I’m a Beginner and My Wrists are Dead!

Piano CatI received this question from Danny, an absolute beginner.  It is clear that he is motivated to learn. Being motivated my friends is very important.  Starting off, we are all frustrated and just want to learn faster! You must hang in there, and Danny does not sound like he is willing to give up!

“Hey Ryan, i was browsing through youtube a few weeks ago and happened to come across your page i sat there and watched your videos and i was hooked man, i know you probably get this all the time but you are absolutly awesome you really are, you play those songs so beautifully,you so have a talent there my friend!

Anyway bearing in mind i have never played a piano/keyborad i decided i wanted to buy one and learn so for the last 2 weeks i have been watching your coldplay videos trying to learn how to play the basic stuff, mate i am useless, it is so hard trying to get the notes i can just about play the first part of the song but i cant seem to use my left hand i know its only 2 weeks but i feel that i am never going to be able to play, i would give anything to be able to play when you were young by the killers like you did there i love that song but i bet that would take me years man.

I don’t expect a tutorial over youtube or anything and i am more than happy to buy your dvds and i am going to, infact i cant wait till payday so i will have money in my account so i can order your tutorials but is there any advice you give a complete novice for now, anything? I sooo want to be able to play, but its so damn hard id love to believe your tutorials will teach me how to play but i have little faith in my ability to learn, i just cant move my fingers or my left hand like that

Thanks for your time man

Danny

Btw my wrists are dead!”

Many people have told me that they have trouble playing with their LH. I guess we assume that they are Right handed. I am as well, but I remember when I was learning the song that got me into piano - “Clocks” by Coldplay. I wanted to use both my RH & LH to play that main riff sound. The sheet music wanted the LH to just tap the bass note, but I didn’t want to, lol. Anyways, I practiced with just my LH slowly. Yes, it was the hardest thing and I felt so uncoordinated. Then I practiced both hands doing that main riff very slowly. It took time, and even after that song, my LH still needed more practice to have good coordination. My LH was slowly getting better. It probably took me a month or two before it felt a positive, noticeable difference and I could play a part very well with just my LH.  When You Were Young by The Killers is an awesome song to play, but I recommend that you start with some very easy songs. Try “The Scientist” by Coldplay and practice until you are able to play along with the real song. The LH is very easy (just taps bass note) and will just help you learn to watch and move it to the next note (while not having too many notes to move among). Plus, the RH just plays chords, so you will be able to play both hands together without having to think too much about what to do next. Once you learn that song, try to play it without having to look down at your fingers too much. Because you don’t have to move much around on the keyboard, you should learn to feel what you are playing. I like you thinking big and wanting to play big songs now, but start with a few easy ones. After a few weeks, you can move up! :grin:



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7 Responses to “I’m a Beginner and My Wrists are Dead!”

  • 1
    Antoinette
    January 26th, 2008 13:52

    Hey Im 15 and i’ve been playing the flute for a little over a year now but my passion has always ben to someday play the piano. Anyway i bought a keyboard about 2 years ago but i still cant play it! when i first got it i tried and tried to play but i could never get both my bands to move together so i gave up and the keyboard just reduced to a decoration in my livingroom and every now and then i would see a really cool part of a song and try to play it but other than that i suck. so a couple of days ago i ran across your youtube page and saw your tutorial for “Unfaithful” by Rihanna and i really wanted to play it and i almost got the first part down but the second part is really hard moving both hands i was just wondering could you give me any advice both for the song and as a beginning piano player?

  • 2
    ryan
    January 26th, 2008 15:32

    Antoinette,
    During the 2nd part of that song, my LH goes pretty quickly playing between the notes of the chords: I would suggest that you play Ab Eb Ab (like 1, 2, 3) and then Bb F Bb, then C G C, then D Bb D (all in a simple 1 2 3 motion) rather than playing how I do. I rotate between those three notes of each set playing them quickly to make it sound cooler. But I don’t suggest trying to sound like a pro when you are just beginning. Many beginners managed unfaithful with a lot of time they tell me. Try some other easier songs. Maybe “Boston” by Augustana. the LH is fairly easy and it will help both of your hands work together. My tutorial for it is on youtube. :grin:

  • 3
    Jessica
    January 27th, 2008 00:17

    Hi I love your videos on youtube and I have learned a lot from them. I started learning Unfaithful and I got the first 2 parts but I am having trouble with the third part. Is it possible to post or email the notes to the third part for the right hand? Thank you so much.

    Jessica

  • 4
    Emily
    January 30th, 2008 19:45

    Hey, Ryan. My name is Emily and I’m an eight grader in Georgia. You are my inspiration. I saw your video of how to play ‘Wait for You’ by Elliot Yamin and I was hooked on the piano. I had never played piano before I saw that video. With your help, I learned how to play one song after another. (And, I guess, being in several advanced choirs at my school and knowing how to sight read helped, too, when I started playing by sheet music) It’s been maybe three months since I first started playing and, now, I’m (amazingly) going to be the accompanist for a sixth grade choir during competition in Orlando, Florida. I just wanted to say that I appreciate all your help. It’s always been one of my dreams to be a pianist. Thanks. ^^ Love you.

  • 5
    Antoinette
    February 2nd, 2008 21:13

    hey ryan
    i just want to say thanks alot for the advice and i did try “Bosten” by Augustana plus i finally got the second part to unfaithful :]. i just wanted to ask you one more thing though…. could you please please please post a video on how to play a song by Sara Bareilles [[particularlly "Love Song"]] i really love her music and it would mean soo much if i could play one of her songs :]

  • 6
    Antoinette
    February 23rd, 2008 00:13

    Omg thank you sooo mch for the sara bareilles video <333, i admire her sooo much. I’ve been really busy and hadn’t had a chance to check but just now i did and you don’t know how much i wanted it. but anyways i guess i am just saying THANK YOU!!!

  • 7
    Kate
    March 11th, 2008 12:47

    Hi, Ryan!

    I am writing to you hoping you could help me.
    I don’t speak english very vell thats why i completeley get lost in your website.
    I play piano some about 6 months.
    Howewer it’s not actualy a piano but a keyboard.
    I’ve already learned “To Elise”(1st Mvt), Piana Sonata Patetique(2nd Mvt) of Beethoven, Canon of J.Pachelbel,

    Moonlight Sonata from
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puqsKGy0L_E, Lestat’s Sonata from Interview with the vampire of Haydn from
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMoGz7B6dYs&feature=related

    These both aren’t a tutorial videos.
    People just play there.

    I know a lot of Muse songs, some i play by ears.
    I know blues notes.
    I can improvise in c-major,
    Also I have my own improvisations (I think some of them are very nice)

    I started play the guitar 7 monts ago. So it helps me.
    I can read music when i’m playng guitar.
    But at piano i can’t. How can I learn? Where?

    Also I’ve learned your tutorial videos of songs of Killers from youtube.it seems to easy for me.
    I liked Mr. Brightside because in this song you must make moove youre hands in different ways, lately i changed the way of mooving left hands.

    I’d like to play more complicated songs, I need to improove skills.
    How can I do this?
    If i know what to learn i will definetley learn faster and play better.

    I want to learn aboud chords, gammas, major and minor. I know nothind about it.
    Maybe you could help me.
    Say what learn first, send me some references of web where to go and what to learn first.

    Oh… It seems a long letter.
    Anyway thanks for what you do.)

    P.S.Sorry if there are mistakes.
    I don’t write English veru well.



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