James
Member
Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
User status: Offline
|
Anyone play? 
If I pick up a cheapish keyboard to learn with, will I be able to transfer my skills to piano fairly quickly?
|
ed
Member
Registered: 10th Sep 03
User status: Offline
|
Ian does...
|
Dom
Member
Registered: 13th Sep 03
User status: Offline
|
Yeah, you can transfer over the basics, just don't use any functions of the keyboard - like fingered bass or any functions that does the bass clef for you.
Most import thing is the hand posture, there are a number of books around that'll teach you that. Also grab a few grade 1 piano books, like sight reading and scales, chords and arpeggios.
You can get these 'Learn Piano in Six Weeks' type books, not sure how good they are though.
And if you're really serious then i would look at starting piano lessons 
|
little_duke
Member
Registered: 21st Aug 06
Location: Tamworth,staffordshire Drives: rover coupe
User status: Offline
|
i wouldnt mind being able to play keyboard,can only play the drums at the minute.
|
Ian
Site Administrator
Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
User status: Online
|
Anything which improves your dexterity will help and of course if you learn to play anything from memory you can transfer that. You'll find it easier to start on a regular keyboard although as posted, don't be too tempted to rely on accompaniment functions if you want to move to a piano without that at a later date.
If the budget will stretch to it, look at the Yamaha YDP range or something similar at the price range, not sure what other models are out there but you'll get a good choice in somewhere like Dawsons, they're weighted so the transition to piano will be easier and there are no distracting features which you don't need. You also get a pedal, which you should get used to as soon as possible. I would say you'll get more enjoyment out of a 'proper' electric piano as not only is the experience closer to a real one but it will also sound better.
Any exposure is worthwhile though so yeah, if you pick up something on Ebay for 50 quid and like it you can always upgrade later.
|
James
Member
Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
User status: Offline
|
Yeah I was planning on picking up something dirt cheap to start and see if I like it.
I played when I was about 10 but haven't played since.
|
James
Member
Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
User status: Offline
|
Ian is it easy to learn? I can remember the basics from when I was younger.
Any tips? 
|
Dom
Member
Registered: 13th Sep 03
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by James
Ian is it easy to learn? I can remember the basics from when I was younger.
Any tips?
Wouldn't say it's easy especially theory/sight reading, but if you can keep a beat then you can pick up the basics fairly easily without any problems. Although you do need to practice - atleast spend 30mins a day on simple scales (increase speeding as the days go on) will help loosen up the joints, build muscle memory etc.
Like i say though, if you do find yourself getting more and more into it, i would consider piano lessons.
|
Ian
Site Administrator
Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
User status: Online
|
The biggest tip is just be there and do it. You can give yourself a regime without lessons, ie. scales, later on chord progressions and more advanced hand movements as well as 'real' pieces.
I play a lot from guitar tabs which have the chord letters on. Once you've learnt them, you can roughly find the melody and you're basically there. Just stick at complete songs otherwise you'll learn a load of intros and not ever play something entirely, and challenge yourself with perhaps one per week that you blitz and then move on.
Biggest problem with teaching yourself is that you mustn't stop if it's difficult or doesn't sound right, but you'll not generally have any further advice if you've just downloaded the sheet/tab/MIDI file. That is where being with someone would help, but that could also get expensive.
I would certainly work on your dexterity, aim and touch first before committing to lessons.
[Edited on 08-09-2008 by Ian]
|
little_duke
Member
Registered: 21st Aug 06
Location: Tamworth,staffordshire Drives: rover coupe
User status: Offline
|
if your after somethign dirt cheap try toysrus.i worked there at xmas and they had deals where you get keybaord,stand and book for £79
here is one
http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Product.aspx/TruHome/TruHomeEntertainment/TruHomeEntertainmentMusicalInstruments/TruHomeEntertainmentMusicalInstrumentsKeyboards/828378?ref=Search
|
Ian
Site Administrator
Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
User status: Online
|
Are they full size keys?
|
little_duke
Member
Registered: 21st Aug 06
Location: Tamworth,staffordshire Drives: rover coupe
User status: Offline
|
think so yeah,they got a fairly good range.im no keybaord expert but they looked the nuts
|
