anyone have an electric piano keyboard?

[vital]

I wanna learn how to play the piano and would like to buy an electric piano keyboard but not sure what to get. I probably wanna spend less than $150 for one until I'm really into it then maybe I'll get a more expensive one in the future. One w/ midi output to record on my maudio soundcard would be nice as well. Any recommendations? Should I check Craigslist for used decent one for $150?

 

[sdifox]

This should be decent

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YPT220-...ref=pd_cp_MI_1

 

[biggestmuff]

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PSRE223/

And just in case you don't know, you won't be recording audio via MIDI.

 

[KillerCharlie]

You want to play piano, or just keyboard?

Regular keyboard keys are nothing like a piano - they just snap up and down when you push them. There are digital pianos that mimic the key feel of a real piano. If you have just a regular keyboard you're going to have an extremely tough time playing a real piano.

This is a very important distinction. I would highly recommend something that mimics a real piano feel. It's really hard to find something $150 in that range, but you might find luck going used. Casio's your best bet at the price range (or maybe Yamaha).

 

[vital]

You want to play piano, or just keyboard?

Regular keyboard keys are nothing like a piano - they just snap up and down when you push them. There are digital pianos that mimic the key feel of a real piano. If you have just a regular keyboard you're going to have an extremely tough time playing a real piano.

Well, I'd like to learn how to read music and eventually play on a piano. A real piano is too expensive for me so I'm assuming I can learn on a keyboard first?

 

[KillerCharlie]

Well, I'd like to learn how to read music and eventually play on a piano. A real piano is too expensive for me so I'm assuming I can learn on a keyboard first?

Yes, absolutely, but you have to be really careful about what you buy. The feel of some keyboards are nothing like a piano at all. You still struggle if you learn on that then switch to a real piano.

There are a ton of keyboards out there that have weighted keys that feel like a piano. The Yamahas posted do not. In your price range it's going to be pretty hard to find a digital piano.

 

[vital]

Yes, absolutely, but you have to be really careful about what you buy. The feel of some keyboards are nothing like a piano at all. You still struggle if you learn on that then switch to a real piano.

There are a ton of keyboards out there that have weighted keys that feel like a piano. The Yamahas posted do not. In your price range it's going to be pretty hard to find a digital piano.

What's a decent one w/ weighted keys?

 

[KillerCharlie]

Ehh, they're kind of expensive - I'd say around $300 very minimum. (just browsing around I saw a Yamaha NP-30)

A keyboard without a weighted action would last you maybe a year if you took lessons, then it would significantly hold you back. You just can't play with any sensitivity or emotion whatsoever without weighted keys.

 

[jamesbond007]

This should be decent

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YPT220-...ref=pd_cp_MI_1

I bought something like that on Craigslist for $40 for the complete set. (pedal, stand, AC adapter, etc) Great shape! Definitely check the CL in your area just to see what's available.

No regrets on my purchase and I'm looking to buy either a nicer Yamaha or Kawai next summer.

 

[sdifox]

I bought something like that on Craigslist for $40 for the complete set. (pedal, stand, AC adapter, etc) Great shape! Definitely check the CL in your area just to see what's available.

No regrets on my purchase and I'm looking to buy either a nicer Yamaha or Kawai next summer.

They are like exercise machines. People think they are going to learn, spend the money and then they collect dust.

I got my wife a DGX202 a few years ago. I don't think she has been on it more than 20 min total. My five year old son probably messed with it more than my wife ever did.

 

[Bacstar]

You also want to make sure it has at least 88-keys, the more the better. If you plan to play classical, there's nothing worse than running out of keys...

As for sticking with it... I've been playing for more than 20 years. There was a time that I stopped, around the age of 16-18. I had other distractions, but I'm definitely glad I went back to it. Nothing more relaxing after a long hard day at work than to play/make music. Just remember to practice, and you'll get better over time. Don't give up too easily...

As for purchasing advice... well...it's all about how much you want to spend. In the Navy, I bought a cheap Casio that had 88-keys, light enough to carry around and stash. One thing I remember about it, it sounded and felt horrible, but it was something to keep on practicing. When you start getting better, you'll soon realize that it needs to sound like a piano so you'll soon upgrade to something better, and prices go up pretty fast. I've gone through 5 or 6 keyboards through the years. My dream is a baby-grand, but hehehe think about moving that around. I'm pretty happy now with a Roland RD-700 with the Concert Piano sound upgrade.

Oh...and another thing...try to take a few lessons. I've seen people try to teach themselves, and i think it just doesn't work.