Playing Blind

During my last keyboard lesson, I was told to stop looking at the keys. I've been trying to play with my eyes closed. It's taking quite some time to train my left arm to find those octave leaps.

Silly Keyboard Tricks

Finally took some time to explore the features on the new Casio PX200 keyboard this evening. It has a recording feature, so tried that out and saving it to an SD card. Unfortunately it saves files either as midi or casio proprietory format. :( why no mp3? Oh well, here's the 30 sec sample I saved in midi format -- it's a Bach Marche piece I'm working on.

Then checked out the score book that came with the system. It has 60 built-in classical tunes, graded easy, moderate and difficult. Tried out the old easy standby -- Bach Minuet in G, slowed down the tempo, turned on the left hand only, the right hand only, and played along. Pretty nifty tool for learning a piece. Supposedly you can import midi tunes into the keyboard as well.

Hooked up the sustain pedal and it appears to work. Manuals says if one wants a damper pedal, one would have to buy an extra pedal. Something I doubt I would need.

3 Hours

I think I broke a record tonight for practicing...even if part of the time was piano instead of cello. I started on cello, took a break and did some keyboard, and then went back to cello. I think what kept me going longer than normal was that after I finished all my mandatory exercises, I did some sight reading in Suzuki Book I & II for fun.

New Keyboard

The new keyboard arrived today. The box had the usual gash that's expected whenever something is labeled "fragile".


The gash managed to miss the keyboard so all was well. The keyboard fits in the space that I found in the hallway on the credenza. However, it's a little taller than the old keyboard so I'll have to find some more books to sit on.

Keyboard, Yes!

I've decided to go with the Casio PX200. It's been 3 weeks so I can't chalk it up to an impulse buy. I can get it online for $499. I figure I can resell my current keyboard which cost me $40 for the same price and that I've made $200 so far giving music lessons this year. So it's really only costing me $250. At least that's the justification spin. Lately, I have been reluctant to practice on my current keyboard knowing that the touch is so different from an actual piano.