Help in choosing keyboard!
- Thread starter Nov
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sound_designer
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Buy the Casio stuff within a Budget of $300 at Carrefour or Mustafa Centre..This should be ok..after he show more interest..buy him the big one... :lol:
Don't look down too much on the kid. Be sure to monitor his interest in the playing itself and most importantly ask him what he thinks, because it's all too easy to buy a cheap keyboard and think that the kid doesn't have interest when actually he just thinks the keyboard sucks and therefore loses interest.
Cheez
Moderator
Nov said:I have enrolled my son for piano lesson, and needed to buy a keyboard for his practice, which keyboard is more suitable for a beginner? (Didn't want to invest into a piano... dont know how long the interest will last...)
I am afraid that's the risk you've got to take. How old is your son?
You can never know how long his interest will last. It is all about discipline. My sister learned the piano for 4-5 years before finally giving it up altogether. I almost gave it up as well when I was a kid - if not being "strongly encouraged" by my parents to continue. I'm glad they did that and I'm glad I continued.
If you're not sure if he is interested, you may want to enrol him in some kind of music appreciation class instead of formal classical piano lessons. I believe many music schools have courses that let the kids play keyboards (not piano) just to help them appreciate and build interest in music and keyboards. That's how I started anyway (at 4 years old).
Coming from an electronic music perspective, you should try getting him one that has midi in/out. And buy one copy of this magazine computer music. In it you will get one free audio sequencer, a few instruments and a sampler.
You can get some free soundfonts off the internet for soundcards like the creative soundblaster. This will ensure some longevity and growing up with the instrument. He'll be able to make tonnes more sounds.
Once he realises the potential, he'll either pester you some more gear or if he doesn't he'll just say ho hum and do other stuff.
Yeah and like cheez asks how old is the guy? Because he's a beginner, he'll never know the limitations of a device until he figures it out, or some mean classmates tell him the minikey keyboards are for sissies ...... oh the joys of studying in singapore
You can get some free soundfonts off the internet for soundcards like the creative soundblaster. This will ensure some longevity and growing up with the instrument. He'll be able to make tonnes more sounds.
Once he realises the potential, he'll either pester you some more gear or if he doesn't he'll just say ho hum and do other stuff.
Yeah and like cheez asks how old is the guy? Because he's a beginner, he'll never know the limitations of a device until he figures it out, or some mean classmates tell him the minikey keyboards are for sissies
...... oh the joys of studying in singapore He's 9 year old.... 8)
Actually I ask if he would like to learn guitar but he say he wanted to learn piano (he didn't dare to ask cos the piano is expensive, but then i manage to convince him that i can afford the keyboard and it's ok to practice on the keyboard :wink: )
Now is just which keyboard is better for him (preferly can be used for at least 1-2 yrs )? and if he really interested then i'll upgrade...
Or is there anywhere in Singapore where they sells 2nd hand keyboard?
Actually I ask if he would like to learn guitar but he say he wanted to learn piano (he didn't dare to ask cos the piano is expensive, but then i manage to convince him that i can afford the keyboard and it's ok to practice on the keyboard :wink: )
Now is just which keyboard is better for him (preferly can be used for at least 1-2 yrs
)? and if he really interested then i'll upgrade...Or is there anywhere in Singapore where they sells 2nd hand keyboard?
wow! veganbleu!
you dont scare Nov man. ha..haa...haaa
but at 11 years old, i was really 'sequencing' on a Commodro64! Actully, it was more like programming. I was at one computer camp and we learnt how to do stuff like these. That really triggered my interest in computer music. :lol:
okie okie, back to which keyboard.
I think the Casio is hard to beat. Choosing which model is a little difficult though. There's this Casio WK1800 at Mustafa selling for about $550. (76 keys somemore).
you dont scare Nov man. ha..haa...haaa
but at 11 years old, i was really 'sequencing' on a Commodro64! Actully, it was more like programming. I was at one computer camp and we learnt how to do stuff like these. That really triggered my interest in computer music. :lol:
okie okie, back to which keyboard.
I think the Casio is hard to beat. Choosing which model is a little difficult though. There's this Casio WK1800 at Mustafa selling for about $550. (76 keys somemore).
veganbleu said:Coming from an electronic music perspective, you should try getting him one that has midi in/out. And buy one copy of this magazine computer music. In it you will get one free audio sequencer, a few instruments and a sampler.
