What to Buy?

Ok, so I have been playing piano for 5 years now, and my keyboard finally broke. My birthday is coming up soon and my parents said they'll buy me a new one, but to try to keep it under 400$. I'm looking for something that has modulation, pitch bend, reverb, semi-weighted or non weighted keys (I play a lot of fast music), transposing, and is able to connect to a computer to record. Other features that I'd like but can live without are split, layer, and the ability to run as a standalone keyboard. I will not buy anything less than 49 keys, and if it is a standalone keyboard as well, then I'd prefer some good quality sounds (but won't expect much for only 400$). If any of you could help then I'd greatly appreciate it :phones:

How old are you?

Welcome, by the way... I think That Yamahas are sometimes okay... Casios are better.

Those are all I know.

Heckel

Yamaha YPG235 76-Key

It's listed at 500 but i've got it down to 330 a while back ago and I think I saw it for sell at 350.

@ Bitterduck: Thank you, I have found one for under 300 that I'll order later this week. Just one question; I see that you can add new songs to it (which is awesome), but can you add new sounds?

@ Heckelphone224: I turn 17 in 11 days, and thanks for the welcome. My thoughts are that Roland>Yamaha>Casio (never played a Korg before)

Casio makes a great wristwatch/calculator!!!

No idea, I would have to go back to the store and look. I should mention to you that as a hobby, I like to go to music store and haggle prices down. I wouldn't buy that keyboard the sound isn't uniform, but that's to be expected for anything less than a g.

Even though you already found out what you're going to get, I'd save up for one of these:

2004 Korg Triton Extreme

Ok Ok, listen...

If you play and want to continue playing piano (not organ or such) tell your parents that you will need sooner or later a 88key piano, that's what I always say to students' parents making the same question, ... if they really can't pay a 88keys .... ok, BUT if they can, don't waste the money buying a 76key, I consider that useless, because is just not enough to play professional piano pieces, and those 76 are almost the prize of a 88

Check this one:

http://www.wwbw.com/Williams-Encore-88-Key-Digital-Piano-700311-i1170449.wwbw

and these ones:

http://www.wwbw.com/Search/Default.aspx?internal=1&src=88 key piano.

I mean, I do understand the money factor, but you won't reach a pro level in a 61keys, and that "later" "when he plays better" ..... student needs the instrument before learning not after.

*sigh* He's a 16 yr old kid. His parents are spending the money. Yeah that Korg is awesome but it's also a professional level instrument. And yes 88 keys is nice but why assume he is needs it right now. I'm sure in a perfect world he would buy the best possible thing, but it's not a perfect world. I don't understand what's so damn hard about answering his question without needless mumbo jumbo.

*sigh* He's a 16 yr old kid. His parents are spending the money. Yeah that Korg is awesome but it's also a professional level instrument. And yes 88 keys is nice but why assume he is needs it right now...

Also, the OP specifically requested semi or non-weighted keys.

Doesn't anyone read anymore?

I said IF...

if is possible to them to buy a 88, why not ?

I'll be obstinated on this, if he really wants to learn, he needs something as closer as possible to a real piano.

Semi and non-weighted keys with touch sence gives a false idea of what real keys are, (many are too much sensitive, 'cos the lack of weight) if he learns on one of those, and then he plays his fast music in a real one, he will get tired really soon.

And after beethoven he will need the 88 keys, myself for instance, I wouldn't know what to play in a 61, (A Piano Piece) all the ones I recall right now need the 88, Beethoven, Chopin, Scriabin, Prokofiev, my own ones...

besides, he has 5 years playing, is time to put the toys away and move to a real one.

I repeat, the money can be a issue, but nobody will regret the buying of a 88 keys,

That's fine advice if he was buying it himself, but his parents are. Do you expect the kid to say, dear mom and dad please don't buy me gifts until you can unleash a grand and buy me something good K THANKS. Everyone has different goals, different purposes, different means. What makes you think he wants to be a profession and not a hobbyist? He gave us his needs and that should guide you to a recommendation. If someone ask for equipment and no prices, I will by all means give them a list of what I consider to be the best. However, when given a restriction, why tease them with better crap when all they could afford is something else? I swear some people just like to spew how much info they know instead of help people -_-.

Ok, but I've seen sometimes the parents don't know the kid will need the 88, they think he can be on that 61 forever, so, someone should tell them, no offend, no kidding, sometimes they just don't know.

There is a line by Yamaha, the Portable Grand, I saw a 71 in arround $400, I didn't buy it 'cos I wanted the 88, but those models are less expensive...

This is the one I saw:

It suppose to be designed for be light (because all the others a very heavy to transport) it does have good keys.... look !! I found it in $299 in wwbw

check the .... Ups, it has no USB, you need the Yamaha UX-16 MIDI-USB interface)...

Why is all of this such a big deal all of a sudden?

All I said is that I personally would save up (he's 16, old enough to get a job in most places) to get what I suggested. Hell who says he can't just throw in money he has from a job that he might have or a girlfriend or wherever it came from with his parents $400? The only thing the one I suggested was it can't really "stand alone" the way I think he means for it to, I mean it needs an amp/speakers to plug into.

