Beginner Pianist in Search of a Keyboard!

[tomewer]

Hello,

First of all, I'm new here so hi!

I've been playing piano for a few weeks and I'm completely hooked. I've played guitar for over 10 years and dabbled with many instruments in the past but am I just getting (re)started with the piano. So all things being well you can expect to see me around here rather a lot!

At the moment I'm playing on a pretty rubbish keyboard so I'm keen to get hold of something thats a little more enjoyable to play. I'm based in the UK and my budget is around £500 ($800) but paying less would be fine if something cheaper is available of a good quality. I'm also happy to pay a little more if there is something particularly good available.

My thoughts are to go with a keyboard (rather than acoustic) for two reasons:

1. I don't have to worry about tuning etc.
2. A keyboard is portable (I may gig with it in the future).

In terms of requirements my teacher has advised me to get something with a good action and touch sensitivity, and personally I think something fairly solid and weighty would be good so that I don't feel like I'm playing on a toy. Beyond that I'm not really sure what I'm after, nor do I have any specific requirements.

If you could help me out in finding an instrument I'd be really grateful!

Cheers,

Tom

[bronnestam]

Hi Tom, and welcome!
Not many responses here, I think ...     Well, I don't live in the U.K. but in Scandinavia so I don't think I can be that helpful as I don't know the price levels in your country.

I have played on Yamaha Clavinovas for many, many years so I am very biased, but I happen to like them a lot. There are many models to choose from, but overall they seem to be of good quality. Be sure to choose one with weighted keys and "piano feeling" because I think that is what you're looking for. Also remember the sustain pedal ... The loudspeakers is often the weakness in cheaper digitals, but more important is how they sound with headphones ... and they can also be connected to better audio systems, so don't put too much focus on that detail.

Other brands that are very popular are Casio, Roland and Kawai. I find the first one a bit TOO "lightweight" to my own taste, but you have to go to a music shop - or several shops - and try them out for yourself. (I tried a Roland yesterday evening, actually, but I did not like it. But I know many who love it.)

I agree with you that a piano should look good and solid, as you are to spend many many many hours at it    but you always have to pay for that look and feeling. I invested in a digital baby grand some months ago, and it has been my pride and joy since then, standing as a beautiful piece of art in my living room (an acoustic baby grand is, unfortunately, out of the question for me right now) so I would not say looks does not matter. But - it costs. And a smaller instrument is certainly more portable. 

So, as a start I suggest you check the Yamaha models out, and also Casio Privia (sp?) which may be cheaper.

[tomewer]

Hi there,

Thanks for the reply! I really appreciate it although I had already bought a keyboard by the time I read it

I went for a Yamaha DGX-640 which I am really happy with -- it's got a nice action and sound and has a bunch of features too. Worlds better than the crappy Roland I was playing on!

Cheers,

Tom

[hfmadopter]

Hi there,

Thanks for the reply! I really appreciate it although I had already bought a keyboard by the time I read it

I went for a Yamaha DGX-640 which I am really happy with -- it's got a nice action and sound and has a bunch of features too. Worlds better than the crappy Roland I was playing on!

Cheers,

Tom

How did I miss this one !? That's a pretty nice sounding keyboard actually. The action is one up from the lower end action. Decent piano with some added features for the money. I looked at one myself at one point then I ran into the deal on the Kawai which is what I really wanted anyway..

[tomewer]

Glad to read I got something decent! I'm certainly happy with it