you know how to read music already, or did you start with a complete lack of formal knowledge like I am? I don’t know the vocabulary, I vaguely remember scales from grade school, and that’s it.

Thanks!

5

Yes, there’s an overwhelming number of sites related to this. My thought was that the Top20 page offered a selection (presumably of good quality) that would winnow down the choice to something manageable. They’re all quite different, so my suggestion is to check out a page or few of each one in hopes of finding one that has what you want and presents it in a form that you can relate to.

I looked at a few of them, but not all of them. The one labeled Tutorials strikes me as being pretty good for a start-from-the-ground-up approach, and possibly it can get you started nicely.

6

I strongly suggest you start with something like Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One. Available at most any music store or Amazon. It assumes you’re dumber than hair. Since I personally am dumber than hair I started there. The Internet is a useful supplement but, as you observe, it can be overwhelming since there’s so much. Use the Internet once you’ve got through Level One.

I tried classical guitar a LOT of years ago, so long, in fact, that I effectively had to learn everything from scratch when I started piano. Alfred’s was excellent – good basics and some not-too-bad music to actually play. By the way, Alfred’s is a series going up to Level Six (?). I quit the books at Level Two but only because I didn’t want to do all the drills and other shit. I just wanted to make pretty sounds.

It’s probably true that you learn faster and avoid building bad habits if you have a teacher. I didn’t do that because I travel too much for regular lessons, I don’t like drills, and I have a definite idea of the kind of music I like (classical). As for bad habits I’m sure I have a lot; I just don’t care. People who don’t play think that I can play. People who do play think I suck and of course they’re right but, again, I don’t care. Carnegie Hall is extremely unlikely for me.

Music theory is OK, I enjoy learning it, but it is definitely not necessary at your level yet, maybe never depending on what your goals are. You’ll pick some of it up as you progress and it will be easier to understand after you’ve hacked at the piano for awhile.

One last thought (I could babble on for several volumes): you really have to practice. Duh. I actually enjoy practicing which is why I was able to struggle through the first 6 months or so. You will genuinely suck for the first few months and it can be discouraging. Stick with it, though and you’ll never regret it.