Then somebody else offered some helpful advice. Yeah, it may be more than what the kid is asking for, but what if somebody else browsing the forum sees the thread and decides they need a new keyboard too and they have more money to spend and are looking for something better. Then they won't even have to bother responding or asking anything or making a whole new thread.

I really don't see what the big deal is, especially since the OP said he thinks he already found what he's going to get. SO what if somebody gives extra information, it may help the OP in the future. Besides, playing on weighted keys makes you faster and increases finesse and finger strength so that when you jump on a set of semi or non-weighted keys, you're EVEN FASTER.

There's no sense in arguing back and forth for somebody being given some extra advice.

EDIT: On top of that, the OP said he's been playing for 5 years. Hobby or more than that, that's a long time and a lot of effort to put into learning something, I'm sure he's going to want to continue on and get better and/or get better gear.

EDIT AGAIN: Also, maybe the OP hadn't considered some of the other stuff talked about in the thread or thought about it and it could change his mind/opinion. That's happened to me more than once and I'm glad most of the time for the extra info or change in idea.

Edited March 19, 201015 yr by anathematized_one

IF you haven't figured this out by now, I'll tell you. It's not that I'm really arguing, I just have to rebuttal every single thing. It's kinda like a hobby, so if you ever wish to end a debate with me, just stop posting. Look, I've been on the internet long enough to see people ask for something and then get told to get everything else but what the person asked for. It's annoying when you're the person asking, and it's pointless when you're the person giving "advice."

Look I just take a person on their word. Yes, in theory he could get a job and save up and if he said that, i would've recommended something else. However, I make it a point not to confuse my goals and my needs with his. After 5 years on the guitar, yeah I got a job and after 2 years (i started working when i was 10) I was finally able to throw down for my first real amp, sound board, cords, and various other stuff, because I had the goal of becoming a real musician. On the other had, my brother played keyboard for 10 years and he still has the same one I got him 15 years ago. His goal is to be a hobbyist. FYI, he doesn't suck at the piano, he's a quality player just doesn't have the interest to invest money into that particular hobby. I like going hiking, but at the same time, I don't carry the top of the line gear, because I don't need it for my purpose.

It's fine to give advice like what you are doing when the kid is clueless and just say hey I need a keyboard this is my price range. However, when he comes in telling you exactly what he would like/needs then...what real purposes does it serve to give him options that are 1000 dollars more than his price range and do more than what he needs. YES in the future he MIGHT want better gear and yes HE might want to become a profession pianist, or he might just want to jam out in his basement. If he finds that he does want to expand, then it isn't exactly a sin to create a new thread and make a new request.

As a reply to your edit, did you assume he put a lot of effort into it? I've played drums for 5 years and I know 10 yrs who played for 5 months better than I do.

And this is all considering the fact...that his current option is no keyboard or a 400 dollar one.

Ok, let us calm, I just want to add something,

Very often the better advise is to buy something semi-professional, in much cases this means "not the best but works fine" and refers to the Brand Reputation, Material (Plastic, wood etc) and other things is the case of Trumpet, Clarinet, Guitar, Violin, Cello, Drums, etc but at least they are selling you the complete instrument, they don't sell you a violin with 3 strings or a trumpet with 2 pistons, the "non-professional" aspect is reduced in the aspects can be reduced, but in the case of the piano they actually ARE selling you an incomplete instrument, that's why I point the impornatce of the 88, I'm not talking about plastic or wood, an aditional F# key, Gold or silver, black or white etc... so my opinion is they should buy the 88 and if money is an impediment, ok, no problem they can always buy it later.

I understand your point and I wasn't really going after you. Just the moron who suggested something a few grand over his price range. 88 keys would be best, but I personally couldn't find anything in that range. I only recommend stuff I've played and price haggled personally. However, I still cannot say that he needs 88 keys for his purpose. Clearly he's doing fine without and I'm sure if he wanted to, he wouldn't have a problem selling his body in exchange for money to get something he needs. Like I said, i go by a strict policy of give a person what they ask for.

Ok, I found one really nice in $399, you still have 1 dollar to spend in something more

Casio CDP100

yay!

I appreciate all the help guys, but the arguing needs to stop, so I'll clarify a few things.

1) I prefer semi-weighted or non-weighted keys because I've had surgery on my wrist, and even then it will never heal right. Lighter keys = less stress on my hand

2)I plan to take music in college, along with video productions and P.E.

3) I would save up my own money for a really nice one, but I put too much time into sports (sometimes as much as 45 hours a week). I do diving and wrestling and have had multiple colleges talk to me for both of them.

4) As far a performing goes, I prefer to be in a band or studio as opposed to a solo live performance (stupid surgery)

5) I do not need 88 keys at the moment. I have written many covers and originals, and none of them have needed all 88 keys. So far, the biggest one needed a range of 64 keys (Ironically, an Nintendo 64 video game music medely lol)

But seriously guys, thanks for your help :phones: