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I’m 56….I stated 5 years ago..self taught…the decision of taking on this challenge has opened a new world to me…I had no prior knowledge or any idea about music except for listening…piano has been major part of my life for the past 5 years…I just bought a u1 Yamaha last year…moving up from clp 745.

I watched this and felt greedy to start it, but you say, don't just 'get' it. Practise until you feel the flow. Heard loud and clear. Back to the three beginner patterns.

I'm playing through the three patterns! I didn't believe I'd be able to remember it all, so I spent a ridiculous amount of time writing it all out in pencil on music paper. And now I don't need to look at it at all. Silly me.

Thank you ! Very helpful exercises to work on the 2 hands coordination. So frustrating if you get some stuff done with your right hand but getting totally lost at the point that the left hand should do things too. And thanks to be honest about how much practice and patience it all needs for the first little steps. You have to celebrate all the little steps forward you do if you work on it every or most days of the week instead of having too big expectations and being frustrated it's not working like that. I trust you, I guess it's just about there have to be some new paths connected in the brain for the hand coordination after that it's done it's getting easier.

AWESOME!!! 😎👽☠️🌴❤

AWESOME!!! 😎👽☠️🌴❤

I haven't seen another channel starting from lesson one. Lots of us oldsters can't afford one on one teaching, so we end up following a method book, and a mashup of advice from TH-cam while also jumping ahead and doing what we want, which is picking out our favourite songs with somewhat dissapointing results. This lesson gets beginners off on a coordination footing, looking toward your excellent chord pattern videos.

Thanks for another fine video, Jim! I do like the pace and how much you enforce the power of simplicity and building upon it. Slow and steady wins the piano playing ;-) I don't remember my teacher as a teen doing these basics. I did start out playing the organ, but finger basics are the same IMHO. I just wrote and played the scales forwards and backwards, which I guess did the same thing.?. I do think some would call these 'basic' exercises, but I feel it's very important to get the brain / hand coordination working first along with strengthening all involved muscles. I just wish I had a keyboard to follow along. At the moment I'm 'Air Playing'. Today is the BIG day. The piano is arriving - finally; at least it's scheduled to arrive between 9a - 1p. After it's setup, I'll just go back to video #1 and start; and of course I'll be able to go further in your Foundations Course. I'm very much looking forward to our 1st 'video' lesson on Zoom that I'll set up with you probably 1st part of February. And I should see you Tuesday at 4p. Have a great weekend, Jim and everyone here. Here's to good practicing.

Great for Adults.

Feel free to support the channel! thanks: grassrootspiano.mykajabi.com/store

Thank you all for your viewership! Please let me know what you think and share your piano journey's with us!

This is so clearly set out. I've got the three patterns pretty well and I know from experience, sleeping on them will make them even better tomorrow! I loved when you played the three patterns in sequence. For me that's going to be a real nice thing to have at my disposal.

Hello. Lionel Richie.

I'm not used to any sort of see-and-play video instruction. I tried taking screen captures of your graphics, so I had something like the figures on a piano chords website. But after watching a bunch and playing them a while I realised you're playing: Up 1-5-1-2-5-1; up 2 down 1-5-2-1-5. This actually built my confidence in my chord skills. I never played chords over this wide a stretch, because we were working only in the middle of the keyboard to be able to improvise over four chords without looking. Thanks for providing a way for me to start to have relaxing fun with chords all over the keyboard! I have a nagging suspicion that at this age, playing more than a very small repertoire from sheet music without hesitation is a tall order.

I can't see a link to your Patreon here or in your profile. In one video you mentioned the 'community' on your 'platform'. If you have a bunch of older beginners chatting somewhere, I'd pay for a membership! I joined a couple facebook groups but they're competitive and/or focused on passing certificate exams.

I'm loving these videos directed at older adults, Jim. I think you may have found a great niche! Half of what my coach was giving me fell under the label 'therapy'. You're like him in that way. This short-term thing is everywhere, spurred by all the empty promises on TH-cam. My son taught me the word 'stunting' after he shared a video of the best snippet of him playing Master of Puppets at speed on the guitar. He admits this has nothing to do with actually playing guitar. I've heard of adults who choose a difficult, impressive classical piano piece and just brute-force it for a year so they can say they did it. That's also just 'stunting'. Playing piano is a deep set of artistic skills. People often confuse it with typing.

A number of things you said here rang true for me, but there was a throwaway bit about people who went to conservatory and did things like competitions. They don't 'get' mainstream people. I think that's why I finally ended my coaching sessions with my teacher. He didn't appreciate that being taken so seriously as a budding musician in my seventies was amazing, but in response I put myself under a lot of pressure, hoping not to disappoint him. It really wore me down. I've just been trying different strategies for four months now and I'm getting closer to knowing what is the best way to use my time. I can't be too long-term goal oriented, so every day has to be satisfying. The more I figure out what to practise, the more time I'm spending at the piano every day.

thank you.

