Members Dimebag666 Posted November 26, 2006 Members Posted November 26, 2006 Any advice to learning keyboard on the side to guitar. I'm not going into it full blown but I think maybe half an hour to an hour a day should do me. I don't really want to learn any songs on it atm but that may change. What I really want to do is start writing on it and help my understanding of music and guitar as well. So apart from learning the chords and the scales on it... any other advice? thanks guys
Members alwaysharp Posted November 28, 2006 Members Posted November 28, 2006 I don't know your level of understanding things such as theory and chord construction, but here is one thing I used to do. Pick an octave for the right hand, say middle C and the C above. Now, your right hand cannot leave that octave at all. now pick an octave for the left hand, same rules apply. Then go through some chord progression such as you ii-V-I's. Chords in the right hand and root notes in the left. This should really get your brain working. And it's definitely okay to start incredibly slow. If you have to sit there and spell out the notes in every chord that's okay. As a matter of fact that will help you have a rock solid knowledge of which chords have which notes so on and so forth.Once you get a good grasp on that, just change it up a little. For instance, what I've been doing lately is along the same lines but in the right hand I've been using rootless voicings with some extensions and in the left I'll play a very, VERY simple bass line. One last thing, to really get alot out of something like this, make sure you're consciously thinking about the chords and which notes and all that good stuff. Again, by doing this it will become second nature to you in the future. Hope that helps.
Members whitepapagold Posted November 29, 2006 Members Posted November 29, 2006 Really good decision. Piano is the mother of all. The best thing is you will write COMPLETELY differently on piano than guitar. It really opens up your eyes. Though I think guitar is WAY more fun to play- in a physical context- much more interactive. My main advice is to sit down and screw around with the piano regularly. Have a beer or a joint or some tea (whatever relaxes you) and just play around with it. Its such a different beast. Best part- way easier to sound ok on as a beginner than guitar!
Members hutchtoo Posted November 29, 2006 Members Posted November 29, 2006 I remember reading an interview years ago where Pat Metheny said he did his songwriting in front of the piano. Learning the keys can only help your guitar playing. As long as you have the luxury of time to learn a 2nd instrument. Wish I did!
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