I have been learning to play the piano for about 3 years. I started as an adult around 30yo. I am a diligent student, I practice a lot and I am always prepared for my lessons. I have full use of both hands.

Sometimes, when I ask my teacher when I will be able to play a certain piece (usually something more difficult, like Chopin’s Études, Scherzos, or Polonaises), they tell me that I will 'never in my life' be able to play them.

Is my teacher right? Is it true that even after many years of practice, I won't be able to play these pieces because they are so difficult?

It’s a bit depressing. Should I give up on my dreams of playing more advanced repertoire? Are they truly out of reach for a hobbyist without a formal musical education?

Coming back to piano after a 15 year gap and relearning scales from scratch. My teacher had me memorizing the whole W W H W W W H pattern and honestly it never stuck cleanly in my head. Then it clicked when I stopped thinking in steps and started counting the notes instead.

Major scale: 1-2-3, half step, 1-2-3, half step

That's it. Play three notes, half step, three notes, half step. Done.

Minor scale: 1-2, half step, 1-2, half step, 1-2

Two notes, half step, two notes, half step, two notes. Done.

Pick any starting note and these patterns build the scale perfectly every time. No need to memorize a string of Ws and Hs.

The reason this works is you're just counting how many notes land between each half step. Major has groups of 3, minor has groups of 2. That's the entire difference between a happy sounding scale and a dark sounding one.

Hope this helps someone else who struggled with the traditional way of learning it. Sometimes the simplest framing is the one that sticks.

I am a beginner, just starting my piano lesson. I have seen the Alfred's Piano Book is recommended a lot, but quite confused with the selection. Is there specific one that people recommend? Do the content overlap with each other?

Example, the one I saw:

- Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Lesson Book Level 1A

- Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Lesson Book Level 1B

- Alfred's All In One Course Book 1

Is the all in one book have the same content as level 1A and level 1B? For adult beginner which book is more suitable to get?

https://honsbr.github.io/music-theory/chord_progression_03.html

I am a beginner trying to learn music theory and chord shapes so i used Claude to help make this thing, hence disclaimer not sure of accuracy!

I'll be out of town and basically be living in bumfuck nowhere for a while. Any ideas that can help me out?

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A bit of my personal journey into piano.

I'm turning 45 in a few weeks and I thought to tell my story. It took me more than 20 years to decide learning piano, mainly because I felt discouraged when I asked other piano players.

My theory is these young and not so young pianists were forced to learning pieces they didn't want to. Maybe they started very young. If you are thinking or hesitant about learning piano, just do it. I promise you won't regret.

Yesterday Apr 18th I hit the mark of 2 years and 3 months playing piano consistently with a teacher. This is my 5th semester

• Semester 1 ( 45 min weekly)
• Semester 2 ( 45 min weekly)
• Semester 3 ( 60 min weekly)
• Semester 4 ( 2 x 60min weekly)
• Semester 5 ( 45 min weekly)

Repertoire

I would say after Semester 2 I started doing interesting things. This is what I learned so far (mastering the piece is a complete different thing)

• Lord of rings D major (an arrangement my teacher gave me)
• Find a melody -Edit version ( Andrea Vanzo )
• Prelude in C major Bach
• Van Gogh Virginio Aiello
• New Home - Austin Farwell. (This in several times)
• Gymnopédie 1 Erik Satie (still some work on the last 4 measures but I worked on dynamics already)
• Rushing river, composed by M. Bober & G. Goranson
• Arietta Op 12 Grieg

After finishing Arietta this are my goal for 2026 probably I can add something else but this is what I have for now.

• Prelude, Op. 28, No. 4
• Consolation 1 172 (I casually found this and it seems the most accessible Liszt piece)
• The Little Shepperd

Practice

I practice regularly and consistently on my pieces. I decided from day one I wanted to sigh reading but it's more challenging than expected and if I'm being honest I don't have a consistent practice on this topic. I would say I can get solid 45 min practice consistently someday much more. I have a digital piano at home (ES920) and sometimes I book gran pianos at my school at a reasonable price, 2h blocks each time. (either Saturday or Sunday)

Advancing

Just to give a bit of context what I'm looking for with this post.

I looked at Arabesque N1 Debussy, I watched some theory videos about the piece and understood I would need to learn/work 3 against 2.

Then I found a beautiful piece Opening - Philip Glass to work on that skill precisely. I did this. I was expecting my teacher to set the direction, if I want to play Claire de Lune.

• What is the roadmap of pieces and skills/exercises that will bring me faster and in the right direction to at least to seat in front of a dream piece?

Suggestions

How do I find this direction? I was thinking to do take some piano camp/workshop as well, or try to find complementary teaching classes (my school is nice and 7min walk from home, can't beat that).

Should I focus more on sight reading? Am I choosing the right pieces? I do need to play things I'm 100% interested otherwise it doesn't work for me.

The challenge is is exciting for me, I'm not going to attempt things I'm not ready (Traumerei I'm looking at you).

Hopefully this community has ideas on how I can canalize this passion and energy , I need to compensate those 20 years of self-doubt :)

I’m a self learner and I’ve been progressing through the Faber series for a while now. Now that I’m almost done with the book, how do I know what pieces to play and what techniques to learn? I already practice sight reading, czerny 599, scales, arpeggios and learn theory.

I really love Lizst, Tchaikovsky and Chopin and I would love to play their pieces one day, along with more classical music but I know right now I may not be ready. What classical pieces can I play to improve, and with what resources? I would really love a step by step progression on what to learn and how to improve. And please don’t recommend getting a teacher because I can’t afford it right now

I am taking Hanon's first exercise through all keys. The fingering for C major doesn't seem very comfortable in the LH. In C major it's easy, but for a key like D major for example the exercise calls for 5 on D and 4 to be on F#. Which seems odd and a slightly uncomfortable strectch. Am I doing this all wrong?

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I got some money to spend on some technique books. I can't decide if hanon is better than schmitt or not. My focus is on speed and overall, not just finger independence. Can you guys suggest me which one is better? Thanks