You can get some free soundfonts off the internet for soundcards like the creative soundblaster. This will ensure some longevity and growing up with the instrument. He'll be able to make tonnes more sounds.
Once he realises the potential, he'll either pester you some more gear or if he doesn't he'll just say ho hum and do other stuff.
Yeah and like cheez asks how old is the guy? Because he's a beginner, he'll never know the limitations of a device until he figures it out, or some mean classmates tell him the minikey keyboards are for sissies
Commodore64 ........ ah those hard dark keys. And the casing..... i had an apple IIe instead. Those were the days of long afternoons....
Ok ok ok ok 9 year old kid. Take it he and you aren't really into heavy electronic music. So it's more like a semi classical, easy listening pop route, until he get's into the internet. And he's not like the going to havok soon kind of guy? Plus i guess the piano lessons is at a school and not at home?
Usually home piano teachers would rather have a piano to play and teach on. The 76 full size keys should be what 6 octaves? That's pretty ok. Comes with midi in/out so can connect to computer. Brilliant. So basically can do sequencing on computer. Ok most keyboard synthesizers run up past the 1K mark. So casio's are one of the cheapest to get. They're quite good really and for anybody just wanting to dabble, it's always best to get those first. So any keyboard that has 6 octaves, midi i/o, full size keys and ok sounds under the WK1800's price, you should get those first. Probably that's going to be another casio. Does the psr series fit that criteria?
Don't forget to go shopping at mustafa and carrefour. They're really the cheapest places around. plus try out the chapati at norris road a few streets before mustafa. Yeah the shop might look disgusting, but it's very tasty.
Ok ok ok ok 9 year old kid. Take it he and you aren't really into heavy electronic music. So it's more like a semi classical, easy listening pop route, until he get's into the internet. And he's not like the going to havok soon kind of guy? Plus i guess the piano lessons is at a school and not at home?
Usually home piano teachers would rather have a piano to play and teach on. The 76 full size keys should be what 6 octaves? That's pretty ok. Comes with midi in/out so can connect to computer. Brilliant. So basically can do sequencing on computer. Ok most keyboard synthesizers run up past the 1K mark. So casio's are one of the cheapest to get. They're quite good really and for anybody just wanting to dabble, it's always best to get those first. So any keyboard that has 6 octaves, midi i/o, full size keys and ok sounds under the WK1800's price, you should get those first. Probably that's going to be another casio. Does the psr series fit that criteria?
Don't forget to go shopping at mustafa and carrefour. They're really the cheapest places around. plus try out the chapati at norris road a few streets before mustafa. Yeah the shop might look disgusting, but it's very tasty.
Man, i don't think any of these things are going for under 1K even 2nd hand or i'd have gone and bought one. But please someone prove me wrong.
You can try scouring the luthermusic website. Personally i've never believed the actual cost of the equipment to be worth the retail price. Just wondering what the markup is like since most operations should be based in china anyway.
You can try scouring the luthermusic website. Personally i've never believed the actual cost of the equipment to be worth the retail price. Just wondering what the markup is like since most operations should be based in china anyway.
hmmm. you are very correct in saying that non of the stuff i quoted is worth below 1K. in fact, far from that. i suppose the cost of production (china or not) is irrelevant, if not someone let me knoe where i can buy a Roland Fantom X7 at china price looking for one.
but anyway to answer ur question, look in the yellow pages for like Cristofori warehouse sales (somewhere near Simei), or look at places like here (SOFT.com.sg).
I personally am selling my digital piano, Yamaha P250 at 3.2Kneg (i tink it should be out of ur budget), but if you're looking at the best sounds and touch that feels like a grand piano, nothing comes close.
but back to the digital pianos, the range (for brand new or quite new 2nd hand) should be somewhere from 1.5K to 3K. If you're looking for one of those solid ones (with normal piano looking stand and all), try either the Kurzweil Mark series (www.kurzweilmusicsystems.com) or the yamaha Clavinova (www.yamaha.com.sg)
i suppose the cost of production (china or not) is irrelevant, if not someone let me knoe where i can buy a Roland Fantom X7 at china price looking for one.but anyway to answer ur question, look in the yellow pages for like Cristofori warehouse sales (somewhere near Simei), or look at places like here (SOFT.com.sg).
