Man, I wish I could smoothly play the keys. I don't even have a "TRUE" piano. All that I have is that stupid "CASIO" keyboard with the damn lights and half-assed "66 Keys". But, it is damn hard to play "ANY" piano. I reckon that it is more complicated than playing guitar. I am one of those people that if I can't play one, then I most certainly won't be playing the other. It's disheartening and discouraging to hear yourself blow chunks on skill of playing an instrument. I used to think that I had a gift with these instruments, but, now; I am learning that it was all just me coincedently knowing how to play a few pieces of music by ear that doesn't require much aptitude or challenge your dexterity. I have the worst dexterity in the world. My hands and feet have these weird joints within my finger and toe-tips. It's like the tips of my fingers and toes can be bent and are pliable for no reason at all, but beneath the tips, I have stiff, yet fragile joints and bones. It's kind of like a mixture of cartilage and regular skeletal fragments.

It's really hard to explain, but, because of those setbacks and unnaturalreflexes that I have from those setbacks; they conflict me from even trying to breathe and not think so much while trying ever-so-effortful to relax and play even a simple piece pf music. Fur Elise, for example, is a piece where I know both the left and right hand notes of the songs (Well, at least, the keys that I am supposed to hit). But, no matter what, it never gets smoother, I can never keep track of my pace because it is one of the hardest things to control, and I can't stop thinking about where to go next on the keyboard during the progression of chords and arpeggios even though I know what to play before I even start. It is difficult to relax for me. Everything is so forced. I can't help it and there has been no progress (Though, I don't play "EVERYDAY". I still do on occasions. Besides, I am more comfortable when the keys that I don't mean to hit aren't in the way and don't conflict with me trying to hit the right notes. Even though, that is never the case).

The first song I learned how to play "Correctly" that I can remember was either "Kill You" by Eminem or "Purple Rain" by Prince, of course, or "Diamonds and Pearls". Neither of which require that much strenuous activity, if any at all. I've heard people tell me to get an instructor and try reading from instructional booklets, but to do either would mess with my pride and get me feeling monotonous as if I was robotic and could not do for myself. The very reason why I began to take interest in the performance ("OR", at least the unforeseen failed attempts at performing music) was the fact that I thought that I had an ear for it. That may be true, but I don't know how to execute what I hear, and to me, that is just as important to me as the other, if not more. The very reason why I am now starting to take music serious (I used to just take a leisurely liking to it) is because I cling to it moreso than writing (Which I have already done a lot of.

But, I am "NOT" a reader of any sort. I just don't have the attention span for it). I have written a semi-autobiographical story on my life, of course, and so far, those two hundred fourteen pages are what make my biggest accomplishment thus far a reality. Unfortunatley, in a field where I am undeveloped and have to fight through more shortcomings this late in my life, I am more interested rather than in a field that I have already accomplished something worth boasting and bragging about. I am really sorry for the long post. I just had to get from off of my chest, though. Hopefully someone may replay. If not, well.....
[Edited 7/15/07 7:04am]
[Edited 7/15/07 16:37pm]

FarrahMoan said:

Why.

richierich said:

I don't know why but I have always been adamant it about that. You see, this is what makes me despise prodigies even moreso than I already do. I felt like I should have been one of them because I have the passion. I just want the gift. I mean, I know hard work pays off and I'd be willing to work at something if I could headstart fairly. It just turns me off and away from playing any instrument.

Even Mozart, the prime example of musical child prodigies, was given lessons by his father. IMO, it is much much harder to learn the piano by ear than guitar...

I highly recommend a teacher if you can afford it. I play piano... I've been playing for nineteen years (on and off), but I sound like I've been playing for 2 or 3 years. I regret not taking lessons. I did take lessons at the beginning for a month but quit... My progress on my own was/is terrible...

Find a teacher that will give you well rounded lessons... not just the classical stuff... blues/gospel/rock/jazz piano... improvisation etc...

coolcat said:

You know, I would. I love music. I used to slack on it a few years ago. At first, video games were the priority. But now, I think that I am growing out of that. I am still excited about video games, but not how I used to be. I get a sense of pride in knowing that I have matured. On the flipside of things, it's not even just the prodigy hindrance, but it's also the fact that I don't have a sense of creativity (Well, I do, but I couldn't play anything that I imagine would sound good if I tried to make it out.). It hurts my pride to have to think that I'd have to be robotic. I could hold my own, but I need new fingers. I need new hands. Something gratifying in return for my passion to make things just a little more accessible and convenient. I know that people like "Mozart" had lessons. But, they quicky built towers in levels of musical composition that no others could. Those people had a sort of headstart. The best type of headstart quite frankly. It makes me wonder just what I could offer when thinking about that; and often, I don't think I could bring anything to the table.
[Edited 7/15/07 10:07am]

FarrahMoan said:

FarrahMoan said:

Maybe if you change the outlook, everything else will follow.
It seems as if you enter this defeated.
Why not let the progress come naturally. Progress is inevitable.
In the mean time, enjoy the experience.

