Lies, Damned Lies, and Keyboards!

The author enjoying music!

"There's one born every minute!" seems to be the motto of too many "educators"

Are you a sucker? I doubt it. But you have to believe in some thing and some one. Unfortunately, it has become too common online that anyone can call himself an expert (even me - however, you can read my story HERE and make up your own mind about me and my words.) I would say that many folks (both online and off) are either liars, damned liars, or simply have bought their own BS. I will tell you what I think right now.

1. Lie - I have never found any way to learn properly from scratch online - no video, no DVD course, no Skype, no online lesson. Sorry, gang, but I do NOT think that works.
2. Truth - Total beginners should find a good "LIVE" teacher and take some lessons, at least enough to learn how to manipulate the "blacks and whites."

1. Lie - You must study what your chosen expert says you should study (in the case of live lessons usually classical music.)
2. Truth - You can, with a decent teacher, set your own goals or goals for your kids. Why not, it's YOUR money, after all. You have a right to learn to play your favorite music, whatever it is.

1. Lie -Everyone must participate in recitals, competitions, etc.
2. Truth - You can "play for strangers" if you want to or not, but "playing for strangers" is what a pro does. It's just fine to be a "hobbyist" rather than a pro. Why not play for the one person whose opinions you know for sure - yourself.

1. Lie - Only a heavy, bulky, goes out of tune all the damn time, acoustic piano will properly train a person to play.
2. Truth - Acoustic pianos are "old technology" and honestly, digital keyboards have more advanced features that work better to help a person learn to play or perform for their own enjoyment.

1. Lie - Lessons and training are for children.
2. Truth - Kids learn MUCH slower than adults. Any parent can tell you why this is so. I know this bucks the "conventional wisdom" but think about the resources of children vs. the resources of adults. This is the result of decades of PR hype by instrument manufacturers and scientific mis-understanding. Science has now proved that the nervous system needs new learn to continue to function well, but unfortunately, the damage has been done and many older folks don't think they can learn anything new.

Learn more about all this at my website: www.danstarr.com