Searching for a portable keyboard? One of the biggest problems you will encounter in your search is wading through the incredible variety of choices and features and finding the best fit instrument for your individual needs. It is also important to get the most reliable keyboard that fits within your budget. As many people have learned, the best route to affordable quality is a Yamaha electronic keyboard.
As with anything that relies on cutting edge technology portable keyboards are constantly undergoing changes and upgrades. In other words, after you have settled on a model something new will come along with more bells and whistles. Understand though that these changes are more for staying ahead of the competition and have nothing to do with the quality or the reliability of the instrument.
Yamaha has built a reputation for manufacturing quality instruments at an affordable price. Whether its guitars, brass instruments, keyboards, etc., you can anticipate that your Yamaha purchase will provide you with a good return on your investment.
When it comes to narrowing your search for a Yamaha electronic keyboard you still will be presented with many choices. For some people all it takes is a trip to a big department store to make a selection. For others, searching online proves to be more prudent because there are more models from which to choose.
If this is your first venture into purchasing a keyboard you should know some of the basic differences, First, if you have a child who is about to begin taking piano lessons and you have ruled out being able to purchase a piano then you should know that a standard keyboard and piano keyboard are substantially different. A standard keyboard has 61 keys while a piano has 88 keys.
Furthermore, the touch on an electronic keyboard is not like that on a standard piano. However, many keyboards come with weighted keys that simulate the traditional piano keyboard. Notes on a keyboard can be sustained (held longer) by holding the key in place whereby on the piano keyboard there is a foot pedal used for sustaining a note. These differences may not seem like much but they are monumental if serious piano instruction is your intention.
If the aforementioned is your concern then a better solution than a Yamaha electronic keyboard is a digital piano. Even within the Yamaha digital piano line there are numerous choices that range from $400 to $2000. Yes, this is a more expensive option and if that still remains a concern then you may want to consider purchasing a used piano.
Yet, there are definite advantages to a digital piano. Most significant is the ability to control volume by using headphones or simply turning the sound down. That’s particularly important if you live in an apartment or if people in the household sleep during the day.
Yamaha electronic pianos come in models that replicate an actual piano or just as a keyboard that can be played from a piano stand. Again, pay attention to the number of keys. There are models, called pianos, that come with 76 keys. Remember, 88 keys are best if you plan on learning to play the piano.
However, if playing for simple enjoyment and piano lessons are not a part of the plan then a Yamaha electronic keyboard is a wonderful choice. You can get a basic instrument for around $100 but would be better to pay a little more and go for a mid-level instrument that will grow with you.
Also, you can save some money by getting a bundled model that comes with some accessories that you will need like a keyboard stand and headphones. In fact, bundled sets sell for about the same price as the Yamaha electronic keyboard sold individually.