Bring Home the Long Awaited Electronic Piano Keyboard for the New Year

With Christmas around the corner, your family might be looking forward to buy an electronic piano keyboard for you. Usually one looks forward to playing the piano with the entire family and friends. A digital piano keyboard at home would be a welcome addition at this time!

So what piano keyboards you should consider? A budget of $200 will also give you choices of many 61 key keyboards. Casio CTK, Yamaha PSR have good entry level keyboards in addition to their lighted music keyboards. It will be fun to play on these electronic piano keyboards. You should ideally be looking for a music keyboard that has at least 61 keys and one that offers touch sensitivity keys. Besides, you also need keyboard accessories like keyboard bag, case, and dust covers, foot pedals etc. But if you liking is more for a piano, then you can consider Casio's WK series or even better the Casio Privia pianos.

One difference that you can find between professional music keyboards and the cheaper ones is that the expensive ones do not have internal speakers, whereas the beginner and intermediate ones do have speakers. This is because pros usually use these keyboards either onstage or in studios and that is the reason the professional ones are usually played through keyboard amplifiers.

The top brands and manufacturers as per most keyboard players would be Yamaha, Roland, Korg and Kurzweil, not in any particular order. They make the models that cater to factors such as budget, level, personal needs and preferences. Though the more popular electronic keyboards come with 61 keys, you also get keyboards that come with 61, 76 and 88 keys but if you are just starting out, then 61 keys would be just fine.

So what choices of piano keyboards do you have? A budget of $200 will also give you choices of many 61 key keyboards. Casio CTK, Yamaha PSR have a good choice of beginner electronic keyboards as well as lighted music keyboards. It will be fun to play on these electronic piano keyboards. Look out for a music keyboard that has at least 61 keys and one that has touch sensitivity keys. Besides, you also need keyboard accessories like keyboard bag, case, and dust covers, foot pedals etc. But if you liking is more for a piano, then you can consider Casio's WK series or even better the Casio Privia pianos.

You may want to consider a Yamaha or Roland digital piano if you are looking for excellent piano sounds and keyboard touch, with an intention that you would serious play piano in a few years time. As you see, you have many options and should serious consider getting an electronic piano keyboard for your family.

So explore your options and see what piano keyboard suits you requirement, and get that electronic piano keyboard today.

Digital, Electronic & Musical Keyboard Guide

Digital keyboard instruments are not only portable but also do not cost a lot.

That is not to suggest that electronic keyboards are all inexpensive. The top of the line professional keyboards can cost up to $4000. But then there is a very wide gap between expensive and cheap musical keyboards. A basic beginner keyboard can be priced under $200. Some cheap keyboards can be priced as low as 75-100 dollars but then they are merely toys.

Most electronic musical keyboard guide suggest that professional keyboards do not have speakers whereas the beginner and intermediate ones do come with built-in speakers. This is because compared to internal speakers, keyboard amplifiers can reach a wider audience.

Yamaha PSR keyboards and some of yamaha's digital pianos come with internal speakers, and even the top end PSR keyboards have built-in speakers.

When it comes to Brands, the top manufacturers such as Yamaha, Roland, Korg and Kurzweil offer many options to keyboard players. They make variety of music keyboards based on factors such as budget, skill level, personal needs and preferences.

I guess you can now explore more Digital Musical Keyboards of your choice.

How to bring home the right MIDI Controller

Here's a review of the various types of MIDI Controller. Midi Controllers communicate the various performance related parameters using midi messages with other digital instruments. This way you can command various performance related parameters. It does not have a sound generating engine of its own. Here are the most common MIDI Controllers, including foot controllers.

Keyboard Controllers - Easier to use as these have keys on them which many musicians feel comfortable with. Keyboard players are more comfortable with this type. You get the standard 61 keys and if you need more, you also get 88 keys. Compact keyboard controllers with fewer keys are available for more portable options.

Non keyboard controllers - This includes non keyboard controllers like midi Pad controllers, midi control surface. Pads, switches, knobs, and faders are available on these devices for you to effective handle various parameters. Since these midi controllers do not have keys, these are more popular with DJs, programmers, producers, and other musicians.

Pedal controllers - Lets you play bass lines, harmonies, drums, percussion sounds, even sound effects on other midi instruments while keeping your hands free for playing. Lot of organists use to play bass lines using pedals and the same can be done using these controllers. One such foot pedal is the Roland PK-5 Dynamic MIDI Pedal which can be used with other MIDI musical instrument.

