Step by step learning systems in digital pianos.(Casio )

[vicente1]

Dear all,


I am self learning piano, and I am using the step  by step system offered by CASIO.
I have to admit I am very happy with it.
I can download any music midi, and learn it eventually using all the accepted protocols (HS, HT, speed etc..) that are widely recommended in this forum.
disadvantages :
-extremely poor reader.
advantages :
precision ( every bar or segment I practice is always given a score (up to 100).
learn new pieces quickly.

It surprises me that nobody mentions this un-orthodox method in this forum.

I am only using this system for learning,plus all the internet masterclasses, forums etc..and I am happy.
Can play a dozen nice pieces and snipets, with no musical background whatsoever, since I bought the piano  3 years ago.
At the moment I am learning Chopin 9-1.

I wonder if this system is used by other sudents, even though could be preceived as a sacrilege by some purists.

Regards.

[adodd81802]

I think (No offense) this system (as you described it) may work for children or lower level playing, but I'm personally not familiar with the method, I assume no dynamic's are introduced here and it aims for simple note accuracy?

You mentioned not being able to read music. I think you may underestimate just what it means to read music and also how big of a disadvantage it is to try and play an instrument seriously without reading music and so while this Casio method may offer shortcuts to LOOKING like you can play the piano. It seems to be a very hollow method that again may be useful to beginners.

I think ways of learning is key here also, some people completely rely on having the music in front of them to remember pieces or to maintain performances, also indications of dynamics etc  and so I imagine this would not suit them.

I think for the right people there's possibly nothing wrong with it, and when I was around 8-9 i remember getting so excited about a keyboard I had that had lights so you could learn any of the songs as it lit up the keys you needed to press.

Nice then, painful to think about now.

[vicente1]

addod, I appreciate your comments and agree with them as are obvious.

But with regards this system, you reckon do not know it, and it is much more helpful than the childish  "lightning keys".

I do not pretend to advertise this method (lol), but I find it myself very satisfactory and quick.

All the dinamics, voicing, phrasing etc.. are mandatory to follow are as in a way part of the rithm.

And obviously for memorization purposes I find it excellent.

That is why I am asking if anybody uses it and hear their comments.

regards.

[perfect_pitch]

Unfortunately, it is simply a rote way of learning and doesn't really provide any proper teaching of the music system and the ability to read the written score.

You may think you can learn pieces quickly, but that's the equivalent of listening to someone speak french and spending a few minutes simply repeating what they said.

The problem is that if you continue to use this method - you may be able to play the pieces that are used under the Casio system, however chances are when you are given a very simple piece of written music - you will simply find it almost impossible to learn.

The reason no one uses this (as you call it) unorthodox method is because it is probably the most flawed system. It is not because it isn't purists, but it's the difference between playing pieces like (and I apologise for this analogy) a rote-playing monkey, against traditional methods which take them time to help you fully understand the fundamental elements that give you the ability to 'teach' yourself the music.

I have students who have begun to teach themselves scores that I haven't seen, because I have given them the tools to pick up their music and learn it themselves (to a degree).

[vicente1]

Thanks a lot Perfect Pitch for your clear comments.

I feared such an answer, and I have to agree with you.

I have a good time learning, and play decent pieces which I enjoy.(people love them !! lol)

I will start asap to change the practice method and may look for a teacher.

Thanks again .

[dcstudio]

Casio is a cheap product and really won't stand up well to serious playing.  That green book that comes with the privia has some really good stuff in it but even that falls apart in about 3 days.

anyway--in spite of it's issues I would really like to hear you play.   I am very interested in viewing your technique and hearing how well you can play these pieces.  I am not inviting you to do this so that I can tear you down... I am really curious to see how well this works.  Please post a vid

[reiyza]

I also agree with dcstudio, the privia and celviano both have very light action, it feels a little too plastic IMO(please do try it, try pressing key in a real acoustic and then compare with yours), if you're serious about really learning a piano, a superb digital(roland, kawai, yamaha) or well maintained 2nd hand acoustic upright is usually the best choice(depending on financial constraints).

Please do get a teacher, though, you may be in a big surprise if all you've been playing on is a casio, since teachers usually uses acoustics(commonly uprights) to teach and those things have pretty damn heavy action(depeding on usage).

And then again, if you're playing just for fun, might as well continue as you were, but as addod and dcstudio said, it will be harder when you start learning more progressive pieces where you really have to do your sightreading. Goodluck.