Yamaha or Korg

[Del]

Scannie
You will find this book worth while to get started:
https://kupdf.net/download/complete-keyboard-player-1pdf_59883ab0dc0d60e845300d1a_pdf

There is a very good course on chords on our web site:
https://psrtutorial.com/music/chords.html
As well these lessons will be useful
https://psrtutorial.com/lessons/index.html
Regards
Ed B

Hi Scannie the post by Ed B is perfect, as you don't read music yet, also you could look at EZ play books that have the name of the note typed on the note, you could put a note sticker on the keys of your keyboard so you can find then easier, and correspond with the music. Unfortunately there is no quick way of learning music I been doing it for 58 years and I'm still learning until my lights go out.
IMHO playing along with midi's is not the answer at beginner stage, your timing has to be spot on and you need to keep up with it,  and don't expect to play like Klaus Wunderlich within a year unless you gifted. Mike suggested get some arranger lessons, that is good advice, and it would be better if those lessons were one to one face to face, why you may ask? the reason is to make you accountable so you will have to put the time in to impress your tutor other wise it's likely your find an excuse not to practice then your keyboard will gather dust, as you say it is like learning a foreign language, you still need to practice and put in the time to get the right words in the right order, you don't want to order jellied eel's when you want roast chicken.


Here is my version of Always on my mind, that you want to play no midi was used just an onboard style -  I read music and I probably took several takes to get it to this standard, You need to walk before you can run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRCtts2zdlo

Congratulations on getting your new keyboard and enjoy it the way you want to, we started at the same place but at different times in our lives and make the most of your musical journey
Del

[DrakeM]

If you are looking to learn to play the piano quickly use this teacher.

https://www.youtube.com/user/pianoguytv

This Guy teaches you how to read music BUT better still also by EAR.

Using an arranger you only need to focus on your RIGHT hand. You can use the simple Chord method with your LEFT hand. You could later learn the full chord (but you won't need to really).

I watched this Guy for a couple of years off and on (on a PBS tv station). Purchased a simple arranger keyboard and within 45 mins was playing the thing after watching this Guy example the C scale.

If you want his "Play Piano in a Flash" book, PM for it.

Just sayin' ... His video lessons worked for me.
I was 53 at the time.

Drake

[Dupe]

I'm 76 years old, and here's my quick story. Many years ago I took organ lessons and learned to read music enough to get by. As the years passed I lost interest for a while. My old Cassio CD470 keyboard was placed in a cupboard where it stayed for years. I've always loved piano, the Cassio had a great piano tone. I guess the desire to play again still haunted me, however, I lost the use of my right hand, wrist, and fingers, for my playing days were over. With just my left hand I now had to adapt and get by as best as possible. While listening to piano performers on Utube, I came across a player with only a left hand. Oh boy, could he play! what a challenge would it be to play like him. I set myself this challenge, I was determined to play again, I knew it would take patience and hours of practice, but I was determined to work at it. I still practice for an hour or more each day, 5 years on I can play reasonably well, mainly slow tunes, but with small improvements over time. I will not give up, yes I find it difficult but I'm making progress.
No matter how difficult it may seem to learn to play and read music, you will succeed if you have the willpower and patience, to make it happen, and in time you'll become proficient. Just stick at it.

Kind Regards Dupe

[Jeff Hollande]

Hey Dupe :

WOW ! 💪
I am very impressed by your story.☝️☝️☝️

Thank you so much for sharing it here.
You made my day !🤓

Best wishes, JH

[mikf]

But so far not a single person as started from absolute zero. They had played another instrument, dabbled in lessons when young etc.
One of the reasons I asked the question is that I am not sure I have actually come across anyone starting very late in life, from absolute zero,  who stuck at it long enough to be successful. I think the explanation for that is that if you have a musical inclination you will have tried at some point before. Maybe gave up for whatever reason. The arranger has been your second try much later in life, and its easy play technique combined with some previous experience, and musical inclination, however little, allowed you to succeed this time round.
Maybe Scannie can be a first.

[BogdanH]

hi Mike,
I see your point and you're most probably right: joy for music playing doesn't come all of sudden at older age. It's inside us since our childhood.. or it's not. And if it is, then there's very big probability, that we already had contact with some instrument way back... because we just "needed to do it".
So, what are the chances for someone older, who starts at zero? Yes, probably quite slim. Not because of age, I think. The question is, is there that particular "I just need to play" force?.. or is only "I would like to play" wish.
Regardless, it's worth to try -because it's a great hobby.

Bogdan

[Jeff Hollande]

It will not be easy ( as I said before ) but ... one never knows.

Hopefully Scannie will keep us posted how S is progressing.
S seems to be very motivated and motivation can lead to miracles.
Time will tell ... I hope S will be successful. 

All the best, JH

[scannie]

Meanwhile, many responses to the fact that I have no music experience whatsoever.

Indeed, I also believe 90% quit. I did the same myself when I had the Tyros 2 on loan. I thought I could play quickly then.

Now I am different. Every time I hear certain music I want to play it.   
I know it's not an easy road.

The keyboard has many options and settings. But I consciously do not use them. I want to concentrate on playing music and not explore all the possibilities of the keyboard. By now I am studying the basics of music.

I also really appreciate your support.