The various keys, pads, switches, knobs, and faders that you see on these devices are used to change the various performance related parameters. Midi is the language that digital instruments speak and so you can interact with all these instruments using controllers. I hope you now have a fair idea of the various types of MIDI Controller.

Roland Digital Piano for the Creative and Experienced Musician

Roland Digital pianos, are one of the very few brands that probably has a digital piano for every requirement. Irrespective of whether you are beginner or an experienced player, you will find models that will have features to meet your demands. You will find a Roland piano for home use or for a pro environment like a studio or a stage.

Of the various models, here are some of the popular series selling under the Roland brand.

Roland Stage Piano - Known for their amazing sounds and versatility, these are a performer's delight. The more popular ones are the pianos in the Roland RD and the Roland FP series.

Roland V-Piano - Here the sounds are generated based on physically modeled, virtual piano components. This is one of the many technologies invented by Roland. These Roland Digital pianos are designed to deliver naturally realistic responses and tones.

Roland VIMA - This goes beyond just audio and is great for audio/visual entertainment. You can playback your favorite CDs on these keyboards, and you can connect a microphone for karaoke fun. You can connect these keyboards to a big-screen television, where you can render various images to enhance your entertainment experience.

Roland HP - These are the traditional upright pianos available in a beautiful cabinet design. High Quality Sound and an excellent keyboard feel is what you get on these pianos. Damper pedal for richer expressiveness is provided to get an acoustic feel.

These are some of the most selling and more popular piano series from Roland. These are some recent and high-tech pianos so if you are looking for one, check out these Roland Digital Pianos .

Yamaha Digital Piano Keyboard – Wide Range of 88 Key Pianos

A Yamaha digital piano keyboard can be used at home, studio or for performing on stage. You have various models that can be appreciated by both beginners as well as professionals.

The YDP series, the Piaggero series, DGX/YPG series, and the P series are the more popular models from Yamaha.

So which yamaha digital piano should one choose? That will depend on what is the purpose of your keyboard instrument. Most of the models in the above series of pianos come with weighted graded hammer keys.

The Yamaha YDP / Arius series are upright pianos, the ones with traditional looks and are more apt for home uses. Be it for learning, teaching or just for enjoying, you can use a yamaha.

The DX/YPG series include yamaha 88-key digital piano that has arranger features as well, so anybody looking for a combination of digital keyboard features can opt for these.

If you are an experienced player and looking for first-class piano sounds and keyboard touch, and don't care about the other functions, the Yamaha P series is for you.

For performing onstage and for a lightweight option, the recently introduced Yamaha Piaggero series that comes with 76 keys is more apt.

Yamaha digital pianos do include a very wide range of piano models, spread across different budgets, which can be used by beginners and professionals. Mind you, yamaha keyboard instruments are well laid out and very easy to use.

If you are considering buying an 88 key keyboard instrument, then you should check out a Yamaha Digital piano keyboard!

Yamaha Synthesizer – Loaded with Cutting Edge Synth Sounds and Effects

Here are Yamaha synthesizer keyboard reviews of entry to mid-ranged keyboards. Yamaha has a complete spectrum of keyboard instruments including quality arranger keyboards, digital pianos and synthesizers. An even in synths, the options can range from entry level synths to cutting edge music workstations.

If you are looking for a keyboard with cutting edge synth sounds, effects, arpeggiator as opposed to styles, you can find one from Yamaha. Yamaha motif synth is one of the popular one but yamaha also has some “liter” versions of the motif.

The Yamaha MM6 synth is a much “liter' version of the motif with some sounds taken from it. With most sounds taken from motif and an arpeggiator, it is capable of creating great music, especially for hip hop or dance music. yamaha synthesizer keyboards are also popular because of their easy to use interface and easy layout.

Another option, though expensive, is the powerful Yamaha MO6 synth. Compared to the MM6, this is more pricey, powerful and professional. After the motif, this is another powerful synth with a much larger sound library, analog sounds, enhanced editing features, and more things. The MM6 is a much lighter version compared to the MO6. Another interesting feature is the Audio Integration feature that makes it easier for it to be used with music production tool like Cubase.

