[Digital Pianos/Keyboards] for a beginner

MrDelish

Dear H/A,

I have some experience with playing piano and wish to buy a digital one for learning. I was set on buying one for under $200 but noticed that the models in that price range were two-touch sensitive (if at all) and I don't see myself wanting to use a keyboard like that (I enjoy my crescendos and diminuendos, okay).

The cheapie models I looked at were all basically like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OHE4SG/ref=s9_simh_gw_p267_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0SEGTCSZ81SSVRY57T04&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Then my theoretical price point increased substantially to find a real, touch-sensitive keyboard and stumbled on these:

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YPG535-Portable-Grand-Supply/dp/B001DTEKYO/ref=sr_1_156?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1275896843&sr=1-156

http://www.amazon.com/KORG-SP-250-Portable-Digital-Piano/dp/B000WGMPNM/ref=sr_1_181?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1275897716&sr=1-181

The reviews on the KORG make it seem like the most logical choice: a keyboard that I'll use for years to come. However, I'd appreciate opinions of real piano enthusiasts as to whether this is an okay idea or not before I dive in $650 head first.

Vortigern

Yamaha and Korg both make a solid product and will support it so the real difference is how they sound. If you can, go play and listen to them. M-Audio also makes the Pro-Keys 88 in the same price range I think. While M-Audio is the lower end brand from Avid, they generally make reliable gear too. Make sure whatever you choose has the inputs for expression pedals too. I think all of the ones you listed do, but it never hurts to double check.

Khavall

The one thing I would look for first is weighted, full-sized keys, because playing on anything else is super-likely to fuck up your technique something fierce, so that first one is definitely out.

Now, as to the yamaha v korg.... I'm not sure if I've ever played on those specific keyboards, but I've played on both yamahas and Korgs, and I really love both. The difference between those two would probably not be noticeable to 90% of people. The yamaha will have a slightly weightier touch to the keys and the Korg will be a little lighter, and the korg might have a slightly better sound, but not anything big.

Also, I was with a company not too long ago that had something like a 10-year-old Korg synth that was still playing perfectly, so they'll definitely last.

Bartholamue

I actually played on that KORG, and for a piano at that price, it's definitely very good.

Khavall wrote:

The one thing I would look for first is weighted, full-sized keys, because playing on anything else is super-likely to fuck up your technique something fierce, so that first one is definitely out.

This I agree with. Also I wouldn't go with anything other than the 88 key keyboard, because the 61 doesn't have as many octaves, and when you go from that to a full 88, your techniques will suffer.