Want to explore yousician further.
And only learn one piece of music via midi.

I am away from home for a week now but will get started after that.

I want to belong to the 10% and of course I will keep you informed.

[Dupe]

Hi Scannie, I found this link for you, It's for "Android" not sure if it's available on Windows or IOS, I have an old Android tablet and used this piano/ trainer on it. It allows you to learn musical notes by entering the piano keys on your touchscreen as the notes appear. The idea is to hit the correct piano key each time a music note appears on your screen. The app gives you a score, for each note you hit correctly matching the music note. If that all makes sense. Anyway here is the link. https://m.apkpure.com/virtual-piano-trainer/com.odt.PianoNoteCoach.  Will help you 100% it worked for me.
BTW I also have an SX700
Keep on playing, and it will eventually all begin to happen.

Kind Regards Dupe

[scannie]

One month later....I am still enjoying the keyboard and positively motivated.
After all your support and good advice contributed to that.

Things are progressing with (very) small steps. Am practicing only with playing the melody. All options that this keyboard has I do not use (yet).

I have a collection of midi and have extracted simple music from it. I am trying to learn the melody.
For some songs it's easy to find the correct keys.
But I have one midi song and can't find the melody on my keyboard.
It seems they used notes which aren't available on my keyboard

I wonder if that is the right way to go. Or should I read the notes from sheet music and find the keys blind?

[BogdanH]

hello scannie,
There are tools for midi files that show you which keys are needed to be pressed. For example Piano from above (free) looks like this:



Only you know which learning method is the easiest for you...

...Or should I read the notes from sheet music and find the keys blind?

You can't learn new song by trying to play blind. It's not the goal to play blind.. playing blind comes by itself after a LOT of practicing and after you already know how to play particular song -and even then you will need to peek on keybed occasionally.

Bogdan

[Randyman]

For those of you still wanting a comparison between the Yamaha and the Korg arranger boards, I had the PA 1000 and absolutely loved it. However, wanting to buy another mid-range arranger board, I choose the SX 700 or 900.

With the PA 1000 I couldn't believe how rich and deep the onboard speakers were, the quality of the styles made me feel like I had top Notch studio players on call, and the front panel guitar and vocal Controls were phenomenal, with volume knobs, mute effects, etc.

However I was extremely disappointed with the action, it just felt loose and lousy, having AT was nice but in no way made up for the subpar action. And while it has incredible editing of the sounds and styles, it was just too complicated for me, ended up wasting a lot of time just learning the system and never really getting up to speed.

I have heard the sx700 and 900 are very user-friendly, and for me that's vital. And the chord looping capability of the SX 900 is a great feature.

Having recently bought the Yamaha EW425, I'm very disappointed with the sound quality, it feels like most of the sounds are two layers so you're either being soft-moderate or moderate-loud, totally unacceptable.

So I am in the market at for a new arranger Board, or any board that gives me decent on board speakers, decent quality sounds, and preferably 76 keys, but I know that's a tall order, esp needing to keep the price down to $1k to 1.5k.  Am also considering the Yamaha CK – 61. Any suggestions?

[Divemaster]

PSR-SX 700 or SX 900 will do all you need.
Check the specs on both to decide what you need, or don't.
Once you've worked with them you'll be hooked.
They are both fabulous arranger keyboards.

Keith

[Amwilburn]

The PA1000 has absolutely amazing speakers, yes, particularly the bass response. If you can afford the PSRsx900, the speakers aren't quite as bassy (but close) but even a smidge clearer (4 amplifiers vs 2 to drive 4 speakers). But if you're not looking at arranger functions, yes the CX61 is a pleasant surprise on the built in speakers. Not as great as these 2 arrangers, but surprisingly good for 'hidden' speakers. And the CX has very nice piano and organ sounds.
Alas, neither the sx700 nor sx900 is at the $1100 mark, although the sx700 does come in close to $1500 usd (not even close in $cdn though)

Mark

[BogdanH]

hello Randyman,
As Mark mentioned (above), with a price set to $1000-1500, you don't really have that much choices right now (keyboard market is quite dry these days)... and as you already had Pa1000 in past, I think you'll probably be disappointed with everything that you can get for that money -unless you are prepared to make big compromises.

I never had Korg (I only know what I could read and heard on internet), so I can hardly compare it with Yamaha. You say Pa1000 was complicated to use?.. so the question is what is better: not being confused because there just aren't that many options, or having a lot of options and simply not use all of them? Yes, I've heard that Pa1000 (and below) don't have that good keybed... but then, that's true for PSR-SX too -I guess that's the price we pay thing.

I'm surprised that you bough EW425 after having Pa1000 and so I'm not surprised that you are disappointed. And after you were very pleased with Pa1000 sound, you mention CK61, which has "hidden" speakers and is in general totally different keyboard category. In short, I'm not sure what you are looking for.
Still, my advice would be, get Medeli AKX10 -feature wise it's between PSR-SX700 and SX900 (and you save a lot of money) or Yamaha PSR-SX600 -if worth, Medeli would be my 1st choice.

Bogdan

[mikf]

Depends on priorities, but don't ignore the DGX, it is a great price, and maybe the best value keyboard in the market. It has a much better keyboard and most arranger features. Not maybe the full range of features but most nonetheless a good overall choice for many.
Mike