Yamaha and Casio

From my research, it appears that the leading brands for electronic keyboards including digital pianos seems to be Yamaha and Casio, at least when it comes to relatively low-priced quality keyboards, particularly for beginners.

I associate Casio with watches, but it seems they've become reputable keyboard manufacturers over recent years as well.

Just check out these reviews of Yamaha electronic keyboards and reviews of Casio electronic keyboards.

Also check out these reviews of Yamaha digital pianos and reviews of Casio digital pianos. 

The term "electronic keyboard" can be quite confusing. Technically, it encompassed all kinds of keyboards that produce sound electronically, and thus include MIDI controllers, digital pianos, digital stage pianos, and workstations. However, since those keyboards already have specific terms, the term "electronic keyboard" is used by manufacturers to refer to the "leftover" keyboards, and that is, usually, the cheap, toy-like keyboards featuring fewer than 88 piano keys, no weighted keys, and low-quality instrumental sounds. However, some of these "leftover" keyboards do have high quality tones and even semi-weighted keys with touch-response, which make them suitable for learning piano for beginners.

But if you're serious about taking piano, as I've learned, a digital piano would definitely be the best bet. A full set of 88 realistically-weighted keys with quality piano sound is ideal for learning the piano! Definitely beats a 61-key keyboard, and worth spending a little more on.

Wow been a while

Five months have passed since I last wrote in here! Wow!

Well I was feeling depressed lately. 

Anyway I came across this video yesterday. I'd gotten the "Time" track from Inception by Hans Zimmer stuck in my head for a while now. Such poignant music. Surprisingly, when I first watched the movie and heard it at the end of the movie, I didn't think much of this particular track. Might be because my mind was just overly occupied with the events in the movie. Wonderful movie, by the way. I listened to the soundtrack again separately later on, and absolutely fell in love with Time. Definitely my favorite piece from the soundtrack.

So, the track goes perfectly, awesomely, with this particular video. A video of what is "the known universe". Isn't it wonderful how we as a species have barely ventured into space, yet can imagine and map out the vastness of the space beyond our reach? When I first took astronomy 101 (I forget the exact course title) years ago and my mind was opened up to the vastness of the universe, well, it made me depressed, or more so than I already was. I sometimes wonder if it was the spark that really set off my depression. Little insignificant beings, we are. What's the point of anything we do here? It all seems so meaningless, doesn't it? I do wonder occasionally if it would have been better had I remained blissfully ignorant. Perhaps I would be less depressed, perhaps I would see more meaning in my life and the lives of those around me.

When I hear people claim there is no omnipotent God, I simply cannot understand. These are typically people who have had their minds opened up to the vastness, the wondrous universe. How can they arrogantly claim to know that such a being does not exist? I don't believe in religion, nor in the God or Gods depicted in religions, but I cannot discount the possibility of an all-knowing, an omnipotent being that might have created this universe. Perhaps this being is not All-Loving, All-Compassionate, or perhaps the cliche that this entity works in mysterious ways is not far off from the truth. Perhaps this entity did not mean to create this universe, and it was truly a chance moment. But knowing that it exists, even if my mind cannot quite comprehend this knowledge (the alternatives, that the universe existed as is, indefinitely, or the Big Bang occurred on its own, is just as illogical and incomprehensible to me) is comforting. Yes I do see the point when some religious fanatics blindly cling to their beliefs, even trampling on other people's rights. But...sigh...why can't we all just get along? Why am I even writing all this? Will it do anything?

I know, I'm supposed to exercise. Eat healthy. Stay active. Stay social. That'll curb my depression. I understand how to fight depression, or at least I think I do. I've tried natural remedies. But just as this article says, as long as I don't find meaning in my life, I'll never permanently overcome the depression. It'll always be at the back of my mind, ready to pounce out at anytime.

Ah, sorry for the rambling. Just enjoy the video.

Fringe Intro theme

So I managed to learn the fringe intro theme piano solo, thanks to sheet music available here:

It's a very simple version. I love it.

I love Fringe. I love its theme tune. So short and beautiful.

