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  3. Piano vs Keyboard, any experience here?

Piano vs Keyboard, any experience here?

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  • L Offline
    L Offline
    Lost User
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    My son likes to learn playing piano. Now, my old piano does not fits his Apartment and therefore I suggested him to use a Keyboard to start. In my opinion it is ok to start with a Keyboard instead of a piano, but maybe I'm wrong. Any suggestions? :-O St. Louis Blues: Trick and Alderighi at Ragtime Extravaganza 2016 - YouTube[^] Jörg Hegemann - Boogie Woogie - YouTube[^] Boogie Woogie Piano - YouTube[^]

    It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

    F R K G G 5 Replies Last reply
    0
    • L Lost User

      My son likes to learn playing piano. Now, my old piano does not fits his Apartment and therefore I suggested him to use a Keyboard to start. In my opinion it is ok to start with a Keyboard instead of a piano, but maybe I'm wrong. Any suggestions? :-O St. Louis Blues: Trick and Alderighi at Ragtime Extravaganza 2016 - YouTube[^] Jörg Hegemann - Boogie Woogie - YouTube[^] Boogie Woogie Piano - YouTube[^]

      It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

      F Offline
      F Offline
      Fernando A Gomez F
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      A piano key weights much more than a keyboard key. An important aspect of learning how to play involves doing finger exercises to strengthen one's fingers. Practicing those exercises in a keyboard won't be as efficient, and will have an impact in the agility of your son's fingers. That doesn't mean he can't be virtuoso with a keyboard, but it'll be harder. So I would advise against it. However, I also live in an apartment, so I understand the dilemma. A good compromise (and what I did) is to buy a small electric piano that fits nicely in your living room. Plus, you can wear headphones, should the neighbors complain. The sound won't be as neat as with a normal piano, though. Just make sure that the weight of the keys are close enough to those of a normal piano. Should you decide for the keyboard, make sure that it has at least seven octaves. The common keyboards have five octaves, making it impossible to play most of the common classical pieces. I did learn in one of those, and it was very frustrating. Seven octaves will cover almost every easy and medium level pieces, and a great deal of the advanced ones.

      L 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • L Lost User

        My son likes to learn playing piano. Now, my old piano does not fits his Apartment and therefore I suggested him to use a Keyboard to start. In my opinion it is ok to start with a Keyboard instead of a piano, but maybe I'm wrong. Any suggestions? :-O St. Louis Blues: Trick and Alderighi at Ragtime Extravaganza 2016 - YouTube[^] Jörg Hegemann - Boogie Woogie - YouTube[^] Boogie Woogie Piano - YouTube[^]

        It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

        R Offline
        R Offline
        Rick York
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        The one I have is considered to be a digital piano with semi-weighted keys and I think it feels very close to a real piano. I don't think it's even made any more but I like it. It is an Ensoniq Avista. I would recommend a digital piano for learning in an apartment environment.

        L 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • F Fernando A Gomez F

          A piano key weights much more than a keyboard key. An important aspect of learning how to play involves doing finger exercises to strengthen one's fingers. Practicing those exercises in a keyboard won't be as efficient, and will have an impact in the agility of your son's fingers. That doesn't mean he can't be virtuoso with a keyboard, but it'll be harder. So I would advise against it. However, I also live in an apartment, so I understand the dilemma. A good compromise (and what I did) is to buy a small electric piano that fits nicely in your living room. Plus, you can wear headphones, should the neighbors complain. The sound won't be as neat as with a normal piano, though. Just make sure that the weight of the keys are close enough to those of a normal piano. Should you decide for the keyboard, make sure that it has at least seven octaves. The common keyboards have five octaves, making it impossible to play most of the common classical pieces. I did learn in one of those, and it was very frustrating. Seven octaves will cover almost every easy and medium level pieces, and a great deal of the advanced ones.

          L Offline
          L Offline
          Lost User
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          THANK YOU thousand times! You explained it very very good! Now, because of the circumstances he most probably needs to decides for a Keyboard... and I have to give away my old piano :( Seven octaves: yep, that was my "biggest" worry, but I googled sevreal and found also several with with 88 keys. So for this we are one the safe side. Thank you very much again. Bruno [Edit] "Just make sure that the weight of the keys are close enough to those of a normal piano" Do you have a Suggestion for a specific brand/model (yahama, roland, ...)? Thank you again.

