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!

[capncnut]

Neil's the blonde dude with the wings.

[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