keyboard advice

[rainbownorth]

I've decided to start learning the keyboard. There are a few reasons for this:

I think it will help give me a sense of melody, which will help my bass playing by showing me how the bass is used to accompany a melody and make an effective groove.My biggest bass problem right now is that when I doodle on my own, it generally ends with me writing the melody with bass in front, which just doesn't work with a band setting, especially with someone of my questionable talent.

Ive yet to learn an instrument that takes the lead in music as much as keyboard does. I've never played guitar, bass was my first instrument.

I think it will help a lot with finger independence.

It will help me compose the stuff that comes to my head when I don't have a band ready to play what I'm thinking.

Am I right in these assumptions? Is this a good idea? And will it matter what sort of keyboard I get ie. what brand, what model?I wouldn't have thought so, I won't be gigging with my keyboard, it's simply a practice tool.

Anywho, let me know what you fellows think.Cheers.

[CraigG]

You're on target with your assumptions. Keyboard, particularly piano, is one of the best instruments you can play for becoming a better musician.

Roland makes some nice electronic keyboards. I would recommend at least a 76 or 88 key as the 66 tends to be a little small. If you're just looking for something as a learning/practice tool, you can probably pick up an electronic paino with a few sounds, built in speakers, headphone jack rather inexpensively.

Get something with weighted keys (they'll build up your dexterity and strength) but try before you buy as manufacturer's tend to differ on what they define as weighted keys.

Craig

[Ibanezzer]

+1 on learning piano/keys. Also Craig is dead on about the suggestion with the weighted keys, its helps a ton in building finger and hand strength. Your goals/budget will most likely dictate what you're looking at. If you would consider yourself more of an overal (or aspiring) well rounded musician then spring for something nice (if you can afford to) otherwise look at it as a practice tool. Instead of upgrading to a new bass last fall I sprung for a real nice keyboard and haven't regretted the choice one bit.

David.

[rainbownorth]

Well thats good to know....Ive got my eye on a 500 dollar keyboard atm...Its not full size, but right now I cant afford 88 keys. I think its a casio ctk591 if anyone knows it. Midi input, transposing abilities, and all the usual stuff. No weighted keys though. If anyone knows about this model enough to recommend it or bag it, please let me know.