The second part doesn't sound quite correct (the sheet music is marked as draft after all), but I still like it. =)

Since I thought it was a "beautifully haunting" theme (I meant hauntingly beautiful actually, but this was what I wrote in the Youtube description :P), I used the dual sound feature on my keyboard and combined the beautiful "orgel" sound (main voice) with the haunting "xenonpad" sound. No, I have no clue what those instruments actually are. Orgel seems to be some kind of brand.

Anyway, here's the vid. Enjoy!

Favourite soprano ukuleles

Some of my favourite soprano ukuleles I like include the Lanikai LU-21 Soprano Ukulele. Lanikai, as mentioned previously, seems to be an immensely popular brand of ukuleles, and has an extensive variety. This actually seems to be one of the bestselling beginner ukuleles around. 

Another one which I really like thanks to its visuals is the Luna Tattoo Pineapple 21 Inch Soprano Ukulele. The name really says it all. It actually looks more like a mandolin with its pineapple shape than a typical ukulele. It features beautiful black "tattoo" patterns around its body and really stands out in appearance. Luna Ukuleles in general seem to have really distinguishing, quirky, pretty designs.

All the above links lead to the review site for ukuleles, containing compilation of testimonials of the products from Amazon.

Ukulele reviews

Thinking of picking up the ukulele?

It's a wonderful guitar-like instrument, originating from Hawaii (wikipedia says it's a chordophone, classified as a plucked lute. The ukulele originated in the 19th century as a Hawaiian interpretation of the cavaquinho or braguinha and the rajão, small guitar-like instruments taken to Hawaiʻi by Portuguese immigrants). My, those are some interesting words/instrments I've never heard before. Haha.

Anyway, if you intend to pick up the ukulele, do drop by this review site first at Ukulele Reviews. There're reviews of the major or more popular brands of ukuleles, including Cordoba, Kala, Lanikai, Luna, Mahalo and Oscar Schmidt. Of all these, (without having actually physically tried any of the instruments), the Oscar Schmidt OU7T Tenor Ukulele appeals to me the most, thanks to its stunning wood grain. Does that make me superficial? 

Other brands include Mahalo, Luna, Lanikai, Kala and Cordoba. Mahalo seems to be the most economically-friendly (also seems to be worst quality, requiring lots of tuning), while Oscar Schmidt seems to be of extremely high quality. Lanikai appears to be the most popular and trusted brand too, with plenty of products covering all four main types of ukuleles (soprano, concert, baritone and tenor). Luna has some creative designs, while Kala seems to be the traditional-design type, with good quality for the price. Cordoba, like Oscar Schmidt, is handmade as well, and seems to be of high quality too, though it doesn't seem to have as wide a range of products as the latter.

And that concludes my unofficial, mini-review of the ukulele brands! Haha.

Beethoven - Fur Elise

When I was a child (say...10 years old?), I got this book "PC After-Hours" (haha I remember the acronym "PCAH" somehow) which had a collection of games on a disk. I think my dad had randomly bought it for me (or for himself?).

In it was a game called...."Hearts!" (I think). The objective was to collect all red hearts to progress through to the next level. It was a fun little game.

What I really loved was the intro tune though.

It got stuck in my ear. I don't think it was my first exposure to it, but it was the first time I could repeatedly hear the tune. Over and over again, at my own leisure. (Remember, this was before the wonder that is the Internet)

Over the years, I would continue to hear the tune sporadiccally, on television, in telephone "please hold" tunes, programming (someone had coded the tune to be played thru PC speakers; this was how I learned the melodic notes to the tune). I remember memorising and playing the notes on my first keyboard with my right hand (E-Db-E-Db-E-B-D-C-A....E-A-B...).

That tune, I would later learn (I don't recall when or how I learned this fact), was Fur Elise. Or rather, the first half of Fur Elise. I did eventually come across the entire tune, but the second half just seemed rather random, a bit show-offy. Maybe because I was too used to only listening to the first half. I never did like the second half.

So when I bought my second keyboard, I tried out the first practice song available. And it was....Fur Elise!

I was pleased. I'd already known much of the right-hand notes (except that the second "phrase" of the song required four notes to be played with the right hand, not the 3 notes I'd written above, and of course, the transition portions I had no prior knowledge of), so it was perfect. I managed to learn the entire first half of the tune with both my hands simultaneously, at a fairly steady pace, within 1 week. It felt so accomplishing.

