So I finally decided to get a synth and make some music. Problem is I haven't the slightest clue how to play one. I have a few good sites that show me all the different kinds of scales and chords, but what should I be able to do or start practicing to build chops to basically be able to play Electro-Funk, New Wave, MPLS sound stuff?

start by playing 1999 on your mp3 player.

write the names of notes on the keys (find the info from a web site).

then (with your right hand) put your thumb on C, your middle finger on F then your little finger on A - all at the same time.

when you can put all 3 fingers down and up at the same time move onto chord 2.

put 1st finger on D, middle finger on G and little finger on Bb (or A#).

it should sound like 1999 if you have a brass-analog type sound.

after a while press F on the beats with your left hand to give it some bass and syncopation.

don't forget to turn the keyboard off....(just joking)

I'll go you a couple steps further - take the major c chord - c e g. there's a reason why you don't play c d e - unless one of those notes is played sharp or flat (almost always a black key), it doesn't sound like a chord should sound - you'll understand what I mean when you try this.

Second - try to find the notes to the main keyboard riff of Sheila E.'s The Glamorous Life - I'll give you a hint - it's played with all black keys.

I would say that while it's helpful to learn how to play scales, that's more a hinderance if you just want to experiment with chords and see how they sound.

Thanks for the advice!! I really started messin around with it and now im makin progress. I can play Little Red Corvette, Delirious, Controversy, and i made a few melodies. I'm going to see if i can strengthen my ear and pick out some stuff by ear.