Best Place to buy Keyboard - Beginner

AJayneC

Hi There!
I want to start playing the keyboard. I don't need any fancy features or anything, I just want to be able to play some good songs on it. Looking for one that's not got too few keys as I don't want to have to buy another one when I improve (not sure how big an issue this is though).
I am a student so my biggest determinant is price, not quality of sound, although I would like it to not break either!!

Please let me know if you know of any places where I can get a good value keyboard from, Thank You.

heggied

Are you wanting to learn to play "the keyboard" or "the piano"? It makes a big difference to the types of keyboard you should be looking at - number of keys, weighted / non-weighted action etc.

AJayneC

heggied wrote: »

Are you wanting to learn to play "the keyboard" or "the piano"? It makes a big difference to the types of keyboard you should be looking at - number of keys, weighted / non-weighted action etc.

Not that bothered about the keys being weighted, would be nice but not for extra expense. I'd say at least 41 keys. Not fussed about which I learn, just want to play! Have you any recommendations or how many keys I should be looking at?

heggied

Well, I took up the piano a year or so ago and bought an 88-key, weighted, hammer action Casio CDP-100 for £250 on ebay and it's *exactly* what I needed. Based on my very limited experience ... if you're never planning on playing the piano, the hammer action and weighted keys are probably not necessary, but I'd definitely go for as many keys as you can afford. What's your budget?

AJayneC

Nah i'll probably never up playing the piano, as it will just be a hobby in my spare time- so keyboard should be fine. Looking to spend up to £100. Thanks Again

heggied

My Mother-In-Law has a Yamaha YPT210 which amazon are selling for £89 that's really not bad. The piano sound on it is excellent, and it's not too tiny (61 keys IIRC) although it feels *nothing* like a piano, but that's not going to be an issue for you.

AJayneC

Okay I will check it out! Thank you. I'm not in a rush to buy one though so if you have any more suggestions then I would love to compare them (that goes to anyone). Do you think it's worth trying eBay?

heggied

AJayneC wrote: »

Do you think it's worth trying eBay?

Definitely, particularly if you know what you're looking for and are prepared to wait a while for the right thing to come along. As I said earlier, I bought my keyboard on eBay as an ex-demo item from a music shop. It has a couple of scratches on the casing, but saved me over £100 from the retail price and has been perfect.

A._Badger

AJayneC wrote: »

Hi There!
I want to start playing the keyboard. I don't need any fancy features or anything, I just want to be able to play some good songs on it. Looking for one that's not got too few keys as I don't want to have to buy another one when I improve (not sure how big an issue this is though).
I am a student so my biggest determinant is price, not quality of sound, although I would like it to not break either!!

Please let me know if you know of any places where I can get a good value keyboard from, Thank You.

Particularly if you are a beginner, I would say go to a decent music shop. They can (but don't aways) charge more than online sellers, but there are a lot of pitfalls when you begin any instrument and it really helps if you get expert advice at the start. In the long run, it can actually save you money as you won't make expensive mistakes by buying the wrong product.

sickparrot

Does it need to be self contained? You could just buy a controller keyboard and have your PC and software generate the sounds.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

If you're having lessons, ask your tutor. They'll be able to advise you - and may have knowledge of a way for you to get a discount.

Another thumbs up here for a proper music shop though. They will know what you need, whereas the bloke in Argos is only tasked with picking the thing up off the conveyor belt and getting the receipt stamped.