Chromatone: how to get started?

[Bob Eastbrook]

I'm completely fascinated by the Chromatone CT-312.  Any tips for getting started?  I'm thinking I'd start by putting stickers on all the C keys and then practicing some scales.  I know there are YouTube videos by Omar, and I plan to take a look.

I'm a beginner piano player, so it's not like I have years of experience.  I'm just really drawn to the Chromatone and similar instruments.

[gguitarwilly]

Hi Bob,

Since the Chromatone has a uniform keyboard, it is worthwhile to start practising scales, chord shapes and arpeggios right from the start.

Take finding ergonomical fingerings as a principle, and if you study a piece, notate the fingering and stick to it. Don't fall into the trap of using only adjacent rows because that's easier to orientate; use three or four rows when that's more ergonomical.

Use beginner's piano methods and find a way to transfer traditional notation to your keyboard (a simple way is to number the twelve different note names 0 to 11 C=0, c sharp is 1, or you could start with A being 0)

Learn to read Clairnote (DN version is my favorite notation) ; not only does that notation fit the keyboard perfectly, but there's a lot of music already available. Check www.clairnote.org 

play blues, if you like that; this pattern-and lick based music is good for getting to know your keyboard.

Have fun!

Willem



Op zaterdag 23 november 2019 22:07:45 UTC+1 schreef Bob Eastbrook:

[Paul Vandervoort]

Good advice, Willem.

[Brandon Lewis]

Hi Bob, I'd like to add that since you have a chromatone then trying the Muto Method might be a good idea.  https://muto-method.com/en/ 

I own a Revolution, so the keys are a bit smaller than yours.  What really opened it up for me was when I discovered that I could play a major scale in the following shape.