Digital Piano for adult complete novice

[Steve Campbell]

Hi folks, retirement isn t far away and one element I m committing to is Learn a new skill . I ve always admired those who can play and I m thinking of diving into learning piano. My only musical history is playing trombone when I was about 14 for about 6 months .. so really a complete beginner. Some questions for the hive mind of PH.

I m happy to pay ~ £300 for a keyboard .what should I be considering and which specific models ? I don t want the full piano / case etc .the keyboard needs to fit on a fairly large desk. What should I NOT get :-). I m guessing something that can have a headset plugged in so I don t drive the wife crazy is number 1 on the spec list LOL. Had a bit of a google and seen Yamaha P45 or Axus AXD55. Any good ? Also….keyboard or digital piano…..?

Learning > any good apps to get me going ? Is hands on face to face lessons worth it ?

Anyone done this in later life and can pass on any wisdom ? Even before getting a keyboard, anything I need to do to start the journey tutorials on starting to read music for example ?

Thanks

Edited by Steve Campbell on Friday 16th January 14:09

[Groomio]

Sorry don't know about keyboards but recently started playing the ukulele.

This guy Ben Parker gets good reviews on many musical instruments, here's his beginners piano

"How To Play Keyboard: A Complete Guide for Absolute Beginners"

https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Play-Keyboard-Complet...

There's a few to choose from

[funinhounslow]

Steve Campbell said:

Anyone done this in later life and can pass on any wisdom ? Even before getting a keyboard, anything I need to do to start the journey tutorials on starting to read music for example ?

Edited by Steve Campbell on Friday 16th January 14:09

I started learning piano a couple of years ago. On the basis of positive reviews I bought an Alesis recital pro which is around your budget of £300. It comes with a one month subscription to the Skoove app to learn piano.

I’ve kept the subscription to Skoove going as I find it easy to use. Just connect an iPad to your piano and you’re away.

Progress for me is slow as my time is limited but I enjoy it and I am getting better. I’m not musical at all and the Skoove app taught me to read music.

I do enjoy learning though - when you think how easy it is to waste time on the internet/social media it’s fulfilling to do something constructive for a change.

TLDR a £300 Alesis keyboard and subscription to Skoove has worked well for me as a novice.

[scotlandtim]

id go for a Yamaha - p45 is a cracking allrounder.

Main thing to consider - weighted keys are crucial, to give it the real piano feel and full size. no point learning on a "toy" as your fingers just wont do it.

Have fun, be patient, concentrate on the basics - posture, fingering, technique ...

[maccboy]

The type of instrument to get really depends what you want to achieve. If you want to spend time learning scales and finger position, as a proper piano player, then you would be better getting something with weighted keys - as mentioned above. if you just want to have a bit of fun, plating along with rhythms and automatic accompaniment, then a keyboard is what you want. They would be much cheaper than a piano with weighted keys. I worked in this industry for many years - although a bit out of touch now!

[Wacky Racer]

Bought this mini Yamaha PSSA50 mini keyboard for £60 two weeks ago for messing about on, it's great.

Then yesterday I spotted this Casio in virtually new condition in a charity shop yesterday for £23, so I couldn't resist.

[Yahonza]

I would buy a synth that does piano, a whole lot more interesting than the piano on its own.
Again the keyboard weighting is important up to a point for articulation, but you really want to learn about musical notation and playing.

How much do you want to spend - did I miss that?

[CHLEMCBC]

Do you not have room for an upright piano? There's loads on eBay for £0-£100

[thebraketester]

CHLEMCBC said:

Do you not have room for an upright piano? There's loads on eBay for £0-£100

Yeah, and then £200-300 to get it moved, another £100 to tune it (best case scenario), and then it's a 300kg boat anchor because you can't give them away.

Also doesn't fit the OPs request of not annoying his wife with noise

p45 should be a good option. Anything which is 88 weighted keys will get you going.

[Arrivalist]

I started lessons 6 years ago at the age of 56. Last year I passed my ABRSM Grade 8. Now I’m doing online stuff as I move into pop/jazz/blues.

When you get older and have the time - and the motivation - anything is possible.

I would say the first thing to work out is what type of music you want to play. If it’s classical then you really should get the best fully weighted 88 keyboard you can. If it’s more pop then probably not so critical.

Once you know what you want to learn, I would get a teacher first to teach you the basics and make sure you don’t fall into any nasty habits that will hinder your progress - finger and seating position, scales etc. as an example.

Once you’ve had lessons then you can decide for yourself the best way forward.

Good luck!

[Arrivalist]

CHLEMCBC said:

Do you not have room for an upright piano? There's loads on eBay for £0-£100

There’s a reason people give them away or sell them
cheap.

[Steve Campbell]

Thanks all. I won’t be getting an upright piano. I think I’ll enjoy piano v keyboard more too. I’m taking this on as a “learn a new skill’ but hopefully will be something I love….but I do want to learn it as a skill and not just mess about. Not interested in taking exams / grades but just steady progression to being able to ’play’

It will be a digital piano in the £300 range I’m sure. Yamaha P45-B is current favourite. The P145BT seems to be the newer version but not sure as a complete beginner I’ll really notice the difference for the extra ~£80 ? Any thoughts on that - or if the budget is now £350 anything else in the mix to consider. Upgradeitis already LOL !

Edited by Steve Campbell on Saturday 17th January 14:34

[NDA]

I have a few keyboards, although I don't really play much (if at all) these days.

Korg make some very good fully weighted pianos - I have one - and the piano samples are excellent. I have a Yamaha Motif too - but prefer the Korg for pure piano playing.

[maccboy]

I've got a couple of Yamaha keyboards available if you're nearby, and decide one above a weighted keyboard option.