It may also help not to compare your progress to the progress of others.

Girdle said:

I also like to and want to often think that a healthy way of looking at progress is that practice should be seen more as healthy indulgence rather than merely strenuos reactivations of the same element within some gratitude of a lesson. For me, the word "practice" alone turns me off. It's just that comparing myself with others has been my forte since day one. I could work at it, but subconsciously, I end up clinging to the other side.

FarrahMoan said:

Don't think that way... this should be a personal journey above anything else... you may create something new and extraordinary... you may not... it's ok either way... we can't control those types of things in life. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. Take it one day at a time, and have fun playing the instruments...

FarrahMoan said:

But they aren't the "same element". They change and take on new meaning as you grow.
And if the word "practice" turns you off, call it something else. Call "grow". If your outlook is right, you will see it in the result.

coolcat said:

Having fun is indeed important to me. I know there has to be some work in there somewhere, though. I dread that the work of it all may get a little tiresome. You ever played a song knowing all of the notes/keys/frets, but almost "NEVER" being able to execute what you were/are aware of? I find that extremely frustrating. Where is the fun in making the same mistake over the course of two-to-three hours. I tried to relax and not think so much, but doing that was inevitable because I feel like I must think about ever step I take and every move I make. Everything has to be so tedious, it seems, with me. Though, it never is. Ah, but what gives? I was playing "Fur Elise" because I felt like I just had to learn that; like I was obliged or something. I have got to know some classical music, even if if it is the most commonly-placed piece that ever was, right?
[Edited 7/15/07 10:42am]

I think your current attitude to playing music is all wrong IMO,no one and I mean no was born good at music,they all worked very hard to get where there were/are.

richierich said:

I'm not comfortable, which is the most important thing to me. You've gotta understand where I'm coming from. I appreciate progress as long as it actually exists. Believe me, I know when I am and when I am not progressing; the latter of which happens to be nearly all of the time. I could help that, but, something's up with me. Something's up with my approach. I haven't figured that out, yet. Yesterday/last night, I spent two different and seperate two hour-sessions at trying to get "Fur Elise" down by my lonesome. Both of which didn't get any better as time passed, in my opinion.

didn't really read the post, but yah i play piano,
i get to you're question in a min

FarrahMoan said:

It would be pretty hard not to improve at playing if your practice was productive which normal practice is productive though the odd mistake bad habit etc can be picked up.
Sometimes improvement seems sudden others it just creeps so slow you don't even realise.
Record yourself playing something ans then come back after half a years practice and see how much better it sounds.

Damn, there's quite a views and not all that many posts. I'm starting to wonder if people click on threads with my username beside them, and quickly exit right back out because they "The CrazyBitchyFoolish Nut's Name" is a sign that causes much apprehension. I also notice that guy, "EmbattledWarrior", saying that he would comment a minute after and hasn't been back since. I'm no fool.....well, okay, well I am "The CrazyBitchyFOOLish Nut", but that's a different story.

FarrahMoan said:

I don't think anyone's apprehensive. They're just curious about the interesting discussion.
[Edited 7/17/07 9:28am]

Well First things first how long you been playing
and are you a chord progression pianist or classically trained...
there is a difference...

EmbattledWarrior said:

I guess you could say that I am a chord progression pianist (If a pianist in any right.). I am not trained any way, whatsoever. I play merely by instinct with the very little that I have as I am too broke to afford the whole piano hook-up.

FarrahMoan said:

Next question is do you want to do classicallyy trained stuff,
or do you just want to finess you're playing.
if you wanna get classically trained get a teachher...
if its the other
than it's basically chord memerisation and personal finger work,
Arpegios, Bass 5th notes etc...
you gotta learn the tricks of the trade so you sound good playing without all that classical shit...
Chord theory is you're friend, the more chords and inversions you know how to play, the more versatile a player you become, after that its basically coloring up your playing witth trills and fills etc...

EmbattledWarrior said:

That is exactly how I would like to learn how the instrument. To be honest, although I want to be broad in knowledge of handling and playing the instrument under the greatest comfort and pull off some great sounds, I am not too into the classical genre. However, I respect it and actually have a sort of liking to it that has been there with me for a short amount of time. Personally, it might take me longer than the average individual human being because of these screwed-up fingers of mine. I already explained on my first post about "THOSE", though. Their just so weak. If I continue not to find the comfort zone, then I won't be wasting with either this or guitar because I just can't deal with that. Something's gotta give....and soon. I'm trying to make that happen.

