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First a word about myself. You might remember me as the beginner who inquired about "honky-tonk" sound last week. I am much more drawn to ragtime than say classical music and in my other life I'm a pretty serious country-blues guitar fan. Does this tell you anything about the type of ear I have (unsophisticated, but demanding? )? Gosh I hope I don't get kicked out of this place after telling all that!

My question: Are there any digital pianos which would be excellent with my ragtime tastes/aspirations? I suppose I'm asking whether there is there a portable unit which offers suitable voices/features?

I know I'm a long way off from being able to really play ragtime, but in the meantime it would be nice if some of my banging away at the keys produced the right nuances. Hope you understand this.

I really have little knowledge about pianos, digital or otherwise--salesperson recommended Yamaha P-120. I contacted a local dealer who has a Yamaha CLP-154 and a Roland KR-500 for rent. I don't know anything about these yet. In the meantime I can play an acoustic at the school where I teach.

Thanks,
BillH

My Yamaha PF500 has a honky tonk voice which is good for ragtime, I use it for that purpose myself. I am not a professional. The piano is a mid range contemporary-styled version with similar features to the CLP 150. I am very happy with it.

Ragtime music sounds excellent on a perfectly in tune piano as well as a piano that is slightly out of tune. I'm guessing you would want a slightly out of tune flavor. Some electric pianos have that option and some don't, it's that simple.

(There's nothing wrong about playing ragtime music on a perfectly in tune piano, I do it all the time.)

On the P120/P90, try enabling both GP1 and GP2 piano voices at the same time (just press both buttons at once). I wouldnt call it Honkytonk, but the two voices give a pretty good effect on songs like The Entertainer.

I noticed from a web site tonight that the Korg SP-200 (SP-300, SP-500) purports to have an "authentic honky tonk sound".

Has anyone tried one of these? I'll will compare it to the P-120 if I can locate one this weekend. The Korg seems to have more piano sounds than the P-120 (and this seems like a good thing).

-BillH