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learn-music

Learn how to play music from first principals.

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learn-music's Issues

Piano Key Labels

My biggest challenge in learning the piano is which keys correspond to the notes in the music. I can deduce them slowly, but it’s painful.
What I would like to have is the notes on the keys so that I can immediately see what “line” they correspond to on the sheet music.

Piano Keyboard Stickers for 88/61/ 54/49 Key,Colorful Transparent Removable for kids Beginners (Full Color)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B088NJHT92

473A0DE4-A2B1-4ECF-A504-26B37D66234D

@iteles any objections to us sticking these on the piano keys (they are non-destructive and can easily be removed if we don’t like them…) ?

Related to #46 (theory poster)

Which Guitar Wall Mount?

Last Saturday we (@carolrmc and I) visited a couple of Luthiers specifically Marcelo Gatti and James Gonzales.
Both Luthiers were very knowledgeable and both had great stock of guitars #32 but James (far more well established) and has hundreds of items on OLX: https://luthierguitar.olx.pt was charging top dollar whereas Marcelo was charging far more competitive prices so I bought an absolute beast of a Guitar from Marcelo: #32 (comment) for a bargain price.

While speaking to James he explained that hanging guitars by the neck means that the strings are counter-balanced by the weight of the guitar.

If you're interested in learning a bit more about why hanging guitars is a good idea,
I'd recommend watching this video: https://youtu.be/o66PlJylqjM?t=297

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Cesar makes the counter-argument that storing the guitar in its' case is a more controllable environment because it's subject to less moisture and temperature fluctuations: https://youtu.be/RNiKjkUUIx0
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This is a very valid argument and the guitars don't collect as much dust.
But the main reason Cesar does not hang his guitars is that he does not own the apartment he lives in. 😞

I definitely prefer the idea of having my guitar set up and ready to play without having the faf of removing it from the case and having to do minutes of setup each time I want to play. Cases are meant for transporting guitars and keeping them safe in transit.

For the reasoning why you should not buy the cheapest one on Amazon, watch this:
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https://youtu.be/m80ES9B2Crg

The best wall mounts have an Auto Grip System and a pivot point that locks the guitar in place to prevent it falling off the wall if it gets bumped/knocked.

I find the Hercules GSP38WB Wall Mountable Guitar Hanger with Wood Base to be the most attractive of the Hercules range. Annoyingly it's also the most expensive (for fairly obvious reasons ...)

£21 on Amazon UK: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0009K9MUA 💸
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I tried to buy it second-hand from Amazon (UK) Marketplace:
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But when I attempted to checkout I got the following error:
"Sorry, this item can't be sent to your selected address"
cannot-buy-guitar-wall-mount-from-amazon-uk

So I went searching ...

Fnac sells them for €15.90 and has them in-stock: https://www.fnac.pt/Hercules-Suporte-de-Parede-em-Madeira-para-Guitarra-Instrumento-Musical-Instrumentos-Acessorios-Cordas/a6178097
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By coincidence (incredible luck) Salão Mozart (our local/independent music store) has them for €12.90!!
https://www.salaomozart.com/product/SUPO0115
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Novation Launchkey 61 MKII

I've been "putting off" learning how to play the piano for the past few decades ...

The main reason(s) is that when I was 18 I convinced myself that:
a) Being a music "producer" was not a good thing for society because the type of music I like making (EDM) is associated with night clubs and intoxication ... I don't want to encourage that behaviour.
b) the amount of time required to "get good" would outweigh the quality of the output I would create.
c) the opportunity cost of spending hours making music was too high given my goal of being a software entrepreneur.

