noob needs help buying a keyboard

[Melsana]

Hello,

 

I hope that you all can give me some pointers and suggestions for this years Christmas gift buying...

 

My husband does not know how to play a piano/keyboard. But he has decided that he wants to learn/teach himself how to play. So this year for Christmas he wants a keyboard.

 

Now, I too know nothing about music in general. I can pluck out a few tunes I learned as kid with one hand and that is about it.

 

So I've started looking on line at keyboards, and it seems that in the $300 range is a good place to start.

 

The only thing I know that my husband wants in his keyboard is one that has lots of cool sounds it can emulate.

 

So any help is usefull.

 

The keyboards I have found on line that look intersting so far are...

 

Casio LK-90TV 61-Key MIDI Portable Keyboard - Looks intersting because it could help him learn... but is that really all that important or is it easy enough to teach yourself with the right books?

 

Casio WK3200 Keyboard - This looks like a really nice one

 

But I've also seen some Yamaha's... nothing specific yet has caught my eye... but I was wondering which company is generally held as the best.

 

When my husband gets electronics he is picky and likes to buy from the brand that is considered the best... but for a keyboard I'm not sure which brand that is.

 

Thanks in advance for the help and advice.

[Garrafon]

There are tons of equipment that would probably satisfy his needs. If he is picky and an beginner, perhaps HE is the best person to pick one out. If you really want to give him a good present to help him in his musical endeavors, how about the gift of some lessons.

 

I think most people here would agree that good lessons are crucial and invaluable. So, he might appreciate that as a gift as it will help start off on the right foot.

 

That being said, I don't know much about those particular Casio keyboards.

[Stephen Fortner]

I'm partial to the educational features on the Yamaha PSR line, myself. Books are important, but there's something undeniably cool about the keyboard itself interacting with you. The higher-end Yammies (above $300, certainly,) have a guide mode where a song is playing and they wait for you to hit the right note before continuing. At any price point, they also offer a well-rounded, clean, realistic sound set.

[Melsana]

Thank you for the advice about the yamaha's... I'll take a closer look at them. He probably would enjoy that sort of help. Might keep him movitated to continue with it...

 

I'll admit my biggest fear (because I know it is true for myself) is that he will be interested for a while but won't stick with it... so anything to encourage sticking with something is a good thing in my book.

[Hugo H]

The lower price PSRs have the guide mode, too. For example the PSR-293 and 295. By the way, I've had both Casios and Yamahas and vastly prefer the Yammies.

 

Don't forget you'll need a stand, a sustain pedal, something to sit on, and maybe even a plug-in power supply, depending on the model you buy. Headphones can be good to have too, particularly for the comfort of the folks not learning So make sure your budget buys all you'll need.

 

Best of luck.

[Melsana]

Thanks for the heads up about the extras. That is good to keep in mind...

 

also Thank you for the Yamaha's are better than Casio's advice... now I really need to check out those Yamaha's more closely.

[Synthoid]

Another vote for Yamaha. The PSR line is a great place to start.

[midinut]

I've got a Yamaha DGX-500 (newest version is the DGX-505). Had it for 3 years now and love it. I've been playing keyboards for over 30 years. It has 88 keys (same as on a real piano). It does not have weighted keys like a real piano but they are full size. As Stephen mentioned it also has the learning guide functions as well. They can be picked up for around $500 with a nice stand (one that won't look out of place in your living room) and you can pick up a "Survival Kit" for around $30 that will give you everything else (power supply, headphones, etc.). There is also a Video Manual available that will help him figure the electronics out.

 

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,,CNTID%253D28150%2526CTID%253D205200%2526CNTYP%253DPRODUCT,00.html

 

If he doesn't lose interest, take the other suggestions and get him some lessons. Good luck!

[Melsana]

If he doesn't lose interest, take the other suggestions and get him some lessons. Good luck!If he doesn't lose interest, take the other suggestions and get him some lessons. Good luck!

Well, that will probably be a good birthday gift in May. By that time he may realize that lessons will be necessary if he want to really get good.

[Melsana]

If he doesn't lose interest, take the other suggestions and get him some lessons. Good luck!If he doesn't lose interest, take the other suggestions and get him some lessons. Good luck!

Well, that will probably be a good birthday gift in May. By that time he may realize that lessons will be necessary if he want to really get good.

[Melsana]

Well, I've taken a look at the Yamaha's on thier website and it looks like the PSR295 or PSR293 (I couldn't figure out what the difference is other than price - any help there?) might be the best. Thanks for all your advice.

[Hugo H]

The only difference between the 295 and 293 is where they're sold. The 293s are at music stores, like Guitar Center or Sam Ash, and the 295s are at larger retailers, like Costco or Best Buy. (That's straight from Yamaha; I've gotten asked that a lot so I called.)

[Melsana]

Yeah, I found one web site that said the only difference is the color. Nice to know the official difference.

[Martin Hines]

Melsana,

 

One other consideration is the keyboard action/number of keys.