I am not suggesting that one is good and the other is bad. Both are equally good for the amount you pay for them. The MM6 has all the features that make it apt for live performances but the MO6 will be great in a studio. So lay your hands on either of these Yamaha synthesizer today.

Make the 88 Key Yamaha DGX Keyboard Yours

A admired arranger series from Yamaha, the Yamaha DGX piano keyboards series has keyboard instruments with more than 61 keys. The higher models in this series have weighted keys which will be apt for those of you who enjoy playing the piano. These keyboards bring you the best of an arranger and a digital piano.

There are some other digital pianos from Yamaha, especially the Clavinova and the Arius series, which are better in looks and feel, but then they are quite pricey.

Whereas a DGX board is far more affordable as far as price is concerned. Yamaha DGX 230 is the entry level keyboard and Yamaha DGX 640 is the top model in the DGX series of keyboards.

Some Yamaha DGX piano keyboards can be a bit heavy to carry, though most of them are designed to be more portable. The weighted keys and the fact that some models come bundled with a stand can add to the weight.

Usual keyboard functions like multiple voices, styles and effects can be found on these DGX keyboards. USB to Device terminal, USB to Host terminal, pitch bend are some of the other important functions on these models.

DGX keyboards presents to you a nice combination of arranger keyboard features with 88 keys at a cost that can be afforded by many. You will feel like practicing more on these keyboards than any 61 key arrangers. So if you think this meets you requirement, explore the 88 key Yamaha DGX piano keyboards today.

Buying a Yamaha PSR keyboard - What's the Best Brand for Sincere Beginners?

A good yamaha PSR keyboard to have would be one that has more than beginner level features without adding too much to the cost. If you look from a beginner's perspective, a serious learner would need a yamaha arranger keyboard that can be enjoyed at the minimum for a few years. Songwriters on the other hand will value a portable arranger keyboard that is cost effective and which will let them build up on their musical ideas.

The PSR series includes arranger keyboards that are meant for both beginners as well as professional keyboard players. To find something appropriate for the requirement mentioned above, we will have to look at their products that lie somewhere in the middle of their range of psr keyboards.

Two arrangers that have features to match the above purposes include the yamaha PSRE423 and the yamaha PSR s550 keyboards. Both are 61 key arranger keyboards.

The PSR-s550 is more of arranger workstation so it may not be vary suitable to the serious beginner from a budget perspective. It is more of an entry level arranger workstation. But if you consider it for songwriting, then it has all the tools that are needed to build up your musical ideas.

The yamaha PSRE423 keyboard on the other hand can be used both by the beginner as well as the songwriter looking for a keyboard on the go. From a cost aspect, it suits the beginner but then it also has features that can be appreciated by the songwriter as well.

The yamaha PSRE423 has pro-features like 64 notes polyphony, improved arpeggiator, Pitch bend wheel, extended flash memory, etc. So your search for a suitable yamaha PSR keyboard could end up with this one.

Keyboard Accessories every Keyboard player Needs

Here is a set of Keyboard accessories that you can find for your Digital piano Keyboard.

Don't think about owning all of these accessories outright since you may not be ready to own all of these as of now. But these exist so that your keyboard playing becomes more comfortable and enjoyable.

A keyboard accessory like the stand helps you to keep the correct posture while playing, a very important aspect if you want to develop the correct habits from the beginning. Adults on the other hand will appreciate the headphones more so that you can practice at any time of the day or night. A Power transformer / adapter is used to power your keyboard instrument, so this one is necessary, you usually get one when you buy your instrument.

Another set of Keyboard accessories exists to provide protection to your keyboard instruments, another important factor if your keyboard is an expensive one. You need to save your keyboard instrument from scratches, knocks, shocks, liquid spills and what not. Precisely for the same purposes Keyboard bag, case, and dust covers exists. You need these even for other musical instruments like the acoustic/electric guitar.

On the other hand Keyboard accessory like the foot pedal, is meant for enhancing your keyboard playing. You get to play your keyboard with more expression with this. It's like you get more than 10 fingers for your keyboard playing, with the pedals. Some foot pedals let you control keyboard functions like the accompaniments.

You may have bought yourself a digital piano or keyboard, but then you need to give some thought here. There is a range of keyboard accessories that are available.

Click here for more information on keyboard accessories, accessory for your digital piano keyboard

Why Keyboard Case are Suitable for Professional Music Keyboards?

A Keyboard case is a must for your professional music keyboard, if you plan to travel a lot with your keyboard for onstage performances.

