Once again, does anyone have any advice as to WHAT keyboard to buy? How many keys should it be?

Who better than PRINCE fans to ask for this advice?

domainator2010 said:

Once again, does anyone have any advice as to WHAT keyboard to buy? How many keys should it be?

Who better than PRINCE fans to ask for this advice?

My suggestion for a beginner would be something simple like this set-up;


https://www.amazon.com/dp...B0793R2P2Z


Once you get a litle confidence with this, I'd suggest moving on to a keyboard with weighted keys but that's a personal preference.

What's a "weighted key"?

domainator2010 said:

What's a "weighted key"?

Theys have weight like a real piano. Usually costs more than keys that aren't weighted.

...is that really a good thing? Wouldn't it make it MORE convenient to play one without? ..just sounds like it, though I don't know shit what I'm talking about....

Is there a version of that keyboard with 88 keys??

domainator2010 said:

...is that really a good thing? Wouldn't it make it MORE convenient to play one without? ..just sounds like it, though I don't know shit what I'm talking about....

Is there a version of that keyboard with 88 keys??

When the keys are actually hammering the strings there is a natural distortion. The weight and response gives the piano subtleties and dynamics that work when the music needs it.

88 keys are known as a full keyboard and have 7 octaves. I started with 3 octaves and that was challenging enough.

OK.

Shouldn't I get one with "pitch bend" wheels or whatever they're called, though? (and what's the OTHER one, next to it?) Remember the high pitched screech on Head just before "..till you're burnin' up"? Man! It would be f'n Cool to Bring That To Life!
Will I be able to make Orchestral type of sounds with this Yamaha keyboard, if I have it hooked up to the computer, with the right software and all? Like, it can let me "play" a violin? And what software IS that, anyway? How does one DO all this "hooking up"?

domainator2010 said:

OK.

Shouldn't I get one with "pitch bend" wheels or whatever they're called, though? (and what's the OTHER one, next to it?) Remember the high pitched screech on Head just before "..till you're burnin' up"? Man! It would be f'n Cool to Bring That To Life!
Will I be able to make Orchestral type of sounds with this Yamaha keyboard, if I have it hooked up to the computer, with the right software and all? Like, it can let me "play" a violin? And what software IS that, anyway? How does one DO all this "hooking up"?

You want what is called a MIDI keyboard.

Looks like a piano but is actually a trigger for the computer software.

This is where I jump off as I don't shit about that.

Hope some of the info was helpful.

[Edited 4/1/20 21:22pm]

S2DG said:

domainator2010 said:

OK.

Shouldn't I get one with "pitch bend" wheels or whatever they're called, though? (and what's the OTHER one, next to it?) Remember the high pitched screech on Head just before "..till you're burnin' up"? Man! It would be f'n Cool to Bring That To Life!
Will I be able to make Orchestral type of sounds with this Yamaha keyboard, if I have it hooked up to the computer, with the right software and all? Like, it can let me "play" a violin? And what software IS that, anyway? How does one DO all this "hooking up"?

You want what is called a MIDI keyboard.

Looks like a piano but is actually a trigger for the computer software.

This is where I jump off as I don't shit about that.

Hope some of the info was helpful.

[Edited 4/1/20 21:22pm]

OK, was that Yamaha keyboard MIDI though? Just tell me that....

Btw, any of those Youtube tutorials you'd like to recommend.....? And what ABOUT Flowkey?

No, the Yamaha suggestion was just to learn piano.

The MIDI keyboards I always see are M-AUDIO but I don't anything about MIDI.

What works for me may not work for you as far as instruction just start doing it by learning songs you like. Youtube teachers are pretty amazing but watch mutiple people teaching a song and then pick what you like.

Is it necessary to learn how to read sheet music? (I heard Prince couldn't....?!)

domainator2010 said:

alphastreet said:

domainator2010 said:

Is it necessary to learn how to read sheet music? (I heard Prince couldn't....?!)

It’s good to know, but I personally feel I can do without it. I do know how to read it but I can’t read and play smoothly at the same time

So those Youtube tuts will teach me how to Play without teaching me to read sheet music?

.....That sounds pretty Good, actually!

alphastreet said:

domainator2010 said:

Is it necessary to learn how to read sheet music? (I heard Prince couldn't....?!)

It’s good to know, but I personally feel I can do without it. I do know how to read it but I can’t read and play smoothly at the same time

.....and could you kindly recommend some??

