Choosing your first keyboard
At the beginning of this month, I got a slew of emails asking for advice on purchasing a family’s very first keyboard. Typically I’m asked which brand and model is the best entry-level keyboard for beginners, but unfortunately the answer is not that simple. There is no one model that will be right for everyone! Instead, I recommend that every family consider their needs and interests, so they can choose a keyboard that’s best for them.
I thought I’d collect all my advice into a blog post in case anyone else is looking for tips. If any questions come up, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Basic features
There are certain key features that are indispensable if you want to set yourself up for the long-term. These include:
weighted keys with touch sensitivity (so you can play loud and soft sounds)
a sustain pedal (that lets the notes ring out longer)
a music rest
at least 76 keys
While it’s technically true that someone can learn how to play on a toy piano or lower quality keyboard, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen someone opt for a cheap option, only for them (or their child) to get so frustrated with their instrument that they stop playing altogether. If the keys have no weight, you’re more likely to play keys by accident, just by having a finger brush up against the key (which can be difficult to control at first!). I’ve seen students frustrated by the fact their cheap keyboards’ notes don’t ring out long enough, which means they can’t play peaceful, flowing music. Sometimes we even learn that their keyboard can’t play two notes at the same time! The bottom line is, if you start with a low quality keyboard, at some point the limitations of your instrument will start to impact your learning. Quality of experience really does matter here.
It used to be that this advice was all I’d have to give for people to find a high-quality keyboard. But nowadays, most every manufacturer of keyboards offers these features, even the cheap ones sold on Amazon that are likely to break soon. So now I have had to add a bit to my advice…
Brand quality
It used to be that advice on these basic features was all I had give in order for people to find a high-quality keyboard. But nowadays, almost every manufacturer of keyboards claims to offer these features, even the cheap ones on Amazon that are likely to break soon. So now I have had to add the advise to seek out particular name brands who have reputation to uphold. The brand I know best is Roland, followed by Yamaha and Casio. Each brand has an entry-level version that will fit a $500CAD budget, and will be of high enough quality to last you a few years.
Try before you buy
It's also important to know that even across quality brands, the "feel" of the keybed will differ across instruments, and it's important for the keybed to feel “right” to the player for them to feel excited to play it. For this reason, I usually recommend trying to rent an instrument before you purchase it. Many major music stores have a rent-to-own program (here in Canada, I use Long & McQuade). Or at the very least, try out a showroom model multiple times before you settle on one.
If your keyboard is meant to be a gift and trying out a keyboard would ruin the surprise, you might consider purchasing from a larger music store chain who will have a generous return or exchange policy in case the keys don't feel quite “right” to your player. If chain retailers aren’t your thing, a family-owned business might understand your need for a return policy if you explained your situation.
For my fellow Canadians, Long & McQuade is a Canadian chain with a fantastic rental service and a hassle-free 30-day return policy on purchased instruments as well. Their employees are not paid based on commission, so I find them more interested in matching the right instrument with the right family than making a sale.
Your needs will change over the years
I know that when you’re parting with money, you want to choose an instrument that is going to last you as long as possible. But rather than hoping to find one instrument that will sustain you the rest of your musical life, try to consider your instrument as a five year investment. By that point, your skills will have outgrown an entry-level keyboard and you will be ready for your next instrument!
My keyboard needs have changed, too! My first keyboard was a Yamaha Portable Grand because the keys were easy to play (didn't have much resistance) and I thought the piano sound most resembled my old upright piano back home. As I developed my skill, however, my fingers craved stiffer keys, so that was part of my evolution as a player. Nowadays, Roland is the brand that is known for putting the most research and development into the keybed, but some people find the keys too stiff to play. Personally, I wanted highest quality keybed but also some capability to modify the instrument sounds, so I went with a Nord Piano 5. It’s all a matter of identifying what you’re looking for in a keyboard, and then being patient enough to find the one that’s right for you!
I hope this overview of my best tips has been helpful. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!