Judging by the comments on last month’s “Piano for Dummies” competition, a lot of you are learning to play keys – or at least that was your New Year’s resolution. Here are 10 Youtube videos that will give you a jump start.
The first few are pretty basic (and some of you might need that), but the videos get more interesting after that. I particularly love learning from Jordan Rudess – both how he plays, and how he uses his equipment. Who do you learn the most from? Do you have any keyboard tutorial links to share with us in the comments?
1. Basic Piano Notes, Keyboard Tutorial #1
“Here I show how to find basic notes on a piano keyboard.”
2. Basic Piano Chords Part #1 (Keyboard Tutorial #2)
“Here I describe a triad and how to use it.”
3. How to Play Trance/ Techno on Keyboard (Lesson 1)
“Wes teaches you simple steps on how to play your own trance/techno without the use of any music sheets or scores! This is lesson 1, and covers the very basics. Let me know how effective it is.”
4. How to Play Trance/ Techno on Keyboard (Lesson 2)
“Wes teaches you simple steps on how to play your own trance/techno without the use of any music sheets or scores! This is lesson 2, and covers Expanding and Speed modulation. Please note that this recommends an intermediate skill level in piano to grasp.”
5. Not Too Hard, Fun Piano Lesson – Intermediate Blues Lick for C7 F7 Chords
“This is a blues lick in C which slides of the Eb note… So that would make it based around the A blues scale.”
6. Blues Piano Licks : Blues Piano Intermediate Lick One
“How to play the first intermediate blues piano lick, including a step-by-step demonstration; learn this and more in this free online piano lesson taught by professional composer and pianist Jonathan Wilson.”
7. Jordan Rudess – Keyboard Wizardry
“This is a little excerpt from his “Keyboard Wizardry” DVD. I highly recommend this DVD.”
8. Jordan Rudess – Chromatic Exercise
“This is a little excerpt from his “Mastering Live Performance” DVD. I highly recommend this DVD.”
9. Jordan Rudess Keyboards World 1 (2007)
“Jordan Rudess before a concert of Six degrees of inner turbulence talks to a camera about his keyboards in the concert .”
10. Jordan Rudess Keyboards World 2
“Jordan Rudess before a concert of Live at Budokan talks to a camera about his keyboards in the concert.”
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By Adrian Try
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Always wanted to learn the piano. Thanks for these videos. I think everybody should know basic chords.
I’m getting an M-Audio keyboard in the mail today so this article came along just in time!
Wow nice collection, I should start learning now
The only way to learn piano and actually be able to understand it is by being classically trained. I see to many people today who know how to play popular songs yet don’t grasp the how and why of it. Which is the biggest crime you can commit in music(obviously in my opinion).
I was classically trained for 14 years. Its what kick started my music career. And also what gave me my love for music. I wouldn’t want anyone to be short changed on that thinking that by learning songs through youtube will actually amount to a deep understanding of the subject.
But if you just want to decided on whether you would even enjoy the piano, go right ahead and learn some songs. Just don’t skip out on a teacher if you want to be a serious pianist.
I agree wholeheartedly. I mean, I make some pretty great music right now but that’s just raw talent and tips/tricks I picked up here and there. I don’t have an actual foundation like I’d like to [even though I took music theory for a time in high school].
I missed on the oppurtunity to learn an instrument when I was younger unfortunately. That being said, just being a big fan of music and coming up with sounds in my mind made me realize how much I loved it.
I hope to take piano and guitar lessons this year to get a grounding in those and get a better understanding of how music works, not just play by ear, etc.
I appreciate your comment though, it was very insightful.
Well, I’ve met many CLASSICALLY trained musicians who don’t understand the music they play, and the only way to TRULY understand music is to be CLASSICALLY trained in in writing it. It is also true that to validate one’s status, one must rub in the face of innocent neophytes, the number of years of CLASSICAL training they’ve had. Finding an appropriate target should easily be accomplished by lurking in beginners forums.
Please excuse me now, I must away to the hills where I shall take of the melodies of the hill folk, and spin them in to what will be one of the greatest CLASSICS of the next 600 years, as any TRULY SERIOUS composer would do.
@Humperdinck
As I said it was my opinion and Wibby seemed to find my comment somewhat useful. You contributed absolutely nothing with your comment.
If you disagree with me, please by all means, state your disagreement. But you instead decided to make childish attacks over the internet.
@Wibby
Thanks for the comment. One thing I would like to clarify though is that I by no means think that you have to be classically trained to make good music. I just know how much of a stepping stone piano was for me and I don’t want people thinking they can fast track learning an instrument. I fought if for years, but I finally had to realize that I do indeed need to learn all the basics before I can attain the quality and control in music I wanted.
@ Deems
Yes, I did make that decision, and I am sorry for being a jerk. I also appreciate your reply.
Your last sentence states how I feel perfectly. I’m trying out some things with my new Axiom 49 but I know that if I want to produce anything up to my personal standards that I’m going to have to practice and put lots of time into this.
My passion for music also fuels my disciplne for such music-related tasks.
Wow, Jordan Rudess is such a musical giant! Thank you for posting this, I’m still in awe.
Nice one. But Free is not always good even if its the best. People will always buy online piano courses and dvds since thats their nature. It gives them a sense of having something of value thus making them feel better and superior.
So true. But I think the internet is slowing changing our perspective on purchased goods. We are slowing seeing the value in free goods.