Piano Lessons..
 

Anyone here can recommend me a teacher? I want to be able to play Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata first movement (how long would it take me to get there)?

Also, I'll be getting a keyboard digital piano....is 76 keys enough? or go for 88 keys?

Since you're new, I would say buy a cheaper one (so the 61 key) since you're learning a relatively basic song.

After you've learned and progressed through, then you can upgrade to a more realistic 88 key one. It is unlikely you'll appreciate the difference until later on.

And who needs lessons when you have youtube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh_wh-p0IKA

This is a nice and cheap one. Touch sensitive keys that will help you learn how hard/easy to press to get the appropriate sound so that when you play an actual piano, you won't look like a noob! ;)

http://www.tomleemusic.ca/main/homek...127&inv=140385

you'll want a weighted key full size 88 keys keyboard eventually, might be cheaper to get it now haha...
the advantages are that it feels more like a real piano, but still won't be a permanent substitution for a real one of course

and check out a free ebook called fundametals of piano practice by CS Chang

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Don't know if the OP is willing to shell out that kind of money for 88 keys that are weighted. It is a lot of money to drop for a beginning who is wanting to learn ONE song.

OP should really reply to this thread so that we can gauge what he wants.

Thx for all the tips.... I've just picked up a Yamaha P85 88-key Graded Hammer Action Stage Piano from Tom Lee today. I figured I probably should practice on something that feels as close to a grand piano as I could. I've been reading up on how to read sheet music, probably will take me some time to absorb it all. Now all I need is practice with playing the notes and getting used to where all the keys are.

how much you wiling to pay for a teacher? piano ain't easy to learn!!

I think the avg. is $30/Hr..... So I'll probably try to learn as much as I can for free off the net, then get a teacher to take me further.

If you're still interested in taking lessons, I've been teaching for over 10 years now. Have a Degree in Music (piano major) and also perform on the side. Let me know if you're interested!

As for learning to play the moonlight, it really depends on how diligent you practice and how good you are at reading music. A beginner can play this piece by ear since its slow with mainly broken chords in RH, but playing with the right expression with good technique/control takes a few years to master.

You need 88 keys, since the left hand goes pretty far down.. For a n00b I would say a minimum 3 months if you practice everyday

Wow.

That is an impressive one for a beginner! All the luck man!