Piano Lessons
- Started
- Last post
- 34 Responses
- nearestexit
So I'm going to learn to play the piano. But first, I need to get one. However, some of my coworkers suggested I get a 88-key synthsizer instead.
Any suggestions on what's good and what's not? I don't want to spend crazy money, but I also want something that has keys that are similar in feel to a piano's.
- Mimio0
You should be able to find a decent spinet piano for around 400-600 bucks. Some sound really nice.
- CALLES0
true my friend found a used one of the paper... from some old guy it was like 500$
- moural0
Skip the lessons, teach yourself, and use the money you saved to buy a real piano.
And if you give up, at least you'll have a nice piece of furniture.
- Baskerville0
buying a keyboard is a good idea. I have a real piano at home but I also have an M-Audio USB Keyboard that I can use with garageband. It's good for recording as you can input all kinds of midi instruments (like drums, bass etc) as well as playing piano on it. You can also spare your neighbours if you're just learning by wearing headphones.
A real piano is more expensive, bulky, heavy, needs tuning every couple of months. BUT nothing beats a real piano, keyboards always react slowy no matter how much they say they don't.
I'd advise a keyboard for now, if you get better then in a year or so you can always make the investment. If you give up, then no loss!
I have this one:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/…It on has 61 keys but you probably wont need 88 for now anyway.
I've been playing piano off an on my whole life and I've been getting more serious lately, it rules!
If you want to hear the keystation in action you can hear a piece I recoreded on it here:
http://www.overplay.com/band.asp…it's the closing credits piano solo from ET!
- Witt0
Alesis synths are good for study. plus you can connect it to your computer and use a steinway soundbank from Reason if you wish:
- Jaline0
What Baskerville said is all good. And I would recommend lessons.
I played for about 5 years (and I have a real, big piano) but quit because I was too lazy to keep practicing.
But I still love it. Just not the lessons part. I wish I would've stuck with it though.
That reminds me..I need to buy a saxophone.
- Witt0
150 bucks. oh dear.
- acescence0
you need something with weighted keys if it's going to feel anything like a piano
- Redmond0
Are there any synths with weighted keys?
- Chehov0
Here you go Yamaha P-140 has graded hammer keys. So they feel just like the real deal.
:m
- harlequino0
you need something with weighted keys if it's going to feel anything like a piano
acescence
(Mar 1 07, 15:15)That's what I was gonna say.
Look into the series of piano books written by Bela Bartok called "Mikrokosmos." There were about 6 books. They were written for begginners, gradually getting more difficult. I'll bet my damn music degree there is not a better series out there for gettin the ejamacation.
- tadcautious0
don't cheat yourself, learn to read music from the start.
- Chehov0
The Yamaha I mentioned earlier
does offer weighted keys. It's the closest thing to the piano.
- JackRyan0
I live in Denver, and there is always some nice upright grand that somebody is giving away, or is around $100-$500, on craigslist. They're usually really cool looking and old, you just have to move it and get it tuned. I was going to go this route but I moved into a upper level of a duplex, and there is no way in hell a piano is getting up there.
- Redmond0
You can do it with a crane. That's how someone I know had it put on the 3rd floor. I think they disassembled it to move it out though.
- MrVandemar0
Go Yamaha. I have the P-65 with weighted-graded keys and it feels awesome. Exactly like a real piano. Got mine for $700. Having spent more money helps guilt me into practicing when I don't feel like it.
- ItTango0
Where are you going with this? Do you just wanna' be able to play a few tunes from song books, maybe entertain people at parties? Or are you serious about the instrument?
If it's the latter, then you gotta' get the real deal. Like all acoustic instruments (violins, guitars... saxaphones) each piano has its own character. The sound and feel are unique. Even the best digital instruments (and I own both) can't achieve this.
If you do go digital, I also vote for the Yamaha.
- skt0
I wish I never gave up. Played for 10 years. Was quite good too. Can't play a thing now though.
- ItTango0
I wish I never gave up. Played for 10 years. Was quite good too. Can't play a thing now though.
skt
(Mar 2 07, 09:43)Stop saying that - sit your ass down and play!