Help in choosing keyboard!

[Cheez]

nah...we have agreed that it would just be learning, enjoying the music, he need not take any exam if he doesn't want to....

Btw is Suziki SS-90d and HP-97 digital piano good? Cos Cristofori is selling...

It's not about taking exams. It never is and never should be. Playing for the sake of exams kills interest and creativity. Well, I think it is a pity if he doesn't go classical since he is only 9 - a very good age to get his flexible fingers trained. Broaden his options when he is older. Can always go electronic later - easier than going classical later. Once his technique is fixed, very difficult to relearn it.

 

[Nov]

I have enrol him for classical piano :roll:

He like classical music, always tune to the radio to listen to classical music since he was small. I'm think of getting a weight keyboard so that he can start on the right track, also thinking of learning with him to motivate him... but that must see how much he enjoys the lesson first. He'll be starting his first lesson this saturday.

 

[Cheez]

Great! Then please, please do consider seriously getting a real piano. There is really a lot of difference. The closest keyboard touch to a real piano is the Yamaha S90/ S08 series, but it can NEVER beat the real thing. Furthermore, it is also about acoustic. Can't beat hearing the piano resonating from its body; the difference in resonance between pedal up and pedal down etc. Hearing from speakers is totally different. Also, no matter how real the sound is, it can sound like a real piano.

Too many differences between the real piano and an electronic one. If he is learning classical, you definitely must get a real piano. It will make a huge difference in his playing and practising.

 

[weckl-x]

Hello, was going to start a new thread when I managed to find this.

Since the last post was 3 years ago... Hope to get some new responses! Am asking on behalf of a friend actually. Thanks!

Note: She's actually posting the questions on another local forum, but I'm quoting her here to make it easier for you guys here to read and help.

Original question @ http://www.spug.sg/forums/showthread.php?t=89935

Kiddie is learning piano at kiddie music school and is progressing well, and teacher advising to buy at least a beginner's keyboard for her to practice at home.

No way to be getting a real piano at this stage (she's 5 yrs old) but dont want to get a useless toy too.

Please advise what might be suitable? What functions, price range, where to get?

Thanks in advance

was thinking about it and even to compromise on a "hammer-action" keyboard but above budget

teacher says it is better to practice on keyboard then nothing at all, so keyboard for fun and practice for a year, should be ok bah.

if kid sticks it out, we'll get a "real" piano in about a year.

the PSR-E303 was about S$370 and PSR-E203 S$270 for non-members (any Yamaha members here btw?

but we dont know enough about keyboards to know if these are good or not, or too good for that matter ...

so asking for opinions and recommendations.

Any violent arguments to repeal or keep 61 keys instead of 88 keys?

any comments on

Casio CTK-496 going for $199 at Harvey Norman

Casio LK-215 going for $399 at Harvey Norman

both 61 keys btw...

 

[soft]

If her concern is the budget then we can only make do with that. We will narrow it down to "Get the best within budget".

If her wish is to see her child progress/complete the piano studies then investing in a real piano is the way to go.

Maybe start with a second hand ($2k) piano?

Those keyboards you mentioned are not suitable for piano lessons at all.

* haiz.... piano ARE expensive toys

 

[pf]

I think just buy a cheapo one first. The kid is just 5! If she turns out to hate the lessons then no loss.

If she can stick it thru, not too late to get a real piano anyways.

 

[iansoh]

Casio CTK series is out. not velocity sensitive, it does nothing to help the kid develop finger strength and sensitivity, and only confuses the poor kid who doens't understand why the piano at school suddenly feels impossible to play.

the LK-215 looks acceptable but at that price, one would be better off with a Yamaha.

anyway, i don't think it's impossible to find a used upright piano for a little more than the LK-215. maybe $400-700? chinese-made ones such as Pearl River or Shanghai.

anyway, currently on the SOFT classified ads: a Korg SP250 for $700, that's a really cheap and decent digital piano suitable for beginner pianists. brand new price is $1250 I believe. http://soft.com.sg/forum/showthread.php?t=39317 ... Must act soon before it possibly reappears on the classifieds some months later going at a couple hundred higher.

 

[bongman]

...and only confuses the poor kid who doens't understand why the piano at school suddenly feels impossible to play

that's a good comment from Ian, I
believe having the right piano for a
kid learning music is very important.

the Korg SP250 is a good deal and good
enough for a youngster to start playing
music.

I have a SP300 and I'm happy with its
touch. Although not too impressed with
the patches, so I use an external piano
module to play.

 

[pf]

only confuses the poor kid who doens't understand why the piano at school suddenly feels impossible to play.

that's a good consideration......

I was thinking that I found security in harder keys when I switch from a PSR to a CVP. But that's just me.

 

[Cheez]

weckl-x, can you get your friend to post in SOFT?

It's not an easy decision. There's always the fear that the child may not want to continue to play, so the concern of getting a piano that's useless after a while (particularly if the child is only 5).

If your friend is unsure, my suggestion is to enroll the child in some kind of music exploration class designed for young kids (like in Yamaha) - just to see if the interest grows. Getting a cheap keyboard "for fun" is OK at this age. Let the child treat it as a toy.

On the other hand, children learns fast and if given a real piano at this stage (with proper lessons), the child CAN learn quite a bit. Most parents who put their children to piano lessons at a young age should be able to testify to that (me included, although the teacher for my son is me).

 

[yojanjan]

weckl-x, can you get your friend to post in SOFT?

