Although there are different makes of keyboard available, they all have the following features in common:
These controls allow you to stop and start the drums, bass and chords.
The rhythm controls provide drumbeats to play along with. These drum rhythms can be changed to suit the kind of song you are playing. For example, in some songs you may want a rock and roll rhythm, in others you may want a waltz or a samba. Practice setting up different rhythms.
Keyboards offer a wide variety of instrument sounds. The instrument sound you choose is called a voice. Before you play a song, choose a voice that you like. Practice selecting different voices, and remember the settings for the ones you like.
Look at your keyboard owner’s manual to help you. When you play the songs in this book, you can use any sound you like. For some songs, you may wish to have a violin sound, for others you may prefer a trumpet, or a combination of several instruments.
These controls can provide chords and bass notes to play along with the melody.
The chord keys are used to play along with the melody. They make the song sound full. Use your left hand.
The melody keys are used to play the tune of the song. Use your right hand.