Classical music

[pianowizard]

I do have a request from piano players- I am looking at electronic pianos for portability and practice. I'd like to be able to practice w/headphones on or be able to connect speakers for a bigger sound if I need to. Budget is a concern so if anyone is familiar with electronic pianos I'm wondering what brand is decent. I found one type for about $70 on amazon and it got decent reviews. I know that electronic pianos won't take the place of a full-sized but its something to get hands-on and to continue playing music with.

Wow, you really are getting serious about learning classical music -- good for you! You have proved that my earlier interpretation of your opening post was totally incorrect.

I decided to chime in because I really didn't want you to waste your money, even if it's just $70. Forget about electronic keyboards. Their keys are way too light. "Weighted keys" simply means the sound is louder as you press harder, but the keys themselves are about as light as non-weighted keys. Instead, look for digital pianos, whose keys are much closer in weight and action to those of acoustic pianos. Also, make sure you buy one with 88 keys. You may think that as a beginner, you don't need a full keyboard, but you would be surprised how soon you will start learning pieces that exceed the range of a 61- or even 76-key keyboard. Brand-new digital pianos are going to cost you at least $400, but it's a good investment. Amazon has the Casio PX-130 for $439.69 shipped, and the Yamaha P-85 for $449.99. I have the Casio PX-130 in my office and like it a lot. It still doesn't feel exactly like a real piano, but close enough. Years from now, when you have more money, invest in a Yamaha Clavinova. At home I have a Clavinova CLP-340.

Here's a YouTube video of me playing my Casio PX-130: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPF1fxDDQZQ

And I made this on my Clainova CLP-340: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSXh9hkS48U

[emeraldgirl08]

^^^Bravo! Bravo!!!

Wow! I'm glad I clicked on that link before I left for my class. What a treat

Unfortunately I do not have the $400+ dollars at the moment (notice the new addition in my sig >.<) so I'm going to have to think of something along the lines of the links I posted. If I was going for a BA in music then I probably would spring for something in that range. Hopefully in the near future when I get decent I'll have enough to get something similar to the one you are playing in the video.

Thanks for sharing your performance. Truly appreciated

[pianowizard]

^^^Bravo! Bravo!!!

Thanks.

Unfortunately I do not have the $400+ dollars at the moment (notice the new addition in my sig >.<) so I'm going to have to think of something along the lines of the links I posted.

If I were you, I would keep saving money until you can afford one of the digital pianos. The difference is HUGE, much bigger than the difference between Core i7 and Pentium III! In the meantime, your school's music department should have practice pianos for you to use.

[robert213]

$650 will buy you a vintage
1974 Fender Rhodes 88 Key Mark 1 Stage Piano
http://www.ebay.com/itm/270821756301
This piano was popular in the late 60's and earlly 70's.

Back in the 60's and 70's, the Japanese would take someone else's idea and try to perfect it, like this Vintage $2,500 YAMAHA CP70-B Rhodes Electric Piano!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170691762762

CME M-Key 49-Key USB MIDI Controller V2
PRO(s)
Ultra-thin, full-action, semi-weighted keyboard is velocity sensitive
Not only "weighted", but also "velocity" sensitive. When you forcefully strike a key, the sound module can produce an "accent" sound. When you hold down a key and add pressure, the sound module can use an "Leslie" effect to cause tremolo/vibrato.

1 x USB port, 1 x MIDI out, 2 x pedal connect
One pedal is used to sustain and hold a note. Another pedal is used for either volume or control effects. Common Effects are Reverb, Phaser, Chorus, and Distortion.

CON(s)
49 keys
My Kawai has 75 keys. My Ensoniq has 76 keys. The standard piano has 88 keys.

[robert213]

Watch DVD videos of your favorite band in concert. Most keyboardists don't use the built-in sound module found in their favorite keyboard. They use the keyboard that they are the most comfortable with and use its MIDI port to connect to a very expensive sound generator.

Stay with the brand names that you have heard of Kurzweil, Roland, Korg, Yamaha, Ensoniq, and Kawai (not in any particular order).

$30 will buy you this abused stage mule
Kurzweil PC88 Professional Keyboard Weighted Keys MIDI
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200655122665
**88 KEYS (weighted-action & key-touch/velocity-sensitive)**

$80 will buy you this mid-level
Roland A-33 (76 semi-weighted keys) Midi Controller Keyboard
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180729901112

I don't see many listings on eBay. Visit your local friendly neighborhood Rock-n-Blues Guitar Center to check out more used equipment.

-- Edit --

I didn't see PianoW's posts on the second page. I agree with his choices. Play a real Yamaha or Steinway Grand. Then, play one of his suggestions. The touch and feel of his choices as close as you can get without the cost of traditional upright or baby grand.

My suggestions are for someone who moves frequently and is looking for something that will fit inside of their car.

[RealBlackStuff]

Another reasonably priced learner's piano would be the Casio CPS-7 with76 (full-sized, but unweighted) keys.
If you just want to play the occasional tune, it's not a bad machine.
That, or a similar machine, can probably be picked up cheap in your local pawn shop.

[sysiphus]

I didn't see PianoW's posts on the second page. I agree with his choices. Play a real Yamaha or Steinway Grand. Then, play one of his suggestions. The touch and feel of his choices as close as you can get without the cost of traditional upright or baby grand.

My suggestions are for someone who moves frequently and is looking for something that will fit inside of their car.

Agreed, PianoWizard's suggestions are good ones. I might have to pick one myself next year (likely going to do a temporary move such that I can't take my piano with me(!))

This thread is lots of fun, though

[jronald]

WCPE is just through the woods from me.

Ron