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Keyboard for ear training and theory study ?
- Thread starter lowplaces
- Start date
No, just an android phone right now. My laptop crashed hard 4 years ago and I never replaced it.
Never used MIDI of any sort.
I already know a what a major, minor, 7th, and minor 7th chord sounds like for the most part. I have a small stack of theory books and two Ted Greene books. I think a keyboard will be a convenient way to get into them.
Of course it's a great way to increase you theory study while understand how the bass works in music. ... Also get your hands on any of The Real Books and play through all the changes. ... That helps in understanding ascending and descending lines against chord movement so to understand that the bass doesn't always play the root of the chord. ...
Absolutely a good idea, and standard operating procedure throughout music based curricula worldwide.
BobDeRosa
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- May 16, 2012
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Why would he need the extra expense of weighted keys? He's just learning harmony, not becoming a pianist. I bought a used Yamaha keyboard for $75 and it serves the purpose just fine.
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My grandma taught me the basics on this piano when I was six. It's been part of my life my whole life. I inherited it when she passed years ago. Also, on a different note, a piano makes a house feel more like a home, to me.
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If the ops goal is keyboard performance this is true. But the op stated it was for ear training, theory , and songwriting. All things that a keyboard is fantastic for. And , like learning notation, it’s an investment that pays back quickly, long before mastery through long hours of practice.
It's a very good idea to learn and gain familiarity with keyboard. Zero wasted time. It's also a good idea to have an acoustic and be able to play the typical chord shapes. I've plowed through some songs with more complicated progressions that I haven't played before by watching the keyboard's left hand or glancing over at the guitar and seeing that he's capo 3, playing a D shape, so I know that's an F major chord.
I don't know of any keyboard that will display the chord you're playing. Honestly, it's better that you struggle through learning the chord that you're playing yourself. Revoice into a more compact shape, pick out the notes, know the difference between major / minor / diminished / augmented. You'll gain a ton of knowledge that will help you in your bass playing.
I don't know of any keyboard that will display the chord you're playing. Honestly, it's better that you struggle through learning the chord that you're playing yourself. Revoice into a more compact shape, pick out the notes, know the difference between major / minor / diminished / augmented. You'll gain a ton of knowledge that will help you in your bass playing.
Good idea. Many college music programs use keyboards for ear training and music theory. Keyboards/piano are also used for learning/developing music composition.
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the cats who do the most on the bass instrument can do at least a little on a piano/keyboard. there are only advantages...no such thing as a "downside!"
"time away from bass studies" = bull
! nothing that you can learn on/with a piano will hinder your bass playing --- quite the opposite. i'm with the group who's voting "duh...of course!" good luck getting a keyboard that suits your purpose!
I don't know if this helps, but, when I watch my favorite YT channel on theory, it is presented on keys and I learn the exercise better. Seeing the chords, scales etc., on the keyboard makes it easier for me to grasp the theory as the keyboard is basically linear where a fretboard is not. I can see the relationship of the notes better and then take that knowledge and put it to use on the bass. I don't have a keyboard but want one just for this reason. This thread has motivated me to get one. I see a huge benefit.
Music is music no matter what you play. While some will argue that a second instrument takes away time from the bass, others will tell you it will help you see music in a different way while reinforcing what you already know. I have learned a great deal from the keyboard. It literally makes music "black and white". It shows notes all in one row which can be easier to interpret than music in four rows on a bass. I can see intervals better, understand scales, freeing me from fretboard shapes and patterns etc. The keyboard helped my ear development. Majors, minors, sixths, sevenths all make more sense to me now. Inversions on a piano opened up whole new worlds. Even the (elusive) modes became clear in a new way. I say go for it!
I bought one last year for just that purpose---a Casiotone CT S-300 ($150). The good news is that there are a lot of options in that price range, all with more features than I personally need. Great for dipping your toe in keyboard world without a lot of investment. I'm very pleased with the sounds and feel. I am really enjoying studying theory with it.
Would be great if every home had a piano!
In my opinion, every musician should have a keyboard of some sort to gain the visual perspective of music.
Was thinking about doing this myself, great to see so much encouragement for it.
One question - would a synth be suitable for music theory learning, or likely to be limiting due to number of keys or polyphony (8 note polyphony seems to be common)?
I've always kinda wanted one to experiment with, create sounds, and have some fun, so hoped I could kill two birds with one stone (but supporting bass and improving theory is my main goal).
One question - would a synth be suitable for music theory learning, or likely to be limiting due to number of keys or polyphony (8 note polyphony seems to be common)?
I've always kinda wanted one to experiment with, create sounds, and have some fun, so hoped I could kill two birds with one stone (but supporting bass and improving theory is my main goal).
You could use a synth, but I’d recommend a decent electric Piano as there will be less distractions, (messing about with sounds, etc).
Good point... though I also worry about the opposite - if I get something too piano-like I'd be too tempted to actually learn to play properly (e.g. with weighted keys, sustain pedal etc.) and go down that rabbit-hole instead of just using it as a theory tool
