I'm in the market for a DP. I want an authentic piano "touch and feel" and I already know that I need at a minimum 88-keys. Eventually, after my husband retires and we settle down in one home, I would like to own a baby grand. Now we move every one to two to three years.

So for now I want a DP to practice on and improve my playing on so when we get the baby grand, I'm not too old to learn from scratch and I'll be ready to play compositions without tripping over the keys.

Price isn't as much of a consideration for me, but movability is. I also *have* to be able to cover the keys since we have a dog who sheds like crazy.

My first thought is to go with a Yamaha Clavinova CLP-230 or CLP-240 since it's locally available and it's similar to what I learned on in college.

I'm initially opposed to a keyboard without a stand as I don't want to buy yet more furniture than I have... I'd rather have a stand alone DP for this reason.

What other considerations should I be making? What other DPs should I try to look at?

You might look at stage pianos like the P-140, CP33 or CP-300. They would be easy to pack when you move and you can buy optional stands that look pretty good for them. The stands will also break back down and you can put them in a box for moving. You can buy a dustcover for any keyboard, sounds like that might even be better than just covering the keys. I'd be a little concerned about an upright digital surviving that many moves, they aren't designed to be portable.

Are "stage pianos" stand-alone keyboards with a separate stand and bench? If so, that's not so great with our typical movers. If it can be taken with two hands and walked off, and has significant value to someone, it will be stolen

Yes, stage pianos are stand alone keyboards. If your movers are stealing things the size of a piano, how do you secure things like TVs, stereos, computers, microwaves, tools, etc? Let me guess, government service is involved...

Take a look-see at the roland hp-20x series. just came out earlier this year. i broke my piggy bank to get a 201, no questions asked. love at 1st note.

(and I did look at the clavinovas.. the roland still won out on touch, sound and cabinetry.)

Surprisingly affordable, too. More like YDP price range, at least for the hp201.

All the 20x series have keyboard covers. And are built like furniture. Solid, heavy.. but I must say, at 120 pounds, the 201 can be walked away with (if it's 2 people doin' the walkin' away with).. you'll find if there's a will, there's a way, I've heard of half-ton pianos being stolen, so..


A thread with me gushing about my 201, goes into detail on why it flipped my lid.