          It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • L Lost User

            My son likes to learn playing piano. Now, my old piano does not fits his Apartment and therefore I suggested him to use a Keyboard to start. In my opinion it is ok to start with a Keyboard instead of a piano, but maybe I'm wrong. Any suggestions? :-O St. Louis Blues: Trick and Alderighi at Ragtime Extravaganza 2016 - YouTube[^] Jörg Hegemann - Boogie Woogie - YouTube[^] Boogie Woogie Piano - YouTube[^]

            It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

            K Offline
            K Offline
            kmoorevs
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            I mostly agree with Fernando's reply, but just wanted to add a few things. A digital piano (keyboard) is definitely the way to go, but I'd strongly encourage a full 88 key model with weighted keys. It will never need tuning, and has other advantages over an old piano such as MIDI ports which can be used to drive a virtual keyboard/synthesizer on a computer, or to work with learning software...lot's of possibilities. I bought a really nice Yamaha as described for about $450 a few years ago, the prices will be lowest through the holiday season. Good luck! :)

            "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse

            L 1 Reply Last reply
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            • R Rick York

              The one I have is considered to be a digital piano with semi-weighted keys and I think it feels very close to a real piano. I don't think it's even made any more but I like it. It is an Ensoniq Avista. I would recommend a digital piano for learning in an apartment environment.

              L Offline
              L Offline
              Lost User
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              Thank you very much for your Response. "Ensoniq Avista" is very new for me. Because of the background that I'm a Drummer I was searching for Roland. Need to check "Ensoniq Avista." Thank you, Bruno

              It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

              1 Reply Last reply
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              • K kmoorevs

                I mostly agree with Fernando's reply, but just wanted to add a few things. A digital piano (keyboard) is definitely the way to go, but I'd strongly encourage a full 88 key model with weighted keys. It will never need tuning, and has other advantages over an old piano such as MIDI ports which can be used to drive a virtual keyboard/synthesizer on a computer, or to work with learning software...lot's of possibilities. I bought a really nice Yamaha as described for about $450 a few years ago, the prices will be lowest through the holiday season. Good luck! :)

                "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse

                L Offline
                L Offline
                Lost User
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                Ahahhh, so you're cheating your bass with a Keyboard :laugh: "With weighted keys": What this means exactely? Thanks, Bruno

                It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                D K 2 Replies Last reply
                0
                • L Lost User

                  Ahahhh, so you're cheating your bass with a Keyboard :laugh: "With weighted keys": What this means exactely? Thanks, Bruno

                  It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                  D Offline
                  D Offline
                  Dave Kreskowiak
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  They feel and play pretty much exactly like real piano keys.

                  Asking questions is a skill CodeProject Forum Guidelines Google: C# How to debug code Seriously, go read these articles.
                  Dave Kreskowiak

                  L 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • D Dave Kreskowiak

                    They feel and play pretty much exactly like real piano keys.

                    Asking questions is a skill CodeProject Forum Guidelines Google: C# How to debug code Seriously, go read these articles.
                    Dave Kreskowiak

                    L Offline
                    L Offline
                    Lost User
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    Now, that I'm playing myself piano, until now I never experienced a Keyboard which responds nearly the same as a conventional piano ;)

                    It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                    D 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • L Lost User

                      Ahahhh, so you're cheating your bass with a Keyboard :laugh: "With weighted keys": What this means exactely? Thanks, Bruno

                      It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                      K Offline
                      K Offline
                      kmoorevs
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      Weighted keys feel much like playing a real piano with all the moving parts...like they have some weight to them and not just cheap plastic. I forgot to mention that the keys should also be velocity sensitive...most of the decent ones are. Yes I'm cheating on my bass! Thanks for remembering! Lately I've been playing bass lines on an acoustic guitar...put on Pandora Classic Rock and just play along. :)

                      "Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • L Lost User

                        Now, that I'm playing myself piano, until now I never experienced a Keyboard which responds nearly the same as a conventional piano ;)

                        It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                        D Offline
                        D Offline
                        Dave Kreskowiak
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        A friend of mine has one with a full 88 weighted, velocity sensitive keys. Sadly, I can't remember the name on it, but it cost about $3,000, 20 years ago.

