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General => General Discussion and ??? => Topic started by: Prosperi-Tees on August 31, 2013, 11:54:23 PM
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I have always wanted to and was wondering if anyone here does. I am thinking of picking up a keyboard and taking some lessons or self teaching myself most likely and hopefully get my son interested as well.
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I have a tech/tuner coming out in ten days to go over an old upright that was given to me by a neighbor.
Thirty years ago, I had to sell (almost give away my piano when my rental house got sold, and I moved in with my then girlfriend, now wife, (One bedroom apartment)
I play this one a bit, but being badly out of tune, and having crappy action on a few keys makes it less than inviting.
If it's shipshape, and fixable and tune-able, this time around I'm going to do real lessons.
I took lessons as a kid, still read music, and dabble, but need some guidance.
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It's a great way to learn about music. I have the old family upright that I took lessons on. You and your kid will have fun. First song, Chop Sticks!
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'played many, many years ago and am slowly getting back into it. 'am shopping for a piano right now and here's what I figured out:
-regular/acoustic piano is cool, but is expensive to maintain. For many, if not most, a digital piano is the way to go. They now look and sound almost the same as acoustics, but need no tuning and maintenance. Digitals are easier to get into the house and significantly cheaper to ship and set up.
-neither are a good investment. Digitals depreciate fast (new technology is still being developed so brand new models are significantly better than the ones just few years old), acoustics are expensive to maintain.
When going digital,
-action (feel of the keys) is the most important factor (you know how everybody says to get as many heads as possible when buying an auto? This is the same thing, get the best action you can!). It trumps everything as most will now hook up to a computer so if you don't like the sound play it through the computer and get any sound you want!
I will probably go with a Casio PX850 based on this review:
http://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2012/10/review-casio-px850-privia-digital-piano.html (http://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2012/10/review-casio-px850-privia-digital-piano.html)
please remember, this is just based of research I've done so far, rather than somebody like EVO who is a professional musician and can get you much more insight.
pierre
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I was thinking of starting real small lol. Like this:
http://www.andysmusic.com/products/yamaha-ez220.html (http://www.andysmusic.com/products/yamaha-ez220.html)
And when we get to know what the heck we are doing step up to something like you linked to Pierre.
That seems like a good buy. I like the Yamaha because it will probably help us learn the chords much faster and get more comfortable with it.
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61 keys is not really enough, 88 is standard and I would not get anything with less (or I should say I did and am shopping again).
I've seen the PX750 on ebay for $500 or so. It would be a much smarter investment. Then use the computer or even better a tablet to learn to play.
pierre
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I have mixed feelings on these lit keys thins... I fear one would dependent on them on not memorize the correct note/fingering/chord structure.
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I am debating the same thing. Getting used to the lighted keys is not what you would want for sure. Maybe I shouldn't get my son started that way. Don't want to develop a bad habit. 88 keys seem daunting but it should be what im looking for as I wouldn't have to upgrade later.
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I have mixed feelings on these lit keys thins... I fear one would dependent on them on not memorize the correct note/fingering/chord structure.
In retrospect, I envy the three or four kids in my Junior High Typing class who got the typewriters with blank keys.
You know that they really learned touch typing (while fifty years later, I still peek.
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Yeah, I'm all about technique, so I learned to type without looking... I'm a pretty fast typer, surprisingly sometimes.
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I learned the suzuki method when I was little and I think that messed me up for good. I later tried to learn guitar properly by reading music and taking lessons, but I ended up just sort of teaching myself by ear and therefore made the lesson a waste of time. Lighted keys give me a similar impression.
I really would like to try to unlearn my playing by ear tendency and fix my keyboard playing. I love synths and now that you can get basically what you want out of a midi board and a computer, I would love to be able to take advantage of that.
Seriously, suzuki method is evil, I have also played drums and for a while played in the jazz band in high school and college and while I was able to understand the sheet music, I couldn't do more than memorize the patterns. Looking at the music while playing just made me go cross eyed.
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I have a Yamaha P200 and still use it for a wedding here or there. It is a great (but too heavy) 88 key graded hammer action keyboard that at its time was the "go to" for those just wanting a solid piano sound and feel. I haven't looked in a while but I am guessing technology has made things even better and lighter.
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Craig's list and patience will be your friend... You should be able to find a steal.
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Craig's list and patience will be your friend... You should be able to find a steal.
My wife and I have a thing about used electronic devices. I used to work at Wally world as the lead of the electronics department and when people returned anything I would have to inspect it. Well sometimes when I would open the box cockroaches would literally spill out of the boxes!!! Now I did work in the poor side of town but that left a bad impression for me and used electronics. I know it will probably be unlikely for a keyboard but still ewwwww
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That's not worth hundreds in savings?
Your stomach is too sensitive, you know roaches aren't really that bad. They just have a bad rap.
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Well if they end up setting up home in my home then yeah its not worth it. Never lived with them and don't feel like sharing my food with them either lol.
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don't worry about used instruments; check them carefully, that's all. 90% of my instruments have been used. Truth be told, most of the finest instruments are used, think Stradivarius for a few million each. Anyway, try to get 88 keys if Piano is what you want to study. A decent work around is a used controller with weighted keys, like a Fatar SL-990, and a used piano module, probably under $500 if you shop carefully. As for learning, forget the gimmicks like lighted keys; if Ray Charles didn't need them, neither do you. I can't play my way out of a paper bag on the piano, but I have been an earnest student of the guitar since 1965, and can read, and understand basic harmony, so I understand playing music, and love to share my enthusiasm for playing. An honest half hour a day will show results like you wouldn't believe, and you'll shortly improve to the point where a half hour isn't nearly enough... just go get one, and wave your freak flag high; you can always resell it.
Steve
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Well if they end up setting up home in my home then yeah its not worth it. Never lived with them and don't feel like sharing my food with them either lol.
Just bring it to the shop and clean it up there. They won't live in there long, no food or water. So after they evacuate, then you can bring it home.
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don't worry about used instruments; check them carefully, that's all. 90% of my instruments have been used. Truth be told, most of the finest instruments are used, think Stradivarius for a few million each. Anyway, try to get 88 keys if Piano is what you want to study. A decent work around is a used controller with weighted keys, like a Fatar SL-990, and a used piano module, probably under $500 if you shop carefully. As for learning, forget the gimmicks like lighted keys; if Ray Charles didn't need them, neither do you. I can't play my way out of a paper bag on the piano, but I have been an earnest student of the guitar since 1965, and can read, and understand basic harmony, so I understand playing music, and love to share my enthusiasm for playing. An honest half hour a day will show results like you wouldn't believe, and you'll shortly improve to the point where a half hour isn't nearly enough... just go get one, and wave your freak flag high; you can always resell it.
Steve
Ditto...I went to college on a fairly substantial music scholarship and find that consistent practice is the key. Like working out you will often feel like no progress is being made...kind of like a plateau. If you stick with it you will look back and be quite glad that you hung in there.