Advice on learning to play the keyboard

davekershaw · Post by **davekershaw** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:17 am

After years of plonking around, I've decided to give it a go at learning the keyboard proper.I can usually cobble bits together for recording purposes, but I think really being able to play would add a new dimension to my writing, and might reduce the number of takes to single figures! I know piano's and keyboards are different, but I've got a four octave keyboard and no piano, so thought I'd start off on that.OR should I invest in a full size one, OR go the whole hog and get a piano!Anyone got any tips or advice? Good books etc.I'd find it hard to fit in lessons, so am going the self-taught route as I did with guitar.Thanks in advance.Dave.

sgs4u · Post by **sgs4u** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:06 am

Sept 2, 2009, 9:17am, davekershaw wrote: 1) I've decided to give it a go at learning the keyboard proper.2) I'd find it hard to fit in lessons, so am going the self-taught route as I did with guitar.Thanks in advance.Dave.Dave, those 2 statements are at odds with each other. I was self-taught. It took 35 years and I'm still not done learning. If I'd had the YouTube tools that are out there it would have gone much faster. Do you want to feel like a piano player, or do you want to be able to add sounds and new ideas to your studio repertoire? I'd suggest a real piano and lots of lessons for the former ora cheap 60 note keyboard and a bunch of new sounds for your computer if the latter. IT's fabulous that you're ready to tackle something new like this! Kudos man!

matto · Post by **matto** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:30 am

I would agree with Steve my advice would depend on what you're trying to achieve. Do you want to be able to play other people's music on a proper piano by reading notes?Or do you want to learn to better play your own music on your studio keyboard(s), and as you said add a new dimension to your writing?Very different goals that are best achieved by very different approaches IMHO.As far as proper piano lessons, I would respectfully disagree with Steve...he's self taught and I had years of piano lessons yet he beats the crap out of me as player LOL...

squids · Post by **squids** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:31 am

Some things are jes given to us. But not to all of us.

ernstinen · Post by **ernstinen** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:48 pm

Sept 2, 2009, 9:23pm, trentoliphant wrote: I find that the techniques I learned doing Czerny, Hannon, scales, etc. are very helpful in my writing.Yup, I agree with Trent. Hannon excercises are invaluable to keyboard playing!I made my living for years playing keys and left-hand bass, and if you don't have you finger muscles "trained" (just like playing guitar, which I also do), it's just about impossible to play everything you'd like to.My 2 pesos,Ernesto

ernstinen · Post by **ernstinen** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:51 pm

Hey Dave!I just bought another controller, but while I was shopping around I was astonished, ASTONISHED I MUST SAY how many inexpensive piano keyboards there are to buy these days for almost nothing! You have your choice of Midi capabilities (which I was looking for), as well as "real" piano hammer action or cheap plastic keys. I don't think it really matters if you're just learning to play. A lot of even the inexpensive ones come with built-in speakers, so you just turn it on and play! --- No computer involved. --- They are getting so cheap with decent piano sounds, I don't even know how they can make a profit. But there must be a lot of market for these keyboards. I'm talking $100-$200. It's pretty amazing. Go for it --- you'll enjoy playing "Maybe I'm Amazed" soon! Best Regards,Ern P.S. Actually, the "Hannon" exercises referenced above are actually written by Hanon. They're almost all in the key of C, so being able to read music well is really no big deal. They just stretch your fingers out so you can play different intervals better. E.

davekershaw · Post by **davekershaw** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:32 am

Thanks Ern.Yeah, being able to play Maybe I'm Amazed is all the motivation I need! I just did a few beginners legato and staccato exercises I found online. Finger co-ordination was OK due to the guitar I suppose, so I'm feeling good. Looking for a full size weighted model right now.Yamaha DGX630 looks good but comparing others.Cheers Mate,Dave.

davekershaw · Post by **davekershaw** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 5:04 am

Sept 3, 2009, 6:14am, mewman wrote:We could grunt and laugh and poke each other to get our points across ...That sums me up in a nutshell! I get your points, and understand what you're saying Mewman.I wasn't knocking - or didn't mean to knock theory, or people who can read or write music. My apologies if that's the way it came across.I don't plan at this point to learn, but you never know where things may lead.Cheers,Dave.

wings · Post by **wings** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:09 am

Sept 2, 2009, 10:30am, mojobone wrote:Weighted full size controller and some decent samples is the way to go, IMO. That way lie two advantages-you get to develop muscles that a synth-action controller won't and you can practice with headphones at any hour.+1 absolutely!!And learn scales...scales, and more scales. harmonics, melodics, and arpegios.The nice thing about a weighted keyboards, is that you can use it for MIDI velocity entry - and you can add your personal feel as you do it! Good stuff.Oh, did I mention learning some scales?