I was elated that my daughter has expressed an interest in learning the piano. We are in the midst of a move so I do not want to start lessons until we get to the new city.

I was considering buying a Yamaha PSR295 digital keyboard for Christmas for her. It has only 61 keys and assuming the price at about $200 I am certain it does not have the feel of some of the higher end models. Is it worth buying the Yamaha 295 model or just wait. I would normally wait to ask her instructor but it may be 4 months until we are settled in the new location.

Many Thanks for your help, or if you have an alternative recomendation that is under $500 please let me know.

Kind Regards,
Greg Sheehan

PSR295 as a keyboard is good for only $200. i have one similar to that and liked it before i found it inadequate for piano playing.

the point is what is your goal for your daughter: is she going to take piano lessons later or just to learn to play anything such as a keyboard? a real piano keyboard has weighted keys, while a regular keyboard such as PSR295 has not. in another word, they have totally different feels. there is nothing wrong with playing a keyboard if the goal is just for fun, but playing a piano is different if the goal is aimed as becoming a pianist.

so, if you know the goal, then choose accordingly what to buy. for $500, the cheapest digital piano with weighted keys is Casio PX100.

gregtri,

First you need to ask your daughter if she wants to play piano (Classical music) or play POP music (everything else). The PSR line is very good for people wanting to learn to play on an arranger keyboard (pop music) but completely inappropirate to learn Piano (classical).

This is very important as it will aslo dictate the type of music lessons you arrange for your daughter.

Rodney

Signa & Rodney,

THANK YOU! this helps. I am not sure if she has thought that far in advance but this provides some needed insight. I am hoping she wants to learn classical versus POP but we will see.

Kind Regards,
Greg Sheehan

See Jolly's thread at http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/1/8561.html

I have been frustrated every time I place a less than 88 key keyboard. If the goal to play the piano, 88 keys is a requirement I think.