Good keyboard to learn piano on?

I'd love to learn piano, and even know of a teacher that I could get, but I don't have *any* access to a piano or keyboard.

So, I thought maybe a keyboard would be a good idea to learn on? I wouldn't want something that's complete garbage, but something of decent quality that I could use in a band situation, as well as just for practicing on my own.

I'd eventually like to play stuff like The Mars Volta and Pink Floyd, but I believe that's an organ of some type, right? Is there a real difference other than the sound?

Can anyone here give me some advice? I'm a complete newbie to keys, so if these are stupid questions, please go easy on me.

If you're serious about learning piano, you'll need 88 hammer-action keys.

If you want just a basic digital piano to practice on the Casio Privia series is hard to beat for the price. It has some other sounds as well, decent rhodes/electric pianos and strings. It has built in speakers for practicing at home.

It also has the connections required to hook up to an amp/PA if you want to gig with it later on + it's one of the lighter digital pianos available.

Stepping up for this, you're best off going Yamaha. Either the P90/P120 or CP33. Although be aware Yamaha actions are like a good solid grand and are quite heavy to press down for new player's fingers. Just be aware ONLY the P120 has built in speakers from this lot (I won't recommend the P140 as it doesn't have PRO connections for hooking up to PA etc).

You're best off going into a music store and trying the different models in your price range to see what you like the feel of/sound of.

Most of these models have a BASIC hammond organ sound. But if you're after more organ sounds/options, you'll have to spend more $$

Then maybe post here with your findings and we can offer some more specific advice.

PS. What is your budget?

I interpret it this way: start with a Yamaha PSR. One like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-PSR-GX76-KEYBOARD-76-KEY-recording-PIANO-ORGAN_W0QQitemZ130148297970QQihZ003QQcategoryZ38091QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There are others similar. but get at least 76 keys. This one can do a lot, has lessons, needs no amp or PA, and it's reasonably priced. I got one with a pedal and gig bag for $125 at a pawn shop. ONCE you get serious, then the 88 graded/weighted hammer-action keys are important. You can find a used p-90 for ~$600...headphones, amp extra.

Just do it

I don't know really what my budget would be at the moment. I'm kind of just looking for something to learn on that I'll be able to use later as well. What would I have to spend to get an entry-level keyboard with 88 weighted hammer-action keys?

Also, what kind of amp would I need? Would my bass amp work for it, or do I actually need a keyboard amp?

Bump.

Pro Keys! It's the cheapest passable piano around. ALSO...when you want to get into synthesis and ROMpling and all that, a decent MIDI Controller for a rack.

Check it out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/M-Audio-Pro-Keys-88-Stage-Piano-MIDI-Controller-NEW_W0QQitemZ300144855904QQihZ020QQcategoryZ29552QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/M-Audio-Prokeys-88-Key-Hammer-Action-Pro-Stage-Piano_W0QQitemZ170143053016QQihZ007QQcategoryZ29552QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

NO!

I picked up a 50watt Yorkville key combo amp for $60 on Craig's list. Start hunting for the used ones

Yamaha S90 ES all the way! Best board purchase I've ever made.

I got the previous model (S-90) and I ditto vanillawafer on that. I wish I had waited for the ES, but who knew? Besides, I got 2 years of giggng in before ES came out.

...but you're talking 2 grand... for the same price as the Pro Keys you could get a Yamaha P90...."just a piano", but great key action. I don't think I'm alone when I say Yamaha's feel more like real pianos.

Nope, you're not alone, by far the best piano feel. I grew up playing on a grand piano, and when I moved out I searched high and low for the same feel in a keyboard, and it came down to yamaha being the best. Just my opinion, but I did do a lot of searching.

That Yamaha looks great as a future keyboard, but I'm seriously just looking for an entry level keyboard that I can learn to play on. I'm not looking to drop $2000 on a keyboard just yet. In a few years when I can really play well, sure. But to learn on I'd rather have something that's decent, but cheap.

Are there any cheap keyboards that have 88 hammer-action keys? By cheap I'm talking

No

No, that's why a used Yamaha PSR is a good start. At least 76 keys

Buying a cheap keyboard is a false economy. You won't be able to progress as easily on it, and that will piss you off and you'll quit.

If you can, find a decent upright piano and learn on it. You don't want one for $200 (thought mine was exactly that in 1968), but I'll bet you could find one in pretty good shape for less than a grand. Used, of course. The worst that could possibly happen is that you hate it and you sell it. You wouldn't get as much out as you put in, but then again you're not buying this thing to sell in the first place.

Go to auctions, yard sales, and estate sales. Check with local churches and schools to see if they're upgrading. And find a teacher.

I'm going to have to disagree Deja. Cheap acoustic pianos are a bad idea to learn on. Most of the time they have bad actions, can't be brought up to concert pitch (a nightmare for someone wanting to seriously learn) and generally sound and play badly.

You'd be much better off with a good digital piano.

Only buy an acoustic if you can afford a decent one.