 

With keyboards, the physical keybed mechanism (the black and white keyboard keys and their "feel") are of two types:

-- weighted action: these are normally 88-keys, and are intended to be similar in action (feel) as an acoustic piano (which has 88 keys)

-- "synth" action: these are normally 76, 61, 49, or lower and are intended to simulate the feel of a synthesizer or electric organ

 

Also related to this is the intended purpose/market for the keyboard. For example, the Yamaha "PSR" series are intended to be fun portable keyboards, and they all have "synth" actions on them. Alternatively, Yamaha also sells "stationary" home digital pianos (like the Clavinova series). I also see Yamaha has now added sort of a "hybrid series" they call their "Piano-focused portables", which are intended to be more piano like:

 

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/List/ModelSeriesListLE/0,,CTID%253D205200%2526CNTYP%253DPRODUCT,00.html

 

So one up front consideration for your husband is whether he wants to learn on a "traditional" piano keyboard (one that has a weighted action and 88 keys), or on the easier to play "synth" actions.

[Sven Golly]

Given the budget implied in the first message, weighted action keyboards are somewhat out of the price range you're looking at, but Martin raises a good point.

 

I'm not sure where you're located, but if you're in an urban are with a professional music store, very often rentals are available for weighted-action digital pianos. That would allow your husband to use his PSR (or equivalent) to get started and develop an interest, and then when he takes the next step (which, as many will tell you, is to get a good teacher and start practicing/playing on a weighted action), you can rent a suitable piano for your home.

 

Cheers,

SG

[fmtony]

Melsana,

 

I have been looking for my girlfriend also and the Yamaha PSR293/295 has caught my interest.

 

I have found the PSR293 at 'thesource' or 'bestbuy' and even 'futureshop' for almost $400.00 and felt it was a little too expensive for a starter keyboard. For that price I might as well put in a little more and get an 88 key piano (more realistic)

 

Finally an email to the reputable 'Long and McQuade' music stores. I thought it was a long shot since my few visits to their stores reveal high end stuff, way out of my price range. GUESS WHAT!!! They replied telling me they have the PSR295 for $299.00 plus tax of course. They were kind enough to provide a link to their locations page. http://www.long-mcquade.com/index.asp?section=2

 

Being a man...I know YAMAHA is the kind of product name your husband will appreciate. Something you mentioned he was looking for. And considering he is just starting out...I doubt KORG or ROLAND is in the price range.

 

ACCESSORIES

 

My search also took me to TigerDirect.com, and they have the same keyboard, for $250.00 however once you calculate shipping costs...it works out to a lot more. Depending on where you are...they price may be better than some of the bigbox stores. They also however have the accessories for a great price such as stand and stool, etc. All my searches into this subject seem to reveal that you will need to purchase the AC adapter seperately for the keyboard..unless hubby plans to use batteries. Don't forget the headphones, which are more for your benefit than his.

 

Good luck with your search...and keep us posted. Remember you aren't the only one looking.

 

Most importantly I should mention that I live in CANADA so the prices you have seen above are inflated compared to USD.

[HomeAmateur]

Melsana,

 

Everyone here has given very good advice and I thought Id throw my 2 cents in as well.

 

You've come to the right place this forum is filled with very knowledgeable people that will do there best to help you out. I have learned alot from this forum. Ill caution you though my views sometimes sway a bit from most others But this time I shouldnt be far off.

 

Anyways, a few people have mentioned the difference about 88 keys vs 61,76,49 etc. That is very important. If your husband's interest is primarily the piano, then I strongly suggest that you stick with the 88 key versions. If he's more interested in the non-piano sounds then maybe that isnt so important. If he's trying to learn to play piano, there will be things that he will not be able to do on the non 88 key boards, which may lead to his loss of interest.

 

Also another thought, in your price range instead of buying a brand new "starter" keyboard, you may want to consider a more professional used board. You may be able to find something in that price range at your local music store. It may be a few years old but the quality of the feel of the keys and the sounds will likley be much better then the lower end casios or lower end Yamaha's. Although I will say that the so called lower end boards are not all that bad these days. Particularily the Casio Privia models. Talk to the salesman and ask him to show you the differences of a used pro board vs. a new lower end board.

 

If your husband's future loss of interest is a concern, keep in mind that the quaility of the instrument may take a role in that loss of interest. I am not a professional like alot of the people in this forum, im more of a home hobbiest (for now) but I may want to "play-out" in the future, and for me personally I like to have very good equiptment to practice on, somethng to 'grow-into' so to speak, vs. grow out of very quickly.

 

Anyways, good luck. I wish I had a wife to buy me a new keyboard

[Melsana]

Thanks for the input.

 

I did find that BJ's was selling the Yamaha DGX205 for $289.99 (As far as I can tell it is the same thing as the PSR293/5 but with 76 keys and pitch wheel.) It also came with the adapter and stand, although not a stool or headphones.

 

I think my husband has a good set of headphonse already though, so that shouldn't be a problem.

 

--

 

As for piano vs keyboard. I know he is very interested in all the cool sounds a keyboard can make so I think for his purposes a 88 keys is probably not necessary.

[SilverDragonSoun]

As for piano vs keyboard. I know he is very interested in all the cool sounds a keyboard can make so I think for his purposes a 88 keys is probably not necessary.

 

This may be true now, but if he ever decides he wants to learn how to play, then 88 keys will become a must. Someone else mentioned the DGX 500/505 which I think is a great keyboard for the beginniner who wants to learn to play. I would just caution you to make sure he doesn't have the desire to learn how to play.