[Dice]

Well I've always liked piano more than guitar and I've had a keyboard for about a year now. But guitar was just better at the time so I started with that, but now I've got a pretty good grasp on guitar and I have way more time to practice than my poor little fingertips can take, so I'm taking up piano. I've have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, but after about an hour of goofing around without a clue I can play "We Fall Down" (don't be too amazed, it's not the fancy Passion version) which is pretty good I suppose (I have no idea really) I dont really know what to do, but I think I'll figure out how to play these songs:

Holy, Holy, Holy
As the Deer
Sanctuary
O Lord, You're beautiful

Then learn how to play em a little fancier, then when I'm decent at that I'll move to slightly faster songs. And then songs with more stuff to them, and basically do the same thing I did with guitar and learn a bunch of songs while becoming familiar with the instrument and all the tricks and whatnot. I might (hopefully) be able to get lessons from my worship pastor, which would be great, but even if not I figure Ill probably have a decent grasp on it within 6 months. I've got "The Complete Idiot's guide to playing Piano" somewhere around here, its actually not all that great, but'll teach me to read music so that'll be nice.

Overall I have about a year and a half before I go to college, so if I practice everyday I should be pretty good at it to take it up for my instrument in my music course. Only problem is my keyboard isnt touch sensitive and doesnt have a pedal or anything, but it has fairly decent sound reguardless.

[Nate]

That's awesome dude!!

Originally posted by Mr McB
...but'll teach me to read music so that'll be nice.

That would have been my first suggestion to you. To learn how to read music. It's a must.


After that.... you ought to learn how to play chords. And not just how to PLAY them, but how to CONSTRUCT them. Learn WHAT makes a chord major or minor... what all the weird numbers mean... etc... etc.

I'd suggest starting with majors, minors, suspended 2nd's AND 4th's (sus2, sus4, sus), add9/9th chords (add9, 9, etc), and all the 7th chords you can find. I think minor 7th's are probably the most important thing after majors and minors. They provide a great alternative to a normal minor chord.... it gives it a little lighter sound. If you use a minor 7th in place it's relative major... it'll give the song a little darker feel. It's a subtle difference, but it's really cool.

This site http://www.looknohands.com/chordhouse/piano will show you almost every chord and scale for piano that you can think of or dream up.

Only problem is my keyboard isnt touch sensitive and doesnt have a pedal or anything, but it has fairly decent sound reguardless.

This is a pretty big problem. The lack of a pedal isn't so bad.... but touch sensitivity is a must-have thing. If you end up getting a little more serious about this or decide you want to take it a little further.... I'd strongly suggest getting a new board. (or access to a real piano )

Anyway..... I wish you luck dude. Have fun learning the greatest instrument known to man!

[Nate]

Out of curiousity.... what kind of keyboard do you have?

[Dice]

Yamaha PSR-195