My 'valley of despair' came after two years. I noticed my practice was starting later and later in the day. I'd worked methodically (no skipping) through Alfred's Book 1 and I was now goi g through Hanon and Czerny and learning pop songs, working on eight at a time, half an hour each every day. I'd realised that when you learn primarily from muscle memory because you can't read as fast as you can play, that memory degrades quickly if you don't maintain it daily. I felt like a human player piano. Mechanical. No piece was hesitation-free. But those two years were necessary to teach me the value of musicality, to make that my training goal, whatever it took. Even if I had to start over as if I were five years old. And I did. That was in 2019. I'm still playing at 73, now working through a simplified hymnal, improving my reading. I have the rest of my life. No rush.

I don’t think I've seen a video devoted to learning piano in retirement. Just by seeing the thumbnail, people know it's not too late. I started at 66, not really admitting to myself how much I'd longed to play all my life. I used a big touch-sensitive drawing tablet in my illustration work and I wondered if there was an app that would let me noodle on a virtual keyboard. I found skoove, but it needed a midi controller. There went $150. A month later I was buying a proper Yamaha P115 and starting Alfred's. These silly apps can be gateways for oldsters who don't believe we deserve to reach for the musical stars. I worked on my own for two years, hours every day. Then I saw a local choir accompanist who played so rhythmically and joyfully, I realised I needed a new path. My reading was good enough to grasp note durations, but in a paint-by-numbers way. I found a teacher whose philosophy is that before learning piano theory and technique, take time to explore the keyboard methodically and get it under your fingers proprioceptively AND train yourself to release your inner rhythm, overcoming inhibitions. Fast forward five years. After years of private coaching I'm now focused on improving my reading with an ultimate goal of good sight-reading. I love the process of playing a simple short unfamiliar piece and revealing the music. That's all I've ever really wanted.

Yes, exercise

Hello wonderful learners! You might need to check out this video if you're having arm, back or neck issues in regards to piano posture: th-cam.com/video/TH-Rpyc03LQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=0Bt1LUeKhKZOLev6

Is it possible for you to recommend a music stand and adjustable bench? I’m only 4’10” tall. I sit on books when I play. My feet never touch the floor.

I’ve been struggling with proper positioning so your video was spot on for me. The music stand idea is brilliant! It will fix many of the things I find awkward. Arm height is also an issue. I ask my husband to watch me from the side to see exactly where my arms and hands are. I do have a question as to where I should sit in relation to the keyboard. Unfortunately, my current keyboard only has 48 keys. When doing lessons in the Faber book, I find my hands in very awkward positions. Any help would be appreciated, Jim! You’re amazing.

If some of you need help with your piano posture, neck, and back issues, this lesson might be of help: th-cam.com/video/TH-Rpyc03LQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=6DXgwWNo-IXWm5_P

I've been told that my posture piano video has been helping so, If any of you need additional information in regards to piano posture of this video, most likely will help answer some questions that some of you might have. th-cam.com/video/TH-Rpyc03LQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=6DXgwWNo-IXWm5_P

I'm definitely going to have to either get a mirror, so I can constantly monitor my position, or use my phone, as you suggested Jim. Thanks for another great lesson on posture. One comment I have, and maybe it was just my screen. There were times when there were big words, that you also saying, that blocked quite a bit of the picture; ie. At 5:46 "Some big rules you want to avoid really low" were in a red block and blocked your arm, that I really wanted to see. I would suggest maybe make the words smaller and put them in an area that does not impede what you're conveying or maybe make the words transparent in the video so the whole picture is still viewable. And definitely ... yes exercise! btw - still awaiting the piano - ugh. Hopefully soon.

Yes, that's verrry true. Anxious to just "get it." 😊

Yes, exercise, thank you.

Wanted to learn how to read music as well as play piano from the beginning check out my course! grassrootspiano.mykajabi.com/offers/92cFnu5V/checkout

Thank you all of you for your support and comments as well as emails! I'll try to get to all your questions and it orderly fashion 🙂

I began learning the keyboard 2 years ago, having played guitar, not very well, since my teens, so I could read music fairly well, especially the right hand, but now learning to read the left hand. I'm 74 years old, and my right hand was crushed when I was 19, so I can't play fast, and sometimes have to do with thumb and 3 fingers, especially for chords. So no fast playing, which is fine because I love slower ballads & standards. It takes me months to learn a piece, because I go for arrangements that are somewhat above my pay scale. BUT, I LOVE my journey on piano, so much more than the guitar, and I wish I had started decades ago!

