KVR Audio

Aro · Post by **Aro** » Wed Sep 05, 2018 4:57 pm

I have some basic piano skills. I'm debating whether I need to develop them further. If I had a choice, I'd rather program my music using a midi sequencer, but I worry I would be sacrificing expressiveness. Is it possible to draw in convincing expressiveness? Or are piano skills essential?

thecontrolcentre · Post by **thecontrolcentre** » Wed Sep 05, 2018 5:09 pm

Depends on what you're trying to achieve ... if you're writing piano concertos then some playing skills are needed. If you're writing Grime, then not so much.

Tj Shredder · Post by **Tj Shredder** » Wed Sep 05, 2018 5:33 pm

Playing an instrument expressively is fun and adds the essential musical quality to your music. It certainly does not need to be a piano or keyboard.
If you only want to construct music, it will sound like that - constructed...
Best and most fun is to play with other musicians. It does not need to be great or professional or even good, but it will be fun and will connect you to the essence of what music is about... Then and only then you know what you want to be after even if you construct the music in the end...
Fun is more important than skills, but if you have fun you will develop skills...

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Wed Sep 05, 2018 5:45 pm

I think it's pretty helpful, especially to write melodies. Wished i could play better. Only made very marginal process in years...

donkey tugger · Post by **donkey tugger** » Wed Sep 05, 2018 5:46 pm

It's more important to be able to play guitar so you can look cool. Is that the time?

el-bo (formerly ebow) · Wed Sep 05, 2018 5:52 pm

Important?

Why does it have to be a means to an end?

If you don't enjoy having the ability to express yourself via a musical instrument, then maybe it's not for you

Aro · Post by **Aro** » Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:49 pm

Thanks for all the responses. I just wish I had a clearer idea as to what kind of music I want to create. Which direction to go?

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:51 pm

Which music is your favorite music?

aMUSEd · Post by **aMUSEd** » Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:57 pm

Aro wrote:I have some basic piano skills. I'm debating whether I need to develop them further. If I had a choice, I'd rather program my music using a midi sequencer, but I worry I would be sacrificing expressiveness. Is it possible to draw in convincing expressiveness? Or are piano skills essential?

Do you think most composers can play every instrument in the orchestra? They may play a few but most of what they write is for instruments they can't play, and yet they do not sacrifice any expressiveness. I think it's more important to understand the range of expression available for each instrument and how to make use of that musically than to be able to play it.

el-bo (formerly ebow) · Wed Sep 05, 2018 9:58 pm

Aro wrote:I just wish I had a clearer idea as to what kind of music I want to create. Which direction to go?

That's simple. Three easy steps:

Step 1: Start producing music that pleases you.
Step 2: Continue making music that pleases you.
Step 3: Check that you're still making music that pleases you.

Aro · Post by **Aro** » Thu Sep 06, 2018 12:25 am

Thanks again everyone! Some good tips!

rod_zero · Post by **rod_zero** » Thu Sep 06, 2018 4:03 am

IMHO the important part of being able to play an instrument is that you can come out with ideas faster when composing, trying different chord progressions just by writing them via MIDI is time-consuming

DJ Warmonger · Post by **DJ Warmonger** » Thu Sep 06, 2018 5:57 am

I'm not a keyboard "player" by any means, but many great motiffs in my tracks came just from hand. So the ability to play something to the rhythm is very helpful.

Certainly better than drawing melodies with mouse. And faster.

zzz00m · Post by **zzz00m** » Thu Sep 06, 2018 2:35 pm

DJ Warmonger wrote:
Certainly better than drawing melodies with mouse. And faster.

Well said!

AsPeeXXXVIII · Post by **AsPeeXXXVIII** » Thu Sep 06, 2018 4:09 pm

It's not an essential skill, but it's one you do benefit from having in more ways than one.

How important is it to be able to play keyboard?