taking keyboard lessons...

[Plastic Man]

well, ok, im taking them from a book i bought...but im getting really frustrated, a lot of it is really difficult. i just want to quit. what should i do?

[Ahkin]

Never quit. Get a teacher.

[Plastic Man]

dont really wanna take formal lessons..ill just keep plugging away.

[therifferoo]

...there are some pretty hip teachers out there...(remember, Steve Vai took lessons from Joe Satriani !! )...try your local music stores and see who's available before you dismiss the idea.

If you still decide not to involve yourself with lessons, for whatever reason, the next best thing may be to get a coupla instructional videos. Try looking at www.musiciansfriend.com They're a mail-order magazine, and I think they have a pretty good selection of instructional video tapes, and a nice selection of instruments, recording gear, etc.

Good luck...and the main thing is not to give up.

And remember...if you're going to get better, you will have to practice things you cannot yet do...just playing the things you can will be fun but get you nowhere. Don't be afraid to "suck" in front of yourself...make mistakes, learn from them by searching, finding and mastering the answers to your mistakes...KEEP WITH IT...perseverance is the key!

And after you have diligently practiced new territory...HAVE FUN mixing them in with your current skills...that will soon become your own personal reward!

Happy Musical Travels!!

~Riff.

[RobAdams]

I'm afraid I'm a one handed keyboard player. I just can't do much on keyboards. I had a somewhat decent Casio keyboard thing a couple years ago. I can't make my left hand do anything intelligent.

...Why you STOOOPID HAND!!!!!!!! (to be read in a Homer Simpson voice)

I used to have fun trying to play the intro of TO BE OVER, the harp section of AWAKEN and the pedal steel part of SOON. I probably got half the notes wrong, but at least my friend could tell what I was trying to play. I really gotta get a bass guitar again. That was my instrument.

[Plastic Man]

Originally posted by therifferoo
...there are some pretty hip teachers out there...(remember, Steve Vai took lessons from Joe Satriani !! )...try your local music stores and see who's available before you dismiss the idea.

If you still decide not to involve yourself with lessons, for whatever reason, the next best thing may be to get a coupla instructional videos. Try looking at www.musiciansfriend.com They're a mail-order magazine, and I think they have a pretty good selection of instructional video tapes, and a nice selection of instruments, recording gear, etc.

Good luck...and the main thing is not to give up.

And remember...if you're going to get better, you will have to practice things you cannot yet do...just playing the things you can will be fun but get you nowhere. Don't be afraid to "suck" in front of yourself...make mistakes, learn from them by searching, finding and mastering the answers to your mistakes...KEEP WITH IT...perseverance is the key!

And after you have diligently practiced new territory...HAVE FUN mixing them in with your current skills...that will soon become your own personal reward!

Happy Musical Travels!!

~Riff.

videos sound like a good idea...thanks for the encouragement. today i finally am able to play a song, its a simple one. its that 'clementine' one, i can do both treble and bass clefs...the bass clefs get a little more complicated in each of the 3 lessons, ive done the 1st...its nothing special, but im getting better i think.

[Ahkin]

Practice and a positive attitude are keys to growing as a musician. And when you can feel you've actually learned something, practicing becomes fun. It's not easy all the time - it rarely is - but it's fun.