Jim,I would love a pdf for the every other note section. I’m having trouble using the correct fingers when going back down to middle C also. I’m practicing though.

I Have Just Retired at 65yrs in 2024.I Bought My Self a DGX 670. I Have Just Started on My Piano Journey as of The 5th of January 2025.

Great video! Just about to retire, just working my notice period. I've purchased a new piano (Yamaha P-225) ready for my new-found freedom and can't wait to start my new learning adventure. I already play the fiddle and guitar and know the benefits of being a musician. Can't wait to get started!

*Free Piano Course! Happy New Year everybody!* Here's part of my Piano Foundations Course for the adult learner! grassrootspiano.mykajabi.com/offers/Ahx4gQ6o

* Free Piano Course* ! Happy New Year everybody! Here's part of my Piano Foundations Course for the adult learner! grassrootspiano.mykajabi.com/offers/Ahx4gQ6o

Thanks. Great lesson.

I really love these videos, I've been playing for for 6 months at 40 yrs old. Everything about piano is new to me and overcoming every little obstacle is so satisfying.

Imagine teaching a two ears old how to read, instead of him learning how to speak. Beatles did not learn how to read music. Why don’t you teach simple songs by demonstrating how to play, not to read. I would love to learn how to play, .. without reading. Similar to Suzuki method.

Hi, Jim! HNY🎉. I previewed this video then strapped on my big girl pants and went to the piano (keyboard). What fun I had! I practiced to the portion where you present playing with both hands faster and slower. My goal became playing the scales smoothly a few times through. I didn’t want to become dependent on looking at the keys so I focused straight ahead or with my eyes closed. When I hit the point of diminishing returns I did the wrist exercises again, played through smoothly and called it a day. I can’t wait to practice tomorrow! Thanks, Jim!

I am 50 but already retired because of diabilitiy, should have come up with the idea years ago! Bought a keyboard last eastern, never learned an instrument or learned to type with 10 fingers what might be helpful for the 2 hand coordination. I just can read a bit of notes from singing in a choir decates ago. So my goal is to sing and play the piano/ keyboard I was nearly about to give up as I didn't know where to start, overwhelmed by the free stuff you can get nowadays but its often just to promote a course you have to pay for. It took some time to find out what I really want as I found out method books are going different paths. I had no clue how long it really takes as I watched 1 year progress videos. My ideal self would practice 1-2h daily but in reality it's quite challenging to learn new stuff and I am happy if it's 15 to 40 min most days of the week. As I found your channel I was very happy to see that I have to slow down my expectations and be thankfully for the small achivements. I was like I can't play with both hands, but it's slowly getting better. I really like to read comments of other older learners and learn from their experience! I think my 70 year old self might be upset if I quit now. 😅 I just can't upgrade my 61 key keyboard that early as I hoped for. But I am more for playing songs instead of classic music anyway, so it has to do it for 2025. I try to learn scales as a warm up, should look up for other exercises too and I bought a keyboard learning book. The typical children songs, but it's okay as I know the melodies. Oh and if I am honest I don't think I would have been faster to learn piano as a 8 year old to be honest to coordinate 2 hands with 5 fingers each couldn't have been much easier as I remember how hard it was to learn to write. Use what you have as every start is a bit boring. is my motto. Should look up some videos from you to get some inspirations. Thanks for sharing parts of your knowlege for free as of course there has to be a payed course as well to survive as a teacher. I am very happy about the options to learn new stuff these days and my English is good enough to watch also English content. 😊 Happy New year and best of luck !

You aren’t even in your mid 50s and already talking about aging?? Healthy people are living into their 80s and beyond, so you could very well have 30+ years ahead of you. Enjoy your middle years! I will be 75 this year and still struggling to learn jazz piano. After nearly 15 years of studying jazz I finally feel like I’ve crossed into the early intermediate stage, and there is so much to learn. But there is no thinking ahead at my age; no “someday”. The present is what I have, and since retiring 2 1/2 years ago I have made the piano the focus and foundation of my life. It is a worthy effort and makes me forget about aging and mortality. While at the piano it’s just me and the music…I’m enveloped by something wonderful, far bigger than myself, and that is such a gift…at any age.

Beginners! Don't forget to hit the like button if you've enjoyed this instruction. Thank you :-)

I want to play better

Hannon! Ha!

Voice of reason. I will not quit. Thanks a ton.

Thank you very much that was a great first lesson especially knowing what hand exercises to limber up your Fingers and wrists and the different options for hitting the keys correctly and then spacing them and going up and back etc.