Since you will be travelling a lot with your keyboard gear, on road or flight, a good keyboard case will offer the best possible protection to your music keyboard.

A Keyboard case has to be very sturdy and at the same time lightweight. It has to be strong so that it can withstand shocks and rough handling while you are travelling.

The latches need to work well over a longer period of time, and the puzzle inside the case also needs to be thick enough to give cushion to your save your keyboard.

Besides, it also needs to be reasonably priced and should last many years without any problems. The latches, handles, and wheels should all last for a long time even after being subjected to a lot of abuse.

Some keyboards are just too heavy and could weight around 50 pounds, for instance the Kurzweil PC-88MX. So ensure the keyboard case you buy is of the right dimension.

If the keyboard case is not strong enough it simply cannot handle the weight of the keyboard. There is always a chance of the handle pulling-off so please check the specifications of the case before you decide on a particular make.

You can even build a custom case for yourself if you are not comfortable with the existing ones, and the price does not increase much. The two major manufacturers of Keyboard cases are Gator and SKB.

If you invest so much money in a professional keyboard, it definitely makes sense to provide it the best protection and invest in a high-quality Keyboard case.

Read more on piano & keyboard accessories.

Yamaha PSR s550 Review - Make the PSR 550 Arranger Workstation Yours Now

A well-known entry level arranger workstation is the Yamaha PSR s550 keyboard here is a review of this arranger. PSR 550 keyboard was the earlier version of the current Yamaha PSR s550b arranger, and even that was quite popular among musicians.

Considering it has workstation features, it is not very pricey will find attention from serious keyboardists and learners.

The Yamaha PSRS550B is an Arranger Workstation with 61 full size keys that are touch sensitive. The polyphony is 64 notes max, which is sufficient for playing complex arrangements. You get first-class sounds from the built-in stereo speakers on the PSR S550B.

Offered at a price of around 750-800 dollars, depending on the offer, the Yamaha PSR s550 keyboard has many more features to help you as a musician.

So that you are never short of sounds, there is a huge collection of voices, styles and effects that are available. The sound collection includes a collection of many realistic voices.

A 16 track sequencer gives you sufficient tracks to capture many instruments on individual tracks, which is more than the 9 track sequencer that was available on the PSRS500.

The layout of the keyboard is very Easy to use, in a manner that lets you choose settings with minimum touches.

The Backlit LCD screen on the Yamaha PSRS550B arranger is capable of displaying lyrics, chords, and notation of songs.

The USB MIDI and USB storage capability makes it easy to connect to computer and to store music on other USB devices.

Serious keyboard players or intermediate level players who are looking for an entry level arranger workstation but not willing to spend a lot, can consider the Yamaha PSR s550 keyboard workstation.

Yamaha PSR S910 Arranger Workstation Keyboard Review

Here is a review of Yamaha PSR S910 Arranger Workstation Keyboard. This keyboard has a great palette of professional sounding sounds, most of which is based on the hugely popular Yamaha tyros. The only pricey arranger from Yamaha is the hugely popular Tyros keyboard.

The Yamaha PSR S910 arranger is a great digital keyboard for performers because of its great collection of digitally sampled voices. The PSR S910 keyboard gives you 128 notes polyphony, which is good enough to play most complex musical arrangements and harmonies. You just have to concentrate on your playing without having to worry about the notes dropping off.

If you are a professional player, the following set of features makes the Yamaha PSR S910 keyboard an attractive digital keyboard. The built-in 16 track sequencer can be used for recording complex musical pieces. You get an excellent set of accompaniments and ample digital effects.

Another interesting feature is the MP3 playback and USB audio recording that lets you play your music and store it on any portable USB device.

All of this comes at a fair price of around $1750 so you do get the most value for your money, considering that this is a professional keyboard. You can easily use it for performing as a one man band. With an impressive sound quality and a professional set of features, you should try out the Yamaha PSR S910. There are reasons why the Yamaha PSR-S910 Arranger Workstation Keyboard is an excellent buy. This Yamaha psrS910 Keyboard review will give you the reasons. This is a high performance arranger keyboards from the PSR series, next only to the Tyros in terms of features and also in cost.

