Members JanVanHove Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 Hi Guys, I usually hang out at the bass forum, but I have a keyboard question so I tought I'd peek my head in and say hi!... I'm looking for a keyboard midi controler, mainly to mess around with GarageBand, but also as a learning tool, and to have something more in terms of musical intruments in order to get my 4-year old son interested in music... Now, there are are 49 keys stuff, and 61, 67, 76, and 88...I don't want to become a concert pianist, and if my son ever wants to, I'll get a proper piano, but I was wondering if the 49 keys keyboard might be a little limiting... What do you think? is 49 keys enough? Sorry for the stupid question, but i'd like to hear your toughts on that... Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tusks Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 I someone plays keyboards by themselves, they are playing the bass, the mid range chords and occassionally the high end. Think of a piano accompaniment like the one to the song "Imagine". You will need a minimum of 61 keys to be able to do that. But .. if you want to record some bass lines (and separately) and some leads and chords into garage band, 49 keys is more than adequate. Bet your son has a blast. Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Diametro Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 '76, baby! (esp. if you don't really want hammer weighted) ... 61's too few if you want to do anything with an wide-ish tonal range (e.g. el piano). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members XorAxAx Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 Diametro, the funniest thing on that pinball display is the text "Ball in play"... Anyway: 61 keys (5 octaves) is the standard for synths. 88 keys (over 7 octaves) is the standard for acoustic pianos. Anything with less than 61 keys has a special purpose, usually one of these:-- Playing lead (e.g. Nord Lead)-- Portability (e.g. XioSynth)-- Pitch input for music software (e.g. Remote SL 25) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JanVanHove Posted February 22, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 -- Pitch input for music software (e.g. Remote SL 25) I guess that 49 is enough (and will fit on my desktop...)...But i'll look in 61s... Thanks for the hand guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Diametro Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 What about the farkin' kid? Don't you think you might be cutting into his Mozart potential with only 49 keys? At least get one with '61 flippers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JanVanHove Posted February 22, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 Thanks for worrying about his "mozart portential", but I've got that covered in other areas, he already has a recorder and i'll get him a ukulele soon... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members xavios Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 you need 61 keys to play subdivisions by rush, so 61 i think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Diametro Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 What's next? Wacky slapstick family comedy ensues involving trips to the opthamologist! Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JanVanHove Posted February 22, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 What's next? Wacky slapstick family comedy ensues involving trips to the opthamologist! Cheers! That 8-string Uke is actually pretty nice! And recorders are actually pretty cool as startup instruments, their range is enough to play interesting tunes, and the fingering concept is a good introduction to other woodwinds... I personally play the tenor recorder, which is leaps and bounds less bloody annoying than those awful plastic recorder kids get to play (and hate...) at school... And that third thing is, well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JanVanHove Posted February 22, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 you need 61 keys to play subdivisions by rush, so 61 i think And how many to play Liszt's 5th concerto in B minor? And Shostakovitch? how many for that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Yoozer Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 I've got an Xboard 49 as a controller and it feels a wee bit cramped - but when I'm just playing single parts it's enough. My father-in-law has this pinball machine . Good old vintage stuff from the time you couldn't score a million points even if you stayed up and played for a week or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members depulse Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 Well, if you only play in C-major you can buy a keyboard with only the white keys, this way you'll save 5 keys per octave. You'll manage to get a 5 octave keyboard using only 35 keys (36 if you need a top C key). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members xavios Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 And how many to play Liszt's 5th concerto in B minor? And Shostakovitch? how many for that? id ont even know who those people are so it is irrelevant! check this out, way better than recorder www.xaphoon.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 Whoa! Better than a piano or organ or synth! Fits in your stinkin pocket! Sounds more like a sax than a Triton! Comes with fries! Plays Shostakovitch right out of the box! Oh! Ow! GAS attack! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrcpro Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 I'd say 61 for this application too. More is always better, but not always practical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 I'm a piano player and I'm struggling with a 49-key x-station for playing with other players. It's too few--61 would be way way better and 72 would be quite sufficient. But then, I'm playing piano on it--part of being a piano is the range. Not so for most other applications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members halcyo Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 Wow, that thing looks awesome...what is that!? halcyo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted February 22, 2007 Members Share Posted February 22, 2007 Something new from Korg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members xavios Posted February 23, 2007 Members Share Posted February 23, 2007 Whoa! Better than a piano or organ or synth! Fits in your stinkin pocket! Sounds more like a sax than a Triton! Comes with fries! Plays Shostakovitch right out of the box!Oh! Ow! GAS attack! yeah they are pretty sweet, cheap too. gonna get me one soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JanVanHove Posted February 23, 2007 Author Members Share Posted February 23, 2007 yeah they are pretty sweet, cheap too. gonna get me one soon. I have to agree with you on that one, mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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