about music (piano/keyboard)?

Question

I'm in band and I know how to play the flute. I would like to join the jazz band but I don't think the flute is a good instrument b/c although it is jazz band they play kind of a rockier style music (they have bass, guitars, drums, etc), plus, also I would like to pick up another instrument. I've decided that I wanna learn how to play the keyboard. So, my question is: Is it really hard to play it? I mean, and I don't want to sound ignorant so corrent me if I'm wrong, but it seams to me like just about everyone plays the piano, and can I learn how to play it really well in 1 year?? I don't mean learn proffessionally in 1 year because I know it would take years of training and practice to play an instrument at a profesional level, but well enough that I could join a band and not embarrase myself???

I say a year, because that's the time I'm gonna give myself to learn before I try out. Of course, even if I don't make it I'll continue to learn, but I would like to know if that's enough time to become proficient enough.

Answer 1

I've been playing the piano for more than 11 years and I can give you two answers

The first is, maybe. While quite a few advertisers will tell you that "learning piano in a week" is a snap, it really isn't. You have to learn posture and position, and finger indepence that you just don't get over a week. However, in a year, depending on your previous musical experience, you could most likely get the basic piano playing needed for a band. Especially since you already play the flute, because it eliminates the step of having to learn to read music and understand basic rythym and music theory.

My second advice is this...if you want to join this band, invest in 2 lessons, and a chord book. Trying to teach yourself usually ends badly and makes you look worse, and at least 2 lessons should get your position on the piano to where you could float by. Getting a book of the basic chords will help you when you need to play along to a certain key. Really, just by learning a few simple chords, you could easisly accompany any instrument.

Answer 2

There are several good arrangements that feature flute in Jazz Band. If you play flute, doubling on Saxophone should be very easy for you, since the fingering is so similar. If you are intent on learning Piano however, that is also a fine choice. Make sure you learn Jazz Styling, as the classical discipline is much different. Consider lessons, or at least get together with a few Jazz Pianists and pick their brains. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Answer 3

YES!
you should be well off in a year. when i was in high school we had a keyboarding class and by the end of the year i was descent enough to sight read (somewhat) and play pretty well. our teacher was kind of lazy and we didn't practice nearly as much as we should have. so, if i came out as well as i did under those circumstances, i'm sure you'll be past proficient in a year.
plus, you know how to play the flute. so that means you can read music right? if not, i'm sure you have at least the fundamentals of how music works. so that will give you even more of an upper hand when you start to learn keyboard, because learning that stuff was the hardest part for me.
so no, it's not too hard to play. yes, you'll be able to play well in a year.
-captainmarmalade

Answer 4

a lot of Piano is hand eye coordination, ive played piano for 9 years, and being able to see the notes and just play the song on the spot is really hard. Just starting out, you would have to practice a TON. it really is fun once you get going. in about a year, depending on how fast you learn, you might have to practice a easy-moderate song for about 2 weeks straight before you could really play it good. Just being able to read music is a Big headstart for you, just knowing where those notes on the keys are takes a lil getting used to. I think that the hardest part of playing piano and keyboard is getting the correct finger to press the correct key. Fingering is VERY important in harder songs, so dont neglect learning that! in about one year, you could probably play piano well enough at home, but its a total different thing to try and follow a director, play the notes, read the music, and sound good all at once. Its complicated but with a little work and will, i think you could pull it off.

I choose to memorize all the songs i play because i find it easier, but thats just me. Keyboard is super fun to play and i wish you the best of luck! ^_^

Answer 5

The piano is so much easier than the flute. Once you learn to play jazz piano, the music theory behind jazz will become second nature as you begin improvising on the flute.

Answer 6

As a piano/keyboard player myself, the first time you try it it's mostly about chords, ABC Notes, and little songs like, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Hot Cross Buns,ect.
Once you get all the notes.(I reccomend buying a keyboard and taping/labeling a key with the Letter notes on it)
its basically pretty fairly easy to play,and as you advance to a higher level your songs might get a little more intense as the band thinks your ready to go!

Answer 7

You already have the talent to play one instrument, keyboard should be a natural for you...flute has a lot of hand and finger coordinations, so does keyboard. I think you should do well.

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

If you love it you'll practice because you want to, not because you have to.And you have a flying start- you can read music.

Good luck.