Learning the piano please help.?

Question

Hi
I am going to start piano lessons after three years of not having any. I do not have a piano to practice on at home. So I am wondering what the best thing to buy to practice on would be. It needs to at least replicate a piano, I do not want to practice on a half sized keyboard. So what should I get?
Thank you

Answer 1

You don't say what your budget is but as a classical player (I am guessing as your question is listed under this heading) you will be disappointed with cheaper keyboards such as Casio.



The Roland is the best, and they crop up sometimes on Ebay. Weighted action and a full-size keyboard are pretty obvious requirements. I have used a RD-100 on pro gigs for 15 years and it is very good.



You could perhaps consider an upright 'steam' piano depending on your circumstances. These are often sold quite cheaply.



Snyths are no good I'm afraid.

Answer 2

Get yourself over to piano world .com



You want a digital piano.



These differ from keyboards as they have hammer action weighted keys. 76 keys is OK, but 88 keys enables you to play the full range. Keyboards use springs and you won't develop the finger strength for piano with them.



The cheapest is a Casio CDP120, which is OK, but only has the sustain pedal and low polyphony (so if you hit 33 notes at the same time it will only sound 32)



Above that you have the casio PX130-135-150 or the Yamaha P85-95 or 105 The PX series are quite good, I personally like the PX350. The Yamahas are too light touch for my taste.







Or you can scout around older models. But anything Korg, Roland, Kawai you're looking at $1300 minimum.

Answer 3

I teach piano and get asked this a lot. The keyboard needs to have 88 keys and be touch sensitive. This is so you can play loudly and quietly. This is the most important thing to remember, don't get too hung up on makes and brands. But being touch sensitive is vital. You won't need pedals unless your at a grade 3 level.