Want to learn keyboard/piano. Whats the best under $300?

[Coldkilla]

I've been drumming in a heavy metal band for nearly 8 years, but I've gotta softer side and would like to start picking up on the keys, and maybe one day I'll own my own piano. I've seriously considered keyboards my entire musical career, but felt that I needed to be completely satisfied with my playing ability in the drums. I guess that day has come and I'm ready to start practicing.

I'm a slow learner, I've heard of keyboard keys that light up? Are they helpful? I may be able to play the drums, but I've always had trouble learning how to read music, I've always done that purely by ear, or by visually watching other drummers perform. I'd like a keyboard that's got some quality to it, I don't need 900 sound effect styles or anything crazy like that, but I would like something that I can use for a few years while I privately practice the instrument. I won't be playing it in front of anyone any time soon, so even if its a generic brand or whatever, I don't mind, as soon as I pick up the instrument a little better, I'll pay 2-3k for a good one. Maybe even a digital piano. But for now, my budget is 300, no more.

What yall recommend?

 

[imported_Imp]

Been playing on a real piano since I was a kid so I don't know what to look for in an el cheapo. Just go to Musician's Friend and see what they have under keyboards; it's how I found my guitar. I knew someone in highschool that only had an electric piano, and he was pretty good (way better than me cause I stopped caring a while ago).

 

[KillerCharlie]

You said that if you commit to it you'll buy a nice one, so you should be fine with just about anything until then. I just spent a lot of time researching and bought one, but it was a nice expensive one.

However, everyone said that for the price range you're looking at, Casio is the best. Are you planning one playing classical type music or anything? If you're just doing rock stuff then a keyboard with those springy keys might be okay. The keyboards that try to simulate the feel and action of a real piano are much much better - opt for one of those over the other keyboards if you possibly can.

Oh, and I don't really think lighted keys would be helpful... it seems gimmicky to me.