New to piano, seeking advice

[dbush2765]

So I've been messing around with piano for about a year now. I've been winging it, more or less, since I started. I went out and bought an 88-key keyboard and just started printing out songs. Been playing stuff like To Zanarkand, River Flows in You, etc. Not perfectly though, by any means. I've been starting to learn stuff by David Nevue and Ludovico Einaudi, though that's been slow.

Unfortunately, I can't afford to take lessons right now. I highly doubt just learning random songs will really do much for me. I'm already feeling like I'm hitting a wall, as far as making progress. I've heard learning the scales, chords, etc is the best way to go, but I really have no idea where to start. People have talked about doing drills as well, to get technique down. I have no idea what drills to go with though, or even where to find them.

It's just been a hobby until now, but I really want to start getting more serious about it. Obviously I need to get a teacher at some point, but it's not really an option until I can get the money set aside for one.

Any advice?

[Gill the Piano]

Get yourself a good method book. The Complete Piano Player is a good start, and will tell you why you're playing what you're playing. I believe Faber do a method for adults which Gizzy - a real live piano teacher! - recommended elsewhere on this forum; use the search facility. You might find a piano teacher who is prepared to do the odd lesson as and when you can afford it, rather than regularly. There is a very quick condensed method by Cuthbert Harris called something like ABC which a piano teacher for whom I tune rates very highly. Musicroom.com will have it, I expect. Good luck!