Sleazy_42

Ok, I know that the whole self-teaching thing is big here, but I am looking for just a small point in the right direction on where to get started. I am new to electronics myself and short of Lego sets I haven't really built anything functional before, but I want that to change. I want to build myself a basic Midi controller (similar to the one Ean Golden built and explained on his YouTube page) but perhaps a little less novel. If someone could just give me some general advice on what to avoid in my first project or anything that could help me along. thanks guys.