With almost no setup required, the accompaniment styles found on the PSR-S910 give keyboard players a fast and straightforward way to sound fully arranged. The powerful Music Finder feature even lets them set up the whole tool by basically selecting of thousands of song titles. Style, tempo, variation, and right-hand Voices are instantly set when you pick a title.

You select what you need and you are ready to take on the situation. This is what makes this Yamaha psr-s910 arranger keyboard stand apart from the remainder of the competition.

For solo band performances or to come up with a fast demo in the studio for music production, the psr910 is simply the best option around the 2000 dollar mark.

Cost wise, it is below the 2000 dollar mark, pricey you might think. Korg PA series keyboards are there for competition so in case you are okay to consider other brands you do have options.

But for the features and if you are a fan of Yamaha, then it’s a nice deal. In case you are looking to upgrade from your current music keyboard, to a high caliber professional keyboard, then the psrs910 is apt. The Yamaha PSR-S910 arranger workstation keyboard is the one for your performance needs.

Casio Privia PX Digital Piano for Beginners and Experienced Players

Here is a review of the Casio Privia PX 88 Key Digital Piano, the most popular portable pianos from Casio sold under the privia PX series.

These pianos are great looking and have superb sound quality, not to mention the affordability and the variety of models that it offers to beginners and experienced players. The Privia PX pianos have hammer action keys and other digital features which makes them useful for learning as well as for piano practice.

Hammer Action Keys, Realistic Sounds, Built-in Piano Lessons, aggressive pricing, and Portability are some of the important qualities of a Privia piano. Most piano players, especially the pianist types, may not be keen on all the features but would definitely be interested in the quality of the sound and the keyboard feel.

With graded hammer action keys, the action resembles that on a real piano, harder to play on the lower octaves and gets lighter as you move on to the higher octaves. A huge bonus for piano players will be the graded hammer action keys since it feels like a real piano. These are harder to play on the lower octaves and lighter on the higher octaves.

Compared to some of the leading brands, the sound quality of a Casio Privia PX 88 Key Digital Piano is on par because of the superior quality sound samples that have been used. This was not the case until a few years back when Casio sound was considered inferior to other brands.

Another useful feature for Beginners, besides the above features, is the Built-in piano lessons. The lessons will help you to reinforce key concepts that you might already be learning from your teacher. In addition, you can definitely find a privia piano model that will accommodate your budget.

So check out these pianos, especially if you are one of those who are not sure of the quality of Casio keyboard and piano. The Casio Privia PX 88 Key Digital Piano will definitely make an impression on you.

Introducing 3 Budget 61 Key Casio Electronic Keyboard under 200 Dollars

Looking for a Casio Electronic Keyboard with 61 Keys under 200 Dollars? Here are three options for you to stay focused in your search for a new keyboard.

When it comes to a combination of affordability, features and quality, only Casio keyboards can provide you the options for 61 keys keyboard.

If you need a keyboard that is rich in features as well, don't worry, these keyboards come with numerous styles and voices, built-in recorder and speakers, USB MIDI, high sound quality, and much more.

These are more than sufficient for any beginner to get started with learning to play keyboards. The built-in lessons will also be helpful you to summarize important concepts in case you are learning from a music teacher.

Option1: The Casio LK 280 61 key electronic keyboard is excellent for young beginners, who will find the guided lights feature fun to play and learn with. The step-teaching function helps you to learn songs by lighting up the correct keys so that it guides you when you are learning to play a song. Kids will go wild playing on these keyboards. And just because this one has lighted keys doesn't mean its just for kids. Adults can also make the best use of this keyboard as it comes with good sound quality and has various features that even adults can make use of.

The second option is Casio CTK 2300 61-key keyboard, which is one of the most popular Casio keyboard, and has been a recent addition. Besides the features mentioned above, you also get an audio input where you can plug in a CD or mp3 player to the keyboard, so that you can play along to your favorite song. In terms of cost, it is the least expensive compared to the other three options discussed here. It does come with touch sensitive keys.

Option3: The Casio WK 225 keyboard is another option for the beginner looking for an improved sound quality with many realistically sounding instrument voices, including that of the piano. The best part is that it comes with 76-keys. These are touch-sensitive but not weighted. Maximum polyphony that you get is 48 notes, enough for playing complex chords and arrangements, without worrying about notes dropping off.

So do you intend to buy a keyboard instrument with decent features that will help you get started on keyboards? Here are the three options that you can consider to buy an affordable Casio electronic keyboard with 61 keys.

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