Not really. That's one of my biggest regrets in life, not really learning any instruments. I do mess around with DAW's. Mainly Reasons Studio.

There's a boatload of music learning videos on YouTube. From music theory to Music Production etc.

I like checking out Synthesia Videos. They help me out a lot.

My Heart Will Go On - Titanic [Piano Tutorial] (Synthesia)

https://www.youtube.com/w...96cmfqz0t8

[Edited 4/6/20 23:26pm]

S2DG said:

No, the Yamaha suggestion was just to learn piano.

The MIDI keyboards I always see are M-AUDIO but I don't anything about MIDI.

What works for me may not work for you as far as instruction just start doing it by learning songs you like. Youtube teachers are pretty amazing but watch mutiple people teaching a song and then pick what you like.

I have both. Top of the range M-audio for midi and decent yamaha for piano and few other voices as they come closest to the real piano sound.

The M-audio is decent except for the keys, but since you probably don't want to play any Chopin on it, it's ok enough for many. But if you have a big budget or you're a pro player, surely look to other brands. M-audio is the last thing you'd wanna buy before sinking into the 'toys' category

domainator2010 said:

EmmaMcG said:

domainator2010 said:

Is it necessary to learn how to read sheet music? (I heard Prince couldn't....?!)

Prince said a lot of crap throughout his career. I don't believe that he couldn't read sheet music. It's not difficult. ANYONE can learn it. Also, if you're serious about wanting to learn how to play a musical instrument, why would you half-ass it? Are you actually interested in learning or not? If yes, then do it properly. Learn it all. Like I said, it's not difficult. All it takes is patience and practice. Anyone can do it.

Yes Ma'am. Yes Ma'am. Thanks for the motivation Em. U're a good friend

domainator2010 said:

EmmaMcG said:

domainator2010 said:

Yes Ma'am. Yes Ma'am. Thanks for the motivation Em. U're a good friend

Sorry, what's that emoticon?

JoeyC said:

Not really. That's one of my biggest regrets in life, not really learning any instruments. I do mess around with DAW's. Mainly Reasons Studio.

There's a boatload of music learning videos on YouTube. From music theory to Music Production etc.

I like checking out Synthesia Videos. They help me out a lot.

My Heart Will Go On - Titanic [Piano Tutorial] (Synthesia)

https://www.youtube.com/w...96cmfqz0t8

[Edited 4/6/20 23:26pm]

You got something in the region of The Beatles, brother? I kind of saw Yesterday, the movie, last night, and got inspired Or should I say am GETTING inspired (soon as I actually get the keyboard itself of course ).

domainator2010 said:

JoeyC said:

I like checking out Synthesia Videos. They help me out a lot.

My Heart Will Go On - Titanic [Piano Tutorial] (Synthesia)

https://www.youtube.com/w...96cmfqz0t8

[Edited 4/6/20 23:26pm]

You got something in the region of The Beatles, brother? I kind of saw Yesterday, the movie, last night, and got inspired Or should I say am GETTING inspired (soon as I actually get the keyboard itself of course ).

There's a bunch on YouTube. Some are better than others. Also it's always good to verify that on any given song tutorial, the right notes and chords are being played. There's a bunch of websites that give that information. i usually just Google notes, of whatever song i'm interested in.

Imagne

https://www.youtube.com/w...bybB9Cayvk

Something

https://www.youtube.com/w...xO0fP_LZP0

Yesterday

.https://www.youtube.com/w...pUXLJcWQ3M

While My Guitar

https://www.youtube.com/w...nTZbCFoAnI

Also, as it relates to learning Piano(notes, scales, chords/chord progression etc) in general, a couple websites that have been helpful to me have been. https://www.basicmusictheory.com/, and http://www.piano-keyboard-guide.com/. There's a bunch out there though.


Anyways, for me, understanding all the ins and outs(notes, chords, theory, terminology etc. etc.) of music, has been hard. Stuff i should have learned decades ago I'm just now starting to understand. i do see progress though. My thing is i sometimes feel stupid in asking certain questions(as it relates to music). Something that seems obvious to someone else, confuses me. Things like chord progressions. That frustrates the hell out of me...

[Edited 4/11/20 14:56pm]

Ah thanks thanks thanks Joey

Is "The long and winding road" the best song EVER or what? (is that on Synthesia too? )

Ah YES IT IS!

PeggyO said:

PRNelson said:

PeggyO said:

I play piano by ear.

Have you considered using your fingers?