I Want To Learn To Play The Piano But

I Want To Learn How To Play The Piano/Keyboard, But I Have A Tremor In My Left Hand. What Should I Do?

I am taking online piano/keyboard lessons (I just started a few weeks ago) and I can play basic stuff like 'Mary Had a Little Lamb', but as I'm progressing through the lessons and learning more stuff like how to play with the left hand (or both hands together) it is very difficult because I have a tremor in my left hand. I don't have Parkinson's, but I do have Epilepsy. And I'm on a crap load of medications. I've had this tremor for years (in fact, I don't even remember when it first started I've had it for so long) and my family knows about it and my neurologist knows about it. I was put on a medication to try and make my tremor less annoying, and it's helped a little, but it's still very annoying. Like I was practicing my keyboard yesterday, and I had to play two notes with my left hand at the same time (while still playing notes with my right hand as well) then change what notes my left hand was playing (I had to play an F and C natural together first then change to a C and E natural together. This was all done left handed, my right hand was still playing other crap, and while my left hand was trying to play those note combinations correctly, and tremoring, it was also playing notes that didn't belong such as D natural and B natural. I know I'm just starting out and everything and practice makes perfect, but it just makes me so frustrated because I know there's nothing I can do about this stupid tremor. My neurologist has done all she can do, and I don't know what else there is to do. I really want to learn how to play the keyboard/piano because it's such a beautiful instrument (plus I'm a music major in college) I just don't know how I can be any good if I have this tremor in the way. Any advice?

I want to learn how to play the piano?

That's great! I took piano lessons for a couple years, but I quit because I was a horrible student, and the thrill for me came from challenges. Week by week practicing boring songs picked out from a book that I didn't have excitement to play made piano lessons a drag for me. I like to hear songs, find one that sends chills down my bones, and learn it myself to spread that feeling to others.

I was thinking about taking lessons soon, but I think I'm not going to, because of the same reasons - I'm afraid it'll all be for nothing. Anyway, I'm living proof that it's not impossible to learn a complicated piece when you have little to no piano experience. I can't even read notes, yet I can play this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juLRqSV45vo all the way up to 3:31 (still learning that part! XD) (attempt to encourage you that probably reads as bragging lol)

But if you want to "learn to play piano," like read notes, technique, the whole shebang, you might want to find yourself a teacher. If you want to impress your family with a couple little tunes, you can try learning yourself.

All over youtube are these weird instruction videos - I don't really know what program it is or where they come from, but if you search a song title you can usually find one. It's a video showing which keys are hit to play a song. Observe, the song linked above in this format:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7QF97oJ9Ic

You can also usually find the songs at smaller speeds, so you can observe the notes better. Same song, 50% speed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXdJnQQ3qMA

A youtube channel uses a similar format to teach you how to play lots of easy versions of complicated songs:

http://www.youtube.com/user/youcanplayit#g/p

Find a song you like and study it. Just learn a few notes at a time, don't expect you'll be able to whiz through a song the first or second time - but don't think it's impossible, either! Turkish March seemed utterly impossible to me at the time, but with time and practice I'm getting it. Granted it's been about a month of religious playing lol but it's a complicated song and I hadn't played much since I quit :P

Why do I keep yapping about me? I'm a terrible question-answerer :P

I want to learn how to play the piano but can't afford one, is a keyboard the same thing?

You really should get a piano. With a keyboard you are likely to fall into bad habits that eventually significantly and negatively impact your progress. Some teachers will not even take a student who only has access to a keyboard. Another option is an electronic piano--more than just weighted keys but real piano action. These are not inexpensive--but are less expensive used. Now the good news--check Craigslist, etc. for used pianos in your area, you might find something. Better idea, talked to piano tuners and piano movers in your area. Here in NorCal it has been possible to get a nice piano if you will pay to have it moved. Of course, once the piano "settles" you will need to get it tuned and it is only right for you to let the tuner who turned you on to your piano in the first place. Be patient and you will be able to find a playable instrument and hopefully a really nice one that someone just doesn't want any more.

If you want to learn to play the piano but its expensive - is keyboard worth it ?

If you want to eventually start playing piano afterward, there is both ups and downs.
Ups- you'll know all the keys and notes, and will have a good sense of rhythm once you start. You basically can play piano
Downs- Its actually harder to play the piano after learning on the keyboard because your fingers aren't used to the heavier keys and that will make your accents and note length all out of whack.