Piano is hard.

Skropi

As per the title, piano is hard, really really hard. I have no problems playing guitar, the violin, or whatever, wind instruments I never tried, but the piano is the hardest for me.

I played till now in a synth action, and all was well. A week ago I got the p515 and, well, I just cant vary my touch consistently. I am better now than I was at the first day, but still…

Dont get me wrong, all the other instruments have other difficulties, which the piano doesn't have, but as far as dynamics are concerned, it gives me the most trouble.

Aaah, at last a real challenge 😁

Deleted

Skropi As per the title, piano is hard, really really hard. I have no problems playing guitar, the violin, or whatever, wind instruments I never tried, but the piano is the hardest for me.

I played till now in a synth action, and all was well. A week ago I got the p515 and, well, I just cant vary my touch consistently.

Consistently playing piano requires piano technique, just as creating proper tones on the violin requires violin technique. Synths and digital pianos are not that great for learning piano technique, though a folded hammer action is huge improvement.

You are already experienced with performing on other instruments, so you notice your dynamic shortcomings, while most beginners don't even hear them. That's the reason why many people like the keys so much while they usually avoid fretless string instruments. With keys you can type in notes and in the eyes of the layman that's all what making music is about. (Someone on PW once told me, that there is no reason to learn to play guitar, because all you need is to type the notes into a synth with a guitar sample.)

So you got a foretaste of what it takes to master an orchestra of hundreds of strings through a double-escapement action. Once you move to a grand piano, it will just feel like starting over again.

QuasiUnaFantasia

Life would be too boring without challenges. 😄

Irmin

Having played violin and trombone. Initially piano is easier. After all as long as you hit the right note it sounds more or less ok. Not like a violin where it sounds like a dying cat for the first year or so.

But later on… 10 fingers, different dynamics and rhythm per hand and finger, pedalling, legato, staccato the list goes on and on. The better you become, the more challenging it becomes.

MacMacMac

Irmin Not like a violin where it sounds like a dying cat for the first year or so.

So true!

vagfilm

But on the other hand, it is easier to get satisfactory results… Compare what kids can play after, let's say, one year of dilligent practice? In violin, you want to run away from their practice, in guitar they sound like a kid playing with a toy, and in piano they fill up a room with a booming sound. After 2 years of practice, the difference is even larger.

I played classical guitar (not dilligently) for many years. I could play fairly well the course materials of the first 4 years of guitar school; I can play (not very well) a few Tarrega, Albeniz, and the likes… But even Bach prelude c maj is very difficult to play in a pleasing way.

My daughter is now 4 years old. Next year she will start piano lessons, and will not touch a guitar until she goes camping with friends…

vagfilm

Deleted You are already experienced with performing on other instruments, so you notice your dynamic shortcomings, while most beginners don't even hear them.

So true… This is a world of difference and that is reason why self-taught applies differently to people that are moving from other instruments (although a teacher is always better).

David B

On one had the piano is the easiest instrument to create a pure sound on. Any child can walk up and play a perfect middle C. Try having a child do that with any other instrument. Not easy.

On the other hand how many instruments involve using all 10 fingers independently, both feet independently, and is able to play bass, melody, and harmony all at the same time?

For me there are certain things I'll never be able to accomplish on the piano because I didn't start when I was young. However, what I can accomplish is enjoyable enough for me to keep playing.

God bless,
David

Skropi

David B Exactly that. And this enjoyment is the reason we are all into music, isn't it?

Del Vento

David B On the other hand how many instruments involve using all 10 fingers independently, both feet independently, and is able to play bass, melody, and harmony all at the same time?

My youngest kid used to play the piano and now switched to the clarinet. She said piano is easy. On the clarinet, just to get a note she has to use the breathing muscles very strongly and very accurately. She needs to use the lips and checks and tongue. And all 10 fingers somewhat independently. I like the clarinet (and sax) sound very much and when she started I though, well I'll be at her lessons so I'll learn some too and do her exercises. Forget it, just putting out any sound on the softest (easiest) reed is an exercise in frustration.
I guess reading is easy as I am discussing in the other thread 🤣

My other kid plays both the violin and the piano. She says they are equally difficult.

TomLC

Let me tell you a story my friend Gregg liked to tell about when he tried out for the Air Force band. Now Gregg played trumpet in our high school band, but his main instrument was piano. He had a jazz trio that played in clubs for two years. (I played drums.) After high school he decided playing in a band for six years was better than being drafted. At the tryouts he watched a guy playing lights out on the piano. Gregg told the Sgt. that brought him "Holy Cow! No way can I beat him!" The Sgt. responded: "Oh don't worry about him, he's the trombone player."

Gregg made it and spent those years traveling with the USAF band playing jazz in officers clubs. He later became a music teacher and was proficient in many instruments.