Getting started - keyboards and piano

[SanderXpander]

Really wonder to hear some of the lesson experiences you guys have had.
Playing by ear should be a large part of any piano instruction in my book, as is chord theory, scales, improv... Guess these have all been classical teachers? We have a couple at our school that insist on using an actual piano. Which I do understand, but you can learn and play good music on an electronic device too, even if your touché will inevitably suffer.

Very weird. I would suggest looking for a pop/jazz player with a degree specifically.

[Diego5150]

Chord theory, scales and learning to play with both hands independantly are the keys to progressing in playing popular music IMO. Sight reading is something I never had the urgency to learn. Not to say that I won't.

I agree that good music can be played on a electronic keyboard as well. Good music can be made with bavarian cheese whistle, if it is good music it is good no matter what you use.

[csteen]

I had to look up Bavarian cheese whistle lol. Now that is going to stick in my mind.

[Bald Eagle]

I took formal lessons which included all the usual music theory areas for 4 years as a kid. Today I am glad that I learned those things. I find that the more you know about something the more you can excel at it.

The one difference in my lessons from many others is that I learned on a Hammond. The playing styles and techniques are quite different than a piano. You can imagine my surprise as a kid when I sat down at a piano and tried playing a piece arranged for a two manual organ with bass pedals on a piano.

Theory is one thing but playing techniques are another. You can always transition from one to another whether it's organ, piano, accordion or whatever. In the end I don't think I'm any better or worse from learning on an organ but the understanding of music theory is invaluable.

[Diego5150]

I don't have anything against structured lessons, I wish I had taken them as a kid. But I also think the structured route can be a deterrent depending on the teacher.

As far as technique I think that is overrated because it can be copied unless you are trying to be a concert pianist. I think most if not all on these forums are not of that caliber (concert pianists).

My take is if you continue to strive to get better and you do not lose the love of making music you are on the right path. There will be times that frustration sets in but working through it is just like life. Deep huh?

[Bald Eagle]

There can be a lot of variations in the way structured lessons are taught. A teacher will always teach the fundamentals. But that's where the similarity ends. Some teachers will continue with the "do it my way" approach. I was fortunate in that my teacher encouraged variation and exploration on my own.

[Diego5150]

I agree with you whole heartedly. I am not against structured lessons. Whatever works is the right approach.

[jeremykeys]

I took classical piano lessons for about 12years when I was a lot younger. I haven't had the need to read music in thirty years so I don't think it's all that important unless that's a career choice.

Have you tried going to a local music sore and looking on their bulliten board?

Maybe try a few music stores. When you find one, be sure to explain exactly hit you are looking for and be sure to give them an accurate time commitment.

[analoguekid]

I really don't think anyone can learn hand independence, its something that your either born with or without, some are lucky and some just have to live without it and play whatever they are capable of. Unless you want to play in a covers band that relies on the keyboards for most of its music you are only going to need the ability to move your fingers freely enough to make the sounds.

The main thing is playing the right notes and chords for the given key and learning the possible key changes that are usable within that spectrum, and knowing a bunch of chords does help a lot. and practicing those chords with both hands, that way you can play bass register block chords and melody over the top or bass notes (to whatever standard you are capable of) and chords and notes over the top.

And the most important thing is, you don't have to be able to play well to come up with the next hit single

[Brian007]

Find your self some good book/books /videos on music and get stuck in and just do it. I find the 2 hardest things about learning to play the keyboard is one getting of my arse and doing something about it two that invariably you are also trying to master the keyboard your playing as they are l different beasts and manufactures manuals are little better than useless.
Please do not give up just stick in and focus on one thing at a time, and decide what you want to do with your new found skill, i.e. play in a band, write music, or just entertain yourself

[jeremykeys]

analoguekid has a point. Plus, it all depends on how good you want to get and what kind of music you want to play.

I do disagree on one thing though. I truly beleive that hand indepedance can be taught. I also think it's a very "handy" thing to have!

[analoguekid]

analoguekid has a point. Plus, it all depends on how good you want to get and what kind of music you want to play.

I do disagree on one thing though. I truly beleive that hand indepedance can be taught. I also think it's a very "handy" thing to have!

Yes I agree it can be taught but in my opinion, only to those that were actually born with the ability to do it in the first place, its about halving your brain to send those signals out independently, your hands will do whatever your brain tells them but if you cant make your brain tell one hand to do something and the other to do something completely different.

I think this ability is only needed in keyboard players and derivatives, also drummers, but drummers only have to use their hands and not individual fingers which makes drumming slightly easier, with every other instrument the hands work simultaneously together, so the brain only has to collate one thing at any given time