What type of keyboard should a beginner get?

sweetwater.com - Best Beginner Keyboards for Learning Piano in 2022 - Sweetwater

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I believe that every musician should learn to play the piano. And, for beginners, buying a keyboard to learn on is a great option because keyboards simulate the sound and feel of an acoustic piano without the size and expense. The best beginner keyboards for learning piano should be playable and portable and have useful features like metronomes and built-in speakers. If you want to start learning the piano, Sweetwater carries plenty of beginner keyboards that are well suited for new players. Even having a handful of simple skills on the piano can pay dividends for any musician. The design of the piano keyboard is highly visual in nature and helps beginners build a solid foundation in the essential elements of music, especially those related to harmony. When you get a good understanding of the basics, such as intervals, chords, and chord progressions, you can easily apply those concepts to instruments like guitar and bass. If you’re ready to start learning to play the piano and need your first keyboard, then you’re in the right place. Below, I’ve selected the best beginner keyboards for learning piano.

Weighted Keyboards

Keyboards come with two general types of keys: weighted and unweighted. Both options will work perfectly well for the beginning pianist. Weighted keyboards are best for beginners who also want to play the acoustic piano. These keyboards replicate the touch and feel of an acoustic piano and help beginners develop the proper playing technique for a weighted-key instrument. The Yamaha P-45 digital piano is a great weighted-key option that’s perfect for the beginner pianist who is taking lessons and needs an instrument to practice on. It has 88 Graded Hammer Standard keys that simulate the weight of a real piano. Duo mode, which splits the piano into two zones with identical pitches and octave ranges, is useful for instruction or for practicing with a partner. The onboard speakers also aid in performing for others or in practicing aloud, while the 1/4-inch output allows you to play through headphones for quiet practice. Other keyboards such as the Yamaha P-125, an upgrade from the P-45, include more features and have additional sounds, such as electric pianos and organs. For example, the Alesis Recital Pro has adjustable touch response, allowing the player to change the velocity response of the keys to their liking. It also has a built-in metronome to improve your rhythm and timing; Record Mode to play back and listen to your performances; and the option to run on battery power for playing on the go. The Recital Pro and many of the keyboards mentioned here have USB capability so you can use the keyboard as a MIDI controller with your computer, smartphone, or tablet. The M-Audio Hammer 88, another weighted keyboard, can be powered through USB, as well. Many keyboards include apps and software for learning music. For example, the Hammer 88 comes with a 3-month trial of Skoove, which offers interactive piano lessons ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Casio’s CDP-S160 compact digital piano is compatible with Casio’s free Casio Music Space app, which allows you to connect via USB to your iOS or Android device to change your keyboard’s settings, play along to your favorite songs, and import standard MIDI files.

6 Best Weighted Beginner Keyboards for Learning Piano

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Unweighted Keyboards

Unweighted keyboards, known as synth-action keyboards, are a great option for beginners. The keys on these keyboards may have little weight in terms of key resistance, but many have touch response. Touch-response keys are velocity sensitive and will play at different volumes depending on the speed you play them. Synth-action keyboards are often considerably more lightweight and more portable, and they have excellent features for the beginning pianist. The softer response of unweighted keys allows for even quieter practice when playing with headphones on. The Yamaha PSS-F30 has 37 mini keys with touch response and is extremely portable. This keyboard is perfect for introducing your child to music. It’s equipped with an onboard metronome to help teach timing and rhythm from 11–280 bpm. The Smart Chord feature lets you select the key of the song to play chords with the touch of a single key, allowing even the smallest hands to start playing chords. Other Yamaha keyboards — such as the 61-key Yamaha Piaggero NP-12 and the 76-key version, the NP-32 — are compatible with many of Yamaha’s iOS apps, such as Piano Diary, which allows you to record, archive, and share your daily piano performances. Some models have a feature that is perfect for anyone who is just starting out: lesson modes. Popular options with lesson modes include Yamaha’s Education Suite, which can be found in models like the Yamaha PSR-E373. Another option is Casio’s lesson function, which can be found in the Casiotone CT-S300.

6 Best Unweighted Beginner Keyboards for Learning Piano

One final thing worth adding is that you can be a beginner at any age. Starting the piano can be a fulfilling and life-changing experience for anyone. If you are considering it, I would strongly encourage you to give it a try! Give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700 to find the perfect beginner keyboard for you.

sweetwater.com - Best Beginner Keyboards for Learning Piano in 2022 - Sweetwater

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