These are bad reasons to forego doing something you love.
a) you can make music for yourself and not "release" it for DJs to play in clubs.
b) even if you are a beginner, knowing how to communicate in Music is essential to happiness!
c) if I timebox learning/making music to 1 "unit" of time per day, the joy I will get will "fuel" me!!
I love music and always enter "flow" when playing. 🎶

I want to dedicate 1 pomodoro per day to learning and playing music.
With the objective of creating our own intro music for @dwyl videos see: dwyl/video#45

I want to learn how to play the Piano because it is the "gateway" instrument to music production.
I am tempted by a full-size digital piano e.g: YAMAHA CLAVINOVA CLP625 88
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But I don't yet have anywhere to store it so instead I'm thinking of getting a smaller keyboard:

Novation Launchkey!

https://novationmusic.com/keys/launchkey

This demo/intro video is pretty good for showing the software and controller:
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https://youtu.be/YSlJfMZjiPI
Ironically, the image in this top-down view is the 49 model ... notice how it only has 4 octaves ... 🙄

The Novation Launchkey 61 has 5 octaves:
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https://youtu.be/F0WYCKOMWMs

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Novation-Launchkey-Keyboard-Controller-Ableton/dp/B00VVK2CUY
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Problem with the Amazon listing is: the listing is for all 4 models which means the reviews are "mixed" by definition! and some twits are complaining about software integration with Logic Pro and Reason which isn't really the purpose of this DAW. 🤦‍♂️

£195 is €222 at today's exchange:
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Plus postage will take it over the Mozart (Braga) Price!
And I would much prefer to support a local retailer!

FNAC: https://www.fnac.pt/Launchkey-61-MK2-Novation-Instrumento-Musical-Home-Studio-Controladores/a1495163#
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Mozart (Braga!): http://www.salaomozart.com/shopping/product_info.php?products_id=6676400
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Yamaha P115

I think I've arrived at a conclusion for which digital piano to get for Braga: Yamaha P-115

Official product video:
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  • Fully compatible with the Yamaha Piano iPad App and USB host (so Ableton live etc.)
  • Sustain pedal
  • Realistic sound samples (grand piano)

detailed/in-depth video: https://youtu.be/Xigjr-eE8nc

http://www.salaomozart.com/shopping/product_info.php?cPath=107_116_158_216&products_id=6674931 no price on their website ... 🙄
Probably around €600 for the "full kit" with stand and pedals.

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Beginner Friendly Piano/Keyboard

When I was a child a friend of mine had Casio keyboard. He would let me play with it whenever I visited him. What a joy!
But I was just key-mashing, inventing tunes or playing with the presets I had no clue what/how to actually play!

I never learned to play piano in my youth and I deeply regret it.
If I could go back in time or tell my younger self I would make piano a top priority, just after math!!
I'm trying to "fix" this for the next generation, but my limed knowledge/skill is holding "us" back ...

This is our son sitting on my lap at the Piano:
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He enjoys being at the piano. We have hundreds of photos of him at the piano with several members of the family. 📷

We were gifted this Piano by an older friend who was widowed and downsizing her apartment and no longer had space for it.
We were delighted to give it a new home and it's been awesome to have it. We had it professionally tuned:

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Learning

We've had a lot of fun playing on the piano together in the mornings (before work) and have tried several "Learn Piano" apps.
Sadly, they all have heavy gamification features with flashing lights and unnecessary "levelling up" ksounds.
It's like they were designed by the same people who built Angry Birds or Candy Crush!

The iPad is way too much of a distraction to a small child ...

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Our son wants to touch the iPad screen whenever something changes on the screen which is basically every 30 seconds ... 🤦‍♂️

Light-up Keys?

Should You Buy a Digital Piano With Light up Keys? https://pianoreviewer.com/digital-piano-light-up-keys

The Best Keyboards for Beginners: https://youtu.be/nRNe07bCHC4
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Verdict: Yamaha EZ300. "If you're a beginner this is absolutely worth it"
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Yamaha EZ300

Yamaha EZ300 vs Casio LK-S450 - Which is the Better Keylight Keyboard? https://youtu.be/ThobQacrRWY
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Yamaha EZ300 Sound/Features Review & Buying Guide: https://youtu.be/wGYv4qNHAhI
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https://cmseia.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=6201
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Amazon UK has good reviews: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08N5897V3/?th=1

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Thomann has it for €279
https://www.thomann.de/intl/yamaha_ez_300.htm
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Yamaha EZ-300 Song playback & lesson: https://youtu.be/VdE9hKmv_hQ
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Yamaha PSR-EZ300 Keyboard | How to use the Lessons Feature: https://youtu.be/v2p3h4qsFxM
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Casiotone LK-S250

Is Casiotone LK-S250 Lighted Keys Good for Beginners? Tones & Styles Review & Demo: https://youtu.be/7aAeVjTfVoo
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What height should a piano keyboard be?

