I have been interested in learning the piano recently. Nothing serious, but enough to be able to play songs that I can come up with by ear. Just simple things. My 21st birthday is in a few days, so I've just been giving thought as to what I want to pursue this year. Here are is one of the songs I would like to be able to play: Kashiwa Daisuke - Ohka

Since I have been using a computer keyboard for so many years, and have relatively fast fingers on it, (~125 WPM) I was wondering if it would help at all with learning the piano. Obviously learning the piano is a difficult thing to do, but if I can find the time, I'd really enjoy it. Also, if anyone would like to recommend a piano (preferably one I can put in my room, so a digital one on a stand, possibly with weighted keys) that would be amazing.

Thanks a lot!

teddyoojo

Germany22369 Posts

January 18 2014 01:49 GMT

_-NoMaN-_

Canada250 Posts

January 18 2014 02:03 GMT

It's somewhat analogous to learning a new language. At first you would be hella slow despite your WPM, but once you become proficient in the new 'language', your speed becomes a factor again.

As far as what you should buy; for your first one i would go as cheap as possible (craigslist baby), and once you learn the basics and decide that its something you want to invest significant time into, go for an upgrade.

ArmoredHydralisk

United States4 Posts

January 18 2014 02:07 GMT

On January 18 2014 11:03 _-NoMaN-_ wrote:
It's somewhat analogous to learning a new language. At first you would be hella slow despite your WPM, but once you become proficient in the new 'language', your speed becomes a factor again.

As far as what you should buy; for your first one i would go as cheap as possible (craigslist baby), and once you learn the basics and decide that its something you want to invest significant time into, go for an upgrade.

Thanks for the response

I heard a digital piano with weighted keys is very nice for a new user, although somewhat expensive (up to $500?). I will need to do a lot of research.

itsjustatank

Hong Kong9153 Posts

January 18 2014 03:41 GMT

the only thing that will help you learn the piano is playing the instrument.

YPang

United States4024 Posts

January 18 2014 03:42 GMT

Learning the piano is the best and probably only way to get good at the piano (playing the keyboard excluded). Your ability of having high APM in SC2 may, but most likely not contribute to your ability to play piano. It's like asking if your ability to kick a hacky sack can help your soccer game. I mean i guess it does help with your neuromuscular system between your fingers and your brain.

las91

United States5080 Posts

January 18 2014 05:09 GMT

On January 18 2014 12:42 YPang wrote:
Learning the piano is the best and only way to get good at the piano

FTFY. You have to play piano to get good at piano, yes dexterity will improve so indirectly at best but otherwise no. You'd also have to be playing SC2 extremely quickly for the dexterity to even start mattering for piano.

erby

464 Posts

January 18 2014 06:23 GMT

I do not find piano-playing and keyboard-typing analogous in any way. That is, being good at typing doesn't mean anything about how good or not good you'll be at playing piano. Like with most things that people want to be good at in life, learning and playing piano takes a lot if discipline and practice. You also have to figure out what you're trying to get at with piano, which will eventually dictate how you practice and what you learn. Are you just learning how to jam? Then you'll need music theory and a lot of ear training. You want to learn how to impress your friends? Get to the point where you can learn a few songs and practice until your fingers memorize them. Want to be technically fluent? Do piano exercises, like Hanon's. Want to be well-rounded? Do a little bit of everything but acknowledge that it will be slow-going.

Good luck. Playing instruments is something I always wish I was more disciplined with and set more time aside for.

thezanursic

5478 Posts

January 18 2014 06:32 GMT

Naw.

That's almost as bad as asking: Could playing League of Legends help team building between friends? No, never.

+ Show Spoiler +

Don't ban me, it was a joke!

bumatlarge

United States4567 Posts

January 18 2014 07:11 GMT

#10

I found learning one instrument helps you in learning others.

Darkwhite

Norway348 Posts

January 18 2014 07:13 GMT

#11

No.

Also, the song you linked is very easy to play, but you'll still have to struggle with the basics.

Shebuha

Canada1335 Posts

January 18 2014 07:58 GMT

#12

On January 18 2014 15:23 erby wrote:
I do not find piano-playing and keyboard-typing analogous in any way. That is, being good at typing doesn't mean anything about how good or not good you'll be at playing piano. Like with most things that people want to be good at in life, learning and playing piano takes a lot if discipline and practice. You also have to figure out what you're trying to get at with piano, which will eventually dictate how you practice and what you learn. Are you just learning how to jam? Then you'll need music theory and a lot of ear training. You want to learn how to impress your friends? Get to the point where you can learn a few songs and practice until your fingers memorize them. Want to be technically fluent? Do piano exercises, like Hanon's. Want to be well-rounded? Do a little bit of everything but acknowledge that it will be slow-going.

Good luck. Playing instruments is something I always wish I was more disciplined with and set more time aside for.

THIS!

But if you're asking if being good at typing is going to have an impact on how well you can hit keys from the get go the answer is yes, a tiny little bit, but hitting keys doesn't matter if you don't know how what keys to hit.

wwJd)El_Mojjo

Sweden173 Posts

January 18 2014 08:36 GMT

#13

I'm surprised nobody recognized the practice methods. I definitely think experience with practicing something with a lot of dedication can help. For example the knowledge about how you learn the quickest, like practicing one thing at a time, slow at first and then with more speed etc. Of course, if you only played sc2 casual, then you haven't really learned anything like that through the game. But I think if you have been practicing strategically in sc2 then you can use that experience to improve your practice methods in other areas such as music as well.

[UoN]Sentinel

United States11320 Posts

January 18 2014 14:26 GMT

#14

Any good keyboard, weighted keys or no, will cost you about $500. You can get a cheaper, older one off of ebay/craiglist but usually it'll be smaller than 88 keys or unweighted. If you're fine by that the price can drop to like $100

Spinet pianos are really cheap if you can find them as well; I got mine for 300 dollars. They're essentially shorter, slimmer versions of upright pianos. A lot of people say they're a bitch to tune/fix, but in my experience you never actually have to tune them. I've never seen a single problem in the 8 years I've owned one.

Bommes

Germany1226 Posts

January 18 2014 15:20 GMT

#15

That Kashiwa Daisuke music is enjoyable

Does anyone happen to know if/where I can find sheets for his songs? It seems easy enough for me to learn on the piano, which is pretty rare considering my lackluster piano skills.

YouthSC

United Kingdom355 Posts

January 18 2014 17:16 GMT

#16

I don't think it helps, although I play the piano and type quite quickly! So maybe it does huehuehue

As to a piano I would recommend: Casio Privia PX-150

It's the one I have and I teach piano with. It's got weighted keys and a nice sound although, like all electronic pianos, with headphones the sound quality increases.

Best of luck!