I may go that route. I hate scrolling through menus on small screens. And I'd probably set a fancy keyboard on piano anyhow.
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Keyboard for ear training and theory study ?
- Thread starter lowplaces
- Start date
If you’re serious about learning music then a keyboard is solid gold. There’s more material for keyboards than for any other instrument. What Mark Ambler posted in #21 above is musical gospel.
I was trained in piano for years as a child, and consider it a huge advantage in understanding music, as between the two hands you can conjure bass, harmonies, inversions of chords, most everything that a one-note-at-a-time instrument like bass or a horn simply cannot provide.
If it doesn't entail a lot of time away from your bass, once you learn to get around on a keyboard it is a huge help, at least for me.
If it doesn't entail a lot of time away from your bass, once you learn to get around on a keyboard it is a huge help, at least for me.
Absolutely. I really think knowledge of the piano is something ALL musicians should have, regardless of what instrument they specialize in. But of course it depends on how seriously you take music. And if you're serious enough to even ask the question, then I'd say you have your answer already.
Yes and don’t look back. Also, not sure if you are interested in Jazz, but I’m working through a great book at the moment called “Jazz Harmony” by David Berkman; fantastic theory book and he specifically advises to not spend your time on piano technique (scales and such) if it is not your primary instrument and you are mainly looking to better understand harmony. If you can find like 20-30 minutes a day, your harmonic concept/ear training/composition possibilities will grow tremendously.
Edit: he has a section at the end of the book on the importance of regular piano work with exercises. This book is part of the curriculum at New School Jazz, as well as Berkman’s graduate-level class at Queens College in NYC.
Absolutely essential. Yeah, there’s career bassists that are exceptions, but not many. Playing bass and not acquiring at least a little keyboard (and guitar) knowledge is self-sabotage. It’ll just take several years to manifest itself.
Great idea.
I find acoustic guitar is also good.
If a cheap digital piano is all you might get, consider an acoustic guitar.
I am spoiled with a grand piano, but could do all the theory, ear training and composition with an inexpensive (but nice) acoustic guitar. Even consider both guitar and piano. I play both most days. Really fun once you get going.
Singing and ‘sight singing’ is also good for ear training. Sight singing is singing written music.
A keyboard is essential for learning everything about music theory and harmony: intervals, chords, inversions, chord progressions, chord voicings and voice leading, etc, as well as for ear training purposes.
However, having the keyboard showing you the name of a chord when you play a bunch of notes on them is a useless gadget, IMHO. You would better take the time needed to learn and understand those things. A good book for learning harmony is "The Berklee Book of Jazz Harmony", by Joe Mulholland and Tom Hojnacki.
However, having the keyboard showing you the name of a chord when you play a bunch of notes on them is a useless gadget, IMHO. You would better take the time needed to learn and understand those things. A good book for learning harmony is "The Berklee Book of Jazz Harmony", by Joe Mulholland and Tom Hojnacki.
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Yes, an acoustic is what I pick up to start a new song. I have a flat top and a small body archtop.
Also great for vocal training. Other players have told me to practice singing while I practice bass. I do this sometimes but I find it difficult. I have an easier time using the keyboard to guide me while I practice singing.
It's a great idea. All musicians should learn to play the piano or keyboards.
I got my a cheap 4 octave keyboard to better understand chords, lines and fills. Major/minor triads became easy, modals make sens and my bass lines became... less obvious.
And, last but not least, intonation is crucial when playing bass with keyboard. I could hear 3 cents mismatch.
And, last but not least, intonation is crucial when playing bass with keyboard. I could hear 3 cents mismatch.
Are you a Mac, iPhone, or iPad user?
GarageBand will display the chords it receives from a MIDI keyboard. It's free with those devices,though you'll need a MIDI interface.
EDIT: USB MIDI will plug right into a Mac or recent iPad, and can be adapted to an iPhone or older iPad. I keep forgetting the world doesn't use 5 pin DIN connectors anymore. (My primary keyboard is from the Clinton administration.)
GarageBand will display the chords it receives from a MIDI keyboard. It's free with those devices,
EDIT: USB MIDI will plug right into a Mac or recent iPad, and can be adapted to an iPhone or older iPad. I keep forgetting the world doesn't use 5 pin DIN connectors anymore. (My primary keyboard is from the Clinton administration.)
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buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Depends on OP's needs. Unless he is planning on playing piano, weighted keys aren't needed, and many of those cheapies are decent.
I have a decent board with weighted keys, but for general working out of synth lines, figuring out harmonies, and even some band rehearsals, I use whatever board I reach for first.
Of course it's a good songwriting tool! I tried to learn when I was a kid but my mind doesn't think that way. Still, I can play well enough to program some stuff when I need and it helps me figure out harmonies and chord changes sometimes.