I personally am selling my digital piano, Yamaha P250 at 3.2Kneg (i tink it should be out of ur budget), but if you're looking at the best sounds and touch that feels like a grand piano, nothing comes close.
but back to the digital pianos, the range (for brand new or quite new 2nd hand) should be somewhere from 1.5K to 3K. If you're looking for one of those solid ones (with normal piano looking stand and all), try either the Kurzweil Mark series (www.kurzweilmusicsystems.com) or the yamaha Clavinova (www.yamaha.com.sg)
Cheez
Moderator
James,
Commodore64??? Those were the days eh? I got the Apple IIe. Still remember the excitement when I first figured how to program the computer keyboard into a one octave keyboard using those PEEK and POKE commands. Then switched to the Appple IIGS - really thrilled with the digitised sound and all. I still remembered the first song I did on that machine - one of my favourite cartoon's theme song using 15 midi tracks. That was fun!
Nov,
I'm going to suggest something a little different. Again, I think the decision lies on you.
In my opinion, if you want your son to learn the piano, there's no substitute for a real piano. If he practices on a keyboard, the touch will be so different that both he and his teacher will be frustrated during the lessons. His techniques will all be wrong. In the end, your son will think he cannot make it or he is not cut out for it (which is false since he does not have a chance to practice on a real piano) and he WILL give up eventually as a result. If you do buy a piano, it also shows your seriousness in it - it also serves as an impetus for him to continue. If you give him the impression that he is just "trying out" by getting a keyboard, the likelihood of him giving up is higher since all kids goes through phases of disliking things that needs discipline. If our children hates maths, that doesn't mean we let them drop it in school. Of course, I'm not saying that you should "force" him, just show him that you're serious and he should be serious about it too.
A second-hand piano should be OK. Also, unlike electronic keyboards and products which depreciate the moment you purchase it, pianos have a higher resale value. So if he should give it up (hopefully not, and you should not give him that impression), you can still sell it without incurring too much loss. But at least you've given your son a chance - that I think is worth it. Who knows he may turn out to be a prodigy. He had made the first step by telling you he is interested in learning the piano - that's a good start.
If you're really unsure, then as I suggested, get him in a music appreciation class first to see if he really is insterested.
What do you think?
Commodore64??? Those were the days eh? I got the Apple IIe. Still remember the excitement when I first figured how to program the computer keyboard into a one octave keyboard using those PEEK and POKE commands. Then switched to the Appple IIGS - really thrilled with the digitised sound and all. I still remembered the first song I did on that machine - one of my favourite cartoon's theme song using 15 midi tracks. That was fun!
Nov,
I'm going to suggest something a little different. Again, I think the decision lies on you.
In my opinion, if you want your son to learn the piano, there's no substitute for a real piano. If he practices on a keyboard, the touch will be so different that both he and his teacher will be frustrated during the lessons. His techniques will all be wrong. In the end, your son will think he cannot make it or he is not cut out for it (which is false since he does not have a chance to practice on a real piano) and he WILL give up eventually as a result. If you do buy a piano, it also shows your seriousness in it - it also serves as an impetus for him to continue. If you give him the impression that he is just "trying out" by getting a keyboard, the likelihood of him giving up is higher since all kids goes through phases of disliking things that needs discipline. If our children hates maths, that doesn't mean we let them drop it in school. Of course, I'm not saying that you should "force" him, just show him that you're serious and he should be serious about it too.
A second-hand piano should be OK. Also, unlike electronic keyboards and products which depreciate the moment you purchase it, pianos have a higher resale value. So if he should give it up (hopefully not, and you should not give him that impression), you can still sell it without incurring too much loss. But at least you've given your son a chance - that I think is worth it. Who knows he may turn out to be a prodigy. He had made the first step by telling you he is interested in learning the piano - that's a good start.
If you're really unsure, then as I suggested, get him in a music appreciation class first to see if he really is insterested.
What do you think?
Unless of course he realises that really you don't need a piano or a cert to make music, and decides to plunge into the depths of the electronic labyrinth by using free software and his own skills.
But if you know he doesn't quite swing that way, then cheez's suggestion is fairly sound.
But if you know he doesn't quite swing that way, then cheez's suggestion is fairly sound.
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