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What are some activities which are free or inexpensive that I can do to entertain myself / keep good mental health while searching for a better paid job? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 6 months ago by [email protected] to c/frugal

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I recently moved to a new city and don’t know anybody here yet.

I want to try out some things and meet new people and avoid sitting at home all day (but sometimes is ok)

My ideas are hiking, volunteering and reading. What would you recommend? Any good ideas?

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[–] ch00f 12 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Teach yourself an instrument. I suggest piano because it’s super accessible. A keyboard can be had fairly cheap off Craigslist.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I know a bit of piano :) But didn’t bring my digital piano with me (too bulky)

I do have a small midi keyboard that I brought with me. But I’m not really familiar enough with making nice sounding songs.

Do people just switch octaves to be able to play full songs? Or are there songs specifically made to play on a small midi controller?

I liked playing around in ableton live. But i suck pretty bad, and I don’t know anybody who knows a bit about it. (Or plays an instrument)

[–] ch00f 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I started learning on a smaller keyboard, but I think it was at least 3 octaves. It has buttons for switching between octave ranges, but most songs (as a beginner anyway), didn’t need the range.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

What kind of songs did you learn with? I had a bit of classical training, but those songs very often use the full range of the piano. Or at least have a low bas line and use the higher notes for melody.

Would be nice to learn some pop songs or other well known things which are easy to play on a small keyboard. But I don't really know if there are any resources with some songs to start.

[–] ch00f 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I never made it too far myself. Started with the Alfred’s teach yourself adult book and then just picked up sheet music for songs I wanted to learn.

My goal was to be the guy at the party who played a song that people sang along to. Got that to happen at family Christmas with Don’t Stop Believin’ and then kind of stopped playing.

Don’t know if you can search by octave requirements or anything, but easier songs and pop songs tend not to use the whole keyboard.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

Alfred’s teach yourself adult book

Thanks for the suggestion!

I never remember names of songs or artists, so I find it difficult to find some nice song to play and sing to. I vaguely remember wanting to play rocket man because it would be nice to be able to play and sing at the same time.

Amazing that you managed to play for your family and got people to sing with you, that's already much further than I ever got.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

Harmonica too, a poor man's classic.