Does anyone here play a keyboard?

[C.Ann]

My 6 yr. old granddaughter received a small (although "loaded") keyboard for Christmas from her other grandparents and while she and I were fooling around with it last night I wistfully began to think about my own - that is still over to the house..

When I mentioned something about to my DD, my son-in-law insisted that he go over and get it for me today so I could have something to fuss around with when I'm not on the computer.. (I know - he's a sweetheart..)

Anyhow - it's the full-size model with all the bells and whistles and I have quite a few books of music to go along with it.. Only problem is I have never gotten beyond "picking" at the keys, one or two fingers at a time.. I just can NOT get both hands to coordinate at once to do what they're supposed to do.. It's going to be a long, cold winter and I sure would like to learn how to play it right.. (I even have a book full of DISNEY songs!!)

Can anyone give me any pointers? I sure would appreciate it..

Thanks!

 

[Imzadi]

You are lucky to have a fullsize keyboard. Can you play chords at all? There are new "Fake Books" out which only have people play chords vs. a real technical, left hand accompaniment. A guy has put out a video series on how to play this way, that looks wonderful. He's been on PBS a few times with it. Don't remember his name.

Basically, I used my sisters guitar books, which amount to the same thing. It just gives the Treble clef melody, (right hand) and a chord letter above where your supposed to hit the chord. Forget all the extra left hand notes, til you know this.

Just practice each hand SEPARATELY for several times first. Play only the right hand, until your right hand has the fingering for the song almost memorized by touch. It's about finger dexterity for each song. You want to get to the point where the fingers know WHERE (not what) is the next note to push.

Same with the left hand. Practice the chords by themselves until switching from a G chord to a C chord then to an F chord is natural.

Only when that is done, THEN, slowly start playing the hands together. It is hard enough for one hand to figure out what it is doing alone, let alone add in the other hand doing a separate thing. But when you've practiced each hand separately, it makes the combining that much easier.

And you might want to start off with simpler songs that Disney. Beatles songs are really easy as most of them only have three chords in the entire song.

Have fun!

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks for the pointers! The keyboard is here now and I'm already discouraged - LOL.. I can play "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" beautifully - by picking - but that's about it..

I think there are some Beatles songs here in the books - as well as some very simple Christmas songs - so maybe I'll try those.. Also a book on "How To Play The Piano" - think that would be of any help?

I should just go take lessons - seeings how I already have the keyboard - but I'm too stubborn for that.. LOL

Oh - and no, I can't play chords - or at least I don't think I can..

 

[disykat]

I've been "homeschooling" my children in piano - and the basic piano books are pretty easy to follow. You could also try "Piano Nanny" on the web.

 

[C.Ann]

I've been "homeschooling" my children in piano - and the basic piano books are pretty easy to follow. You could also try "Piano Nanny" on the web.

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Thanks! I'll check that out..

 

[FroggyinArk]

no help, but dd does play both keyboard and piano, she has oth a nice electric keyboard, (66 keys) and a decent upright piano, and shes played for a yera now she played at her first recital 3 months after starting lessons

 

[C.Ann]

no help, but dd does play both keyboard and piano, she has oth a nice electric keyboard, (66 keys) and a decent upright piano, and shes played for a yera now she played at her first recital 3 months after starting lessons

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Think I could borrow her for some private lessons?

That's GREAT that she was able to learn so quickly! You must be very proud of her..

 

[FroggyinArk]

oh we are very proud of her, shes always wanted to learn to play m,usic,, always leaned towards guitar, but we noticed that she managed to wear out the toy keyboards she got from santa with in a few months,,, so last yer the big guy brought this really nice one be glad to send her your way, i'm sure a hormonal 12 yr old would be just what ya need to keep your boredom levels down

 

[disneymom3]

There are several lines of books that you could choose from for piano instruction. My DD is taking lessons. She is 8 and I am cheating and learning the same stuff she is learning. Of course, the embarrassing part is that she learns it way faster than I do!! Anyway, I would go to your local piano/musical instrument store--needs to be a fairly big one--and ask them for advice.

Good luck and good for you to be starting on a new venture!!

 

[DMRick]

Head down to The Rotterdam Mall and take the adult keyboard class at the organ place...over 50, I believe..I know it will be close, but just tell them you are under hat age

Everyone I know that has taken that inexpensive 6 week (or so) course (it's about chords) has loved it. I took piano lessons but I think I'm going to take the other course. Hey, want to take it together..although I will have to lie about my age

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Our local mall also has a 6 week course that I will be taking in Jan. We got a piano for Christmas.
There are basic beginner books that have ALOT of help in them. I am able to play by reading the books.
However I am a little confused on some of the finger placement. So I hope that class clears it up.

Good Luck to you! I will be "playing" like you.

 

[C.Ann]

Head down to The Rotterdam Mall and take the adult keyboard class at the organ place...over 50, I believe..I know it will be close, but just tell them you are under hat age

Everyone I know that has taken that inexpensive 6 week (or so) course (it's about chords) has loved it. I took piano lessons but I think I'm going to take the other course. Hey, want to take it together..although I will have to lie about my age

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Yeah - right - I'm going to have to "lie" about my age.. Ah huh..

This morning I've been checking out that "Piano Nanny" web site.. Looks pretty good.. If all else fails I suppose I'll have to take lessons somewhere - otherwise this beautiful keyboard will just sit and rot..

Why or why couldn't my parents have insisted that I take piano lessons as a child?

Better yet, why couldn't I be like my uncle.. Never took a lesson in his life and can play the piano beautifully - by EAR no less!!

 

[Pop Daddy]

I have a feeling in my other life I was a great pianist