Excellent keyboard options for learners
For many musicians, the keyboard is the first port of call on the road to musical greatness. Sure, most of us will have dabbled with the humble recorder at school, but it’s with the keyboard that many people with an inclination to learn a ‘proper’ instrument (no offence, recorder fans) will start.
It can be daunting though. There is a huge range of similar looking, similarly priced instruments out there, so where to start? In this blog we will list our top 5 best beginner keyboard options. We’ll look at five instruments which will enable anyone to get a good start on their musical journey. We’ll also describe the features and capabilities of each option, and how they can help make life easier for you.
Yamaha YPT-240
There are two big names when it comes to learner keyboards: Yamaha and Casio. Both brands are steeped in history and have helped thousands of budding musos take their first steps. Most importantly, both companies know what learners need from their keyboards, and design them in such a way as to help keep the enthusiasm going.
The Yamaha YPT-240 is designed specifically with younger players in mind. It achieves a great balance of portability and performance. The keys aren’t too big, so won’t overwhelm younger hands, yet there are enough included voices (sounds) to keep things interesting.
In-built lesson functions and backing tracks mean the player will always have something to aid their development, while the ability to record via the included USB connector means you can track your progress easily.
Yamaha PSR-F51
Sticking with Yamaha, the PSR-F51 also features a wide 61-key range which is perfect for encouraging two handed playing. It boasts 120 included voices, which covers strings, organs, piano, guitar and even synths.
114 included backing styles mean you’ll always have something interesting to play over the top of. This is crucial when learning as it encourages the player to stay in time with other musicians, while also providing useful boundaries for learning to improvise using scales.
The Yamaha PSR-F51 menu and interfaces are easy to navigate around, while the included rest means you can keep your favourite learning books visible while you practice.
Casio CTK-1500
Casio’s CTK-1500 features the same 61 key layout as the Yamaha options, as well as a host of included sounds to experiment with.
Where it differs is that it has an included ‘dance mode’, which enables the player to piece together loops from musical genres like house, trance and EDM. This makes it perfect for anyone who perhaps isn’t interested in learning ‘3 Blind Mice’ and the ilk. Instead this is a much more modern, fun way to learn the instrument.
As well as this, the Casio CTK-1500 also has included lessons and technique builders, which are useful for improving strength, muscle memory and dexterity. All essential skills for any learner.
A final benefit to note; the Casio CTK-1500 can be powered by 6xAA batteries, meaning you can take your music with you wherever you go.
Yamaha PSR-E263
A step above the aforementioned models is the Yamaha PSR-E263. It includes a vastly expanded voicing section, taking in over 400 sounds like orchestral, woodwind, brass and drums.
The included Yamaha Education Suite provides exceptional resources to help improve your technique and skill. A further indication of its quality is the ability for the user to add various musical effects to their playing. Mix in a dash of reverb or delay and notice how the overall sound takes on a new, more polished feel.
Another great feature is the ability for the player to hook up an iPod or external sound source in order to play along with their favourite music. There are plenty of great online resources offering free backing tracks, so you’ll always find something new and interesting to practice with.
Yamaha P45 Stage Piano
Finally, the Yamaha P45 Stage Piano is worth including. Perhaps you don’t need access to hundreds of different voices, or all the bells and whistles. You just want a solid, good quality electric piano which will support you as you continue to develop your skills.
The Yamaha P45 is exactly that. You’ll notice the difference first in the keys themselves. The hammer-weighted, matte finish keys provide more resistance towards the bass end, mirroring the experience of a real piano. This ensures your technique will become trained perfectly.
An on-board USB interface means you can record into a computer or laptop, and a headphone setting means you can practice silently if required.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of options for the learner. Many features overlap from model to model, so it’s worth visiting one of our stores to try out a few models for yourself. Whatever it is you’re looking for, we will have the best beginner keyboard for you.
So to conclude, these are the top 5 best beginner keyboards that we recommend;
- Yamaha YPT-240 (61 keys)
- Yamaha PSR-F51 (61 keys)
- Casio CTK-1500 (61 keys)
- Yamaha PSR-E263 (61 keys)
- Yamaha P-45 (88 keys)
