Buying a keyboard to practice or learn the piano can be a tough decision. Doing the proper research can make it a much more pleasant experience and it can save you money. This article discusses 5 things to consider when you plan to buy a keyboard.
Factor 1 - Who will be using the keyboard?
If the primary user of the keyboard is a child, then you may not need a keyboard that has 88 keys or even 76 keys. A 61-key keyboard may suffice, at least while they are a beginner. If they need to upgrade at a later date, they will probably be in a position where they are making money and can buy what they really want. If the primary user is an adult, I would suggest getting either a 76-key keyboard or an 88-key full keyboard. Depending on personal preference, it is a good idea to try out as many different keyboards as possible to get the one that feels best to you. Since you will probably be spending a lot of time on it, it would make sense to get something you like.
Factor 2 - What purpose will be served by the keyboard?
If the keyboard will be used in the function of a home piano or as a show piece, having a large keyboard would not present a problem. Once you get it in place, you probably would not move it much, so having something heavy or large would not matter as much. On the other hand, if you're going to be moving the keyboard a lot (possibly playing for gigs), you wouldn't want something very heavy that you have to carry around all of the time.
Factor 3 - When will the keyboard be used?
If you already know that you're not going to be playing the keyboard much, it's not a good idea to purchase something expensive. You'll just have something that will cost a lot and not be used enough to justify the cost.
Factor 4 - Where will the keyboard be used?
If you're just playing at home, a cheap piano keyboard shoud be more than sufficient. I would caution though that if you're more serious about your playing, you may want a better quality instrument to practice on. If you plan on using the keyboard in a church setting or somewhere where you'll be providing live sound regularly, then you should spend a little more for better sound quality.
Factor 5 - How will the keyboard be used?
If the keyboard has built-in speakers, the sound it can provide may not be sufficient for large rooms or for gigs. You would probably need something that can at least be connected to an amplifier for louder sound production. If you're just playing at home in your living room or bedroom, onboard speakers should be fine.
Devin Dabney is a solo pianist, worship leader, and entrepreneur. He teaches piano, writes articles, reports, and books, and encourages other aspiring musicians. To find out more about Devin and his music, sign up for his free newsletter, available at: => http://www.ddabmusic.com
axiom midi controller keyboard demo review