It's not an easy decision. There's always the fear that the child may not want to continue to play, so the concern of getting a piano that's useless after a while (particularly if the child is only 5).

If your friend is unsure, my suggestion is to enroll the child in some kind of music exploration class designed for young kids (like in Yamaha) - just to see if the interest grows. Getting a cheap keyboard "for fun" is OK at this age. Let the child treat it as a toy.

On the other hand, children learns fast and if given a real piano at this stage (with proper lessons), the child CAN learn quite a bit. Most parents who put their children to piano lessons at a young age should be able to testify to that (me included, although the teacher for my son is me).

Hi all! Many thanks for the replies to the question that weckl-x (thanks again too) had posted for me.

Kid is 5 and has just started 2 months ago in seimpi. Nobody at home has any musical background and we have only 8 key toys , so kid is practicing on either these toys or air-playing.

Teacher is encouring us to buy at least something, since practicing on a keyboard is better than nothing at all.

We dont know if the interest will last and therefore unwilling to invest in a piano yet, we will seriously consider a used upright when she gets through 1 whole year of lessons and moving on to one-to-one.

But in the mean time just planning to fork out say S$300 so that she can practice and as a gauge for us to see how much she likes playing a piano and making music. Not too cheap to the point of getting a completely useless toy; but not too much to have major heartache if she quits soon. Is that reasonable?

We really dont know how to evaulate what is good except trawling the net for reviews and asking forummers, so all comments and suggestions much appreciated.

 

[yojanjan]

it does nothing to help the kid develop finger strength and sensitivity, and only confuses the poor kid who doens't understand why the piano at school suddenly feels impossible to play.

Excellent point there...

anyway, currently on the SOFT classified ads: a Korg SP250 for $700, that's a really cheap and decent digital piano suitable for beginner pianists. brand new price is $1250 I believe. http://soft.com.sg/forum/showthread.php?t=39317 ... Must act soon before it possibly reappears on the classifieds some months later going at a couple hundred higher.

already sold. and above our current budget...

 

[Cheez]

Hi Yojanjan, if you're at least 50% sure your child will continue to play the piano, I think it's worth investing in a piano (second hand). Piano's resale value is much higher than keyboards, so you don't have to worry about losing too much money if your child is not going to take it up eventually. If you're really unsure (about 20% sure), then I would say any keyboard will do. Casio is probably within your range. You won't get good touch at that price, but it think it is acceptable considering your situation.

If where you r child is learning the piano is not too far away from your home, you may want to consider renting the piano studio. I travel a lot - as do my family. Recently we had to spend about 1 month in Hong Kong. What we did is to pay for 1 month rental in a studio (much cheaper to rent en bloc for 1 month than to pay each time) - then we get him to practice almost everyday for 30 minutes on a real piano. You may not need to have your child practice everyday, but once or twice a week (short period each time) may help your child practice and helps you assess your child's interest.

 

[pf]

I think just post your budget for a 2nd hand piano to see what comes up. Maybe somebody is looking to sell.

But rental might be a gd idea. I met someone who rented a violin coz they were not sure if the family will relocate or the kid can cope with school work and violin lessons. Maybe can rent piano to put at home for a couple of months to see if your kid's interest last.

Oh yeah....if the piano school don't mind u using the piano in class when they have empty slots, just bring ur kid over lor.....free somemore!

 

[Cheez]

Actually, renting (as in getting the piano in your place) is quite expensive. Rental of the piano studio can be quite cheap. I'm not so sure if they will give free even if they have empty slots, but no harm trying! In Hong Kong, the place we went has 5 piano rooms and most of the time empty. We still need to pay - but quite cheap (about S$20-S$30 for 5 hours; and since my son only does 30 minutes a day, that gave us 10 days).

 

[yojanjan]

Hi Yojanjan, if you're at least 50% sure your child will continue to play the piano, I think it's worth investing in a piano (second hand). Piano's resale value is much higher than keyboards, so you don't have to worry about losing too much money if your child is not going to take it up eventually. If you're really unsure (about 20% sure), then I would say any keyboard will do. Casio is probably within your range. You won't get good touch at that price, but it think it is acceptable considering your situation.

If where you r child is learning the piano is not too far away from your home, you may want to consider renting the piano studio. I travel a lot - as do my family. Recently we had to spend about 1 month in Hong Kong. What we did is to pay for 1 month rental in a studio (much cheaper to rent en bloc for 1 month than to pay each time) - then we get him to practice almost everyday for 30 minutes on a real piano. You may not need to have your child practice everyday, but once or twice a week (short period each time) may help your child practice and helps you assess your child's interest.

Thanks for advice, at this point, it is more like 20% sure with 50% HOPE that she will continue beyond the foundation year...

the school is about 20min drive away, and our work place are more than 1 hour away, so rental of studio is not that feasible at the moment. but i'll keep the idea of renting a whole piano for a later time.

keyboard will be it for now, but which one...

 

[yojanjan]

Been checking out some of the available models and narrowed to the following:

- Yamaha PSR-E303 S$335
- Yamaha PSR-E203 S$235 reviews

- Casio LK-215 $399
- Casio CTK-496 $199

At the moment I'm leaning towards the Yamaha E203 or E303... any violent objections or other advice on other possible models?

TIA!

 

[Cheez]

Yamaha will have slightly better piano sounds from the Yamaha. Either model is OK.

 

[yojanjan]

Yamaha will have slightly better piano sounds from the Yamaha. Either model is OK.

Thanks for advice!