I'm having another crack at this music business again after a few years off.
I am happy with ableton as a host, I can make rhythms from loops etc that I am happy with, and I have some basic synths to program some sounds.
So - I ought to get some keys!!
I have no training in keys/music whatsoever, but I do want to learn to play the keys a little if only to help with learning basic music theory. Can anyone suggest a minimum number of keys to start playing? I can get a 49 key basic MIDI keyboard for around the £80 - £100 mark, so would this be a reasonalbe place to start?
Alternatively, a nice compact 25 key controller would be more like £50-£60.
Any input welcomed, thanks in advance.
25/49 keys enough to start learning to play?
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- KVRer
- 27 posts since 16 Oct, 2005
If you want to learn to play trance style supersaw leads, 25 keys would be enough.
If you want to go serious, you need at least 49 keys to do proper two-hand playing (basic music theory: left-hand bass notes / chords and right-hand chords/melody).
If you want to go serious, you need at least 49 keys to do proper two-hand playing (basic music theory: left-hand bass notes / chords and right-hand chords/melody).
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- KVRAF
- 8237 posts since 22 Sep, 2008 from Windsor. UK
One of the best things to practise when you're learning is scales, so 25 keys is virtually useless for that. 49 keys would be ok at a push though. I'd really recommend a 61 key keyboard, but whether you can find one within budget is another matter.
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- KVRAF
- 2217 posts since 15 Jul, 2003
I'm not a purist, but teaching myself in fits and starts, it's my sense you really need the 4 octave keyboard
25 keys can work if you just want to do bass and melody lines and some close voiced chords, but to really learn to play you really need a 49 key controller.
25 keys can work if you just want to do bass and melody lines and some close voiced chords, but to really learn to play you really need a 49 key controller.
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- KVRist
- 70 posts since 7 Sep, 2010
If you will be using it near a PC all the time, why not go controller only and play a virtual instument piano. I use the free mda Piano with an 88 key semi-weighted keyboard to give full range.
Slightly pricier at £170 but you not only have a full piano range, you also have access to those top and bottom end key switches in certain virtual instruments (which is what sold me on an 88 key, rather than having to shift up and down octaves on the keyboard to experiment with playing styles in the excellent Vir 2 Electri6ity).
And as we are all used to decent plug-ins, I also found that the sound sets in consumer keyboards were really naff anyway.
YMMV.
Kosh
Slightly pricier at £170 but you not only have a full piano range, you also have access to those top and bottom end key switches in certain virtual instruments (which is what sold me on an 88 key, rather than having to shift up and down octaves on the keyboard to experiment with playing styles in the excellent Vir 2 Electri6ity).
And as we are all used to decent plug-ins, I also found that the sound sets in consumer keyboards were really naff anyway.
YMMV.
Kosh
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 1953 posts since 15 Nov, 2003 from London, UK
I've actually taken the undiscussed third option, and ordered the 37 mini-key microkey from Korg.
I'm not likely to ever be a "real" keyboard player, so I figure this is a happy middle ground. It's compact, apaprently (from what I've read) the keys are pretty decent and it's enough range to do some simple two-handed playing and also enough range for decent melody playing.
It's weird that 37 key controllers have dropped in popularity, I have met a few keyboard players who love that size on real synths.
I'm not likely to ever be a "real" keyboard player, so I figure this is a happy middle ground. It's compact, apaprently (from what I've read) the keys are pretty decent and it's enough range to do some simple two-handed playing and also enough range for decent melody playing.
It's weird that 37 key controllers have dropped in popularity, I have met a few keyboard players who love that size on real synths.
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- KVRAF
- 1612 posts since 18 Feb, 2011 from Salt Lake City, Utah
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- KVRer
- 8 posts since 18 Mar, 2011 from London UK
I have a M-Audio Ozone 25 key and well its kind of annoying - I'm constantly switching up / down octaves and needing to go up another octave.
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- KVRist
- 65 posts since 14 Mar, 2011
I had a Xio 25, it was nice to use as controller, but I changed it with the Xio 49 after few weeks. 25 keys are fine if you need something compact live, or just a little input help if you are not a keyboard player. I would suggest at least 49 keys. 61 would be better anyway...