I want to play piano.

[J. Crawford]

Hey guys, I have a question.

I was planning on getting recording gear for Christmas, but I recently got offered to use a semi-local professional studio for free whenever I please. I would rather do that, with the engineer being a close friend, than buy a bunch of stuff that is the same as what he has.

So, Im thinking for now, and my parents have agreed as my mother is a pianist, that maybe I should get a high quality full keyboard. Not a piano, but an electric keyboard with the full 88 keys.

Can anyone recommend one ~$400? I plan on taking lessons, as I have been laying low on bass lessons seeing my band and recording gives me enough new things! (I plan to get a professional bass teacher this summer when Im in Nashville most of the time! If you are one, lemme know! ) but I want to learn to:

1. Be a better musician that can play more than one instrument. I plan to keep bass as numero uno of course, always will.
2. Learn to sight read. I know the basics, but definitely not well enough to do anything with it.
3. Be able to sit in with Alison for recording when piano is needed, possibly play mall/casino/etc. gigs where a full band isnt needed.
4. Be able to play.. I have always been interested, and love the sound.

Any help is appreciated guys! TB has become a second family to me lately!

MODS!: If this belongs in OT, move it please! I thought Misc. would work, but its all up to you!

[J. Crawford]

The 'rents are dying for me to give em ideas! Help me out people!

[six-one-6-six]

Piano is a greate idea , i play a little but i'm better at bass...(loll) for $400...maybe ebay? for a decent 88 key board. (roland or yamaha would be my choices)

[tplyons]

Best digital piano I ever played was a Korg SG-1D... great feel, sound, but weighed a ton.

I miss playing keys, but unfortunately my wrist has been killing me for the last 6 months.

[MNAirHead]

Don't overlook the Soft Synth Trigger options.. it's a great option to do recording and not be limited to the keyboard.

I've owned tons of keyboards... have sold them and now keep a higher end USB keyboard around..

You could probably get a paired micro laptop with it for your budget.

Higher than this, you'd be probably ditching bass.

There are some great synths out there in the under $400 range.

[jpfbass]

For 400 your not really gonna get anything that nice, even if you buy used. By high quality I assume that you would want the keys weighted, and for the full 88 that gets pretty expensive. My brother is also getting a new keyboard, and me him just got back from looking around the keys section in GC. There was about 10 fully weighted keyboards, and they went for as high as 3200$, but the least expensive was like 1000 or so. For 400, you'll probably have to settle for less keys (maybe 49?) if you want something that's pretty good quality.

Edit: There's also some good syths for around that price, but not full on keyboards.

[J. Crawford]

Ouch.. There are a few 88 key ones on GC.com. Are they worthless, or what? I just want something good enough for private playing, and maybe some random stuff. Just needs to sound good, have different sound options, and hopefully weighte keys.

[J. Crawford]

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Casio-CD...34-i1168551.gc

Yay o nay? Thats a bit less, and its weighted and full scale. I could afford to get a stand and seat, too.

[Stumbo]

I read the GC reviews of this piano. Mostly good. Problem with the sustain pedal for one and some broken keys on another.

Seems like a good keyboard to start on. As they said, few bells and whistles, none of which you need to start with.

Also, check out Musicians Friends: http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfrien...ano?sku=706083

If can finance about $15-$20 a month for 18 months(with about $400 down), I'd check out the next level up http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfrien...ard?sku=703190 Checkout casio.com for some demo tunes and other specs: http://www.casio.com/products/Musica...nt/Sound_Demo/

With your mom being a musician, I'm sure you'd get good use of the upgraded model.

I've been looking for a keyboard for myself as well so I did a bit a research to come up something that I might purchase.

Note: I am not employed or associated with any musical instrument company.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by J. Crawford

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Casio-CD...34-i1168551.gc

Yay o nay? Thats a bit less, and its weighted and full scale. I could afford to get a stand and seat, too.

I vote yay. It's the cheapest 88-key piano with weighted action out there. At that price it's almost an impulse purchase.

[Carver]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-S90-88-We...item414aedba10

Awesome keyboards, and you still see them on many stages today. You can usually get them pretty cheap.

*Not affiliated with the seller in any way.

[williamk]

Hi J.Crawfor
I'm a pianist, and to tell you the truth, a good 88 keys keyboard that a similar feel as a piano (so the same big keys rather than cheap plastic synth keys) will probably cost much more than 400$ (I own a yamaha p-120 which feels and looks like a the real thing, but costs almost 2000$...). If you just want a keyboard that doesn't feel like a real piano, that can certainly cost less, but you will feel handicaped when you'll have to play on a real piano for a mall gig!!
Well...that's the bad news. But the good news is, I can tell you I play the piano since I'm 9 and it made it so easy to learn guitar and bass afterwards. I highly recommend any serious musician to be able to play piano. Good luck and good choice!

[1dgbass]

Hey,

I'm in the same boat as you. I have been playing bass for 3 years and am getting a electric piano for christmas.

I recommend the cdp-100. It's the one I'm getting for 400 dollars. It's got weighted keys and everything.
Anyway, good luck with it all, the keyboard is very demanding.

Peece.

[Engine207]

Originally Posted by J. Crawford

So, Im thinking for now, and my parents have agreed as my mother is a pianist, that maybe I should get a high quality full keyboard. Not a piano, but an electric keyboard with the full 88 keys.

Man, J. Crawford...you are a musician.

I have my hands twice as full, just with bass alone. Your into-it-ness of all things sonic is cool and inspiring. Maybe when I retire, I'll have the time and mindset to do the same. Nice...

[J. Crawford]

Originally Posted by Engine207

Man, J. Crawford...you are a musician.

I have my hands twice as full, just with bass alone. Your into-it-ness of all things sonic is cool and inspiring. Maybe when I retire, I'll have the time and mindset to do the same. Nice...

So, Engine, when you wake up do you set out to make my day? Because it seems like no matter what kind of mood Im in, if Ive had a bad day, anything, your compliments like that always seem to cheer me up.

I thank you for that.

[Mr wiggl3s]

I'm on the same boat as you, but i'm still learning bass. Is it a good idea to start learning piano and bass around the same times? I don't want to cross the streams.

[J. Crawford]

Sure man! I mean, if you are like me and have things going for you on bass, learn it more so and piano as a back up.

Just like myself! I dont plan to be a pianist, but I would like to know how to play, chord structures, etc. I get comments on my feel and such, and Im embarassed with how little theory and such I know..

[bassasm33]

Piano will make you a better bass player. (I suck at piano)

[Engine207]

Originally Posted by J. Crawford

So, Engine, when you wake up do you set out to make my day?

Nah... but I'm glad you take them that way!

Stuff you say reminds me of the way I used to think and feel. 25 years later, I wound up going a more traditional life. I'm totally happy with it...nice family/love my job/etc., but wonder if I had the opportunities and wisdom you do, what my screen name might be and how my would have been different...

Just keep on chasin'. You'll be able to do anything you want.