Practicing with an unweighted keyboard

[paracross]

Hey all, as background I'm currently trying to get back into learning after a 2/3 year break due to circumstances, prior to which I was learning with a teacher for about a year.
My trouble at the moment comes from the fact the only instrument I can practice on regularly is a 61-key unweighted keyboard (same as when I was learning before). I initially got it since I wasn't sure if I would keep it up but, as I'm now fairly sure, I have some doubts about it.
In short, the earliest I can realistically get at least a decent digital piano would be in a couple months time, but I don't really want to waste more time than I have so I'm trying to think of what to do in the meantime.
Essentially my issue with it is that I don't know if/what I should practice on it, I'm sure I already have bad habits from it and I wouldn't want to perpetuate them going forward. I was thinking I'd primarily do ear training and more theoretical stuff and ignore actually playing it much, maybe scales and the like as me and my previous teacher ignored that, going for a more piece-by-piece approach.
Would this make sense, or am I better off just playing as I would and adapting/fixing my habits later on?

[lelle]

Hey! Great to hear you are getting back into it.

My thoughts are that it's highly preferrable to practice on a weighted keyboard as the difference is quite different from the kind of unweighted, flimsy plastic keys that are on certain keyboards.

However, assuming proper guidance from your teacher, you can theoretically practice numerous facets that are important to good foundations for your technique on a light keyboard. It's just that a light keyboard is much more forgiving if you do things wrong and can therefore encourage bad habits (in other ways as well).

I don't think the risk is high that you do irreparable damage to your technique in a couple of months though. It sounds like you are passionate and ready to go so your plan to focus on ear training and theory sounds reasonable. Play some music as well, enjoy your time at the piano. Be prepared that things will be different on weighted keys so I'd advice against grinding scales or tackling technical problems before you get a proper instrument.

[paracross]

I don't think the risk is high that you do irreparable damage to your technique in a couple of months though.

That's really nice to hear, I suppose it's a bit of over-worrying if you will but just wanted to make sure beforehand lol.

It sounds like you are passionate and ready to go so your plan to focus on ear training and theory sounds reasonable.
Play some music as well, enjoy your time at the piano. Be prepared that things will be different on weighted keys so I'd advice against grinding scales or tackling technical problems before you get a proper instrument.

For sure! I'll keep in mind about the scales and problems and go light on those, very nice to know.
Thanks a lot for your answer, calmed my nerves a little and I'll be going at it proper from hereon!

[geopianoincanada]

Hey all, as background I'm currently trying to get back into learning after a 2/3 year break due to circumstances, prior to which I was learning with a teacher for about a year.
My trouble at the moment comes from the fact the only instrument I can practice on regularly is a 61-key unweighted keyboard (same as when I was learning before). I initially got it since I wasn't sure if I would keep it up but, as I'm now fairly sure, I have some doubts about it.
In short, the earliest I can realistically get at least a decent digital piano would be in a couple months time, but I don't really want to waste more time than I have so I'm trying to think of what to do in the meantime.
Essentially my issue with it is that I don't know if/what I should practice on it, I'm sure I already have bad habits from it and I wouldn't want to perpetuate them going forward. I was thinking I'd primarily do ear training and more theoretical stuff and ignore actually playing it much, maybe scales and the like as me and my previous teacher ignored that, going for a more piece-by-piece approach.
Would this make sense, or am I better off just playing as I would and adapting/fixing my habits later on?

Get a fully weighted touch sensitive instrument as soon as you can. You're only cheating yourself by practicing on an inferior instrument.

[lelle]

That's really nice to hear, I suppose it's a bit of over-worrying if you will but just wanted to make sure beforehand lol.
For sure! I'll keep in mind about the scales and problems and go light on those, very nice to know.
Thanks a lot for your answer, calmed my nerves a little and I'll be going at it proper from hereon!

Good luck! And make sure to get a weighted instrument soon, I think you'll enjoy your playing a lot more once you have that

[ego0720]

The issue is not necessarily unweighted keyboard so much as it is touch sensitivity.  Many keyboards that do not have this feature can mess you up. Make sure that if u press harder that the volume adjust. I practice with both weighted and unweighted keys. Those keyboards with cheap plastic are mainly for synthesizing music on the computers when making midi on a DAW. More recent ones have touch sensitivity. Older keyboards do not (they play at same volume regardless of how hard or soft you hit). The latter you definitely want to avoid.

Weighted keys can have one disastrous disadvantage which is, if not under proper tutorial, can really reinforce bad tension. It can be problematic in its own way. The industry propagates weighted keys as the way.. I find it weird why both cannot coexist as long as one understands the pros and cons. Because I play with unweighted keys there is no reason I cannot acclimate to weighted keys. Versatility improves if u are able to play on both.

[anacrusis]

Weighted keys can have one disastrous disadvantage which is, if not under proper tutorial, can really reinforce bad tension. It can be problematic in its own way. The industry propagates weighted keys as the way.. I find it weird why both cannot coexist as long as one understands the pros and cons. Because I play with unweighted keys there is no reason I cannot acclimate to weighted keys. Versatility improves if u are able to play on both.

I think flimsy, unweighted keys have a similar disadvantage. Because they are so light, they allow you to get away with a lot of tension and inefficiencies, whereas a heavy keyboard punishes you hard for it. If you get slightly tired playing on a light keyboard, you wont make it to the end on a heavy keyboard. But yes, you need guidance to play safely on a heavy keyboard.