Hi, I`m very slowly learning the piano. I have an excellent music knowledge ánd play another instrument. I`m picking this up on the side and just wondering if having to read two staves at once gets easier.. and also playing without looking at your fingers and keeping your eyes on the music. Do professionals need to keep an eye on their fingers or can they read the music and play without looking down?

Thanks for any input

Yes reading two clefs at the same time gets easier with practise. As for looking down at your hands I don`t suggest it unless you know the music. I did that constantly for the first three years that I took lessons and my teacher told me that if always do it, it will become a habit. But as you get better you`ll get used to moving in your hands up and down the keys. Eventually it`ll feel natural. I`ve been playing piano for nine years now and hardly ever look down at my hands while reading the music, it`s a lot easier to loose your spot in the piece.

Sorry, I don`t I made that last statement quite clear, anyway what I meant is that if you look down it`s a lot easier to loose your spot.

really?

Hmmm... interesting question.
Okay, here`s the main difference, pretty much what M said...
It depends how well u know yr music also, and if u`re playing from memory or if yr doing something really fast and virtuostic...then normally u`ll end up looking at yr hands. If u`re preparing for a concert etc. it wouldn`t look pro. if u keeping referring to yr scores. And besides, the reason why pianist don`t look at the scores is so that they can focus on the music.
And , of course, to avoid false notes...u`ll have to look where u`re playing. But if u`ve played long enough, u can actually feel yr way around the keys...no matter where yr eyes are really looking.

I taught myself to play the piano and because I am not academically taught I perhaps went the wrong way, but to me I didnt. I never look at the music when playing, I simply always practiced through the years by watching my hands all the time, my memory playing has always been good without forgetting any notes, I also taught myself to learn by ear first, therefore not requiring any sheet music.

However I would not suggest taking my route because its harder to then take exams, because you cant sight read well. But if I played in a concert I wouldnt sight read a piano concerto anyway, who would? they all learn the piece so much it goes into memory. I can read the notes perfectly, I just cant read something straight off at first glance, whats the point anyway?