Joseph asks…
Which keyboard should I get?
I’ve really been wanting a digital piano for a while now but the problem is which one? I might as well start off by saying that I have no knowledge of piano playing and I really would like a nice beginning to intermediate keyboard. I’ve been researching online and came up with a couple of pretty similar keyboards of different brands..
http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/Casio-CDP100-88Note-Weighted-Hammer-Action-Digital-Piano?sku=706083
http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/Williams-Allegro-88-Key-Digital-Piano?sku=H14022
The second one seems to have more features, but by looking at the MSRP, I assume it’s of lower quality. This would be a great Christmas present and any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!
admin answers:
Without even looking at the links, I’d say go for the Casio because I have a Casio and it’s great quality, durable, and still in good condition after several years of constantly lugging it about and playing ALL the time, being tossed about, riding in the back of my dad’s truck, and lots of other things that a keyboard shouldn’t have to endure 
So now I’ve gone and had a look at the links, either keyboard is very good and will have everything you need to get started…but still, since you have to choose, go for the Casio. It’s got transpose, layer, sustain pedal, and I love the three options for level of touch sensitivity–mine only has one, which is fine, but three would be really cool.
But the other one has a metronome and more tones…those aren’t really necessary, though, although you will want a basic strings tone in addition to the keys, but I’m fairly certain that the Casio has that as one of its five tones.
So really either one you want would be a good choice, but my gut still says go for the Casio.
Linda asks…
Is self-taught pianist even possible?Need some assurance here…?
-am 20years old really passionate about music since young but didnt have luxury to learn piano.Still studying,working part time.Bought digital piano recently with the extra $,still no $ to hire teacher.Practising scales,sourcing online,learing youtube tutorials.I still feel something is wrong eg finger position(awkward).Can play some pieces but very long to master and rely MOSTLY on muscle memory instead of brain which i tink is bad.Any advice here greatly appreciated.
Sorry for the bad English.I am at work now and apparently they put some sort of word limit on the stuff I post at one time opps=X.
admin answers:
If I am not mistaken Matt Bellamy is self thought.
Try Butterflies and Hurricanes to hear him play…
Chris asks…
Buzzing between Casio Keyboard and M-Audio Interface?
Hi, i just recently bought a Casio Privia 330X Digital Piano and it has worked great except for one issue. It produces/records an intolerable buzzing noise when plugged into the line-in port of my M-Audio Mobile-Pre USB audio interface from the line-out socket of the keyboard. It is not just a quiet hum, it is a buzz that almost drowns out the sound of the keyboard when recording on the computer.
I have switched cables and changed the outlets to which the laptop and keyboard were plugged in. I also was able to record an acoustic/electric guitar directly using the same port on the Mobile-Pre. I also was able to use the same line out jack in the piano to plug into a keyboard amplifier with no buzz.
Therefore, the problem seems isolated to existing only between the keyboard and the audio interface, it is not a consistent problem in either device individually, only when they are together. I have searched online for a while and could not find an answer. Please help :/
admin answers:
Things to try:
make sure you are using a normal 2 conductor 1/4 inch mono cables (like a guitar cable):
http://www.rainbowguitars.com/imagesproduct/MI/MIGOLDSPEAKER03-xl.jpg
try using BOTH outputs from the keyboard to both inputs 1 & 2 on the interface (you will need two cables)
try using the interface with a laptop on batteries (not plugged in at all) if you can
try connecting the output of the keyboard amp to the interface
These buzz problems can be very tricky to resolve because 1/4 inch cables are unbalanced and very prone to picking up humms and buzzes. Computer equipment generates a lot of noise that can be picked up by these cables.
George asks…
Which purchase makes the most sense?
I’m trying to decide on a purchase, in terms of what makes the most sense.
My goal is to study piano and guitar. I don’t have the money to take private lessons consistently. So I’m working with books/videos/online study resources. I’m thinking that I can afford one ‘major’ music purchase before the summer, either a better acoustic guitar or a better digital piano. I could buy the other in late summer/early fall, when I will have a little more money to work with. Because of the financial resources, I’ll probably just be focusing on one instrument for most of the summer. Any suggestions of which I should go with?
admin answers:
This is from a guitarists opinion here, so it’s probably going to be weighted, but:
With the piano you can expect to get a greater knowledge of musical theory from it, especially if you’re teaching yourself. I’ve found that, with teaching myself guitar, I’ve very much gone into WHAT things are instead of WHY things are. For example, I’ve learnt the shapes of the minor pentatonic scale so I can solo with them, but I don’t know WHY they are the notes that they are. Whether that’s just how I’ve been teaching myself or not, I’m not sure, but I feel that if you were to focus more on piano you’d get a better grasp of musical theory. At least that’s what I’d assume.
That said, guitar seems to be by far the easier to teach yourself. With piano you’d need to know all about hand positions etc. AND you need to be able to read sheet music, however with guitar you can just read a tab which is obviously pretty simple and the finger positions can be put down to common sense 95% of the time.
Plus, as has been said, guitar is way cooler 
Hope this helps
Robert asks…
What are some good podcasts?
I prefer video podcasts but audio are great too! I love the free podcasts itunes has to offer. but I want more, so if you can suggest some that you like or if you can think of any from the list of ones I already have.
Here are some I already have
key:
ns=I just have a few because i’m checking it out before I subscribe
APM: A prarie Home Companion’s News from lake woebegon
Barley digital
Barley political
Best of youtube
CH originals
Comedy Factory from CBC radio (ns)
Funny stuff inc. (ns)
Happy tree friends
Indy mogul (ns)
Keith and Girl (ns)
Key of awesome
Piano lessons online (ns)
Stuff your mom never told you (ns)
stuff you should know (ns)
This week in youtube (ns)
The totally rad show (ns)
Totally sketch
wait I know this (ns)
2 boob productions videos (ns)
That’s about it, PS I also like to watch trailers, so any podcasts with trailers are awesome too
Thanks!
PSS I got rid of some here’s the new list
APM: A prarie Home Companion’s News from lake woebegon
Barley digital
Barley political
Best of youtube
CH originals
Happy tree friends
Indy mogul
Key of awesome
Piano lessons online
This week in youtube
Totally sketch
admin answers:
Subscribe to This Week in Youtube , good for laughs and to know whats trending
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