Keyboard advice (the musical type)

[Indiana_Jones]

I was looking at maybe getting a Keyboard for myself. Been browsing trademe etc.

How many keys, makes etc would you recommend for a newbie?

I'm looknig around the $400ish mark.

cheers :sunny:

-Indy

[yungatart]

Don't get anything under 5 octaves! get as many features as you can afford.I bought mine second hand from a music teacher - it had been devalued so much through IRD, i got it for book value -$400, prolly worth somewhere around $1500 with stand, carry case etc.

[Indiana_Jones]

Five octaves is like a 61ish keys?

-Indy

[NighthawkNZ]

What are you wanting to using for... live performance, tinkering, midi controller for the PC and other devices etc

But yeah anything under 5 octives you will run out of keys very fast.

[Indiana_Jones]

Just to play by myself, practice etc, I don't really need it to took upto the comp etc.

-Indy

[Colapop]

Don't get anything more than 8 keys! You've only got 8 fingers...

[bobsmith]

consider actually getting an electronic piano too, (with 88 keys) will give you more options if you get more serious into it and usually has most of the functions of a keyboard. Tend to be more expensive but on trademe you should be able to find one slightly over your price range.

Whatever you buy, make sure the keys are weighted and the keys are sensitive to velocity or whatever they call it (so that when you strike a key lightly it actually plays like you struck it.) ie. watch for some of the cheap old keyboard on which the keys can be simple on/off switches.

[Indiana_Jones]

Noted :)

-Indy

[yungatart]

Its called "touch sensitivity"

[riffer]

Weighted keys start at $1000 at least, and I don't think its really necessary for a learner.

Touch sensitivity is good idea though.

Casio do a good learners keyboard (http://www.casionz.co.nz/default.asp?ObjectID=265) for $599 - the CTK591

[Meekey_Mouse]

If you're lookin at a second hand one make sure you turn it on and do scales up/ down the keyboard to make sure all the keys work. If it has touch sensitivity that you can turn off/on make sure that all the keys work in that too.

All so (I think this is a common thing nowadays but it wasn't a while back, might depend on size of keyboard) some keyboards you can run it off batteries... I found it quite handy as then I could go any where I wanted :yes:

Hope you find a good one :niceone:

[Indiana_Jones]

yea, I'm just taking a butcher's around the place, seemed like a cool idea for next month's pay (I used to play piano for one year in 7th form =D)

-Indy

[The_Dover]

you look more like a nerdy bass player to me.

buy a bass and get some pussy. sorted.

[Indiana_Jones]

I couldn't play a guitar if my life depended on it Dover lol, I suck at Guitar hero as it is :P

I already have the pussy.

I also brought a Casio CTK481, need to go pick it up on the weekend

http://www.thebuzzelectronics.com/casio_ctk481_casio_ctk481_61-key_full-size_midi_keyboard_wit.htm

-Indy