Keyboards/Keys and More

Should a person who wants to learn piano always have a 88 key keyboard, very very expensive for someone who doesn't have money. So is it possible to be able to become a good pianist with a 61 key keyboard and will you be able to play a lot of songs with only a 61 key keyboard? I mean you might be short a few octaves but does that effect the piece? Well if anyone can give me some suggestions or answers, would be appreciated. I don't have a 88 key keyboard, I don't have money and none of my friends/family near have a 88 key keyboard and or piano, just to explain my situation.

Best regards,

Not Here

61 keys is more than enough in the beginning, you can play alot with only 61 keys. But whenyou get better and starts playing more advanced pieces you'll probably need a 88 keys.

Bigger is always better, but you have to look at your need. If you wanna play classical songs, when you get better, you'll need a 88 for the full experience, but if you do alot of those "on the radio" songs, you wont need more than 61 keys for a long time.

You can play alot of song with just 61 keys, even classical

Thanks Victor, good explination! ^_^

The only thing is that suddenly you want to play a song that needs more keys. Like I got into that problem 2-3 times before I got my piano, and it Sucked. I have Never regretted getting a real(digital)88 key piano!! Its SO worth it. Just think of the hours you gona spend on it in the time to come. The only reason I feel can justify getting a 61key or keeping the 61key is that you are to insecure if this is something you really want to put your hart into!

if you plan on playing for a while a digal or Real piano is so worth it for the long run

Yup, it all depends on what you goals are. Me, personally, I'd rather wait a little and save up to buy an 88-key digital piano than spend less money now and buy an affordable 61-key when I know that in the future I'll need the 88 keys anyways.

But, again, it all depends on what you want to do with it

First time I read it I thought I read that he already had a 61 keys.... ^_^

If you're saving up for a keyboard/digital piano, then you could just save up some extra and go for the 88 keys, but ofcourse you have to look at your budget.

Well I bought a Yamaha keyboard 61 keyboard probably a 2000 or a bit earlier but its a good one I guess got it for 42 dollars at a pawn shop, although I want to learn songs like: One Winged Angel. It seems that songs like those require a couple more octaves to play. I've only been playing for almost a month but I kind of have higher goals since I've been playing guitar for 4 or 5 years already and I wanted to add more musical things to my playing, so I picked up a keyboard I can already play some songs by ear but that's from playing guitar so long and picking up a piano makes it easier to learn music theory.

Well, if you're in it for the long haul, investing in a higher quality piano is worth it.

what brand of keyboard would you advise? i want to get one but i'm not sure which brand to go with, so far i'm just considering yamaha. any advice?

[b]any1 teach me

yamaha, roland and korg are my choices. for "classical"piano training i'd go with yamaha though, they're cheaper but still great quality.

RayzerTH wrote:what brand of keyboard would you advise? i want to get one but i'm not sure which brand to go with, so far i'm just considering yamaha. any advice?

I'd say dont worry much about the brand, go and try out the models and just pick the one you like.

I have been playing for 5-6 months, using my 49 key YAMAHA porta sound, its not touch sensitive and has very small keys. I'M Also planning to buy a YAMAHA digital piano but don't know which one to get. My experience on my keyboard was amazing by the way.

once again late but i will point out for you or other reader that you can buy a keyboard with really good sounds and 5 keys(exagerated i knowww) heres what you do... make sure it has midi and run it as a slave... example i have a yamaha motif xs6...its the smallest one and way to small to play high lvl peices... there is xs7 and xs8 with 8 being 88 keys... now price difference is mine was 2000 they 7 is llike 3200 and the 8 is like 4500..... heres your solutions... you can buy an amazing midi controller for 300-400 bucks used with weighted keys and 88 keys... as long as your main keyboard has midi connections your just saved yourself 1000's of dollars and its super easy to set this up...midi ins go to midi outs.... out of your controller and in to your keyboard

Sorry for Hi jacking this thread. I am planning to buy a 76 keys yamaha, I always read that 88 is a must for classical music which I would like to play so I wonder what classical pieces require 88 keys.

Also I am not planning to become a professional pianist it is only self enjoyment.