Wow! You just described me as a composer. Thanks for validating the fact that I don't need to be an accomplished musician to be a composer. I play a little keyboard and a few other instruments, but not well enough for performance. But I have been considering focusing on improving my keyboard skills and you've given me motivation to do so. Thanks!
This is actually really amazing to hear! I'm so glad you found the video validating! 😄 The big shift was knowing I had other strengths that made me just as much of a composer. Wishing you luck on your keyboard skills! 🙌
Best to you Robert! My favorite TH-cam piano teacher is the keys coach. Very well designed and enjoyable sessions of about 20 minutes. I always walk away with something useful to add to my toolbox 😊
It's amazing what you are doing, and I can relate! For me it's that I know how to play ukelele, I have composed and written songs and even recorded the demos with my ukulele but I don't feel like a composer at all because it's the only instrument I know and I don't even know how to read sheet music (I'm a "learn by ear" person). I'm currently in the process of learning piano as well and practice every day for 10min minimum, plus learning to read music but the feeling of imposter syndrome is real!
Great video! I totally get what you are saying. I play classical guitar, and I have for many years. That is where I started composing. I started by composing for classical guitar. Now, I compose for lots of things, and I wish I was better at piano. That would really make composer easier and faster. I totally agree on the imposter syndrome too. I learned a lot about music theory when I was studying classical guitar, but I don't have a degree in music. So, I always feel like an imposter. Great video!
Thanks for the kind words! Classical guitar sounds like such a solid start. Imposter syndrome is definitely something we all can relate to. Honestly, I think the path we’re on is what makes our work unique. Keep doing what you’re doing! 😊
Good for you Robert! For the beginning of your piano practise, I highly recommend getting a private teacher who will be able to suggest adjustments in your technique, so you use your fingers and wrists in the most efficient way and minimize the risk of any long-term injuries/pain. Even the right height of your chair might minimize back pains! Obviously you should play the pieces you like listening to, but solid technical basics like playing scales and passages will help you in playing more complicated improvisations and accompaniments ad hoc (might make composing in DAW easier). Carl Czerny’s etudes are classic practicing pieces I used to learn, although most of them are quite boring. 😅 Lastly, when I was starting out, Piano Around the World YT channel and Dotan Negrin’s journey of learning and practicing piano improvisation around the world was very inspiring to me and made me realize the beauty of true improvisation and accepting there are no real mistakes - just unexpected sounds that are part of the music. 😉 Good luck!
@grzenioosh Thank you so much for these tips! I’m so excited to be practicing and finally take it more seriously. I’ll absolutely be checking into these 🙌😄
I am not a composer but I have followed the Thinkspace Bootcamp this summer. Originally a drummer, I can’t play the piano but have done so since I was young if there were any piano around. Isn’t just loving and learning to play enough? In general I love to have some years of noodling around before I can call myself knowledgeable in anything. I pick everything up that I walk across and like and I dive into it. I happen to like jazz a lot. There’s something to those 7 chords that I find is so rich in color. Also jazz offers a platform to improvise a lot and isn’t John Williams a jazz pianist himself!? Jazz obviously has made his composing richer, at least so they say. I think that for learning to play the piano you should be loving the sound of the exercises you play. I don’t want to play boring exercises. Right now I am following a Pianote jazz course. Piano with Jonny is very interesting but the pace of exercises goes a little too fast to my liking. But what’s nicer than noodling around at your piano? If that’s the case, you’ll progress no matter what. The drive you have Robert, to close some gap in your piano playing abilities will certainly bring you a long way. Just enjoy the ride. Btw: I had no idea of our similarities in this field😊
Thank you so much! I totally agree-there’s so much to learn just from noodling and enjoying the sound of what we’re playing. Those exercises that keep us inspired really do make all the difference. There’s something special about simply enjoying the instrument! 😊
We’ll see how we do on our ‘odyssey’ together….! I’m in a similar boat to you where I really enjoy the theory and composition but my real world instrument experience is relatively limited. I’ve always dabbled with guitars and pianos/keyboards but have never had a ‘lesson’ as such. Just started my piano journey, too…! …and Saxophone… and harmonica… and tin flute…! 😂 Oh - and the violin too…! My neighbours aren’t going to like me very much…!
