Piano Lessons For Kids - 5 "Keys" To Finding The Right Keyboard
Piano lessons for kids – How to choose a keyboard?
When I was 4 years old, my grandmother gave me her old piano. Looking back, this had to be the most rewarding, influential gift I’ve ever been given. However, not everyone has an old piano in their family. So how do get started with piano lessons without making a huge investment?
Piano lessons for beginners do not need to happen on a full sized piano. Even if you have the option of moving an old “free” piano from a family member or friend, it’s still not always the best option. Moving a piano can cost hundreds of dollars and it may take hundreds more to tune or restore it.
In my professional opinion, it’s best to start with a keyboard. However, keyboards can be very expensive as well, pricing up to $5,000. So how do you choose??!!
Five Keys to Finding the Right Keyboard:
Number of Keys - Keyboards come in 3 common sizes: 61, 73 and 88 keys. 61-keys is fine to start with for a beginner. 73-keys will give you a few more years of development possibilities without having to reinvest. 88-key keyboards are the biggest and most expensive. Not necessary for a beginner.
· Weighted Keys - Weighted keys are the closest thing to a real piano. They allow you to strike each key hard (for loud sounds) or soft (for quiet sounds). While this is important as you move forward, it takes years of practice to play with such dynamics. Your very basic $100, 61-key model will not have weighted keys. You are looking at a minimum of$350-$500 for a weighted keyboard.
· Touch Sensitive Keys – Touch sensitivity will mimic weighted keys allowing you to play loud or soft. However, the keys do not apply any resistance to your fingers as weighted keys do. While this will add about $50-$100 to your investment verses non-touch sensitive keys, it is worth the extra investment. In my eyes, this is your best bet for beginners. You can get a 61-key touch sensitive keyboard starting at about $150.
· Bells, Whistles and Colorful Flashing Lights – Most basic keyboards come with sound banks, featuring drum sounds, organs, strings, guitars, etc. These are fun distractions for young musicians, but don’t judge the keyboard based on these sounds. Fancy features will drive up the price. Although the sound banks will be an exciting part of your new investment, try to judge the keyboard based on the “piano” sounds it makes when you strike a key.
· Avoid Toys– The yellow, purple, red and blue Fisher Price toy keyboard that has been collecting dust since your child was a baby is not gonna cut it. While you don’t need a full size keyboard, you do need full size keys and something that sounds somewhat like a piano!
