Choosing keyboard for jazz practice

[k1_]

Hello people,

i've been playing the piano for ten years or so. grade 8 classical and now doing jazz. i want to get a portable keyboard that is cheap, but has a decent variety of instruments, in-built rhythms, recording, touch-sensitive and usb at the very least.

right now i'm looking at the PSR-E313 from yamaha which cost $370 according to the website. can't really find any other options. Anyone can help me out here? Information and lobangs needed. my budget is about there. $400 max - its just for practice.

I'm looking to use the rhythm and recording functions. Also, i can use it with headphones, which is a definite advantage because people have been putting up with the noise.
How?

Regards,
K1

 

[kongwee]

You need to go something higher.

 

[k1_]

kongwee,

i have a piano too actually. but seriously asking, is a cheap keyboard worth getting?
otherwise i have little way to practice with a different touch, playalong rhythms and so on.

 

[pf]

I have used that model you mentioned before. The sound and touch are weak. Speakers quite poor.

Is 61 keys enough for your practice?

For rhythmns...
There are free backing tracks that nice ppl done up online for you to download in various formats e.g: mp3 or midi. Just google.

You can even create a simple blues backing track here which you could probably play on your comp/laptop as you play on your piano. http://www.12bar.de/backing_midi.php

Recording...
What do you intend to record with the recording function?

 

[kongwee]

I recommend stage digital piano class keyboard but it will cost as good as exam grade acoustic piano.

 

[crazyguy106]

Since you're grade 8 you should know about quality of piano and the sound of the instrument... So if you actually buy the cheap ones you're only jeopardising your sound and playing (with bad touch as well).

You're better off practising it on your piano. Jazz doesn't require you to have much synths etc because if you listen to people like Keith Jarret, Oscar Peterson, Thelonious Monk etc they never used anything but a piano. =)

 

[widdly]

if you listen to people like Keith Jarret, Oscar Peterson, Thelonious Monk etc they never used anything but a piano. =)

I'm going to have to go keyboard nerd on you.

Keith Jarret in the Bitches Brew era Miles Davis band played a fender rhodes. You can hear him play it on the Isle of Wight concert. He wen accoustic purist later.

 

[crazyguy106]

HEY!

I didn't know that!

Thanks dude! Hahaha. I wonder why the sudden switch.

 

[cckeong]

check the brand new GEM PRP800 cost $1300 only(Italy Company),light portable but also Piano Touch.The touch is Hammer Grade and sound are real when output to Hi FI speaker.Basically you just need the 88 weighted touch and a fews good Piano sound.GEM with Rhodes sound too...if want demo can email to me.

 

[KeyboardTheatre]

I'm going to have to go keyboard nerd on you.

Keith Jarret in the Bitches Brew era Miles Davis band played a fender rhodes. You can hear him play it on the Isle of Wight concert. He wen accoustic purist later.

A good keyboard for jazz is the NORD Stage piano or the NORD Electro. It also has sounds for Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzers, B3 organs (and authentic leslie simulations plus simulated tube drive of the B3), etc. In actual fact alot of our customers play jazz keyboards professionally in the local arena.

 

[frisbieinstein]

Jarrett played a Rhodes. I think it was because Miles made him do it.

Dave Holland had to play an electric bass in that band. He didn't like it.

I even saw Michael Henderson playing a Yamaha bass. I bet he hated it.

 

[pianomankris]

'must fear new sounds' lol

Look at good old Herbie . He's played everything, including the kitchen sink lol

The Nord is a belter. A little pricey, but worth every penny.