4 ms·

> Don't. Computer keyboards are inexpressive. Constraints can be a great thing.

raincole 2y ago
It can be a great thing. But it can't help you learn piano, which is what the top-level comment asked for.
itishappy 2y ago
Sure, but they can also be a hindrance, and that's been my experience playing music with my computer keyboard. If intervals are all you care about (and it's all you can care about) then I've found it easier to just enter notes with the mouse. Alternatively, an Akai MPK Mini MK3 costs $100 and gives you twice the range, no limit on simultaneous keypresses, velocity sensitivity, a mod wheel, analog knobs, and velocity sensitive drum pads.
jnovek 2y ago
In this case it would likely be frustrating. Many synthesizers (especially softsynths) map changes in sound to velocity, that is, how hard you hit the key. Hitting the key harder makes a different sound (e.g. layers more samples) than hitting it softly.
recursive 2y ago
Not this one. It would be like finger painting, except you have to wear mittens.
- criddell 2y ago
  It's not that bad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbRXKVcQ8EA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbRXKVcQ8EA
  - itishappy 2y ago
    It's pretty bad... This person's obviously talented, but their playing is riddled with mistakes and timing issues. That's not an issue with their playing, it's the constraints of the medium. For example, `[etuG]` is a chord from the video that's impossible to play as it requires a modifier key for 1 of the 4 notes. Plus, the use of modifier keys and the number row for low notes means that the experience no longer maps nicely to a piano. It's effectively learning a bespoke instrument. This isn't necessarily a problem. As you say, constraints can breed creativity. A good musician should still be able to play great music, but for somebody just learning it's a lot of unnecessary friction.
  - lamp_book 2y ago
    A little undermined by the fat finger within the first 10 seconds.
    - recursive 2y ago
      I think it's an intentional ornament.
  - recursive 2y ago
    I'm amazed by this. At the same time, if this is the best one can hope for on a computer keyboard, I feel comfortable resting my case.
Arcanum-XIII 2y ago
Music is about nuance, finesse, expressivity. You don't have that with a computer keyboard. Music is hard, don't set yourself for failure so early, for no good reason.

It can be a great thing. But it can't help you learn piano, which is what the top-level comment asked for.

Sure, but they can also be a hindrance, and that's been my experience playing music with my computer keyboard. If intervals are all you care about (and it's all you can care about) then I've found it easier to just enter notes with the mouse. Alternatively, an Akai MPK Mini MK3 costs $100 and gives you twice the range, no limit on simultaneous keypresses, velocity sensitivity, a mod wheel, analog knobs, and velocity sensitive drum pads.

jnovek 2y ago

In this case it would likely be frustrating. Many synthesizers (especially softsynths) map changes in sound to velocity, that is, how hard you hit the key. Hitting the key harder makes a different sound (e.g. layers more samples) than hitting it softly.

recursive 2y ago

Not this one. It would be like finger painting, except you have to wear mittens.

criddell 2y ago
It's not that bad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbRXKVcQ8EA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbRXKVcQ8EA
- itishappy 2y ago
  It's pretty bad... This person's obviously talented, but their playing is riddled with mistakes and timing issues. That's not an issue with their playing, it's the constraints of the medium. For example, `[etuG]` is a chord from the video that's impossible to play as it requires a modifier key for 1 of the 4 notes. Plus, the use of modifier keys and the number row for low notes means that the experience no longer maps nicely to a piano. It's effectively learning a bespoke instrument. This isn't necessarily a problem. As you say, constraints can breed creativity. A good musician should still be able to play great music, but for somebody just learning it's a lot of unnecessary friction.
- lamp_book 2y ago
  A little undermined by the fat finger within the first 10 seconds.
  - recursive 2y ago
    I think it's an intentional ornament.
- recursive 2y ago
  I'm amazed by this. At the same time, if this is the best one can hope for on a computer keyboard, I feel comfortable resting my case.

Arcanum-XIII 2y ago

Music is about nuance, finesse, expressivity. You don't have that with a computer keyboard. Music is hard, don't set yourself for failure so early, for no good reason.