Where to start? (Keyboard question)

[DoubleBlade]

I have a friend of mine who asked to teach him keyboard. Although I would like to teach him how to play the keys but it's just that I don't know where to start. They are of the same age as me (I'm 18) and as such it would be kinda boring if I started off with just finger exercises.

I was thinking say maybe a little bit of exercises to build up their technique and then teach them scales , some theory behind scales and finally chords. It may take a lot of practice to actually memorise musical notations but I think that it is very important to teach them how to read notes especially when it comes to playing the keyboard....

I just want to try my best to teach them in the most casual way possible....

Any suggestions for a suitable teaching plan?

 

[qfactor]

Teach chords first lah. That way, he/she would be able to "get into action" fast in playing behind a singer or some lead player. :wink:

QF

 

[DoubleBlade]

But shouldn't scales be taught first before proceeding to chords?

At least know how the chord is formed first through the use of scales instead of just memorising the patterns.....

 

[soft]

what can you do with scales? see ... with chords, you can sing while your left hand do the bass and right hand do the chords. aka comping.

maybe you should suggest your friend to enroll in a music school. they have 3 months course that does basic keyboard.

 

[qfactor]

True, but in this day and age of "instant noodles", we have to get those who want to play into "action" FAST!
Then, after that, when they are all happily playing, etc, they will suddenly realize that they don't have a single CLUE what the heck they are doing! That's then we bring in the theory lah! :lol:

QF

But shouldn't scales be taught first before proceeding to chords?

At least know how the chord is formed first through the use of scales instead of just memorising the patterns.....

 

[nixflames]

It depends, how deep does this guy want to go into playing the piano? Cos honestly, if it were me, I'd want to be taught how to read notes first. That way I'd be equipped when transposing midi's etc. (good way to find sheet music =p haha). Teach him basic theory as well I think ~ rests, number of beats, etc. Then from there, chords, and scales.

It'd help to learn scales. To be able to play chords in major and minor and knowing the difference of each one would be really handy for him. Or maybe not the whole scale, just teach him to raise the 3rd note, or lower, etc. Haha, or you could get him to take his pick. =p