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[vaxocentric]

in a continuing effort to alter homeostatic conditions and reinforce patterns of neuronal activation within my hippocampus, i've decided that i'm going to learn to play the piano. it honestly doesn't look that hard, and i think i can pick it up quickly, given that i have a brain-the-size-of-a-solar-system

Comments

[loopy4jazz]

If you're going to buy/steal your own keyboard, go ahead and get one with the full 88 keys. It doesn't have to have any super advanced features, but less than 88 keys will be irritating if you actually do get into it. I've got some materials and stuff if you're interested. Let me know what you're thinking about doing. Do you want to learn to play music off of a page or do you just want to learn chord progressions so you can figure out songs by ear?

[vaxocentric]

the 88-key ones seem to be twice as expensive (i.e. starting at ~$400), and i can't seem to justify that. but then again, i'm completely ignorant on the matter! i'm prepared to spend ~$500 if i keep it up for about a year -- so that's my tentative plan.. is it total crap?

i don't know about learning sheet music versus chord progression.. again, totally ignorant on it. probably sheet music, since i would expect that would be easier and more fundamental to learn.

thanks so much for your comments -- they've been very helpful!

[b_phil]

I would go for Chord Progression (whatever the heck that is) just because I like to sit at a piano and tool around until I can play the theme song to Once Upon a Time in Mexico or Wing Commander until someone tries to hit me with a ping pong ball (ahh, the joy of pianos that share rooms with ping pong tables).

[loopy4jazz]

Chord progression basically teaches you two things. You learn all your basic major and minor triads (Do Mi So, etc. for those of you who remember the Sound of Music) and then you learn ways to put them together. All song writing is about a bass line with chords on top of it. But ultimately, any time you spend playing around with the piano is going to improve your ear and help you pick out melodies.

[loopy4jazz]

Also, being a brainiac and all, you'd probably dig the theory. If I could find some music writing software I might be able to send you some stuff through email. Or you could just buzz me the next time you're in Dallas.

[vaxocentric]

interesting
i'll look into theory once i get more into this musik stuff. ;)
honestly, i don't think i'm creative enough to write songs. it's hard enough for me to do creative photography.. heh

[loopy4jazz]

The music writing software just makes it easier to show you some drills. It's better than me sitting here and typing:
C, E flat, and G make up a C minor chord etc.....

The one I used to have was called Cakewalk, but now I have Jazzware and I don't think it's as versitile. If you're ever in Dallas, I can show you the basics on my pinano, and you could check out my kickass apartment all at the same time!!!

[vaxocentric]

that'd be awesome! i'm going to be in dallas next saturday/sunday for a wedding, but i think i'm going to be super busy. i don't know how long i'll stay, but if it looks like i'll be there monday/tuesday, i'll let you know. maybe we could get together then!

[loopy4jazz]

w00tsauce! My bro knows how to get in touch w/ me.