Beginner's keyboard (of the musical variety!)

almoststew1990

almoststew1990

almoststew1990

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I have always liked piano music and been interested in learning how to play. I finally got my arse in gear recently and tried learning a few simple songs on my childhood toy keyboard (a Yamaha from 1994 with 32 keys I think). I have learned some absolute belters like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Yankee Doodle, and I am having fun!

But now I am finding my keyboard limiting - I often run out of keys with my left hand bumping into my right hand and the keys are too small for my chunky-ass fingers. So I am looking at getting a basic, but proper, keyboard.

My question to you knowledgeable types- what sort of features am I looking for? At the moment all I want is more keys and bigger keys! Also a stand. Will 61 be enough or should I be trying to get 88? What else should I look for?

Here are a few local ones to me... which would you recommend?

https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/...touch-sensitive-61-keys-with-stand/1252634421

https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/casio-keyboard/1248961253

https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/yamaha-keyboard-mint-condition/1247808430

Cheers!
 
No plans on plugging it into your PC and using it as a MIDI keyboard? That makes things far more fun when using VSTs.....and all the linked ones would be useless for that.

If not, just get the cheapest (and biggest) one. Get proficient then go from there.
 
slipperydave said:
No plans on plugging it into your PC and using it as a MIDI keyboard? That makes things far more fun when using VSTs.....and all the linked ones would be useless for that.

If not, just get the cheapest (and biggest) one. Get proficient then go from there.
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What sort of things can I do if I plug it into my PC? I assume record it as a 'midi' track rather than an audio track? And you can play it like this? Would you recommend it for a beginner?

This one is nearby and fairly cheap. But it is a Technics? Still worth going for?

stuartplab said:
I liked the last one which is https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/yamaha-keyboard-mint-condition/1247808430. Thanks.
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What in particular is good about this one? I actually remember this one from school in our music lessons which puts me off a bit on a personal level :D
 
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;)
 
If you go the pc route and vst it is advisable to get an audio device with ASIO drivers, although there are free ASIO drivers with Image-Line's FL Studio free full but limited demo, get any cheap midi controller, you can buy a 25 full size key midi controller and most of them have an octave button, or better if you can get a cheap 88 key usb controller, most are usb. There is lot of free and legal virtual instruments and plugins to find on the internet search.

Andertons Music Co in the uk is a good place for computer music and equipment, places like this have b stock and second hand stuff too

Image-Line FL Studio Demo is a good DAW to test for free.
 
almoststew1990 said:
What sort of things can I do if I plug it into my PC? I assume record it as a 'midi' track rather than an audio track? And you can play it like this? Would you recommend it for a beginner?

This one is nearby and fairly cheap. But it is a Technics? Still worth going for?
Click to expand...
That keyboard has MIDI ports, so you'll need an actual MIDI interface to be able to use it with your PC. Most (modern) keyboards connect via USB these days.

What sort of things can you do? Practically anything you want. ASIO drivers have also been mentioned. These aren't necessary as most Windows programs will still let you use a keyboard, but the latency (the time between pressing a key and actually hearing it) is horrendous. And, yes, it works like the "Walking In The Air" link you posted.

But you've mentioned learning and having fun. My advice is still to get the biggest (keys-wise) and cheapest keyboard you can. If you want to progress further, then look into getting a USB controller keyboard.
 
slipperydave said:
here's a USB controller local to you (I think) - https://www.gumtree.com/p/electric-keyboards/m-audio-keystation-61es-midi-keyboard/1250368358

bargain at £40
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So... a normal keyboard is a keyboard input device, plus built in "software" for choosing what sound or backing track etc you want, plus sound output via speakers?

And then the thing you linked; is that just a keyboard input with no software and speakers. Because the PC you connect to is the "software" (whatever I choose to use), plus PC speakers as the output?

Is that correct (if it even makes sense!)
 
almoststew1990 said:
So... a normal keyboard is a keyboard input device, plus built in "software" for choosing what sound or backing track etc you want, plus sound output via speakers?
And then the thing you linked; is that just a keyboard input with no software and speakers. Because the PC you connect to is the "software" (whatever I choose to use), plus PC speakers as the output?
Is that correct (if it even makes sense!)
Click to expand...

Basically, yes.

The advantage of connecting to your PC/decent laptop is that you can play any sounds you like depending on what software you have. You can have any speakers you like (connections allowing) as the output.
 
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This is interesting, I've thought about taking up the keyboard, hadn't thought of connecting one to my PC though, thanks for the info guys
 
almoststew1990 said:
So... a normal keyboard is a keyboard input device, plus built in "software" for choosing what sound or backing track etc you want, plus sound output via speakers?

And then the thing you linked; is that just a keyboard input with no software and speakers. Because the PC you connect to is the "software" (whatever I choose to use), plus PC speakers as the output?

Is that correct (if it even makes sense!)
Click to expand...
Basically, yes. You won't even be able to turn that thing on (it'll be USB bus-powered). Even if you plug it in, it'll make NO sound.

We are getting into a more complicated territory now though (no thanks to my posting that link). My previous advice still stands though. If you want to see if you'll enjoy playing, get the cheapest and biggest standalone keyboard you can, and try it.

That M-Audio keyboard is a bargain for 40 quid though. You can always come back to here and ask for more advice. I, kind of, know what I'm talking about.
 
I think a normal keyboard will be more suitable (although I'll try to get one that is also a 'general midi' which I have learned a bit about through my retro PC building). I have creative T40 speakers which are alright, but I think I would prefer to just 'plug and play' / turn it on and play rather than have to load up software and faff with drivers and demo versions etc when I just want to learn how to play!

I will just get the closest, biggest, stand-iest and cheapest keyboard I can! Thanks for the info.
 
almoststew1990 said:
I think a normal keyboard will be more suitable (although I'll try to get one that is also a 'general midi' which I have learned a bit about through my retro PC building). I have creative T40 speakers which are alright, but I think I would prefer to just 'plug and play' / turn it on and play rather than have to load up software and faff with drivers and demo versions etc when I just want to learn how to play!

I will just get the closest, biggest, stand-iest and cheapest keyboard I can! Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...
If you go for a normal keyboard with it's own built-in sound set and speakers get one with a usb port then you can still use it as a midi controller.
 
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