So now, 5 months later, I still only know how to play the first half of the song. I have no intention of learning the complicated part. I don't enjoy that part, and would consider it a burden. 

But the first half? Definitely one of my favourite classical tunes. So simple, yet so beautiful.

Below is the video of me playing the first half of Beethoven's Fur Elise. Thank you for crafting such a lovely piece of music.

Greensleeves/What Child is This

I'd learned the so-called "Grade 3" version of this tune a few months back. Here's a recording of me playing it using the "Stardust" voice on my keyboard. Initially I'd recorded it in normal Grand Piano, but it sounded so dull compared to well, practically every other version on Youtube. Haha. I love the sorta magical sound of this instrument. Hope to learn the more complex/interesting versions some day.

Oh, and I think the version I'm playing is of "What Child is This". I believe the original Greensleeves melody is actually a little faster/happier. 

Alas my love, you do me wrong,

To cast me off, discourteously.

And I have loved you so long,

Delighting in your company.

Greensleeves was all my joy,

Greensleeves was my delight.

Greensleeves was my heart of gold,

And who but my lady, Greensleeves.

Stratovarius - Forever

Finally recorded my first ever video on Youtube! Had to get some audio cable 'cos my webcam sound recording sucks. Learned to remove white noise using Audacity too, nice.

And I've finally learned one of my favourite songs, Forever by Stratovarius. I did have to re-record over and over 'cos I wasn't pleased with making so many mistakes, and the final version still has mistakes (one extremely obvious one too). Oh well, I got tired of re-recording. I'm still a beginner, forgive me. =)

Watch the video below!

Stratovarius - Forever

"I stand alone in the darkness,

the winter of my life came so fast.

Memories go back to childhood.

To days I still recall.

Oh how happy I was then,

There was no sorrow, 

there was no pain.

Walking through the green fields,

Sunshine in my eyes.

I'm still there, everywhere,

I'm the dust in the wind,

I'm the star in the northern sky.

I never stayed anywhere,

I'm the wind in the trees.

Would you wait for me forever?"

LOVED this song. I first came across it while playing some free instrumental PC game (kinda like guitar hero on the PC, with the PC keyboard playing different instruments) 10 years ago (ah the memories). It was just an instrumental but I absolutely loved the melody.

And then I fell in love with the lyrics too. Haha, more emo stuff? I like depressing songs, I guess.

Anyway, I'm currently trying to learn this on my keyboard (as part of my learning keyboard journey), with sheet music from http://s927.photobucket.com/albums/ad113/nightingale2611/Piano%20Sheet%20Music/. I came across it on Youtube. Wonderful playing, and I appreciate people who take the time to transcribe the sheet music!

One of the Youtube comments mention something about B minor, and only then did I realise the original is actually in a higher key! Oops. But this key is good enough for now (besides, the original was too high for me to sing along with anyway).

So far I'm only able to play the intro. After quite a few hours of trying. Hope to make more progress soon! =)

Mad World for kids

"All around me are familiar faces, worn out places, worn out faces,Bright and early for their daily races, going nowhere, going nowhere"

I absolutely love this song. Maybe I'm emo-ish, but the lyrics and tune (Gary Jule's version) really touched me. The original Tears for Fears was a bit too techno-ish/upbeat for me, but kudos to them for coming up with the tune and lyrics anyway.

Check out the following video, how to play Mad World on a "keyboard for beginners"! Haha. More like keyboard for kids. Very cute!

My starting point

When I was young, I loved creating things.

Programming had always been my passion. I felt a rush whenever a program executed well without any errors.

Lately I'd been losing that passion, and have been looking into other areas to regain that passion.

Enter my electronic keyboard. I've always enjoyed music. Food for the soul, in my opinion.

I did have a keyboard (organ) when I was around 10 years old. Didn't learn much. It was fun to hit the keys, playing with my right hand. 

Not sure what exactly happened to that keyboard, probably my parents threw it away when we moved house when I was around 12.

Now, years later, I'm learning it myself with the help of online lessons.

Technology is amazing, isn't it?

Do visit keyboard for beginners if you too are thinking of pursuing your passion in piano or keyboarding!

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