FarrahMoan said:

It doesn't sound like you have the drive it takes to play and play well. You want to get better and playing, develop the muscles in your fingers, learn how to play innovative stuff, but you don't want to practice. That's like someone who wants big muscles but doesn't want to lift weights and put in the necessary time and work into it.

You can develop into a fine musician, but that's provided you want to work at it, and work hard. There are no shortcuts to being a good musician, no "musical steroids" you can take to get you there faster, it just takes good old fashioned hard work. It's not always fun, but when you see yourself making progress, you get a sense of pride, and sometimes, that's worth the price of admission.

I see you're only 17. Well, let me put it to you this way. I started playing guitar and bass at 16 and I'm 28 now and a former music teacher and current professional musician. I did go to music school and I did take lessons, but that had such an effect on my musical growth, you wouldn't believe it. You've got plenty of time to develop skills, but again, you have to be willing to work really hard at it.

Bottom line, you may have the passion for it, but if you don't have the drive to work and mold that passion, then said passion doesn't matter. Remember that. And good luck whatever you decide to do.

Co-sign on what guitarslinger posted. The last and only thing I have to add is something I suggested to you in another thread earlier this month. Why don't you try to get a good grounding on one instrument first? Right now, you're trying to play guitar and piano. You're asking a lot of questions when a lot of that time could be spent practicing or finding out a lot of the answers to the many questions you've been asking. I think right now, your main focus should be on learning to play well - that's the most important thing. Equipment talk, technical talk - that can come later.

All this advice is coming from experience - many of us are professional musicians and we've gone through what you're going through. Take it from any of us - there are no "magic bullets" - only practice. Applying yourself to the instrument, along with the study of music is gonna get you to where you want to go. That is, if you actually want it...

JesseDezz said:

Co-siggity you're not gonna get grounded until you learn at Least ONE instrument. And then practice the shit out of it...
You have to realize it TAKES TIMMMMME
a lonnnnng time
I've been playing piano 3- 4 years now... and NOW im starting to sound really good. Been playing guitar for 3 years and NOW im decent. But i record almost every single day practicing and creating solos chord progressions etc...
And every now and then a spend a day just wood shedding. for hours
Honing a talent on a instrument takes years.
And you have to have the patience for it.
But most importantly you have to have a passionate love for that instrument.
Cause if you don't love it you'll cast it aside.
Before i move donto guitar i spentt a hole year on piano learning the full basics... Intensive training, studied 4 years of piano theory in one etc...
you just have to want it...

guitarslinger44 said:

I do. I'm telling you. I spend hours and sometimes it seems "SO" inevitable. I wasn't so sure about whether or not, I had the drive before. But, more and more, as I play around with those instruments, and just get lost in them trying to learn the "TRUE" chord progressions to a song like "Do Me, Baby" and "How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore" (The latter being the most annoying as the keys just seem to be muted with the way "Prince" is playing on that song.), I start to realize something about them. I "HATE" sightreading, but I know how to, at least at a third grade level. I think that's where I shall stand there. But, as for "EmbattledWarrior", when it comes to shredding, do you actually use your right hand just as much to strum as you use your left hand to hammer-on and pull-off, because I don't? I use my left hand the most and I just may strum once in every blue moon while trying to shred through "The Chromatic Scale". I gotta start using that guitar pick. But, anyway, as it stands, I need an authentic "PIANO" set-up. Not some damn elementaric 66-key piece-of-crap keyboard. Man, it sucks not having a whole lotta money. I stay broke.
[Edited 7/19/07 23:19pm]

FarrahMoan said:

Maybe you do, but when you say a bunch of stuff like you're saying, it doesnt sound like you do. I'm just trying to be straight with you about the realities of learning to play an instrument.

Here's what I think:

1.Practice the hell outta the keyboard you have. If you can't play on 66 keys, you sure as hell won't be able to play on 88.

2.YOu don't have to practice for 3 hours for it to be effective. Practicing for 45 minutes every day EFFECTIVELY is better than 3 hours of fucking around every 2 or 3 days (although once you've gotten your practice time done, fucking around is a great thing to do!) Use your practice time wisely. And do it every day.

3.When you practice, don't be afraid to slow things down...like REALLY slow them down and work them out that way. Gradually speed up. This will get your muscles used to doing the things you need them to do.

4.WOrk on scales. Yeah, I know, it sounds dull, but it doesn't have to be. 10 minutes of scales at the beginning of your practice time can make all the difference. The best muscular and technical things can be learned thru scales. Plus it's a good way to work on your fingering.

5.Don't compare yourself to other people. TO quote George Carlin, "It's fucking POINTLESS!"

6.Remember that you don't have to be a rock star to be a musician.
[Edited 7/20/07 6:45am]