Also, my first, only and last music teacher (guitar), who I only had a handful of lessons with told me my hyper mobile fingers (common issue where your fingertips bend backwards easily) would be a disadvantage to my learning…. Immediately putting me off.
I love that you’re diving into so many instruments!! (And I’m sure the neighbors will come around... eventually!) I totally get what you mean though about being put off. I think music teachers should inspire (yes- also be realistic) but never discourage anyone from dabbling especially if they genuinely want to learn more!
Yup! I use the TouchOSC app on my iPad as my MIDI controller. I put together a list on my website of stuff I have used/currently use in my studio! www.robertrodriguezmusic.com/studiogear
I think you echo a lot of similar sentiments. On a daily basis, I'm confronted with my own internal goblin, squeaking at me, 'who the hell do you think you are?' I can't really play the piano, but can compose. My piano limitations are frustrating - if I could play freely then I'd be able to improvise more and better enact the ideas floating around in my brain. However, sometimes I come across people who really are good pianists - but they cannot play without the sheet music. They've no idea what they are playing, because they don't understand the composition / have little theory beyond what they need for the manuscript. It's as if the piano is just a mechanical activity, no emotion or creativity involved. I find this quite sad, and in that sense I feel lucky. I'm aware of the power of Chromatic Mediants. I feel the space of open and sus chords. I know what the Dorian Vamp is, and what emotional effect it can have on me (and hopefully others) in my compositions. And that's one thing I can play too ;-)
💬 Find What’s Holding Back Your Composing Growth! bit.ly/composerclaritysessions
Dude I LOVE your energy in this video. Have a ton of fun on your piano journey! 😁🙌
Thank you!! I may or may not be asking you for any tips in the future! 😂🙌
Wow! You just described me as a composer. Thanks for validating the fact that I don't need to be an accomplished musician to be a composer. I play a little keyboard and a few other instruments, but not well enough for performance. But I have been considering focusing on improving my keyboard skills and you've given me motivation to do so. Thanks!
This is actually really amazing to hear! I'm so glad you found the video validating! 😄 The big shift was knowing I had other strengths that made me just as much of a composer. Wishing you luck on your keyboard skills! 🙌
Best to you Robert! My favorite TH-cam piano teacher is the keys coach. Very well designed and enjoyable sessions of about 20 minutes. I always walk away with something useful to add to my toolbox 😊
So happy for you Robert! Best of luck with the piano!
It's amazing what you are doing, and I can relate! For me it's that I know how to play ukelele, I have composed and written songs and even recorded the demos with my ukulele but I don't feel like a composer at all because it's the only instrument I know and I don't even know how to read sheet music (I'm a "learn by ear" person). I'm currently in the process of learning piano as well and practice every day for 10min minimum, plus learning to read music but the feeling of imposter syndrome is real!
Great video! I totally get what you are saying. I play classical guitar, and I have for many years. That is where I started composing. I started by composing for classical guitar. Now, I compose for lots of things, and I wish I was better at piano. That would really make composer easier and faster. I totally agree on the imposter syndrome too. I learned a lot about music theory when I was studying classical guitar, but I don't have a degree in music. So, I always feel like an imposter. Great video!
Thanks for the kind words! Classical guitar sounds like such a solid start. Imposter syndrome is definitely something we all can relate to. Honestly, I think the path we’re on is what makes our work unique. Keep doing what you’re doing! 😊
Good for you Robert!
For the beginning of your piano practise, I highly recommend getting a private teacher who will be able to suggest adjustments in your technique, so you use your fingers and wrists in the most efficient way and minimize the risk of any long-term injuries/pain. Even the right height of your chair might minimize back pains!
Obviously you should play the pieces you like listening to, but solid technical basics like playing scales and passages will help you in playing more complicated improvisations and accompaniments ad hoc (might make composing in DAW easier). Carl Czerny’s etudes are classic practicing pieces I used to learn, although most of them are quite boring. 😅
Lastly, when I was starting out, Piano Around the World YT channel and Dotan Negrin’s journey of learning and practicing piano improvisation around the world was very inspiring to me and made me realize the beauty of true improvisation and accepting there are no real mistakes - just unexpected sounds that are part of the music. 😉
Good luck!