                        Asking questions is a skill CodeProject Forum Guidelines Google: C# How to debug code Seriously, go read these articles.
                        Dave Kreskowiak

                        L 2 Replies Last reply
                        0
                        • L Lost User

                          My son likes to learn playing piano. Now, my old piano does not fits his Apartment and therefore I suggested him to use a Keyboard to start. In my opinion it is ok to start with a Keyboard instead of a piano, but maybe I'm wrong. Any suggestions? :-O St. Louis Blues: Trick and Alderighi at Ragtime Extravaganza 2016 - YouTube[^] Jörg Hegemann - Boogie Woogie - YouTube[^] Boogie Woogie Piano - YouTube[^]

                          It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                          G Offline
                          G Offline
                          GuyThiebaut
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          I bought myself a Casio CDP-130BKC5 together with a stand three few years ago and have been very happy with it - it's an 88 key piano. So I would definitely recommend either that particular piano or something similar.

                          “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

                          ― Christopher Hitchens

                          L 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • D Dave Kreskowiak

                            A friend of mine has one with a full 88 weighted, velocity sensitive keys. Sadly, I can't remember the name on it, but it cost about $3,000, 20 years ago.

                            Asking questions is a skill CodeProject Forum Guidelines Google: C# How to debug code Seriously, go read these articles.
                            Dave Kreskowiak

                            L Offline
                            L Offline
                            Lost User
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            Ok, I will Google for this "weightedm velocity sensitive" keys. Thank you.

                            It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • G GuyThiebaut

                              I bought myself a Casio CDP-130BKC5 together with a stand three few years ago and have been very happy with it - it's an 88 key piano. So I would definitely recommend either that particular piano or something similar.

                              “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

                              ― Christopher Hitchens

                              L Offline
                              L Offline
                              Lost User
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              Thank you for this, I will check it.

                              It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • D Dave Kreskowiak

                                A friend of mine has one with a full 88 weighted, velocity sensitive keys. Sadly, I can't remember the name on it, but it cost about $3,000, 20 years ago.

                                Asking questions is a skill CodeProject Forum Guidelines Google: C# How to debug code Seriously, go read these articles.
                                Dave Kreskowiak

                                L Offline
                                L Offline
                                Lost User
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                At the Moment I think I will go for a "Yamaha YDP-S52WH" (about $1000). Not easy portable, but that is also no Need. Next Weekend I will go to test it. Let's see

                                It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • L Lost User

                                  My son likes to learn playing piano. Now, my old piano does not fits his Apartment and therefore I suggested him to use a Keyboard to start. In my opinion it is ok to start with a Keyboard instead of a piano, but maybe I'm wrong. Any suggestions? :-O St. Louis Blues: Trick and Alderighi at Ragtime Extravaganza 2016 - YouTube[^] Jörg Hegemann - Boogie Woogie - YouTube[^] Boogie Woogie Piano - YouTube[^]

                                  It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                                  G Offline
                                  G Offline
                                  GenJerDan
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  I'd recommend a MIDI keyboard (controller), with all 88 keys, connected to a computer. A good one will have weighted keys, and be pressure sensitive, and come with pedals. I use an older version of this[^] Studiologic controller and am very happy with it. A good one won't be cheap, but still way less than a piano (assuming you already have something to plug it into).

                                  We won't sit down. We won't shut up. We won't go quietly away. YouTube, VidMe and My Mu[sic], Films and Windows Programs, etc. and FB

                                  L 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • G GenJerDan

                                    I'd recommend a MIDI keyboard (controller), with all 88 keys, connected to a computer. A good one will have weighted keys, and be pressure sensitive, and come with pedals. I use an older version of this[^] Studiologic controller and am very happy with it. A good one won't be cheap, but still way less than a piano (assuming you already have something to plug it into).

                                    We won't sit down. We won't shut up. We won't go quietly away. YouTube, VidMe and My Mu[sic], Films and Windows Programs, etc. and FB

                                    L Offline
                                    L Offline
                                    Lost User
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    Thank you very much.

                                    It does not solve my Problem, but it answers my question

                                    1 Reply Last reply
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