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Scuka1 t1_j6nj6rc wrote

Yep.

When I went to music school, we had individual instrument lessons and theory classes. No matter which instrument someone played theory was explained on a keyboard and a keyboard hung in every room, sort of like periodic table of elements in a chemistry classroom or a map in a geography classroom.

Keyboard is very nicely laid out and it's easy to visualize relationships between notes by visualizing the keyboard.

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throwRAdating_dad t1_j6oawz7 wrote

Former music student here. Totally agree. The layout of the keyboard is a really good graphical representation of how scales work. I can’t imagine trying to learn theory without having some keyboard experience.

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longdongsilver1987 t1_j6odfnq wrote

Any YouTube channel recommendations or resources for someone who is a visual learner?

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Rularuu t1_j6nafmi wrote

I agree, but take things one step at a time. Let it happen when it needs to happen. It can be easy to get overwhelmed by unintuitive and foreign concepts when you start learning music and it's OK to just focus on the basics of, say, guitar first, and then once you feel like you have some foundation you can jump into keys. Do it when it feels natural.

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[deleted] t1_j6nejax wrote

The basics of guitar and piano are the same, sheet-music wise (aside from the TAB portion; piano just puts the finger number directly next to the notes if needed), so there's really no "foreign concepts" if you switch from guitar to piano early on. The differences that put learning piano first a step above guitar is it's a lot easier to push a piano key than to pluck a guitar string, and you don't have to re-tune a piano every time you play it/change keys

EDIT: damn I upset the guitar simps, guess I'm not a real musician

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Rularuu t1_j6nfih2 wrote

They are completely different in terms of technique and that is the first stumbling block for new musicians.

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PeelThePaint t1_j6o4r04 wrote

Piano doesn't really have any technique at the beginning stages. Push button, receive note. There's no reason why anyone couldn't play a simple melody with one finger provided they know what notes to push. If you're playing a brass instrument, a piano is really helpful at the start when you're building technique so you can hear what note you should be playing rather than hoping you're hitting the right partial.

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Rularuu t1_j6o9k1z wrote

I think that playing chords and understanding harmony from the framework of a piano is the real purpose of learning how to play the instrument for others, not hammering out Mary Had A Little Lamb with one finger.

To actually play chord progressions requires some technique and understanding of how chords are built, and you would be better off figuring out how to play your instrument to some level of comfort than jumping into something entirely new alongside it. Not to mention that for most people it isn't a mad rush to learn everything as fast as possible and motivation/fun is the most important factor.

I say this as someone who was competent on guitar and bass and then learned keys. I would do it the way I did every time, albeit maybe faster.

>If you're playing a brass instrument, a piano is really helpful at the start when you're building technique so you can hear what note you should be playing rather than hoping you're hitting the right partial.

Sure, I can agree with that, but I don't know if that's really playing the instrument so much as having one around as a tool.

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DavidANaida t1_j6nvb7f wrote

And if you're a singer, straight up learn to read music. Otherwise the instrumentalists will pick on you: and they'll be right to do it. No one wants to coddle your lack of diligence

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throwRAdating_dad t1_j6obire wrote

I know a lot of pop musicians don’t read music but it really helps your musicianship to learn. Singers are no exception. I learned to sight sing in college and it gives me a huge advantage over people without reading skills.

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cbessette t1_j6nqgcy wrote

I played guitar and bass for about 20 years before I tried learning the keyboard instruments. Though I can't read music at all, just learning basic major and minor chords on the keyboard helped me understand a lot about how music works.

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BellyScratchFTW OP t1_j6nr0rh wrote

Exactly this! This is especially useful for a bassist who is normally playing a note in the chord somewhere (usually root with “passing” chord tones).

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Agitated_Year8521 t1_j6nhe2a wrote

Yes, hitting piano keys has definitely prepared me for the drum kit

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BellyScratchFTW OP t1_j6nimh3 wrote

Percussive instruments could be an exception here. Until it's time to tune quads/toms. Then you'll want something to get your 4th/5th intervals off of.

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Nubadopolis t1_j6nqlv2 wrote

No I believe it still applies to percussion. Instruments involving keys are played in time like any other instrument. Hitting the right keys at the right time can be directly correlated to hitting the drums in time.

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PeelThePaint t1_j6o4xtr wrote

In this situation, I think it applies the other way around. Pianists who learn the drum kit will have a better sense of rhythm and can be inspired to try out different things rhythmically.

Of course, it doesn't hurt to develop an ear for harmony and melody as a drummer since that's what you'll usually be accompanying.

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Pultoen t1_j6nk1ik wrote

This is actually a good tip. Understanding where the sharps/flat go on a piano keyboard really helps.

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jazzy8alex t1_j6ojmva wrote

Piano is a great tool to develop coordination, rhythm, focus, memory and many other abilities that will benefit you in all aspects of you life (and sports) later on. especially for young kids.

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Ehehlifesux t1_j6oe0uo wrote

Yup can attest to this. Spe ially if you want to get reallly good at any of those, invest in a piano, even casio will do. Hell, I use a piano app on my phone after my musoc teacher blasted me for confidently singing wrong notes 3 classes in a row. I wasnt even using the right scale and I was totally oblivious. Haha. He forced me to get a piano and voice box app after that. The voice or shruti box that helps you practice a particular scale.

A metronome app is also handy for setting correct rhythms and beats. You can flip between many different types of beats- 4 count, 3 count etc.

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mommer_man t1_j6oxyh0 wrote

This is what I tell my 8yo son ALL THE TIME! He's learning piano now, so that he's ready for drums or bass guitar later on.

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keepthetips t1_j6n7n71 wrote

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PaxMortisAeternum t1_j6nvcuy wrote

I always found it easier to learn notes after I knew all the sounds by heart. I still can't do notes at all but I can perfectly tune a guitar and violin by ear but I can't remember the daggon string names half the time.

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