wife wants a piano

[Shabs]

OK, so the wife has decided that she would like a piano - I can't complain, she doesn't moan when I maintain the money pit

Anyway, we are renting at the moment and I don't think a piano is practical because they are hard to move and take up a lot of space. I am thinking that maybe some kind of electronic keyboard would be a good stop-gap that would let her learn how to play (whilst wearing earphones so I don't have to enjoy sweet melodies of cats being murdered).

Can anybody advise if an electronic keyboard is a suitable substitute for a piano short term to enable learning? Also, any brands / recommended ones to look out for?

Shabs

[purplepolarbear]

Look for a "Digital Piano" rather than a "Keyboard". These have hammers under the keys rather than springs so they feel like a real piano.

Girlfriend is a piano teacher and she recommends Roland as feeling closest to a real piano.

[goblinslayer]

I have one of these, compact and plays and sounds great!

http://www.rolandpiano.net/framesetup.php?language...

[Shabs]

wow thanks guys, that looks ideal and within price range

[MitchT]

Also worth looking at are synthesizer workstations. Some are available with proper piano-style weighted keys and have the advantage of having hundreds of other sounds to play and the ability to record muti-track sequences, so you can compose entire pieces of music!

[Davel]

My daughter started a couple of years back with a Yamaha Digital piano and it's really good.

She's just passed her Grade 3 with Distinction and has used this throughout.

We bought it on line through the Rocking Rooster website and they were great. The price was good too!

[Meeja]

I would advise that you get her to test-drive any potential contender..... one weighted keyboard can be very different to another, and it will be a very personal choice.

I'd recommend a decent Yamaha Clavinova... I have had one for years, and it still sounds and feels good (although I have a Kemble upright these days)

[Tangent Police]

I agree with the Clavinova sentiment. They do the job. They are also acceptable to look at in a house.....I'd go for an old one and spend about £600. Unless she is really dedicated, there isn't much point spunking loads of cash.

I'd avoid anything too fancy at the moment. Also stay away from anything portable with an X stand (as they wobble).

For a beginner, I'd say "Yamaha upright" every time, in fact, I'd say that for most people, unless you can have a Yamaha Grand! I'm not sponsored by them, but out of the hundred or so pianos I've played, including Bosendorfers and Steinways, I'd choose a Yamaha every time.

Contrary to what people will say "this is a beginners instrument", there is no excuse for ste. Clavinova does the job of a piano pretty well, plays nicely and is pretty cheapish.

[SeeFive]

Yup, a vote for the Clavinova here too, nice piece of kit.

Same as you, wife wanted one so I bought her one. I removed the sheet music holder, put a laptop and midi with Piano Nanny website on top of it, and got her some lessons for a year.

She's hardly used it since her lessons finished though - a five minute wonder if ever I saw one, which is strange as she is quite musically oriented (used to teach small kids as a helper at school). The kids and I use it more than her these days.

Don't just get the piano, get some simple song books with music that she likes and enrol her in lessons to get her going and stimulate some interest.

[qube_TA]

Clavinova's are lovely but I'd argue that the Roland equivalents have a nicer sound.

[Meeja]

qube_TA said:

Clavinova's are lovely but I'd argue that the Roland equivalents have a nicer sound.

Can't disagree with that - hence recommending test driving any potential purpose.... One (wo)man's silk is another (wo)man's sow's ear and all that.....