so im thinking about asking for an electric keyboard/piano/whateverthefuck for a graduating present. All I know is I want one with 88 keys but i know jack shit about keyboards, can anyone recommend me which ones are dabes
I have a Yamaha Portable Grand, one of the older models (DGX-530). It sounds nice (with headphones) and the keys have a nice feel. I got it for pretty cheap too, but the best is to go out and try some and pick one you like.
What are you planning to use it for? I have access to normal pianos (home and school) so I mostly have my keyboard in my room for arranging and testing things out while arranging. The keys aren't that weighted so it doesn't feel like enough like a normal piano (I wouldn't perform on it) but it's great for trying out certain parts of songs I'm arranging to see if they'd be viable to play. I have a Yamaha YPG-235 keyboard (76 keys) and it suits my needs just fine.
But if you're going to go all out on it you'll probably need a more expensive (and heavier) one haha
i want to play actual piano music lol. maybe arrange
If you're looking to practice piano music (especially classical) you're going to need 88 keys, with a weighted and touch sensitive action; these start cheapest around $450.
I have the http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Series-P35B-88-Key-Digital/dp/B009CN8WZ6Yamaha P35 (http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Series-P35B-88-Key-Digital/dp/B009CN8WZ6Yamaha%20P35), and it's okay for what it is; however, there are still definitely better keyboards out there. Newer Yamaha models especially.
You'll also likely have to buy a stand, which for anything actually decent can be another $50-$100.
Benches are also nice, but if you're on a budget you can make most any chair without armrests work.
If you're able to spend some money I'd invest in a keyboard with weighted keys. Otherwise you can get the cheaper ones, they don't feel very good to play but they still do work for casual playing.
A keyboard with 88 keys is a heck of a lot more expensive than one with the 64 or whatever
Quote from: braixen1264 on April 11, 2016, 07:04:33 PMIf you're able to spend some money I'd invest in a keyboard with weighted keys. Otherwise you can get the cheaper ones, they don't feel very good to play but they still do work for casual playing.
Moreover, they're actually somewhat bad for technique, in that you won't be able to build your touch at all, since they play at a universal volume. They do work, however, for harpsichordists and some organists, since the action of a harpsichord is somewhat akin and they have the same range.
Quote from: NocturneOfShadow on April 11, 2016, 07:05:06 PMA keyboard with 88 keys is a heck of a lot more expensive than one with the 64 or whatever
Yes, but with the 69 key keyboards you can't play anything past mid Beethoven.
Yamaha YPG-635 has 88 weighted keys. Feels nice and is rather affordable.
Do they make a 1-octave portable keyboard? Because I know what I'm asking for for my birthday if they do!
yes. It's called a kiddie keyboard and often can replay "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" by itself.
Ouch daht burn
-_- I was wanting to know if they made one so I could work on arranging on-the-go. Until my skill gets to where I can have a decent relative perfect pitch.
Kawai electric pianos are AMAZING, and they are great from the cheapest model to the most expensive (I have played them). The more expensive ones have Ivory Feel to the keys and the keys are weighted like they are on an actual piano
They are also kawaii
Quote from: E. Gadd Industries on April 12, 2016, 05:35:39 AMDo they make a 1-octave portable keyboard? Because I know what I'm asking for for my birthday if they do!
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/189-2881490-0476613?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=one+octave+keyboard
I don't see any here, but the other ones with more keys are still pretty cheap.
Quote from: E. Gadd Industries on April 12, 2016, 05:35:39 AMDo they make a 1-octave portable keyboard? Because I know what I'm asking for for my birthday if they do!
It's called investing in a harmonica. 'Tis what I did. 8)
Anyways, as for my 2 cents, if you're interested in actually doing more than just plunking out melodies, then weighted keys is non-negotiable. Honestly, just go try some out. Ask for one but request that you be active in the actual shopping. Different instruments suit different people. One of my pet peeves is when I have an instrument literally given to me as a surprise. Don't get me wrong, I am very much grateful and happy, but a person's instrument is an extension of themselves so you have to make sure that it's right for you. Music stores allow demo-ing on their instruments for this very reason.
I bought a Yamaha YPG 535 (http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/keyboards/digitalkeyboards/dgx_series/ypg-535/) which is pretty good, but doesn't have the weighted keys. It comes with the stand, music holder, and pedal. It has all 88 keys, hundreds of sounds etc. It works pretty well for my purposes and I spent $500 on it at Guitar Center
$500 for that? Damn. I got my Yamaha P35 for less than $450. It has less bells and whistles, but it's a better keyboard in terms of its mechanics.
...I got my YPG-635 for less than that. (Although, idr if there was some sort of sale going on or what)
http://www.kawai.co.uk/ca97.htm
see this now