I've got a Novation Launchkey keyboard #8 on my desk but it feels too high up and is uncomfortable to play. 🎹
Thinking of making a custom desk with a lid (like I made at home when I was 15) for the Launchkey.
https://music.stackexchange.com/questions/3959/how-high-from-the-ground-should-the-keyboard-from-a-piano-be
The consensus appears to be that the top of the white keys should be 71 - 72 cm from the floor.
The tops of my white keys are currently at 81cm which is not ideal. 👎
So ... once I've finished all my other custom furniture work https://github.com/dwyl/home/tree/master/furniture ... ⏳
I intend to make a custom music/audio recording desk. 💡

Which Guitar for Beginners?

I have played guitar at various points in my life but I still consider myself a "beginner" ...
I don't currently own a guitar because I gave mine away to my cousin when I went to University wanted to focus on my studies. He didn't touch it so I should just ask for it back. But it's easier to just get a new one. (don't ask ... 🙄)

This is a good video comparing the sound of Nylon and Steel string acoustic guitars:
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https://youtu.be/JL4w3ixUDdw
I prefer the sound of the Nylon but the versatility of the Steel string.

7 Acoustic Guitar Body Shapes, Their Differences and Sounds:
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https://youtu.be/F9TZwTtXYSY

There is definitely too much choice! 🙄

I think the easiest thing is to simply guide oneself by budget and then filter for the types of guitars you can afford.
I'm not looking to spend very much but I also don't want a piece of junk that I will constantly need to retune.

Epiphone PRO-1 NA Natural - this guitar is designed to be easy to play by beginners.
https://www.musicstore.com/en_PT/EUR/Epiphone-PRO-1-NA-Natural/art-GIT0038933-000
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Watch the intro video to get a good idea of the characteristics of this instrument:

Epiphone PR-4E Player Pack - this is obviously made to a price, but it's great that it comes with an Amp and a Case!
https://www.musicstore.com/en_PT/EUR/Epiphone-PR-4E-Player-Pack/art-GIT0035583-000
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https://youtu.be/zyZZuyy73kU

Fender FA-125CE NAT
https://www.egitana.pt/fender-fa-125ce-nat
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This model is available at our local music store: https://www.salaomozart.com/product/885978936496
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I obvs prefer to buy from a local seller as it means the VAT is kept in PT and provides local employment.

The local shop doesn't have anything less than €100 ($112 USD at time of writing)
https://www.salaomozart.com/shop/instrumentos-musicais-1/guitarras-e-baixos/guitarra-eletroacustica#
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I'm OK with spending the €155 on the Fender or even more on something else if the sound is noticeably better and/or it's easier for beginners to get started with playing. 💭

I will treat myself to a new instrument once I've finished building the first Kitchen @home dwyl/home#54
I don't want to get distracted with practicing for hours while there is still "blocker" work to be done.

Practice Guitar Amplifier?

Considering getting the Positive Grid Spark Amp as the reviews online are pretty good:
https://www.google.com/search?q=positive+grid+spark+review

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HQCG79H
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There's a decent discount on during "Cyber Week": https://www.positivegrid.com/
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Annoyingly, they charge €45 Tax at checkout: 🙄
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There's one on OLX which would de-risk the purchase (as in it won't get "lost" in transit ...)
https://www.olx.pt/anuncio/spark-40-positive-grid-novo-c-saco-IDG686k.html#1d48abb35f
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