Looking for tiny inexpensive keyboard

[Bob]

Only an 8ve or two.

Something that uses batteries, but not too many.  Maybe 2 AA's or 2 C's.

Just to have around for ear training.

And at least a name brand.  Casio's fine for this.  But I don't want a no-name brand.

Maybe $30?

Does something like that exist?

[alzado]

Sounds almost self defeating.  You insist it have almost no features or quality, and yet insist it not be so cheap. 

When you said "tiny keyboard," I pictured the tinkling sound of a music box.  Played by Tinkerbell or some other tiny fairy.  With all 88 keys, but the size of a small music box.

There's a popular song of some years back called "music box dancer."  Perhaps when you find this keyboard, that can be the first piece you learn. 

:-)

[Bob]

It's for ear training.  Cheap and portable.

I got one.  Quite nice, quite nice...

(And yes, I did consider the rollup piano, but it was too pricey for this project.)

[quantum]

So........what is it?


do tell     puhleeze

[Bob]

$15 at the store.  A whopping 2 key polyphony.... which does nothing for chords but melodies are fine.

They actually come with an assortment of sounds, more than I thought would be there for the price.  It's not like when I was a kid....

[liszt-essence]

Put a mp3 with all 12 tones on your mp3 player?

[bench warmer]

You can probably get one of those Korg electronic Metronome/Tuners for $20. I think it'll generate all the keyboard tones in Tuning mode.......And you have something that's actually useful for other things.

[quantum]

What about a tin whistle.  A good quality one will run you $10 and intonation is surprisingly good for such an inexpensive instrument.   It's small, extremely portable, and when your tiered of ear training you can play yourself some tunes. 

[opus10no2]

(And yes, I did consider the rollup piano, but it was too pricey for this project.)

Bob, what would you say the solution is for someone who likes to practice but loves the outdoors?

This rollup piano interests me, I've seen them on teh teevee, maybe good for long car trips and maybe a better way to practice fingering on than a girlfriend's fanjita.

[Bob]

Bob, what would you say the solution is for someone who likes to practice but loves the outdoors?

Roll OUT piano.  And lots of tunings.

[pianistimo]

a tiny roll out piano?  lots of tunings with a tin whistle.  bob - you could write a book here.  the fact that it is 'cheap and portable' - should be the least of one's worries.  perhaps the fact one uses it for 'ear training' should raise a few red flags.  this could be a dangerous trend.  buying cheaper and shorter instruments until finally you just use whatever is available.

[Bob]

If you want to practice outside, you want a roll "out" piano, instead of a roll "up" piano.  One with wheels.  I can imagine what would happen with the tuning though.

[pianistimo]

maybe they've invented solar powered ones by now, too.  that would save on batteries.

[rc]

My dream is a nice grand piano facing large windows with a view of nature.  Maybe a bay window.  A luxurious cabin by a lake would be alright.  Maybe it could be a beach, with a lot of pretty girls.  We'd have to have a volleyball net, and a wisecracking butler.

That's all I ask!

[opus10no2]

Ahhh but the sand in the cracks...of the piano 

Yes, I agree a Jeeves is a must.


So Bob, that wouldn't work for long walks and things, I'm really thinking of one of those rollup thingies.

[Bob]

Jeeves can't just stand around all day.  He should make himself useful and push that grand piano to where ever you want it.... anywhere on the beach... in the sand.... :-p

[rc]

"Jeeves, today I would like to play 20 feet into the ocean"

"...But sir, that's..."

"Just do it Jeeves"

[Bob]

"I'm sorry Jeeves.  I thought you knew I wanted the white piano today.  Won't take too long to correct I'm sure."