What Is The Best Way To Learn To Play The Keyboard?

[rasonuk]

I am taking lessons, but i'm wondering if there is anything more i could be doing, besides that and practising, some special method of learning i could try.

I am not concerned with reading sheet music, i can to some level, but i'd like to train my self to know what key is going to make what sound, become one with the keyboard.

I have read abit about learning to play by ear, does anyone know anything about this, or have any advice on what method to study and practise?

Thanks

[SteveBurley2000]

If you want to know what key is going to make what sound, assuming you mean musical key, not just the keyboard key, buy music theory books.

Once you've read them, buy Rikky Rooksby's books Chord Master, Melody, How To Write Songs On Keyboard and Songwriters Source Book.

All four books give examples of how song structures, chords and keys work to create emotion and movement in songs.

If you just want to know what each keyboard key sounds like, practice / play them.

All The Best

[pedrorf]

Transcribe. Pick a song you like, pick a bass line, or a melody, or a simple solo, and try playing it one not at the time. Sing, or whistle a short melody, and look for it on the keyboard. These things will train you to hear and recognize the intervals, and soon you'll know instinctively which key (which note) has the sound you heard or imagined. Which is probably the most important skill in music.

[rasonuk]

Awesome advice, thank guys.

I have had a thought that it may be a good skill to also be able to play from sheet music.

I would like to have a program that can show me the position of a note on the stave(but not the letter of the note) of any notes i play.

I would guess that over time, this would allow for real time playing of sheet music.

Thanks again

[jopy]

there are quite a few good software programs that might help. this looks particularly good:

http://piano-lesson-software-review.top ... eview.html

this is in no way a substitute for any of the other very good advice you've received here, but some people find the structure provided by a standardized program helpful. the program includes a number of ear training, harmony, rhythm, and written music.

[gambaytheunspoken]

Don't know if it's the best way, but Youtube is filled with piano/keyboard lessons in every genre conceivable. This guy is one of my faourites, his name is "volvoxburger" and I've found his stuff extremely helpful and interesting.
Have a look here

Ciao![/url]

[deastman]

Why did you start two threads on the same topic?
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3370072

[tehlord]

One for each hand maybe?


You've already answered your question about learning. Practise is everything. Same goes for sight reading and I never really mastered it even up to grade 8 piano.