You are all set to learn a new instrument! Yay! Keyboard has been the musical instrument that a lot of musicians start with to get grounded on music basics and become a foundation to learn many other instruments.
Benefits of Learning Keyboard
Though this can be a separate blog in itself, we’ll list out a few superpowers that you’ll attain:
Sharpens concentration: Laser beam focus
Teaches perseverance: Never give up easily
Teaches discipline: Committed to mastery
Improves coordination: Two hands, one music
Increases memory capacity: Comes with a package of information
Increases EQ: Learn Empathy
Now that we know how life-changing your keyboard lessons can be, this journey has to be started off. Like any other musical instrument, the “only theory” method does not work with learning the keyboard. Hands-on experience is matchless. Owning a keyboard is a great investment in your life.
On your mark! Get set! GOals!
People learn music for various reasons. What is your reason?
Impress my friends with a few songs. Learn a few chords and keys, mix them with the inbuilt rhythms, and show off.
Become a professional pianist. FYI, Piano is slightly different from Keyboard. Although we might understand that Keyboard is an electronic version of Piano, everything from “touch and feel” to listening experience differs. But this is a great start.
Learn many instruments (Building a strong foundation and self-learn many musical instruments)
Create own music (Experiment with sounds)
1. Portable
The Keyboard should be light and portable. To take it with us for practice and for classes. You can even show off your recently acquired skills to your friends. When it is portable make sure that you can also use them with batteries without an AC adapter(Quick Tip: Carry your batteries in the Keyboard case)
2. Sensitivity of keys
So this depends on your goals. If you would like to transition to a full piano, your best choice would be a digital piano which has 88-keys full-size keys. Otherwise, the keyboards that we get in the market are sensitive to touch and sustains, this suits well for the other categories.
3. MIDI Compatibility
MIDI means Musical Instrument Digital Interface. While this is not a primary focus for a student who wants to learn other musical instruments, this can be an important feature to look for if you want to create music and interface the instrument with the computer. This way you need not upgrade again for a MIDI-compatible keyboard later.
4. Sampler/Recording Feature
This can be an important feature to store your homework and can be a useful feature for the student who wants to create music.
5. Input/Output
This feature is mostly available across all brands. Although Input to Keyboards or Digital Piano is not much used, output to amplifiers/recording equipment is very important for a performer or an artist-to-be
6. Keyboard Size
Take a look back at your goals. If you want to become a professional pianist the best go-to is a Digital Piano with 88 keys as suggested earlier. Otherwise, there are different variants such as 61 keys, 66 keys and 72 keys keyboards for beginners, music composers, and performers. The best buys and pocket-friendly keyboards are linked for your reference.
Casio CT-S200 Casiotone 61-Key Portable Keyboard
(Black)
This keyboard comes with a Jog dial for easy navigation through the rhythms and tempo options
Yamaha PSR-F51 61-Keys Portable Keyboard
This keyboard comes with number buttons for those who are good at remembering numbers and options. Yamaha PSR-F51 is a perfect economical option for absolute beginners. You can use this keyboard up to the third grade with Trinity College London
Digital Pianos
Digital Pianos are a great alternative if you have the space and a little extra budget. Digital pianos are larger in space and gives an experience closer to the Acoustic Pianos.
Acoustic Pianos
Acoustic Pianos are the best for playing experience, sound quality and has been the foundation of Music in the western world. The sound is fully mechanical and there are no digital parts in it. While the experience is great, price is further away not just while buying, but for maintaining and moving it around is not easy or cheap.
If you really want to move to the next level a Digital Piano would do. However, if you really want to be the pro and can afford an investment into an acoustic piano, have enough space for it at home you can go for the acoustic piano and experience the real quality sound!
If you all are interested please share your comments and we will cover in detail about piano's in another article soon!
