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No Piano playing experience - just start transcribing or take some form of piano lessons first?

Discussion in 'Tips, Tricks & Talk' started by Fintan Bray, Apr 8, 2019.

  1. #1 Fintan Bray, Apr 8, 2019
    Hi all,

    The title says it all for this one really. I've played guitar on and off for 10 years, never touched a piano - have recently purchased a midi keyboard. I also have basic rudiments of music theory.

    I know Mike says in Comp 1 to transcribe, transcribe and transcribe some more but with no experience at the piano this seems a bit daunting. Should I just bite the bullet, sit down and transcribe some pieces and learn piano as I go? Or take some time to take dedicated piano lessons first?

    Any help much appreciated,
    Thanks,
    Fintan
     
  2. #2 Doug Gibson, Apr 8, 2019
    Both. Why the binary choice ?

    If you can find the right "fit" I am a big advocate of lessons. But it's like any relationship, a bad one sucks.

    One of the best things I did when first starting both piano and transcribing was I worked on Bartoks Microcosmos.

    Now.... if you hate the music.... you won't stick with it long. But for me it was perfect.

    Just work on things that stretch you, but are achievable within a few weeks practice.

    What music interests you ? That would help us guide you better.

     
    Rohann van Rensburg and Aaron Olson like this.
  3. #3 Aaron Olson, Apr 8, 2019
    This is a great suggestion!
     
    Doug Gibson likes this.
  4. #4 Doug Gibson, Apr 8, 2019
    Why, how could I not like that post. Thanks

    I'll give you a 2nd tip then.

    Since you already play piano, book 1 was wonderful for me to begin practice transcribing away from the piano, or any instrument.

    All of book 1 uses ONLY step wise motion. Now he uses pentatonic scales, so you do get some minor 3rds, but it is still a step within the scale.
    So it's great for picking out major/min 2nds and minor 3rds. Give yourself the first note on the piano, and then do the rest by mental hearing, with pencil and paper.

    Give it a shot. He had such an organized mind, and the whole thing is like an encyclopedia of compositional techniques.
     
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  5. #5 Fintan Bray, Apr 8, 2019
    Thanks for the reply, those Bartok pieces seem like a good place to start. The music I enjoy is mostly film scores - John Williams and Thomas Newman being the main 2 guys, with a bit of Zimmer (Lion King Zimmer, not interstellar zimmer). The first Harry Potter score and the Finding Nemo score were what first inspired me to get into composition
     
  6. #6 Doug Gibson, Apr 8, 2019
    Cool. Well again.... make it specific and achievable.

    Clint Mansell has some cool piano music that might work. However it would be a really good idea to have sheet music you can check.

    Time is do-able, and maybe
    Maybe some TN **

    For checking with a score try Satie **?
    (**These might be too hard at the start. Just work on one hand at a time. Be patient and work hard)

    Just do both. Play piano and transcribe. Go all in.









     
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  7. #7 Fintan Bray, Apr 8, 2019
    Perfect! Just what I was looking for - plenty to dive in to. Thanks for your help!
     
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