Keyboard musicians...

[Neil]

I'm looking to get a simple keyboard to learn to play on...

The keyboard I've got my eyes on has 76 keys instead of 88. From what I can gather this will not be an issue in any way for learning and for the majority of pieces I might want to play?

[kortick]

76 keys is plenty.

88 keys is piano size keyboard.

most synths and electronic boards have 61 keys.

the thing u should look for are features.

how many notes polyphonic is it?

is it touch sensitive?

is the sound bank full of quality settings?

does it have a built in sustain or pedal, preferably adjustable?

also a stand and a bench are not luxury items,
being able to position it to your height and reach
is crucial in how u will be able to play.

but yes 76 keys is above the norm actually.

[capncnut]

Watch out, Neil's forming a group!

[clanglee]

Hey, I'm in!! I play a mean Jew's harp!!!!

[Neil]

76 keys is plenty.

88 keys is piano size keyboard.

most synths and electronic boards have 61 keys.

the thing u should look for are features.

how many notes polyphonic is it?

is it touch sensitive?

is the sound bank full of quality settings?

does it have a built in sustain or pedal, preferably adjustable?

also a stand and a bench are not luxury items,
being able to position it to your height and reach
is crucial in how u will be able to play.

but yes 76 keys is above the norm actually.

Well the two I'm looking at given the following requirements:-
- Not expensive
- Ideally 88 keys, worse case 76 keys
- Compact so I can get it out easily and sit it straight onto my desk in my study.
- Built in speakers ideally so turn on and go.
- Hammer action is too expensive, but at least an accurate velocity curves.

...are:-
- Yamaha NP30 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jvuchCUkBg
- M-Audio Prokeys 88sx - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxKk3LIFOAY

The Yamaha is almost perfect except not 88 keys, and if used as a midi controller no pitch/mod wheels.

The 88sx is almost perfect, and seems to have better sounds than the Yamaha, but does not have speakers so requires amplification, and has questionable reliability.


I think I'll go Yamaha as it's self contained so I use it elsewhere and if the kids want to use it in years to come, it's ideal...

[MoonSylver]

Watch out, Neil's forming a group!

http://blahblahblah.beloblog.com/archives/flock.JPG

[capncnut]

Neil's the blonde dude with the wings. :D

[kortick]

i say get a quicklock stand

playing on your desk is not a good idea.

they are cheap and easily moved.

and i like ur hair btw

[Yojimbo]

76 keys is plenty.

88 keys is piano size keyboard.

most synths and electronic boards have 61 keys.

the thing u should look for are features.

how many notes polyphonic is it?

is it touch sensitive?

is the sound bank full of quality settings?

does it have a built in sustain or pedal, preferably adjustable?

also a stand and a bench are not luxury items,
being able to position it to your height and reach
is crucial in how u will be able to play.

but yes 76 keys is above the norm actually.
I agree with Kortick. Those other issues are much more important than having less than 88 keys.

Back in the 80s I started out with something that is totally primitive by today's standards (Prophet 5) which was polyphonic up to 5 tones, not touch sensitive and while it had a bank of customizable sounds, you had to load them onto your synth using a tape cassette player hooked up to the back (this being way before midi and digital boards) Still love that analog sound though!

[Neil]

i say get a quicklock stand

playing on your desk is not a good idea.

they are cheap and easily moved.

and i like ur hair btw

The prefect place for me to learn is my study, on my desk, infront of my screen where I can also watch DVD lessons etc...

The Yamaha keyboard weighs about 14lbs so isn't going anywhere when put on the desk :)