Thinking of learning the piano....
Discussion
Not sure this is the right section, but I'm thinking of learning the piano.
The one thing I've discovered is that a keyboard has less keys then a piano. Is this likely to cause me a problem?
I was looking at having a few lessons locally, but everyone seems to be a classic piano teacher around me. I appreciate that it probably makes little difference at total beginner level, but should I be considering that?
Anyway, if it isn't the piano, it will have to be the harmonica...
The one thing I've discovered is that a keyboard has less keys then a piano. Is this likely to cause me a problem?
I was looking at having a few lessons locally, but everyone seems to be a classic piano teacher around me. I appreciate that it probably makes little difference at total beginner level, but should I be considering that?
Anyway, if it isn't the piano, it will have to be the harmonica...
The number of keys won't be a problem, at least for the first couple of years of learning, but if you want to learn **piano** then you really ought to have something with "graded hammer effect" weighted keys, which most keyboards won't have.
To get closer, you'll need a digital (or real!) piano.
If you're happy playing a keyboard, then a keyboard is fine!
To get closer, you'll need a digital (or real!) piano.
If you're happy playing a keyboard, then a keyboard is fine!
Do it - very rewarding. I started a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. Here's my thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=14...
Get an 88 key digital piano if you have space, but a few less keys won't do any harm. But make sure it's a proper piano keyboard rather than an 'organ' or 'synth' keyboard - the actions are quite different. I got a classical teacher and she's brilliant. It doesn't limit you to any particular genre but you learn properly. A good teacher is absolutely key to learning.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=14...
Get an 88 key digital piano if you have space, but a few less keys won't do any harm. But make sure it's a proper piano keyboard rather than an 'organ' or 'synth' keyboard - the actions are quite different. I got a classical teacher and she's brilliant. It doesn't limit you to any particular genre but you learn properly. A good teacher is absolutely key to learning.
Edited by telford_mike on Tuesday 23 May 23:24
telford_mike said:
Do it - very rewarding. I started a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. Here's my thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=14...
Get an 88 key digital piano if you have space, but a few less keys won't do any harm. But make sure it's a proper piano keyboard rather than an 'organ' or 'synth' keyboard - the actions are quite different. I got a classical teacher and she's brilliant. It doesn't limit you to any particular genre but you learn properly. A good teacher is absolutely key to learning.
Interesting thanks!https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=14...
Get an 88 key digital piano if you have space, but a few less keys won't do any harm. But make sure it's a proper piano keyboard rather than an 'organ' or 'synth' keyboard - the actions are quite different. I got a classical teacher and she's brilliant. It doesn't limit you to any particular genre but you learn properly. A good teacher is absolutely key to learning.
Edited by telford_mike on Tuesday 23 May 23:24
I'm seriously considering it, but even though I technically have all the time in the world, I don't seem to have time!
How good are you now out of interest?
I have pretty much ZERO musical ability
HotJambalaya said:
Interesting thanks!
I'm seriously considering it, but even though I technically have all the time in the world, I don't seem to have time!
How good are you now out of interest?
I have pretty much ZERO musical ability
Started from zero knowledge apart from some clarinet lessons I had when I was a child (50 years ago). I have a half-hour lesson every week, but I only live in the UK 6 months a year so I sort of take 2 steps forward and one step back. Teacher says I'm about grade 3. In practical terms this means that I can pick up a book of 'easy' piano songs (search Amazon for 'easy piano') and learn to play them. I'm seriously considering it, but even though I technically have all the time in the world, I don't seem to have time!
How good are you now out of interest?
I have pretty much ZERO musical ability
As I said it's very rewarding. If you decide to have a go, buy yourself a nice instrument - man logic says this will save you a fortune in upgrades as you move forward. But above all get a good teacher.
joshleb said:
Good luck with it.
I used to play when I was younger, then a couple of years ago I thought I would have a go again and it would be like riding a bike.... how wrong I was!
The little wheels are very uncomfortable over bumps and it wouldn't go up hills, no matter how hard I pedalled...I used to play when I was younger, then a couple of years ago I thought I would have a go again and it would be like riding a bike.... how wrong I was!
I started 11 years ago as a rank beginner at the age of 40. I passed grade 8 a couple of years ago and now just play pieces that I have a desire to learn.
I play for around 6 hours a week with one hourly lesson with a teacher.
Pieces such as Chopin or Debussy take me a long time to sound good, 6 months to a year on average as I am no natural.
It is very rewarding though, you can feel a real connection with the composer once you get into the composition. And it's amazing how much good music is out there that can be learnt at the lower grades.
I play for around 6 hours a week with one hourly lesson with a teacher.
Pieces such as Chopin or Debussy take me a long time to sound good, 6 months to a year on average as I am no natural.
It is very rewarding though, you can feel a real connection with the composer once you get into the composition. And it's amazing how much good music is out there that can be learnt at the lower grades.
HotJambalaya said:
I'm sure I'm making excuses, but I just don't seem to have the damn time at the moment.... Even though I have unlimited time...
Recommendations for a decent full sized keyboard?
What's your budget?Recommendations for a decent full sized keyboard?
I bought a full sized electronic piano recently - the Casio and Yamaha models starting at ~£300 seemed to me to be starting to feel like a piano rather than a keyboard. I ended up with a Casio Privia PX-760, which I am very pleased with; the non-framed PX-160 is the same basic keyboard but with a different frame.
Simes205 said:
Keyboard wise anything with full sized weighted keys.
What he said.Playing a keyboard with the cheaper option - a synth-style action - doesn't just feel 'wrong' but is somehow not as rewarding. Most 88-key synths have piano-weighted keyboards and it makes a lot of difference. I've been using a Roland Juno DS-88 which is current tech and has some decent multisampled pianos.
I think the older Kurzweils are well-respected and may also be available in 88-key versions for less money.
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