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I agree with the previous poster that scales & chords are fundamental.
If you can read music, I recommend this book. It's a primer on reggae keyboard but the progressions are all transferable & it gets you comfortable with harmonization, multiple chord inversions & finger / hand independence.
You can alter any of the exercises by changing up the right hand harmonies or simply stick with the same progressions and use different chord inversions. You're also free to change up the rhythms to suit.
I went to a local community college for an AA in music and we were required to demonstrate piano proficiency. One of the requirements was to create a bass line (you're already ahead of the game) & then do harmonic improvisation with the right hand. This book helped me fly through my jury.
I suppose there are probably similar books dedicated to rock.
Follow this eBay auction. It should give you a decent idea of the value. I love the CZ series. I have a CZ-101 that was modded into a keytar. I used to have a CZ-1 until it got stolen... bleh.
Well...it depends. What type of instruments are you looking to emulate? Acoustics, EPs, organs? If you're looking for a quality rack that you could gig and record with, then you're looking to drop $700-$1000. At that price you mean that as well just buy a stage piano or workstation.
However, if you're just looking to dink around and learn more about midi...then this'll do fine: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E5GGKE4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_0BVX6XEY93YCYT9Y8F5D
Focusrite is sort of the safe, standard. If you want something less expensive, Behringer will work OK.
If you don't plan on expanding much, one of the interfaces below will do.
> However, if you're just looking to dink around and learn more about midi...then this'll do fine: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E5GGKE4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_0BVX6XEY93YCYT9Y8F5D
Thank you, this is perfect, I really just use my midi keyboard for singing practice, inputting notes and music studies, this is perfect. Actually, it's even over kill for my purposes.
You don't even need to solder, or even heat shrink, or really anything.
It's just a aswitch, you don't have to worry about how clean the connection is. Get any cable with a right angle jack, cut it, cut the sustain pedal cable and twist them together.
You could also just get an adaptor
In response to your first question...
This is a great book if you want to take that classical piano knowledge and training and apply it to blues, rock, pop, etc:
http://www.amazon.com/How-Really-Play-Piano-Teacher/dp/0956220401/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
The author also has a YouTube channel with lots of tutorials.
Yes, but I think he means the keyboard plugs into a sound module, then the audio comes out of that.
What you plug it into is the $100 question.
- An iOS device running Garageband would do the job (you'd need a USB to Lightning cable), but bear in mind not all iOS devices have headphone jacks anymore
- There are some modules like this one and this one. I have no idea if they're any good--you'd have to read product reviews
- There are also some Raspberry Pi-powered boxes out there, which you could upload sounds to.
Oh, hey - try us out! :) Seriously though, you can look us up and see we're the top selling Z Style stand on Amazon. On top of that we have the best review rating and more than 5,000 of them (and they are real!). Even if you don't purchase from us, Amazon is going to be where you find the cheapest pricing. MF/GC and Sweetwater are both pretty high in price. Many of the Z Style stands look the same but take a closer look at images and reviews so you can really get what you want and understand the differences. If you decide not to go with a Z Style, the tabletop styles like this are usually pretty good and IMO Gator is usually good with their innovation and QC standards. Not a huge fan of X Styles but if you really want to save money, you can pick up a double braced X Style from the Amazon Basics brand or even RockJam for less than 50 bucks.
You might consider used. Check your local craigslist.org. According to this article, you could quarantine the keyboard for half a week and be okay to then use it.
Yeah man. Here’s the book I think I used: The Giant Book of Pop & Rock Sheet Music: Easy Piano (The Giant Book of Sheet Music) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1470610663/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_GW2C2DZPYCRTCSAZZM9M
You can also find actual real books from that official line. There’s bluegrass, Christmas, TV/movies, gospel, etc. The Real Christmas Book: C Edition Includes Lyrics! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1423433874/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_PTBT9TXB4HD5AVBGKG7H The Christmas one is great.
