What's the best way to learn Keyboards?

[mugwump]

Now that general mac users will be interested in getting more musically attuned, and a piano keyboard will allow so much creative input via the software instruments...
What is the best method of learning piano keyboard? Is there a good mac software teaching system, or is the traditional piano teacher/student method the best approach?

My childhood piano days are so rusty now, but some talent was there that possibly apple is coaxing to bring forth! :)

(by piano keyboard I mean midi keyboard, not the computer keyboard!)

[pugnus maximus]

i saw some piano lesson video on PBS the other day. it looked simple, and covered all the basics...

GB will be a great tool for practicing an instrument as well...

... lay down a drum loop and a bass line, and practice your scales with it. This soon turns into improv...

[WinterMute]

check out the mac store, in the audio section there are a number of packages that will teach various aspects of piano skills.

[insomniaut]

I am using eMedia Piano Method. I have very minimal music experience. I am only a couple dozen lessons into it, but I really like it. You can buy it from the online Apple Store or a physical one.

Hope this helps.

[hcopp]

Originally posted by insomniaut
I am using eMedia Piano Method. I have very minimal music experience. I am only a couple dozen lessons into it, but I really like it. You can buy it from the online Apple Store or a physical one.

Hope this helps.


elaborate...i just bought it and want to know if it teaches well...i am really excited.

[insomniaut]

I think there are literally a few hundred lessons in it. After 20-something lessons, I still have not used the white keys or had to read notes on a staff. I can say that the preparation and practice the lessons I have done are easing me into sight reading and ear training. I have knowledge of musical concepts, but I haven't played an instrument extensively before.

As you use it, follow the instructions explicitly. Yes, you will feel goofy clapping and saying numbers along with audio that is playing; however, there is a very noticeable performance difference for me when I follow the instructions explicitly. Also, I seem to do better when I play through the last 2-3 lessons before I stopped the previous time. I aim to play every practice without errors twice in a row before moving on.

As I recall, using a MIDI keyboard will actually grade your playing within Piano Method. I can comment further on this in a few days (MIDI controller on order).

[TyWahn]

is the eMedia Piano metod an interactive tool to use on the computer?

[elliotay]

I know this thread is over 6 months old but I'm in the market for some piano lessons software. I JUST got a new 15" Powerbook and a M-Audio 49e keyboards to go with it. I don't have any keyboard playing abilities and am very eager to learn. Has anyone else tried eMedia's Piano Method? Does anybody have any other software they can recommend? I checked out apple's download page and basically came up empty. Thanks to anyone out there who can offer some advice.

[AmigoMac]

And I thought you were speaking about QWERTY, DVORAK and friends... :D :D

pathetic... :eek:

[Harald4]

There are notes, playing keys with the fingers of your left hand, and ther are notes playing keys with your right hand.
Play a note with your left hand, sustain it, and play a melody with your right hand...
If you feel your right hand is indicating a change in your left hand, locate that change and go ahead...

Next step: Try playing two notes with your left hand...

Keep smiling, all the time