How to Learn the Electric Keyboard
- 1). Play with the sounds your electric keyboard comes with. On the top face of your keyboard will be a list of instrument names and pre-set musical rhythms, along with a corresponding number. Set an instrument sound, such as flute or guitar, by entering the corresponding number into a number pad, which is typically located near the list of sounds.
- 2). Select a pre-set rhythm. Typical rhythms include "samba," "country," "classical" and "easy rock." Punch the number for the pre-set rhythm you want to use into the number pad. The rhythm will play in a loop, allowing you to play along with it. Listen to the various rhythm samples to get a feel for how they sound.
- 3). Learn a basic chord shape, such as the major chord. If you plan to continue playing, you will want to deepen your understanding of music theory and how to read music, but you can begin playing with just a few simple chords. A chord shape for the keyboard is the way you form a chord. A major shape, which takes three fingers, each separated by a key, can be moved anywhere on the keyboard to form a major chord named after the note your first finger rests on. Using just this chord shape, you can begin making simple music on your keyboard.
- 4). Play the simple major chord shape over the pre-set rhythm you select. There will be a knob or a slider bar beside the pre-set rhythm list that allows you to slow down or speed up the tempo of the rhythm. Start with a slow setting and speed it up as you become more efficient at moving from one position to another.
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