@grzenioosh Thank you so much for these tips! I’m so excited to be practicing and finally take it more seriously. I’ll absolutely be checking into these 🙌😄
So happy for you Robert!!! P.S. Love the idea of calling a quarterly goal a "Quarterly Odyssey" instead, it feels way more fun haha 😂
Thank you!! I figured reaching a goal is kind of like a journey with ups and downs. So an odyssey feels right!
Sooo relatable! Love this storytelling format Robert 😍🙌 Let’s see how our piano journey goes!
Thanks Aurelie!! I'm trying to really experiment with this newer format! We'll have to keep each other accountable with practice 😄
Great Video!!! Thank you for sharing your struggles.
Thanks you! 😄
I am not a composer but I have followed the Thinkspace Bootcamp this summer. Originally a drummer, I can’t play the piano but have done so since I was young if there were any piano around.
Isn’t just loving and learning to play enough?
In general I love to have some years of noodling around before I can call myself knowledgeable in anything. I pick everything up that I walk across and like and I dive into it.
I happen to like jazz a lot. There’s something to those 7 chords that I find is so rich in color. Also jazz offers a platform to improvise a lot and isn’t John Williams a jazz pianist himself!? Jazz obviously has made his composing richer, at least so they say.
I think that for learning to play the piano you should be loving the sound of the exercises you play. I don’t want to play boring exercises. Right now I am following a Pianote jazz course. Piano with Jonny is very interesting but the pace of exercises goes a little too fast to my liking.
But what’s nicer than noodling around at your piano? If that’s the case, you’ll progress no matter what. The drive you have Robert, to close some gap in your piano playing abilities will certainly bring you a long way. Just enjoy the ride.
Btw: I had no idea of our similarities in this field😊
Thank you so much! I totally agree-there’s so much to learn just from noodling and enjoying the sound of what we’re playing. Those exercises that keep us inspired really do make all the difference. There’s something special about simply enjoying the instrument! 😊
We’ll see how we do on our ‘odyssey’ together….! I’m in a similar boat to you where I really enjoy the theory and composition but my real world instrument experience is relatively limited.
I’ve always dabbled with guitars and pianos/keyboards but have never had a ‘lesson’ as such.
Just started my piano journey, too…! …and Saxophone… and harmonica… and tin flute…! 😂
Oh - and the violin too…! My neighbours aren’t going to like me very much…!
Also, my first, only and last music teacher (guitar), who I only had a handful of lessons with told me my hyper mobile fingers (common issue where your fingertips bend backwards easily) would be a disadvantage to my learning…. Immediately putting me off.
I love that you’re diving into so many instruments!! (And I’m sure the neighbors will come around... eventually!) I totally get what you mean though about being put off. I think music teachers should inspire (yes- also be realistic) but never discourage anyone from dabbling especially if they genuinely want to learn more!
Is that an iPad you are using? What app is that?
Do you have a list of what you use for composing? Thanks
Yup! I use the TouchOSC app on my iPad as my MIDI controller. I put together a list on my website of stuff I have used/currently use in my studio! www.robertrodriguezmusic.com/studiogear
I think you echo a lot of similar sentiments. On a daily basis, I'm confronted with my own internal goblin, squeaking at me, 'who the hell do you think you are?' I can't really play the piano, but can compose. My piano limitations are frustrating - if I could play freely then I'd be able to improvise more and better enact the ideas floating around in my brain.
However, sometimes I come across people who really are good pianists - but they cannot play without the sheet music. They've no idea what they are playing, because they don't understand the composition / have little theory beyond what they need for the manuscript. It's as if the piano is just a mechanical activity, no emotion or creativity involved.
I find this quite sad, and in that sense I feel lucky. I'm aware of the power of Chromatic Mediants. I feel the space of open and sus chords. I know what the Dorian Vamp is, and what emotional effect it can have on me (and hopefully others) in my compositions. And that's one thing I can play too ;-)
ps. best of luck in your Quarterly Odyssey! (and I had to spell check that, because I don't think I've ever in my life written the word 'Odyssey' 🤣)