Learning to play...

[Worf]

About the only music instruction I've ever had was way back in Grade 5 or so, and it was on a recorder (which I still have to this day somewhere).

I've always wondered if someone out there hasn't come up with a way to teaching music using video games? It certainly would've beat the songs I saw browsing through the "learning to play piano" and type books I saw at the store.

Those songs were great when I was young, but now that I'm older, not so much. But hey, breaking down something like a Halo theme, or Super Mario, and the like - that would be fun and an accomplishment when I can play it back fully...

Are there any courses and the like out there? Ideally it would be on something like a piano or something relatively cheap (either using one of the many apps on the iPad, or a cheap MIDI one they have at Best Buy and the like for under $300)

(Out of fun, the music store had two Halo piano scores that I got... didn't know it was published. Nor do I know if people pirate these things, though it does look legit and licensed...).

[zippy]

First off, you NEED to tell me where you found those scores. I've been looking for them forever! But to answer your question, it depends on the instrument. For something like piano or guitar, you could probably find some videos or DVD's for a reasonable price. If you want to learn something like a string or wind instrument though, you'll have to get a teacher since there really aren't tutorial vids for those. (I could be wrong though...I've just never seen them) The price usually depends on the instrument and where you live, but it shouldn't be more than $30-45 for an hour lesson per week.

If you are going to choose piano though, DON'T get the keyboard at best buy or at a similar store since what they have is crap and won't last very long. I would suggest going to a store like guitar center to get it instead. For guitar center though, make sure you sign up for their email list since they send out a LOT of coupons. Regardless of where you get it though, make sure you get an 88 key model so you don't run into trouble when trying to play something...the money you save by getting a 76 key might not be worth it if there is a bunch of music you can't play because of the 2 less octaves on the keyboard. The one I linked isn't the best one, but it is probably the only good quality 88 key model you will find for the money.

[Worf]

Great, thanks.

I got my scores at Tom Lee Music, a local music superstore here, but they were clearanced out.

They are published by Alfred Publishing though, and they have a variety of ways of obtaining the scores - http://www.alfred.com/ - they let you queue them up and transfer the shopping cart to one of the many online stores that sell their products. Be aware that not all stores have all their scores available - sometimes the transfer doesn't work well. But the scores are there - I myself only have the Halo 2/MJOLNIR Mix and Halo 3/Finish The Fight scores (the latter was in stock, the former I had special ordered), which I got for $5 each. Looking online they were more expensive and I got easily confused because there's a few million of them.

Easiest way to narrow it down is Composer Search for Martin O'Donnell or Marty O'Donnell (they've got different listings).

As a side note - VGL scores are also available from Alfred Publishing. Not into music but I didn't know so much was available in score form - pretty cool.

As for the piano - yes I do realize the Best Buy ones are crap (it *IS* Casio, after all) but they're cheap, and if I manage to break one, I guess it's time to invest in a new one. I just don't know how much time/effort I could put into it (teacher would be best to put some discipline into the learning) so the least amount of monetary investment starting out, the better. Heck, I'd probably just learn on virtual instruments first - apparently Apple put a bunch of nice ones in GarageBand for iPad. $5 isn't too much to throw away if things don't work out or I get bored...

[Songbird]

This might not what you're looking for, but people do post music sheets and tutorials on YouTube.

[zippy]

Originally Posted by Worf

As for the piano - yes I do realize the Best Buy ones are crap (it *IS* Casio, after all) but they're cheap, and if I manage to break one, I guess it's time to invest in a new one. I just don't know how much time/effort I could put into it (teacher would be best to put some discipline into the learning) so the least amount of monetary investment starting out, the better. Heck, I'd probably just learn on virtual instruments first - apparently Apple put a bunch of nice ones in GarageBand for iPad. $5 isn't too much to throw away if things don't work out or I get bored...

I highly advise you look into getting a real one from the get go. If you have to keep replacing a crap $80 keyboard, you'll just end up spending way more money then if you just got a decent one in the first place. You WILL have one hell of a learning curve if you learn on an iPad and move to a real keyboard later on though...this is coming from a musician's perspective, so it's not like I'm making stuff up.

If you can't trust yourself to practice everyday for like an hour or so, then definitely get a teacher, preferably one that makes the students perform in recitals. You will definitely be more inclined to practice if making a fool of yourself at a performance is on the line. xD

[Worf]

I understand. But basically, I spend $5 first trying it out myself playing on an iPad (using those online resources first). If I get interested enough, then I'll "upgrade" to a crap one from Best Buy, and should I wear that out, it's time to talk serious, go to the music store and pick up a Roland or Yamaha or one of the many other "pro" keyboards out there, which are probably still cheaper than one of the real pianos.

Sure. it'll probably be more expensive that way, but probably the best route. After all, it is a fairly large investment in the first place to get a good keyboard. Spending $85 beforehand is probably money well spent before trying to spend $1000 or more. But I hear ya on the 88-key.

[zippy]

That's kinda the way I started too. Got a 76 key yamaha to start on...those are $150, so if you are interested and don't want to start out with the fancy stuff, that is probably the best place to start. They don't have weighted keys and obviously they aren't full range, but it is the best way to see if you can take it seriously. And yeah, keyboards in general will be cheaper than a piano...unless you are talking about something extremely epic like a korg oasys at 8k a pop. (yes, it's spelled with a Y!)

Just for the heck of it, I looked at best buy's website...they actually don't have the crap casio ones. All I saw was the fancy stuff. Maybe it's different in-store, but if it isn't you are probably better off going to a music store since they can actually help you find what you need.

[general_mee]

I actually teach piano and guitar lessons (and I can teach voice too, but i haven't really had any students for that yet). I've always been very frustrated by games like guitar hero or rock band because they don't really teach "music" they just teach finger dexterity. And playing guitar hero is NOTHING like playing a real guitar, unless you count the approximate shape, size, and positioning of the instrument, and the miming of the actions that goes along with it (whammy bar, reverb knob, etc.).

If you are interested in learning piano, by all means, look into lessons with a real teacher, and just present him or her with the score you have! Most teachers should be willing to work with whatever music you want to play to teach you with. The only hang-up might be the complexity of the score: if it's written for a concert pianist, a beginner is going to have some trouble plunking it out! If that is the case, see if you can track down a simplified version of the score... Alfred's quite often has this kind of stuff too, continue to check them out. I would encourage you to find someone to coach you at least for a little while, just on the basics, because otherwise you'll just get frustrated with yourself. Once you understand the magical mathmatics of music, the sky is the limit!

One other piece of advice: Practice. Daily. Hourly. Without ceasing. The more often you play, the sooner your fingers and your brain will make the connection. A pro soccer player doesn't just play soccer on game day: they practice all the time, are on a strict diet and exercise regimen, all that stuff. A good musician has just as much discipline. So play and play and play until you think you'll puke if you ever see another piano. then take a break and come back as soon as you can! Good luck, and happy musicmaking!