We all know the story of how Elvis got his first guitar and who taught him to play. But who taught him to play piano? And if the Presley’s were as poor as they were, could they have afforded a piano or lessons.

 

 

 

To quote from the Scotty Moore site http://scottymoore.net/

 

 

 

“In 1999 Guernsey's of New York auctioned a piano that Elvis purchased at Houcks, it was supposedly his first one. It was a simple used Stroud upright that they say cost him $281.75 and in the same auction they sold the receipt for it dated Sept 30, 1955”

 

 

 

Elvis, we know was proficient enough by then or else he would not have been as good just over a year later at the Million Dollar Quartet jam.

 

 

 

There doesn’t seem to be any mention of this in any book I have read, certainly not Guralnick’s. So over to you guys. Any guesses.

 

Wow! That's a good question, Martin. Been racking my brain, but, like you, I can't remember reading anything about when Elvis first learnt to play the piano. I've had a quick look through my books, but can't find anything at the moment, but I will try to have a better look soon.

 

Had a look on the net and have come up with this on Elvis Australia ;)

 

From an interview with Sam Phillips for the Commercial Appeal on August 18th 1977

 

It was while working with Phillips, Black and Moore (at Sun) that Presley evolved his style of rock and roll, but he also picked up something else at the Sun Record Co. studio – a love for piano.

‘He loved to sing and always wanted to play guitar real good – of course he never did learn to play guitar good – and he wanted to play piano like Jerry Lee’s playing, thought it was unbelievable.’

He didn’t envy Jerry Lee or anything, but he did sit down and learn piano. And I think it was because he loved to hear Jerry Lee play so much. Man, he loved to play the old spiritual licks.’

 

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/a_broken_heart.shtml

 

So Sam seemed to be saying that Elvis started to learn to play the piano whilst he was at Sun, but if I find anything else out, I will let you know B)

Good old Sam :rolleyes: It was always all to with him. Just like when he, not Marion taped Elvis' first recording at Sun. I just don't think Elvis would have got so good so quickly to leave Jerry lee Lewis standing aroung fot so long at the $1,000,000 Qaurtet jam. But who knows maybe Sam was telling the truth for once. :lol:

You're right, Martin, I really don't think that Elvis had never tinkled the ivories before then :rolleyes: There must have been an occasion in his youth when someone showed him how to play, I just haven't found it yet, but I will keep on looking :dance: Just surprised that no one seems to have taken credit for it.

Guess you may already have seen this, Martin, but for those who haven’t, this is a reply from Marty Lacker on the Elvis Express Radio website to the question Martin posed on here :)

 

Marty Says:

Hello Carol & Brenda,

You are correct, for the most part Elvis taught himself how to play piano.

He knew the basic chords and the more he played the better he got.

 

In comparison to a pianist he was so-so but the way he presented what he did on the piano, he did well enough.

 

In reality, he was the same way on guitar. Many people take credit for teachng Elvis how to play the guitar but in truth it was really

one of his uncles on his mother's side who did the most. His Tupelo preacher takes credit as did Vester Presley but they weren't

really the ones who did teach him.

 

Someone from Elvis' youth, whether family or friends, has to have introduced Elvis to the piano. We just have to find out who they were :unsure: