Want to take up keyboards/synth, where/how do I start??

Sean Baumann · #1 06-14-2007, 01:57 PM

Ok, so my band has been kicking the idea around about including keys to some extent. We really just want to pass off responsibility for key stuff between one of our guitar players and myself. We do both worship and christian rock (mostly originals), and we can see some spots where keys would be a great addition. I also would like to learn to play synth or keyboard bass.

So, any advice? Where should I start? Any good resources you know of? What about equipment? I have a keyboard and piano now, but obviously if I build up some skill I'd need something to take to the gig. I'm thinking something small, light, and cheap

My wife plays piano, hence already having a Roland RD-700sx and a nice yamaha upright. I'd have her show me, but she is not the best teacher and I am not the best student, and no need to strain our relationship

Besides, she is kind of taking a break from music for awhile.

climb · #2 06-19-2007, 04:01 PM

Keys were my first instrument, and I've played most synths. It depends what kind of music you're into. Assuming that your band does not want to get into electronica, and that you want some classic keys, I would highly recommend the Nord Electro 2 or 3. Excellent Rhodes, Wurlitzer, B3, clavinet, and a crappy piano, in a lightweight package that is perfect for gigging. I have a real Rhodes and a real Clav, and it's pretty hard to emulate these well, but the Nord comes surprisingly close with the added benefit of instant tweakability. Many people buy it for the B3 alone, as it has been considered one of the best Hammond clonewheels for the past few years (a hotly contested market). For synth/key bass, the Clav is excellent on bass, and Moog analog synths cannot be beat for lowend buzz.

Good luck--keys are great. It will probably improve your bass playing as well; it's such a visual instrument.

Sean Baumann · #3 07-13-2007, 06:53 AM

I ran into an Alesis Micron for cheap at Atomic Music, so I picked it up. woo.

keb · #4 07-13-2007, 07:10 AM

The Micron's a cool little synth. I have its bigger, slightly older brother -- the Ion -- which shares the same synth engine.

MysticMichael · #5 07-13-2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by climb

It depends what kind of music you're into. Assuming that your band does not want to get into electronica, and that you want some classic keys, I would highly recommend the Nord Electro 2 or 3.

Climb,

How about for a band that does play electronica/ambient material? What makes/models would you suggest for that? Maybe Korg or Kurzweil?

MM

BbbyBld · #6 07-13-2007, 05:55 PM

I'd suggest getting a good visual chord book.

Learn chord inversions.

Figure out some of your favorite bass lines on the keyboard and work on transposing them.

Each keyboard instrument is unique. When you play guitar or bass all you have to worry about is that one instrument. You have to use different techniques for piano, clav, rhodes, organ, synth, etc... I've found that there are "sweet spots" on the rhodes, clav, and piano. It takes time to make each type of keyboard instrument sound right.

Try using effects with the keyboard like a delay pedal or a phaser. When you are first starting, this can keep it interesting so you don't quit.

Bard2dbone · #7 07-14-2007, 12:08 AM

Now that they've come out with the next generation of the Motif and the last genaeration is basically half price, I'd get a Motif in stead of the Nord. But I'd sure like to have a Nord as well.

In a perfect world I'd be able to afford a Motif XS8 and a Nord Electro 2 73. But I live in this world and I can't really afford either one of them.

But a Motif XS6 would be a great stage keyboard for a lot of sounds. And it definitely has better piano sounds than the Nord. It had pretty good organ sounds, but not great ones. If you want old-school tones, the Nord is the way to go.

winston · #8 07-14-2007, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Climb,

How about for a band that does play electronica/ambient material? What makes/models would you suggest for that? Maybe Korg or Kurzweil?

MM

I'm impressed by the Korg Radias. It's Virtual Analog with lots of knobs & buttons for realtime control. Has some sampled drumsets and arpeggiator/step sequencer. Definitely a synth--doesn't really bother with piano or other acoustic keyboard sounds. Packs a lot of features into a $1200 instrument, and people online keep comparing it to the Access Virus which costs twice as much.

Also the Dave Smith Evolver and Moog Little Phatty are very impressive if you can handle monophonic.

Sean Baumann · #9 07-14-2007, 09:46 AM

Yeah, I don't know the first thing about keyboards. My wife plays piano and has a nice roland stage piano, but she only uses it for the piano sounds....

I'll taker all the advice I can get

bigfatbass · #10 07-15-2007, 09:17 AM

The Roland pianos are great for piano but suck for pretty much everything else. But, in regards to the question +1 on the Nord Electros for nailing the vintage tones. The only one I've heard do a better B3 fake is the top of the line Hammond (XK-7 I think?) and the Nord kills the Hammond in the other usable tones department.

timmbass · #11 07-15-2007, 09:51 AM

I was not the original poster, but thanks guys, this was good information for me.

8guy · #12 07-15-2007, 01:27 PM

Just a little off topic here but Roland put out a fantastic electric Harpsicord in the 80s, Came in a very classy wooden body with the Black and white keys reversed But back on topic you could get away with finding some old synths from the 80s That are not vintage $ models and not over priced

A roland Juno106 or JX800 Or a Yamaha sy77, Or even a Ensonic VFX are some of the very capable Synths I have owned over the years.

climb · #13 07-18-2007, 08:37 AM

For electronica stuff, the Nord Lead 2 is a great deal and available in both rack and keyboard formats. Excellent, digital analog synth, super-clean and has great presence. For more expensive, bizarre/new sounds, take a look at the Dave Smith Instruments Evolver series. For thick, fat true analog, go for the Moog Little Phatty or if you can swing it, the Voyager (but these are monophonic synths).

For cheaper/older stuff (but not vintage), take a look at the E-mu modules, such as Planet Phatt/Mo' Phatt (hip hop/R&B standard modules) or XL-1 (electronica stuff). The Proteus 2000 has 128 voice polyphony and is expandable with up to four modules (eg. Phatt, B3, XL1, and Composer).