Don't let the brand name fool ya, this one's a beast:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RXRRH93/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It has a solid metal plate in the base, so it has some weight and does not move around on you.
If you have the cash to spare, I'd recommend one of these pedals to practice with: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SXBPMYC/
You play a few chords and it will then play bass and drums to match so you can practice melody as a "trio".
My advice would be to just get a vocal tuning app for your phone and leave it at that. Here's why:
The main use for MIDI these days, musically, is with a computer. You're recording sounds into a DAW (recording software on your computer), or you're bringing out a laptop for performance with your midi keyboard.
A little history will explain why.
The first era of digital keyboards had all the sounds loaded on the keyboard. You bought a keyboard for its features, including and especially the sounds it had.
Then midi hit the scene and people realized you could buy a little box of sounds to go along with your keyboard and dramatically expand what you could do. They even started making keyboards that were only midi and contained no sounds (called controllers). This was thought to be the future, as you could buy a great board and then endlessly upgrade the sounds.
But then the pendulum swung the other way, and people started making purpose-build keyboards that had amazing capabilities, either as performance boards or digital workstations, etc. At the same time, laptops got cheaper and better, and DJs started using them, so the idea of bringing a laptop to connect to your keyboard on stage became a lot less insane sounding.
So the world of standalone midi sound modules kind of fell away. You can still find them in the form of rack-mounted synth or tabletop organ drawbar modules, but it's kind of hard to find a good, widely compatible midi sound module these days, especially if you're not looking to spend a good bit of money.
You might try something like this, but midi is also notoriously flaky and not all keyboards and devices play well together.
So, if what you're really looking for is a reference tone for singing, then just use an app on your phone, or an old fashioned pitch pipe.
Good for you! The Casio WK-220 is a helluva keyboard for it's basement pricing. I have one & it's my "travel" keyboard for camping & stuff where I have no power & don't want to risk my better keyboards.
The only extra you'll probably want is a sustain pedal. I recommend the flat kind - doesn't slip around as much: amazon link
The other recommendation I have (if you're a beginner) is to start by learning some simple chords & learn to play the chords in your right hand, bass note in your left hand, and sing along - that's sooo the easiest way to make music just for fun.
For standalone digital pianos, personally I've had good experiences with Yamaha. I have a Clavinova, which is more expensive but it is an absolutely spectacular piano. They make this one which I haven't tried, but it's in your price range and has good reviews. I'd probably go with that in your position.
With a MIDI controller, you could plug a keyboard into your computer and play a software piano app, such as Pianoteq or Spectrasonics Keyscape. You would want to have good computer speakers. It would give you much more power and flexibility for music-making, but it would also be less immediate to use and the computer could potentially distract you from practicing. I would've recommended a Roland A-800 (61 keys but great feel) for that option, but based on what you've said I think a standalone digital piano is probably the way to go.
You know sustain pedals are cheap right? https://smile.amazon.com/MaxLLTo-Keyboard-Universal-Behringer-Electronic/dp/B077Z8XVPF/ref=sr_1_37
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Most sustain pedals are TS (tip sleeve, one black ring) plug and are just on/off switches, like someone else already said. You press the pedal and it shorts the tip to the sleeve, you release it and it disconnects it (opens the circuit). Or sometimes it's the opposite, and some pedals have a switch reverse it so it works either way.
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Take a multimeter to your drum pedal and see what it does!
The RockJam Xfinity Heavy-Duty, Double-X, Pre-Assembled, Infinitely Adjustable Piano Keyboard Stand can get as low as you want but it's not the sturdiest stand either. Works fine for leaving at my girlfriend's house though.
One catch is that the lower it goes, the wider it gets. If you have a smaller keyboard you may need a board to span the gap, not sure what you're trying to support.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B15JPCQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_EteiFb3YXCPJ5
EDIT: It's super easy to adjust too so you could switch positions quickly.
This is what I'm currently using. It's takes a bit longer to set up and break down than an X stand but it's more durable and feels solid when it's all locked down.
