Piano Forum

Piano Board => Instruments => Topic started by: edrianium on May 16, 2012, 06:27:54 AM

Title: Which digital piano or keyboard to buy?
Post by: edrianium on May 16, 2012, 06:27:54 AM

I really want to start learning the piano, but I have no experience with one yet. I've played the violin for 2 years before, so I can somewhat read notes. My parents doesn't have the biggest budget so I wan't to get the best out of the money they can give me for my birthday.
>I live in Henderson Nevada
>My budget is around 400$ max
My questions are: keyboard or digital piano? Keyboards seems to be a lot cheaper but I cannot find weighted keys without it going over 500$ or more.
Is it really that important to have weighted keys?
Should I buy use? If so where is the best place and how would I know that I'm not getting scammed?

This are some of the pianos I've looked at, please tell me what you guys think :)

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YPG-235-76-Key-Portable-Premium/dp/B003FRMRC4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1337148791&sr=8-5

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Casio-CDP-120-88-Weighted-Key-Digital-Piano-107039448-i2059365.gc

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Williams-Allegro-88-Key-Digital-Piano-106063399-i1551911.gc

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Title: Re: Which digital piano or keyboard to buy?
Post by: iansinclair on May 16, 2012, 01:42:53 PM

I'm afraid that if you really want to learn to play the piano, you will have to get a digital with weighted keys.  Learning the feel of the action, and how to control it to produce the sound you want is an essential part of the game!

So... it's going to be digital piano.  I can't recommend one, as honestly I've only played one -- a very nice Kawai -- and so I certainly can't comment on the merits of the various instrumets.

Title: Re: Which digital piano or keyboard to buy?
Post by: nystul on May 16, 2012, 03:22:23 PM

At that price range, everything is a compromise of some sort.  Have you gone to the store and tried them yet?  The Casio probably has the best keys of that group but it is pretty stripped down in terms of sounds and features.

Title: Re: Which digital piano or keyboard to buy?
Post by: gvfarns on May 26, 2012, 04:02:51 PM

Not going over $500?  I think in that range the Casio px-130 is a winner.  It is certainly popular and well-reviewed and kind of a good deal for the money. 

Also the Yamaha P85 can probably be found at that price, if you can find it.  Slightly older but not significantly different from the newer p95.  The Yamaha GHS action is a lot better than the soft touch action in the "portable grand" you linked to.

Notice both of these are weighted (not soft touch) and have all 88 keys.   I think those are important features.