On learning the piano late

[benjamin]

I know some are trying to unlearn an instrument after years of studied technique, so I thought I'd try to solicit some advice about how to begin playing the piano with an eye on developing a small practice of contemporary music.

Assuming this approach is not too heterodox, how might it be taken up later in life?

Are there specific books or methods that I should look into if I want to (say) play Feldman? Should I locate a teacher? I’m not above playing Hot Cross Buns, but it would be great to work with someone who has an appreciation for contemporary piano music.

[mono tony]

get your hands on the piano, get familiar with it. bang out some sounds at random, get a basic sense of consonance and dissonance (which notes sound good/bad/etc. together) -- play with the pedals, listen to sounds decay. play it hard, play soft, pluck on the strings inside the piano, find the 'harmonic' points.. just basic stuff

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consonance_and_dissonance

apologies if you're already well beyond this

[SorenCamus]

Hey...I began piano late (perhaps not late as you? I started in my early 20s and had no previous music experience in any capacity)

Lessons from a 'good' teacher are the best advice I can give, perhaps at a local community college? (this is what I did) Before I began lessons at the college, I had a kind old woman as a teacher. She was able to teach me the basics and introduce me to the instrument, but didn't pay attention to my technique and I had to unlearn a lot of bad habits afterwards. However, maybe this is O.K. for you.

This, combined with discipline and regular practice, will generally provide quality results.

[DavidHill]

I think it's never too late!

[timdrage]

As Goodiepal pointed out one time I saw him play/talk, "The piano isn't even a musical instrument!"