I must admit I am not the most technologically savvy nor do I regularly get on the internet and just have a look around. If I’m on the internet, it is for a specific purpose. This is why I have only discovered this year that there is such a thing as piano playing forums, specifically for any and all piano related questions.
As far as I’m concerned, I don’t frequent these forums because I don’t feel I have the need for them. This is because at this stage of my life I am not interested in expanding my personal knowledge and skill level, but rather maintaining it because I am busy working and raising kids.
I think they are a great idea for retirees, among others, who maybe are trying to remember how to play the piano after many years of not playing and doing it without the assistance of a piano teacher. Frequently, when anyone is trying to remember and re-establish skills that they once had years ago, could use a little help, a little reminder of what they once knew.
As I have already admitted I don’t frequent any of these forums regularly but what I do think is that because they are so specific to people playing the piano and wanting to gain more knowledge in order to gain more skill, you would not be likely to come across some internet troll who presence is to merely stir up trouble. From the ones that I have seen, both the people that pose questions and the people who respond are courteous and respectful.
Here is a list of piano forums that have a great reputation:
Piano World Forum: this seems to be the most popular and the most active. There is plenty of good information for beginners right through to advanced piano players.
Piano Society: this one is also highly recommended and it is friendly to beginners. Even though it is not explicit, it would appear that it probably caters to the classical or traditional crowd.
Piano Street: another highly recommended forum that tends to specialize in electric pianos.
Other piano forums that might be useful to explore:
Notes Piano Forum – considered good quality but not a really active forum.
The Electric Piano Forum – this forum is specifically about electric pianos.
Piano Facts Forum – this is a small forum but still high quality.
8 Notes Forum – this caters for beginners right through to advanced however you might not get a quick reply.
Taxi – this forum is not specific to piano players but musicians of all kinds of instruments. It is a bit unusual but good for a broader musical context.
Especially if you are trying to re-learn how to play the piano and choosing not to have the assistance of a piano teacher, then I would thoroughly recommend making use of forums, so as questions arise, you have somewhere where you can get the answers.