I am truly wanting to learn to program synths since my fretting thumb is basically shot and I have a hard time playing my guitar anymore. I have basic understanding of piano, and the linear keyboard structure, plus a solid grasp on chord structure (1-3-5 = M, 1, 3b, 5 = m, etc) and can find these on a keyboard, especially in the key of C (duh). But I am definitely NOT a piano player by any stretch.
So my question is how much skill would I need to get into programming and playing basic synth lines? I can bang through some things easily enough, but I play one handed since my left hand might as well be a club on a keyboard at this point. I am also 61 and arthritic...so am I hopelessly tied to tinkering? I plan to take the free course at syntorial to shore up what I do know about oscillators, filters, modulators and envelopes -- which is actually pretty far along in the technical sense -- just not in the musical sense so much.
Thoughts? Advice?
Learning synth programming - no piano skills
- Social Exodus
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Synth programming is a differnt thing than playing. Both can be learned.
SInce you already played an instrument and have a rythmik fealing, playing a synth/paino shouldnt be that hard. But for fluid playing, you should have healthy fingers and stuff. Maybe some Players can help you, like
* Scales&Chord
* https://www.reasonstudios.com/shop/rack ... e-monitor/
* https://www.reasonstudios.com/shop/rack ... -detector/
* ...
Synths programming can always be done, even with only one hand. Or just browse the patches and tweak them a little bit.
SInce you already played an instrument and have a rythmik fealing, playing a synth/paino shouldnt be that hard. But for fluid playing, you should have healthy fingers and stuff. Maybe some Players can help you, like
* Scales&Chord
* https://www.reasonstudios.com/shop/rack ... e-monitor/
* https://www.reasonstudios.com/shop/rack ... -detector/
* ...
Synths programming can always be done, even with only one hand. Or just browse the patches and tweak them a little bit.
Reason12, Win10
- Jackjackdaw
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Programming synths doesnt need to be about playing the piano it can be about painting with sound. I am an experienced guitar player, i know about music but i intentionally approach synths while leaving theory at the door so i can sculpt the sound in creative ways.
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Great advice, thanks. 'Cause this ain't guitar lolJackjackdaw wrote: ↑21 May 2020Programming synths doesnt need to be about playing the piano it can be about painting with sound. I am an experienced guitar player, i know about music but i intentionally approach synths while leaving theory at the door so i can sculpt the sound in creative ways.
11 Suite/12 Perpetual License Too many to count A few choice items
Nektar Panorama P4
Korg padKontrol
Nektar Panorama P4
Korg padKontrol
I'm also a guitarist first and foremost. I do a lot of midi sequencing in the piano roll, or with drum sequencers. I find I approach it completely differently than playing the guitar - less organic and more cerebral. My programmed music always sounds more "grid-like" and rigid.
If you're trying to program realistic sounding instruments, then the key is to think like a player of that instrument. A drummer has four limbs (unless they're in Def Leppard) so they can play four hits only at once. They can't play an open hi-hat and a closed hi-hat at the same time. That kind of thing. Of course, if you're not shooting for realism, that's not an issue and you can go wild.
If you're trying to program realistic sounding instruments, then the key is to think like a player of that instrument. A drummer has four limbs (unless they're in Def Leppard) so they can play four hits only at once. They can't play an open hi-hat and a closed hi-hat at the same time. That kind of thing. Of course, if you're not shooting for realism, that's not an issue and you can go wild.
I'm ancient as well.
Synth programming/understanding has nothing to do with physicality. You have nothing stopping you from this.
As far as responding to physical decline, welcome to the club captain, take a number
Hope that's not too harsh. Everything ages... just not necessarily well. This one's on you.
Yes, I'm an asshole, but I may have a year or two more experience at it than your average Reasontalker.
Synth programming/understanding has nothing to do with physicality. You have nothing stopping you from this.
As far as responding to physical decline, welcome to the club captain, take a number
Hope that's not too harsh. Everything ages... just not necessarily well. This one's on you.
Yes, I'm an asshole, but I may have a year or two more experience at it than your average Reasontalker.
Who’s using the royal plural now baby? 🧂
- Social Exodus
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I have thick skin (military retiree) lolmotuscott wrote: ↑21 May 2020I'm ancient as well.
Synth programming/understanding has nothing to do with physicality. You have nothing stopping you from this.
As far as responding to physical decline, welcome to the club captain, take a number
Hope that's not too harsh. Everything ages... just not necessarily well. This one's on you.
Yes, I'm an asshole, but I may have a year or two more experience at it than your average Reasontalker.
This particular ache and pain showed up just this year along with COVID. Quite a joy.
You're not an asshole, you're a curmudgeon. Embrace it lol
Thanks for the thoughts
11 Suite/12 Perpetual License Too many to count A few choice items
Nektar Panorama P4
Korg padKontrol
Nektar Panorama P4
Korg padKontrol
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I suffer from Arthritis too, especially in my knuckles, so even using a mouse can be painful at times, let alone playing for a couple of hours - I say embrace the sequencer!
You can click stuff in on the piano roll, one note at a time, step-sequence using one of the cool players, even getting some of them to come up with the 'fiddly bits' for you.
I take advantage of all these methods to save my fingers from doing ALL the work - AND I still like 'playing it in' a lot too - again, sequencing is your friend here - slow it down, play in the fiddly bit (loaded with all that juicy human expression) then speed it back up again - virtuoso status maintained!
Good luck!
You can click stuff in on the piano roll, one note at a time, step-sequence using one of the cool players, even getting some of them to come up with the 'fiddly bits' for you.
I take advantage of all these methods to save my fingers from doing ALL the work - AND I still like 'playing it in' a lot too - again, sequencing is your friend here - slow it down, play in the fiddly bit (loaded with all that juicy human expression) then speed it back up again - virtuoso status maintained!
Good luck!
Social Exodus,
I know a lot of people composing with a mouse and keyboard. For live stuff you need some dexterity so you might have some problem but for ongoing work even a mouse can suffice.
That being said, if you still feel comfortable with your strongest hand, maybe you can invest in a small unweighted keyboard, so that it doesn't put more stress on your fingers, and pulse. The important thing now is a balance between not being completely stopped and doing stuff that won't hurt you more.
And remember everybody has limitations. Mine are my eyes, I was born almost blind from my left eye and am completely near sighted from tiredness in the right one... This guys all asking for high-res and what i needed was bigger buttons!!!
Oh well...
Good Luck, man!
I know a lot of people composing with a mouse and keyboard. For live stuff you need some dexterity so you might have some problem but for ongoing work even a mouse can suffice.
That being said, if you still feel comfortable with your strongest hand, maybe you can invest in a small unweighted keyboard, so that it doesn't put more stress on your fingers, and pulse. The important thing now is a balance between not being completely stopped and doing stuff that won't hurt you more.
And remember everybody has limitations. Mine are my eyes, I was born almost blind from my left eye and am completely near sighted from tiredness in the right one... This guys all asking for high-res and what i needed was bigger buttons!!!
Oh well...
Good Luck, man!
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