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...but my life kinda strayed the other way and I want to take things back into my own hands.
Unfortunately, I know fuck-all about the "mechanics" of music, much less about any of the hardware involved. When I used to live next to a piano instructor, I took about 6 lessons and they're all out of my head now.
From what I understand, pianos are pretty much the universal stepping stone into music. I figure I should start from there.
I've been thinking about getting a keyboard. A musical one.
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/pylbXl.jpg) I think they look something like this.
As far as I know, they're like pianos, right? Minus the fact that its electronic. And they're portable and take less space. And I can hook up most of them to a computer for sequencing/composing/whatever-the-term-is. And I can plug in headphones for when I don't want to deafen people. And they're easily disposable for when I rage-quit on becoming a musician, etc. etc.
Can anyone suggest me models or brands to look out for?
I don't have much money, but it's good to know what's out there.
If anyone wants to share resources, software, tips, first-hand experiences, reviews or whatever else- I'll very much appreciate it.
Hell, I don't even know if I'm taking the right approach to this thing, so post away yo.
 
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Belgium9953 Posts
get a KORG imo, those things are magic
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On May 24 2010 00:47 LittLeLives wrote:...but my life kinda strayed the other way and I want to take things back into my own hands. Unfortunately, I know fuck-all about the "mechanics" of music, much less about any of the hardware involved. When I used to live next to a piano instructor, I took about 6 lessons and they're all out of my head now. From what I understand, pianos are pretty much the universal stepping stone into music. I figure I should start from there. I've been thinking about getting a keyboard. A musical one. I think they look something like this. As far as I know, they're like pianos, right? Minus the fact that its electronic. And they're portable and take less space. And I can hook up most of them to a computer for sequencing/composing/whatever-the-term-is. And I can plug in headphones for when I don't want to deafen people. And they're easily disposable for when I rage-quit on becoming a musician, etc. etc. Can anyone suggest me models or brands to look out for? I don't have much money, but it's good to know what's out there. If anyone wants to share resources, software, tips, first-hand experiences, reviews or whatever else- I'll very much appreciate it. Hell, I don't even know if I'm taking the right approach to this thing, so post away yo.
If you get that AKAI, it will allow you to also have a midi pad. If you don't want to spend a ton of money, just get a cheap price Casio with midi input and output, then get a computer/laptop with a nice .vst program for piano, then you have a sound the same as a piano but very cheap.
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DL
FL Studio (pirate)
and
get a cheap M-Audio keyboard (unless you are really into the piano part)
Search for VST plugins for free on Blogspot (pirate) http://audiopirate.blogspot.com/ ...etc
hopefully get someone to teach you the basics
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I agree with xLathargicax, casios are great beginner pianos. I have a friend who gigs professionally and he brings a casio around with him because its so good. I've had mine for years now and its still working great. I'd recommend going to the nearest guitar center and looking at their pianos and talk to the people there about what they recommend. You can also pick up some books there about learning piano.
What style of music do you want to play with the keyboard? Classical/Jazz/Contemporary/Other?
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I have a yamaha that I got for something like 80$ for costco, it works pretty well esp. if you're a beginner
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Some keyboards are full-range (all the keys of the piano), but most cheaper ones are not. Obviously a lot of piano music will use keys outside the range of some keyboards. The mechanical up-and-down key action of all but the more expensive keyboards is also quite different from a piano. Trying to learn piano technique on a cheap keyboard may not be so fun or applicable to a real piano. The difference may be like playing SC on a good gaming computer keyboard compared to playing it on a very bad netbook or laptop keyboard.
You should decide right now whether or not you want this keyboard to be just a music learning tool or a relatively cheap piano substitute.
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Hi there, one thing to keep in mind is to know the difference between a keyboard which has built-in sounds, versus just a MIDI controller.
The pic you posted here (Akai MPD) is of a MIDI controller, and HAS to be used with a synthesizer (e.g. hooked up to your computer and using FL Studio).
So I would recommend, as a first purchase, a keyboard which is ready to play out of the box, on its own. You might want it to also have a USB midi connection, in case you do want to mess with some composition down the line.
And as far as choosing the right keyboard, I recommend going to a music store if possible, and trying out a few to see which one you like.
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I think a keyboard sounds like a piano but I would suggest that you try to take piano lessons or something and play on a real piano because it's obviously has another kind of feeling.
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On May 24 2010 01:18 Gogleion wrote:
What style of music do you want to play with the keyboard? Classical/Jazz/Contemporary/Other?
All I can really see myself playing at the moment is pretty much pop, R&B-ish type stuff.
Don't really see myself playing ZUN-level pieces quite yet.
On May 24 2010 01:34 Myrmidon wrote:
You should decide right now whether or not you want this keyboard to be just a music learning tool or a relatively cheap piano substitute.
Relatively Cheap Piano Substitute, preferably.
I want to get my technique/execution right the first time.
On May 24 2010 01:37 Ravloo wrote:
So I would recommend, as a first purchase, a keyboard which is ready to play out of the box, on its own. You might want it to also have a USB midi connection, in case you do want to mess with some composition down the line.
Sounds good to me. I think that was pretty much what I wanted.
@Everyone Else
Thanks for the input so far. Really.
Right now I definitely...
1) should visit local music stores and ask questions/try some out.
2) see if someone I know knows someone who even knows someone about an instructor of some sort.
And the pic was just taken off Google Image Search. 
Still, good to know.
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Canada5565 Posts
I had an electric piano many years ago, it was great. I never wanted to learn how to play music but there's so many cool things you can do with sound effects and beats that you just end up figuring things out by messing around, which is the best way imo 
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I'd say make sure you have one that has the full 88 keys, quit a few things need that and transposing is annoying.
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On May 24 2010 03:07 Zurles wrote:
I'd say make sure you have one that has the full 88 keys, quit a few things need that and transposing is annoying.
By annoying I think you meant orgasmically fun, amirite? :D
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anything will do but when you start getting into it the 2 most important features in a keyboard imo are a full 88 and weighted keys
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EPT
