learning electone / keyboard

[PY09]

hi all,


came across this thread while searching on Yamaha electone.

just went to a trial class with YJC and came to know about electone 1st time in my life…

many doubts in my mind…
hope someone can share their thoughts…

1) was told Stagea ELB-01 best suited for YJC, (the school also using then same), but anyone has use other keyboard or other electone before and also can achieve the desired results. ELB-01 is really quite expense, considering for an entry level only

2) if i just have a piano and let my kid attend the YJC… will it works as well?

3) i heard if with normal 61keys keyboards it can well equipped you all the way till year 2 of YJC, so whats the difference between 61keyboard, 88 keyboard and electone.

4) anyone who started kids on YJC electone but change course halfway? any reason why and any difficulties/plus points encountered?

thanks

[Audacity]

Hi PY09,


I’m neither an Electone teacher or student. But I hope I can answer part of your queries since I’m been playing this instrument for decades.

The Electone is an organ. "Electone" itself is not an instrument. You can easily find out more about electronic organs or church organs etc online.

(Or you can read my very long previous post. : ) )

To play a proper song on the organ, you need to use both hands and both legs. For single deck keyboards, you only use both hand ands at most one leg to control effects. (You do NOT play pedals, or the bassline)

I suppose a child could pick up the Electone basics for the hands using a 61 keyboard. And the lessons might not require them to play the bass pedals. (Their legs can’t reach) But coordination for both hands and both legs is the hardest part to learn for the Electone. So it might be a really bad way to start off with, especially if your child intend to move on to higher grades. Poor fundamentals, in other words.

As for your other question, an Electone (organ) has TWO keyboards of 49 keys each. Those single deck keyboards by Yamaha, Casio etc, typically has 61 keys. (They are many types, arrangers, synths etc). An 88 keyboard is the full length for electronic keyboards, like a full piano. (Upright piano).

If cost is an issue, you could consider looking for a second hand ELB on Ebay, Gumtree etc. They get much cheaper. If you’re really getting a 61-key single deck keyboard, I would suggest getting one of Yamaha’s PSR series, most costs a few hundred dollars, and the way they operate is very near to the Electone.

Finally, your piano is way different from an Electone. The piano has weighted keys, whereas the Electone doesn’t i.e the keys are much lighter. You control volume on a piano by the force of your fingers. On the Electone, you use both playing force and the expression pedal controlled by the legs. Finally, control, programming, and articulation of different sounds and rhythms is a core element of Electone playing, whereas the piano is only that one sound, without rhythms. Again, possible to start off on a piano. But you wouldn’t get far and I suspect the kid would quickly lose interest.

[PY09]

Thanks Audacity for your comments!


I did read your previous long post

and I heard some friends telling me Keyboard is enough-even my partner said so
so I'm worried that I made wrong decision wrong start
but back in my mind, I am considering a lot of other factors

Pros of getting electone ELB-01
1) it will be the same equipment that kid learn from school so I thought it will be better when during self practise as same functions, same style
2) and can be used for the 4 years of YJC (told by teacher)
3) minimum maintenance

Cons of getting electone
1) pricing (+-3k) is not cheap so to speak, I worried it became a \"white elephant\"
2) friends telling me keyboard (+-$300) also works for this course.
3) after 4 years, am I supposed to upgrade to another equipment?

arrghhh
angels and demons fighting in my head.. haha
I guess that's the problem with person with no music background.. no idea which fits..

I have 1-2 weeks to consider on should I start with YJC and if so, which equipment to buy.. haha.. TOUGH one!

I guess.. I will even dream of this when I sleep...
don't know why I feel so stress. haha, it was supposed to be a fun learning journey...
but maybe I'm less adventurous and hope not to have a bad start for my kid

i will update on my status again.. heehee

[PY09]

update:

i decided to just buy a 61 keys keyboard for the start. and later decide if child really interested in continuing the course. then invest in maybe a piano…

[Audacity]

Long, LONG time since I last checked this thread. Are there still kids and parents in Singapore keen on the Electone?


Anyway, since posting the above reply, I’ve been using mine to make pocket money. Not just by posting videos on YouTube, but also to create sound clips that could be sold or used in video/animation projects.

Have also been putting up arrangements that I wrote myself. You could check my site to see how our scores differ from those for the piano. My notes for each will also indicate the kind and the amount of work involved to prepare a proper Electone performance. https://www.scribblinggeek.com/index.php/electone-score-free-download-english/

What I want to say it, I think learning this instrument is still worthwhile because it opens the gateways to other areas of audio studies, from sound effects to percussions, to stage management, and so on. There’s barely any job opportunities for Electone performances here, but the knowledge involved in the course can be very useful for other digital gigs.

[Celadonsherd]

I"ve seen you play on YouTube, Audacity! You’re really good! I enjoy your playing very much. My daughter still plays - she passed Grade 6 last year and is learning Grade 5 pieces without the stress of preparing for exams.