Piano, keys, tickling the ivory....

[jmacomber68w]

I have been playing guitar for several years now and I would like to make an instrument change. I love every aspect of playing guitar, but I figure learning a new instrument would never hurt! What concerns me is this, my price range would probably max out at around $200. Based on my limited knowledge of keyboards, could I even get a solid instrument with that range? I'm not looking for a toy that I can play around with, but more of an instrument to learn on. Musiciansfriend has some stuff, but I really don't know what is junk, what is a toy, and what is legit for my needs

[BigWheeledWagon]

If you have a computer recording rig, I would highly recommend getting a good MIDI controller. For your price range, you could get a pretty decent controller, and if you have a recording set-up, chances are that you already have some built-in programs that would allow for use of MIDI triggered samples or sounds. This would also allow you to expand your bank of sounds as you go -- I have programs that emulate a range of electric pianos, real pianos, and Hammond organ, Wurlitzer, etc.

 

As for a stand-alone keyboard, $200 isn't going to get you much, but if you're just looking to learn, you should be able to find something basic. Still, in that price range, you shouldn't expect to find anything with weighted keys or overly realistic tones. Again, though, if you're just looking for something to learn on, think of it like you would buying a beginner-level guitar. If it has full-sized keys and makes noise, you can learn to play on it. Good luck on picking up a new instrument. I think you'll find that it will help you with songwriting and will even help your understanding of guitar in some ways. I'm all for learning as many instruments as possible, and I find that every new one I pick up broadens my understanding of music (though I'm still frustrated by my limited banjo ability, and I could never really pick up any of the brass instruments, perhaps because I learned woodwinds as a kid).

[In a little rowboat]

I don't know where you live, but here in memphis, there are regular craigslist ads for older pianos and organs for right around $200...sometimes they are free if yo come pick them up...just a thought...

 

as a guitarist, you might be well advised to pick up a cheapo bass or mandolin...players of these instruments are usually in higher demand

[BigWheeledWagon]

I don't know where you live, but here in memphis, there are regular craigslist ads for older pianos and organs for right around $200...sometimes they are free if yo come pick them up...just a thought...

 

as a guitarist, you might be well advised to pick up a cheapo bass or mandolin...players of these instruments are usually in higher demand

 

I have to agree with that recommendation, and not just because these instruments would be in higher demand (I actually imagine that keyboard players are probably in higher demand than mandolin players in most places -- though I live in Nashville where that may not be the case). It would be easier to make the transition from guitar to bass or mandolin than it would be to keyboards. Moving to bass is really only a matter of technique -- you already know where all notes are. It is important, though, not to think of the bass as just a lower-tuned guitar, and bass does have some fun things unique to itself (slapping and popping, etc.). Almost all guitar players assume that they can play bass, but there's more to it than just playing guitar riffs a few octaves down. Moving to mandolin is likewise mostly a matter of technique (you have less sustain, and in many settings, the mandolin functions almost more like percussion), and its pretty easy to get the hang of where the notes are (basically like a 12-string guitar upside down with two fewer sets of strings). You might think that banjo would also be an easy transition -- almost like fingerpicking a guitar in an open-G tuning. I have not found that to be the case. Piano is going to be q bigger transition, but it's hard for me to predict what that transition might be like, since piano was actually the first instrument I learned as a kid. Even though I consider guitar my primary instrument, it was actually the third instrument I picked up (around age 12).

[jmacomber68w]

I was cleaning my basement tonight, and I found an old keyboard Its an old guy, but it works. I think I'm going to give that a go for 6 months or so, learn some basics, and that probably go the MIDI route. I do some occasional guitar recording, so I have all of the necessary pieces for that. Now, would any keyboard that claims to have midi ability work as a controller, or should I get a higher quality newer model. I see several craiglist postings, but they all look like they are 10 or so years old.

[mahinty]

I was cleaning my basement tonight, and I found an old keyboard Its an old guy, but it works. I think I'm going to give that a go for 6 months or so, learn some basics, and that probably go the MIDI route. I do some occasional guitar recording, so I have all of the necessary pieces for that. Now, would any keyboard that claims to have midi ability work as a controller, or should I get a higher quality newer model. I see several craiglist postings, but they all look like they are 10 or so years old.

 

The MIDI standard has been pretty solid since the 80s. Any keyboard that has a MIDI Out port can be used as a “controller”.

 

Dedicated MIDI Controller keyboards have no built-in sounds and generally have lots of controller types, like sliders and wheels. Usually theycan split their keyboard into multiple MIDI zones.

 

For the ability to play sounds from a MIDI device (software emulator or hardware),any old MIDI keyboard should do the job.

[jmacomber68w]

Can anyone recommend a free piano lesson website or youtube account? I've found a few, but I was wondering if there is a website that comes highly recommended