Restarting the Piano Options

[hello_cello]

Hi Guys,
Some of you may remember me - I was learning to play piano a while ago (Grade 3, Merit) and stopped shortly before I was due to take my grade 4 exam.
Anyway, 3 years later, here we are. I'd like to start again. (The reason I stopped is mainly because I was put off by my then teacher. She was excellent, but I was put in for an exam without being asked, and the pressure put on me to pass the exam was rather a lot.) I'd like to restart when I go off to uni in September, so a few questions.

1) How much (ballpark figure) could one expect to pay for lessons in Bristol (I've been out of it for a few years as I said, and have no idea of the 'going rate')

2) Is it 'acceptable' to learn on an electric 'piano' - such as a 'Clavinova'? Obviously living in halls I won't be able to have a piano, and also ours is rather shot anyway. I suspect it would cost more than it's worth to sort it out. In the past 3 years, it's been subjected to changing humidity, being moved around a lot, and a lot of dust (house renovation). It was miles past its best when we bought it, anyway. Please don't give me a lecture on poor piano maintenance!

I think part of what put me off as well before was at the time my voice was of course all over the place, and there was nothing more mortifying than the aural bits of my lessons. I don't think that will be much of an issue anymore, though. Hopefully....

Any words of support gratefully received!
H_C


Oh, also, does anyone know of anywhere in/near Bristol that do the 'rent to buy' plans (or whatever it's called) on electric pianos?

[sbhoa]

Though there may be some teachers a bit stuffy over a digital piano there's no reason you can't manage perfectly well with one. I wouldn't worry about your voice and aural. If it's really an issue then there are options....another exam board or don't take exams. Learning to play is not primarily about exams unless you want it to be.

[corenfa]

Agree about learning on a digital piano. I am post grade 8 and I have a digital. However, if you can, it is very helpful to be able to now and then get some playing time on an acoustic. There are some nuances of touch that a digital just doesn't have. It may only become a "problem" at very high levels (ie. if you never ever played an acoustic, and then you had to take a diploma exam on an acoustic, there will be things you may miss).

[hello_cello]

Does anyone know anything about the Yamaha CLP-840? I can't really find anything online about it, but there is one for sale locally (well, close enough to drive and pick it up). Not keen on wasting a day going to look at it if it's a no-goer.

[SkyT13]

I've played on a couple of very good digital pianos that I much prefer to the acoustic piano at home - so I suspect a good digital piano will be fine! But at the same time there are also some digital pianos that aren't great - I was once in a local music shop that sold plenty of keyboards and digital pianos and there were only one or two (out of many!) that I would have wanted to play on regularly...

It might be a good idea to bring along a piano-playing friend when choosing perhaps?

[Benjy]

You will have no problem learning on a digital. I have a Clavinova CLP 840 and it's fine, but check it out before buying - mine is somewhat old (and heavily used) and it's not quite as even in the touch as it used to be. I play some pretty advanced stuff on it, and it's only when I get to things like Rachmaninov preludes with complex pedalling requirements and lots of notes sounding at once that it shows its limitations. I do have an acoustic too, but the Clavinova would probably cover most of my practice needs as long as I had occasional access to an acoustic.

You might also want to try the piano shop at the bottom of Stokes Croft - I'm sure they used to do some sort of rental scheme.

Regarding tuition fees, my lessons in the Bristol area (v. experienced teachers/performers and both teaching post grade 8) have been around the ?40 per hour mark, but there will be teachers who charge less (and more!).

Jon

[Gertrude]

Does anyone know anything about the Yamaha CLP-840? I can't really find anything online about it, but there is one for sale locally (well, close enough to drive and pick it up). Not keen on wasting a day going to look at it if it's a no-goer.

Go to a shop and test them yourself (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) You need to buy the best digital for piano sound, not for extras like pretty displays and things. I learn on Clavinova and know that it is not ideal but it is good enough at least up until the ABRSM grade 6 pieces! Pedal on digital also does not behave properly but this will not be problem for you I think.

My teacher often tells me I must buy an acoustic as I am now trying much more tricky material and struggle on his piano when I go to lesson so I hope that helps.

[Halka]

1) How much (ballpark figure) could one expect to pay for lessons in Bristol (I've been out of it for a few years as I said, and have no idea of the 'going rate')

[snip]

Oh, also, does anyone know of anywhere in/near Bristol that do the 'rent to buy' plans (or whatever it's called) on electric pianos?

We live in Bristol and pay ?15 for a half hour piano lesson.

The main piano shop in Bristol is Mickleburgh's. We bought our acoustic piano from them on rent-to buy. I'm not sure they do this for digitals though, and my recollection is that it's only advantageous to buy the piano this way if you buy it within the first year of rental.

Their website is here, but has little to say on rentals, I think: http://www.mickleburgh.co.uk/ .

I don't know anything about them, but this shop specialises in digital pianos/stage pianos/keyboards etc:

http://www.swiftmusic.co.uk/

It's quite convenient for some of the student halls of residence. Again, the website says nothing about rent to buy.

Bristol Music Club is near the Student's Union and has acoustic pianos which can be booked for use by members:

http://bristol-music-club.co.uk/

Hope that's a little help - and that you have a great time in Bristol!

[PianissiMole]

Welcome back H_C! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I?m sure you?ll have no problems learning on a digital, as long as it has one of the progressively weighted key systems. I use a Roland FP7 stage piano which has the useful ability to record and playback, which I would recommend for self-critique.

Choice of a suitable teacher is more critical ? as I?m sure you know. All the usual advice ? try and get some personal recommendations, try before you buy, etc. At intermediate levels, you probably need someone who is a teacher first and a pianist second rather than a brilliant pianist who also teaches. The latter also tend to be the more expensive.

Good luck and enjoy!
Moley