Keyboard For Dummies

by Jerry Kovarsky

The easy way to get keyed up on the keyboardWhere "Piano For Dummies" helps budding musicians to master the black-and-white musical keyboard, "Keyboard For Dummies" helps them understand the possibilities that unfold when those black-and-whites are connected to state-of-the-art music technology."Keyboard For Dummies" explains the ins-and-outs of modern keyboards and helps you get the most out of their capabilities. Key content coverage an overview of the types of keyboards available today and how they differ from acoustic pianos; expert advice on choosing the right keyboard for your wants/needs and how to shop and compare the various models; a close look at the types of sounds an electronic keyboard offers and how to achieve them; step-by-step instruction on how to use keyboards anywhere using external speakers, amps, home stereos, computers, and tablets; guidance on how to use keyboard software and applications to get the most out of keyboard technology; and much more.A multimedia component for this title will be hosted at Dummies.com and includes companion audio tracks and video content that demonstrates techniques and sounds found in the bookStep-by-step instructions make learning keyboard easy and funIntroduces you to the musical possibilities of the keyboardIf you're new to the keyboard or looking to take your skills to the next level, "Keyboard For Dummies" is a thorough guide to the ins and outs of this popular instrument.

Genres: Music

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2013

Reviews

[Gail]

Recently retired, I got a keyboard as a gift. Playing a keyboard is a little different from playing piano so I wanted something that focused on the difference between them. This book hit the mark. I wish I'd had it before I got a keyboard because one of the big pluses of this book is how to evaluate what you need and should buy. I plan on upgrading eventually and this helped me identify what I like and don't like about my current one and how to choose my next instrument. This is a great addition to the learning library of a new keyboard player.

[GleeGMJournal]

The book that walks you through the concept of
- keyboard/piano/organ history even mentions famous synthesizer such as Yamaha DX7
It
- compares different feature's name of each brand (even though it's the same feature!) this comparison table is quite a life hack!
- contains demo audio files which you can scroll =to hear them online. Although, some link are already broken LOL.
- contains compact topics such as music theory, music notation, chord, scale, fingering. However, it's is more like a reference cheat-sheet. If you want to start music foundation, it's better to start with Alfred/Faber publishers.
- Music waveforms, MIDI, keyboard features such as accompaniment, sound library.
- Other References such as which program is DAW, music learning resources such as Piano Marvel, Piano Playground, populer online piano community forum.
- Tips & Tricks on choosing keyboard/piano. People these days may prefer watching the buying guide on Youtube as it's more convenient, but it's nice that the book covers this topic in a text format.

[Tyler Replogle]

This is a solid resource for anyone looking to dive into playing the piano or keyboard. I found the sections on playing by ear particularly enjoyable and helpful. The tips on learning and improving piano skills are practical and well-explained, making it a great guide for beginners and those looking to refine their technique. It’s a straightforward and approachable book, though I would’ve liked a bit more depth in certain areas. Overall, it’s a worthwhile read for anyone starting their keyboard journey!

[Sean S]

As one of the few online books available in my public libraries' digital catalogue, I took a chance on this for piano content. There is some basic music theory here but most of this is a rush through notation and music structure, with more emphasis on keyboard features and functionality beyond piano instrument only. Good to know but not exactly what I was looking for.