Out of complete boredom I bought myself a Casio keyboard a few days ago and I am actually having a good time learning it. I never thought I would actually take to it as quick as I did. I guess the payoff would be to actually stick with it.. I'm going to get me a really nice keyboard eventually when I know I'm gonna stick to it.. This one was just a cheapy but fun...
Very cool,,,I fumbled with one way back in the 80s, I actually learned some cool tunes with my old band (Mr Slate) here in Staten Island NY, one being the streets have no name by U2, Tom Sawyer fills etc, the thing sounded great thru a direct box. ENJOY. PS I wish i had Y.T. back then, I had to learn everything by ear.
Some of the formats that youtube instructors are using make it rather simple. The cheat sheet I call it.
Congrats on the keyboard! Piano/keyboards have been something I have been messing with the past few years. Not really trying to become a player, but it’s been very helpful for my understanding of music theory. Just so easy to see it on the keyboard. I’m also trying to keep my kids interested in music. They seem to mess with the piano more than anything else. Here is my 11 yo trying to play. Got to keep him playing those 80’s tunes! LOL
So many people are offering up their pianos for free. If only I had the space. Heck, when I worked for Steinway, I had a 1 time employee discount of 40%. I could have snagged a $100K model D concert grand for $60K. I think the model D's are over $150K now.
@strat_strumer Yeah, have fun w/u'r Casio. The pre-sets are cool by themselves. I happened to find a CTK-2550, open box special for $75. Not too bad... Full size pianos, in home, and dinosaurs? There was a free S & Sons here on Offer-up a week ago. I thawt about it, as a Flip, for maybe 5 sec's. There's some free, some Yamaha BG's for a couple K & some Baldwin's for a couple C's. Some w/ leather topped seats.
This is awesome, I'm hoping to graduate from playing chopsticks in a few months That's my problem, everywhere I look on CL there is a piano. At least with a nicer electric keyboard I can slip it out of the way when not in use.
Probably the black sheep, who won't take 'no' for an answer..!! 'No, that's your last one'. 'You promised'..!!
Cool deal John, glad you are enjoying it. We got a keyboard, cannot recall brand, for the grandkids to make noise with. I will have to dig it out of an unruly toy room. Not the absolute cheapest, but not top of the line. Seems like it has around 50-60 keys and all kinds of preset stuff, was around $100. Question: Is a less than 88 key piano / keyboard suitable for an adult beginner to learn fundamentals? Are better habits or techniques developed with 88 keys? Mrs. Lover has hinted ... This is a very interesting perspective, from a guitarist. Visual. I will attempt to "see" things differently. EDIT: John, do you recommend an equivilant to justin guitar . com for basics?
I don’t think you need 88 keys to learn. I am no piano player, but when I do play, I am very rarely at either end of the piano. Weighted keys would be more important to me than 88 keys.
Standard is 88 keys but the Casio I have is only 61 keys. The only differences is a higher or lower octaves (would be my guess) . Most songs are played around the Middle C on the keyboard so I have yet to find anything that doesn't work with my 61 key instrument. I agree with @dbrian66 , I'm not having any problems with the 61 keys and theory is definitely easier to understand with it. Weighted keys are more important. I found out pretty quick that if the keys are not touch sensitive the songs don't sound that great because they have one tone and that's loud. but it's perfect for learning with. Oh and I've graduated from Chopsticks...
Cool stuff, strat_strummer. Coincidentally, I also got a Casio around two weeks ago, a CT X800. As dbrian said, it really helps in the process of understanding music theory. I'm currently trying to learn how to play November Rain. Gotta say it was easier to learn the guitar solos than the piano intro, lol Practice, practice, practice!
I am struggling with my left hand getting along with my right hand. It's worse than kids fighting over their favorite toy. Chords are easy for me but I'm finding reading music is tough. My memory isn't the best. Just like the thread title says, I'm having fun with it and that's all that matters. I highly doubt Mozart or Bach will be calling me anytime soon from the afterlife....
