How to Play Keyboards: Everything You Need to Know to Play Keyboards

by Roger Evans

Overview

How to Play Keyboards offers an exciting new way to learn to play. Its easy-to-follow instructions and systematic approach enable you to start playing popular tunes on your keyboard within minutes-even if you've never played a musical instrument before. You'll learn keyboard basics like:

—fingering

—chords

—special effects

—playing by ear

—how to read sheet music

—playing with drum backing

and much more.

Filled with a wealth of instruction and inspiration, How to Play Keyboards is like having your own personal tutor.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312287078
Publisher:	St. Martin's Press
Publication date:	12/28/2001
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	104
Sales rank:	264,891
Product dimensions:	7.49(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.36(d)

About the Author

Roger Evans has helped nearly half a million readers learn to play an instrument on their own. His other books include How to Play Guitar and How to Play Piano.

Table of Contents

	Introduction	7
	Setting up your keyboard	8
	Sitting at your keyboard	9
	Keyboard basics	10
	Starting to play	11
	Playing with a beat	12
	Playing your first tunes	13
	Exciting sounds at your fingertips	15
	Practice makes perfect	16
	The beat of the drums	17
	Playing with a drum backing	17
	Playing 'Single Finger Chords'	18
	Your own backing group	19
	Playing melody and chords	20
	Different rhythms and voices	21
	More about music	22
	A classic waltz	23
	A song from the Caribbean	24
	A jazz tune to play	25
	More notes to play	26
	Fingering	28
	Playing runs of notes	30
	Eighth notes	32
	A song to sing	33
	More tunes to play	34
	High notes and low notes	36
	Rests	36
	A famous Irish song	38
	Playing minor chords	40
	A tune with minor chords	41
	More tunes with minor chords	42
	Special effects	44
	Another minor chord--E minor	44
	Playing notes on the black keys	46
	Key signatures	48
	A blues song	49
	More tunes to play with sharps	50
	Flats	52
	Flat Key signatures	54
	Natural signs	54
	More tunes to play with flats	56
	Playing seventh chords	58
	A song for Christmas...	60
	...and a song for New Year	61
	How to become a better player	62
	Polish your playing	62
	Practice	62
	Read music as often as possible	63
	Learn from other musicians	63
	Do you need lessons?	63
	Repeat signs	64
	An organ classic	68
	Helpful hints and friendly advice	70
	Have fun--play your keyboard with friends	70
	Playing to an audience	70
	Playing for singing	71
	Playing by ear	72
	More advanced music	74
	More tunes for you to play	75
	A pop music classic	76
	Scott Joplin's ragtime hit	78
	A big band jazz classic	80
	Playing 'Fingered Chords'	82
	Going on from here	85
	Learning to play new music	86
	How to read sheet music	87
	Keyboard note-finder	88
	Fingered chords for every key	89
	Index	102
	Music in this book	103