Music: Play an Instrument? Post your instrument/equipment!

[Uchiha Barles]

Yep, the relationship between notes and scales (from which chords are built) can actually be SEEN on the keyboard much more naturally than on any other note layout that I'm familiar with. I took a music theory class and we used this paper keyboard printed in a book as a visual aid to our studies. I would actually learn to play the piano and continue music theory study with a keyboard, if I had a keyboard. I simply REFUSE to play notes on that stupid fucking piece of paper. As soon as I can afford one, I'll be purchasing a keyboard.

[KitKat]

Yeah, for those of you looking to buy a keyboard, I recommend searching around and finding a decent one rather than cheaping out on a crappy one. Keyboards are great because they're way more portable than pianos, but they can also be really low quality if you're not careful what you buy. I guess what you need to take into consideration is what you want to use it for. If you just want to play around and learn chords, maybe a cheap one would work for you. But if you're interested in learning to play well, or if you're going to use it to make recordings or play for other people, here are some things to take into consideration:

First is sound. Does your keyboard have a good range of different sounds it can simulate? How authentic are those sounds? Does is simulate a real instrument, or does it sound crappy and synthetic?

Next is size. I highly recommend having a full size keyboard. Mid-range keys are ok, but having those extra low and high notes gives you so much more scope to play around (and if you ever play any FF music, you'll learn that Nobuo Uematsu makes quite a lot of use of those low and high ranges). This is probably less important though than some of the other considerations. The advantage of smaller keyboards is that they are lighter and more portable.

Weighted keys: Ok, so this is maybe a frivolous add-on, but playing a keyboard that actually feels more like a piano is so much better. The biggest advantage of this is that the harder you press the keys, the louder sound you can produce, so you have a much greater range of expression. I love this so much, and I highly recommend it.

Compatibility and versatility: Can you hook up your keyboard to your computer? Can you make recordings on the actual keyboard? Does it allow you to lay down a track and put in different instruments? Does it require any special software? These things are good to know if you want to make any recordings or compositions.

Good luck with keyboard hunting!

[IFHTT]

Alright I have a little treat for you guys. I didn't think there was a reason to create a new thread for this so I'll just post it in this thread.

I recorded myself playing guitar, more precisely the guitar part to The Raising Fighting Spirit from the 1st Naruto Soundtrack, by Toshiro Masuda. I love the song and the guitar part so I figured I'd throw it online and let you guys see what you thought of my crappy guitar work lol. Seriously though please tell me what you think. It doesn't sound perfect, nor is the timing exactly right but you'll get the gist of the song when you hear it. Edit: BTW It would probably sound better with drums, but I've none to play nor record on...

You can listen to it here:

PureVolume... Just go to my purevolume and click play, it's the only song in there. Sorry this is the only hosting I could do for now... Please leave a post here with your comments though. Thanks, I hope you guys like it

[XanBcoo]

LOL - I loved the message at the end! Your voice is a lot deeper than I imagined.

I can't give you any technical advice since I don't play enough to know what's what, but from a causal listening perspective I'll tell you that I really liked it. Sounds great. I did notice, like you said, the timing was slightly off (just as a result of you playing it at a fast tempo, I guess ).

Otherwise...

[IFHTT]

hahaha @ the voice comment.

Thanks for the feedback, I do know that I suck at keeping tempo without a drummer backing me up, so thats why the timing was off. I have a tendency to play faster than needed. Cool though, I'm glad you approve of it

[samsonlonghair]

Seriously though please tell me what you think.

That's really great. The version of fighting spirit we normally hear is produced in a studio. I enjoyed hearing it "raw" so to speak.

Here's my badass setup:

Pretty sweet, huh?

[IFHTT]

Thanks for the positive feedback , Your setup rocks hahahahaha.

Edit: I was recording a new slower paced version, but got carried away with toying around with a solo. Long story short I thought it sounded cool, but was just supposed to be the song itself, but I'll let you guys be the judge of whether or not it sounds cool. I uploaded the new version to my purevolume site so If you want to hear it, its the second song in the playlist. Feedback please if you listen Thanks

[aznimperialx]

Guitar Noob here, If you have any advice for me please share some =)