Yes, Pianists...
Ok, well...
Assemble!
Any on the forum? Beginners or old hands. Any input would be interesting to hear, as well as to pick up and share tips, practice techniques etc, I don't get on with Youtube tutorials, too shouty, too 'LIKE COMMENT AND SUBCRIBEY'. I've been involved in music my whole life but decided to actually learn to play an instrument properly (rather than just sampling records and making squelchy noises with synthesizers) just over a year ago. I bought a cheap second-hand Yamaha digital which has been awesome. I practise most days, from ten minutes to entire days/evenings sat at it with headphones on bashing away.
What I'm eager to learn is some efficient techniques for practise, and make sure I'm not picking up bad habits, I did intend to get some actual lessons but I never got round to it. I started learning scales but that became boring and I found that the way to really enjoy it was to just learn to play the songs I like. I come from a dance music background but love a lot of the old classic rock, you know, bashing out chords rhythmically rather than refined classical twinkly-winkly repertoire (though i do love classical and jazz too). I started buying songbooks by the likes of Queen, Pink Floyd, The Who, Meatloaf etc, and am starting to get quite the medley together. It's been just over a year and recently I've noticed much more power and precision from my fingers into the keys recently. Is it ok to carry on learning like this? Or would I be better with scales, arpeggios and drills? I know the theory from years of music production and can sight-read (slowly) so it's all physical technique and muscle memory I guess. And it's all purely for my own enjoyment, the love of music. I'm not looking to join a band or become a session musician or anything.
Anyone else play, or are learning?
Nobody? 😂
Cheeky bump for the weekend shift.
I do a mix of playing stuff I like and "scales, arpeggios and drills". If you want to move on from playing rhythmic chords scales etc are really useful, IMHO
I'm on the guitarists thread but really want to try and learn keys. I do have a 49 key cheap midi thing. I badly hurt my ankle recently, so doing less riding, but more music. I'm transferring my chord knowledge over. Enjoying it so far. If I get a little better I might invest in a proper semi weighted thing. I'll be sure to post back if I get to that stage. Good idea for a thread though.
Maybe if it gets busier in here you could do a piano jam?
Check out Pianote for a teacher based approach to online learning.
Or if you want to read the dots Piano Marvel has loads of content.
Anyone else play, or are learning?
I've been messing with a Roland Go Keys for a couple of years.
I found trying to learn any tunes too boring and frustrating.
What works better for me is learning bits of theory and then just messing around with it.
Mostly do repetitive, droney, relaxing noises while I'm watching stuff.
The best YouTube I've found for theory is this fella: Michael New
I bought a Nord Electro 6 with the express intent of learning
I can do 1-4-5-6m type vamping and learn single note runs quite easily but I just dont retain info like I used to and its a pain after being reasonable on guitar
Nord Electro 6
Niiice!
I have a Nord Lead synth from the 90's. My favourite bit of kit ever.
Anyone know what the point is with the two pedals on the left on a piano? I mean, I know I can google it but, for examples of what they actually do in a real-world context. I seem to be hammering the right (sustainy reverb) pedal so much it's gone shiny where the other two are dull. Overuse of sustain I'm guessing is a beginners trap, compensating for bad playing maybe?
The far left is the Sostenuto (soft pedal) which on an acoustic piano moves the hammers so they only hit 1 string instead of three. The middle can vary but it usually a variation of sustain which works only for the notes held down when the pedal is pressed they will sustain but the rest played after will act as if no pedal is in use.
