Total Beginner question

[tijei]

This question is probobly silly and obvious for you "pros" out there, but I ask it anyway since I am clueless about where to begin.

Really simply put: 61 or 88 keys? Is it even possible to learn to play piano on a 61 key setup? I know that it would give me a handicap of the obvious missing keys, but is it enough for the learning process? Would I get anywhere with 61 keys or would it make it harder or confusing while learning..?

The reason I ask this is because Novation SL series is an amazing product for use with Kontakt and similar. Automap and seamless integration sounds amazing for someone who would like to learn on a digital platform and not worry so much about the setup process. Plug and play and get all controls automatically on the keyboard knobs. Downside is that they dont offer more then 61 keys.

Alternative is the M-Audio Keystation who has 88 keys but seems like a spaceship to set up compared to Novation's products. And of course, its much bigger in physical size..

Its about budget and practicality. And of course, my goal is to learn to play piano + get an handy tool for general music production.

So, maybe some of you got some experience and advice in this area? (I will not buy a big "real" piano, its not an option for me as I need to have the integration with the computer. I start with a midi conroller and go from there)

Where should I begin?
Thx for any advice and maybe links to alternative products that im not aware of that has good integration + 88 keys(on a budget, sadly..)  

[poiuytrewq11zc]

If you can, by all means get a keyboard with 88 keys. If you're planning on becoming classically trained you'll need every key, and at times you'll wish you had more. If you're just interested in programming and music production, then maybe the 61-key wouldn't be bad. Most midi's are about that size.

[nystul]

It really depends on your priorities.  Aside from not having all the keys, the 61 key controllers will not have piano style weighted key action.  If you are serious about learning the piano for its own sake, you should probably make your top priority getting a decent instrument from that perspective.  If learning to play is merely a means to create melodies and chords for your own music, it is a completely different situation.  I also think, depending on what kind of music you intend to make, all the hardware controls and the integration with DAW could be anywhere from essential to almost useless.  I mean, you can load up a patch on the computer and then play it on a digital piano or a simple controller, and unless you want to change aspects of the sound while you are playing, you don't really need all those hardware controls.  But for some type of music those controls could be more useful than the keys themselves.

[lukebar]

A 61 key keyboard is not going to cut it for long.  I have a 76 key keyboard that I play occasionally and am amazed how often I go stabbing for notes off of the end of the keyboard.  Go with the 88.