Casio CTK 2080 and other options

[ninjex]

Hello. I am interested in learning. As a musician, I have grown proficient in violin and voice, but the next step is piano. However, I'm not sure where to look. I found a used Casio CTK 2080 on craigslist, and its seem cheap enough to dabble into, but as I read forums, they suggest the pseries from casio since it has velocity control and weight keys. However its upwards of 250+ USD even if used.  That puts a strain on my budget since I am a student and I'm paying all my tuition.  And all this is not very structured so I'm going to make a list of goals and expectations etc...

Goals: o
I want something to learn the piano with.  I don't anticipate in becoming in world class pianist or anything so glamorous. Being an engineering student, I don't have the time required to dedicate myself to it. At best, I want to have proficiency so I can play popular songs and be able to accompany myself with voice. In short, a quasi pianist, that some dedicated pianists despise. That said I'm not trying to perform with it. Practice,

Budget: I'm honestly trying to spend less than 150 USD including shipping.

Features:  Since I have a audio interface, I would like a midi option to hook up, but its not a requirement.

Additionally I would like a tuning and transpose control so I can keep the instrument in tune.


 That said, would the Casio CTK 2080 fit that bill? If not which keyboards would? Also would it be acceptable to use this as a start up and then in a year or two upgrade? Is it necessary to get a full weighted 88 keyboard?  Also, for finger strength, would it be sufficient to simple train my fingers in another way. If weak pinkies are an issue, a circumvent would be generally stronger fingers, no?

[iansinclair]

I'm afraid I can't recommend it -- even for a very elementary beginner -- as a way to start learning piano.  It is a keyboard, granted -- but it has so far as I know none of the feel or action of a piano.  You might find it somewhat useful to start getting a feel for fingering, but as far as actually playing piano...

Your budget isn't going to give you many options, and I assume that you don't have room for a used spinet or upright (which can often be had for the labour of moving them), but you need something with weighted keys and touch sensitive action at the very least.

Sorry 'bout that...

[visitor]

you'll prob need to get something used on craigs list or yard sale, will need to haggle, at your price point, nothing will prob come close