O/T Anyone have any keyboard (musical) knowledge?

[suzanne]

Was wondering if anyone can help me with this as I dont have a clue what I'm doing.

My daughter wants to learn to play the keyboard but unfortunatley there are no music schools nearby so I'm looking for something that is going to be easy for her to follow and learn, she is only 9 so her music knowledge is very limited and mine is even less.

I have got my eye on this but only because it is being sold locally

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=017&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=270096001867&rd=1&rd=1

However I have found this one which looks mega cool

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/ModelSeriesDetail/0,,CNTID%25253D21387%252526CTID%25253D205300%252526CNTYP%25253DPRODUCT,00.html

Can anyone give me some advise or perhaps suggest something else?

Thanks in advance.

[Moskvich]

It depends what she wants to play (or what you want her to play). If she just wants to find her way round the keyboard and play a few tunes, then something like you're looking at on ebay would be fine. You'd want to get something with as many keys as possible though, as it's quite easy to "run out" of notes once you make progress.

If she actually wants to play the piano but you have to take into account space and cost, then a keyboard like this isn't a great replacement (though it might still be an ok place to start, to see if she actually likes it). The keys on a keyboard aren't weighted, so the variation in tone and volume that you can get out of them is very limited, and playing it is actually quite a different technique.

If you are looking for a piano replacement (or might be in the future) and could spend a bit more, look at something like the Yamaha Clavinova range. (Look up Clavinova on ebay). They're electronic, so plug into the mains, and are much much lighter and smaller than an actual piano. But they sound basically like a piano and the keyboard is weighted like a piano keyboard. They're not exactly cheap though - around £700 new, though I imagine you could get one for half that or even less second-hand. I've got one of these, and while it's not quite like having a proper piano it's a very decent substitute.

Hope that helps a bit. If you've got any more questions I might be able to help with, let me know.

[suzanne]

Thanks for the reply mate.

I dont want to spend too much until I see if its a passing fad or not.

Just looked up the Clavinova  WOW  even I want one!!!!

What do you think of the second link I posted? There was a chap selling one on ebay today but it didnt reach its reserve price. I got in touch with him and he is willing to sell it for £100 which seems reasonable as I only found it on one site priced at £280.

I like the game feature on it as it is more likely to keep her interested but it doesnt have many keys either.

What do you think?

[sofa----king]

Thanks for the reply mate.

I dont want to spend too much until I see if its a passing fad or not.

Just looked up the Clavinova  WOW  even I want one!!!!

What do you think of the second link I posted? There was a chap selling one on ebay today but it didnt reach its reserve price. I got in touch with him and he is willing to sell it for £100 which seems reasonable as I only found it on one site priced at £280.

I like the game feature on it as it is more likely to keep her interested but it doesnt have many keys either.

What do you think?

the ez250 is perfect for finding your way around a keyboard.,.,.belive it or not, but with my sausage fingers i play piano.,.,.,and when i was a kid learning it all took to long and i got fed up quick.,.,.the ez250 would not discourage her from learning.,.,.now i play like liberace lol.,.,dont tell anyone

[suzanne]

Oooooooooooooo...I will bring it along to next BB and you can seranade me