I went as cheap as humanly possible. Right now we put a tablet with Yousician on it, and let it pick up sound of the speakers. If we do good with it, I plan on upgrading to a digital piano with weighted keys.
If you sold your soul to Amazon, they have 10% off select instruments even with a prime credit card. I'm not sure if this one still falls under the 10%, but this is what I got.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XBZH1DZ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Guitar & Bass amps will be okaaay. But not great. They're not designed to reproduce the range of sounds that keys (or e-drums) make. However if you're going for a retro sound maybe a guitar amp will give you a cool sound! If you're going for a clean sound but don't need much power, computer speakers are a pretty decent workaround as well.
All that said, I love my Behringer Ultratone 450, and it's little brother is only $90: https://smile.amazon.com/Behringer-KT108-BEHRINGER-ULTRATONE/dp/B0010KGD4Q/
I tell all my kids to get this one for their first. It's so cheap that it helps you determine if you really want to stick with this without having to invest a bajillion dollars off the get go.
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-DGX230-76-Key-Digital-Piano/dp/B001FSJC5K
There is a lot of variation in AC adaptors.
The Yamaha adaptor is a DC12V 1.0A. Looking at the picture the center pin is positive.
Your adaptor must provide 12V DC. Note some adaptors provide AC output. The center pin must be positive.
Does your adaptor say how much current it can provide? That information is often printed on the adaptor. It might read "1.0A" or "200mA" or "0.6A". If the adaptor can't meet the PSR-E253 demand for current then 1) the voltage might sag below 12V and the PSR-E253 might not work and 2) the adaptor could over heat.
Lastly there is tremendous variation in the physical size of the connector. It might not fit.
Something like this , but you'll get enough to last a lifetime or to apply to many stands of your choosing.
I have the Casio SA76. It's a pretty cool little travel practice board. 44 keys, a lot of different sounds, and it's $50. Battery or ac power. https://www.amazon.com/Casio-SA76-mini-Sized-Tones/dp/B00416WHV4
This would be okay yeah? or this
My keyboard have other ports too. But it does have the red and white jack so I assume these would work?
Thanks! Would any zoom model work? Like this one?
ah, a bit out of my price range atm, I don't suppose you'd have an idea if this is any good? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-PSRE253-Portable-Keyboard/dp/B00UNEECWK/ref=sr_1_27?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1485967930&sr=1-27
The main songs I want to play are the Halo theme and To zanarkand if that makes any difference...
Amazon offers the Yamaha P71, which is identical the to the P45, on sale for $380. It includes a sustain "Pedal/Footswitch" which is enough to get started. My digital piano is on a table that puts it at about the same height as a typical acoustic piano. A weighted keyboard is important. Many places have the P45 on sale for $400.
[EDIT] If you click the "Holiday Home Bundle" at that link it shows a P45 with stand and bench for $400. Kraft has a similar bundle with a nicer looking bench for $450.
I think This sort of thing is what I'm looking for?
Okay...I hear ya. If you want a fully weighted, 88 key digital piano that can plug into a computer and control the keys, but does not have any assignable buttons, faders, knobs, with decent sounds, and is under a grand. This is your best bet: Yamaha DGX650
So I discovered on a whim that is fits pretty well in one of my bass bags. This is the one: http://www.amazon.com/World-Tour-BG20D-Deluxe-Guitar/dp/B000BUBF6M?ie=UTF8&dpID=31TRN7YGJHL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_ . Considering it's padded, works as a backpack, and was only like $30 to begin, I think it is a pretty good solution.
Go for a 1st Gen Axiom 25. I'm reasonably certain it'll be in your range and it's more or less the exact same thing. You'd just be missing the one slider.
EDIT: Musician's Friend has 2nd gen listed at $200 so that's conveniently right at the edge of your range, but if you don't necessarily favor the newer slicker version over saving some cash, that means 1st gen should indeed be out there for well within your budget.
EDIT 2: Axiom 25, first gen, Amazon $140 new.