The piano is one of the most popular musical instruments in the world, and most people have at least messed around on one once in their life. It might look very intimidating, but learning how to play piano is really not that hard if the right amount of effort is put into it. Of course, it always helps if a person has a keyboard to practice on at any point in time.
Whether a person is shopping for their first ever keyboard piano, or they just want a cheaper option to mess around on once in a while, below is a look at some of the very best on the market in 2019.
A full piano is 88 keys, but people will notice that most of the more affordable keyboard pianos are not going to be that big. This allows companies to keep the price down, and they also make the keyboards a little bit smaller. Most beginners are not going to be using a full range of keys anyway, so it really doesn’t come into play.
Casio SA-77 44 Key Mini Personal Keyboard
Casio is a well-known company for keyboards, and this affordable option is perfect for beginners. It is nothing too fancy, but it does come with enough features to keep people interested at least a little.
10 songs are included on the keyboard for beginners to study and learn how to play without the help of any teacher or sheet music. There are also a total of 100 tones, which allows for different sounds. There are even drum pads included for those who just want to have a quick option for that.
At its core, it is something that both younger kids and beginners will have fun playing around with. It is not going to be a great option for those who are not starting from scratch, but The sound quality and responsiveness of the keys are both very surprisingly good for the price.
This is a very great option for those who don’t want to spend too much money on a full set up. It is an all-inclusive super kit that allows a person to play the piano, have a sturdy stand, a stool, headphones and full power supply. There is really nothing else that needs to be purchased in order to have an extremely enjoyable experience with this keyboard for years to come.
Some are going to be a little turned off by only having 61 keys, but other than that, there is not a lot to complain about for an option priced as affordably as this.
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Alesis Melody 61 MKII – 61-Key Portable Keyboard
The designers of this keyboard hit the sweet spot. It’s tailored for older children and young adult learners who don’t want a “toy” piano. It’s even ideal for young kids who have a true desire to learn to play because it has plenty of functions and accessories that give that “real piano” feeling the very first time it’s played.
For starters, this product is a genuine value at just $99, features a 61-key layout, 300 rhythms for accompaniment, and the same number of instrument voices as well. The included items are generous, with headphones, bench, keyboard stand, music rest and a mic. The keyboard allows users to record songs and immediately listen to them via the playback feature. Budding musical talents will appreciate the relevant functionality of this bargain of a keyboard.
There’s also a layer mode function, known as “dual keyboard” here for simultaneously playing two separate instruments. The 40 demo songs are built-in for simple use, study and imitation. Runs on batteries or AC electric plug-in power.
Pros
-Enough keys for full practice capability
-300 accompaniment rhythms and the same number of instrument sounds allow for creative learning and musical exploration
-40 demo songs are built-in
-Dual keyboard mode
-Record and playback capability
-Includes lots of extras as well as 3 months of Skoove Premium
-Also comes with a microphone
Cons
-No digital or USB connection capability
-The sound quality of the instrument voices is lacking
-Microphone can’t be adjusted and has volume set too high for most tastes
Hamzer 61-Key Electronic Piano Electric Organ Music Keyboard
Priced at a very reasonable $86.99, this popular selection for many new players is a 61-key bargain. It comes with stool, mic, stand, and headphones for starters, and has high-quality sound for the price point. Some of the reasons this is an ideal piano keyboard for learners and even advanced players include the speakers, which are 255-timbre capable. Other features are the keyboard percussions, which number 61 in total, the 255 rhythms, and two dozen demo songs for all playing levels. External speakers let users show their stuff, or players can choose to just wear the headphones and listen in private.
This piano keyboard makes it easy for new learners to understand the nuances of finger control through the unique integrated learning system. This mode is suitable for all players up to the intermediate level. There’s even a master-volume control, as well as rhythm sync, easy to adjust tempo settings, and a clear LCD display.
Pros
-Perfect for learners up to intermediate level
-Simple record/playback features for easy editing and review
-Includes lots of extras: microphone, four-foot cord, audio output/input, headphones
-AC power adapter for plug-in use, but it also runs on 6 AA batteries
-Tough stand with variety of height settings
-255 timbres, 61 percussions, 255 rhythms
-Tempo adjustment, rhythm sync
-Ultra-simple record and playback function
Cons
-Mid-level students might find the 61-key setup limiting as they advance in their skills
-Keys are not standard size
-Keys are not weighted
-There are no pedals
Alesis Recital 88-Key Beginner Digital Piano
Prices just above the $200 point at $209.99, this capable keyboard piano includes a full set of 88 keys and five piano voices built into its tech. The voices are both realistic and clear, while the semi-weighted keys include a clever method for users to obtain a realistic sensory experience: the “touch-response” capability. The metronome is adjustable and the lesson modes are built in, which makes this product one of the better ones for those just starting out with piano lessons and even students at the intermediate level.
Pros
-Rich tone with voice customization
-There’s a teacher-student split keyboard function that’s ideal for lessons
-Synth, organ, electric, acoustic and bass voices are built in
-There’s a digital recital function for those who take online, interactive lessons
Cons
-The built-in speakers are quite small and deliver lower-quality sound than the headphones
-Offers fewer features than most other similarly-priced keyboard pianos
-Not as user-friendly as it could be
-Manual is essential for users due to non-intuitive setup of many functions
LAGRIMA Electric Piano Keyboard, 61 key Keyboard Music Piano
For beginner and intermediate learners, this $50.99 product is a bargain among the less pricey choices. The keys are arranged well, respond to touch adequately and are soft. Key surface is quite smooth and even the texture is a welcome feature for beginners who need to learn sensory connection. The operation is simple and designed to be intuitive, especially for beginners. For example, anyone can quickly learn how to use the programming function, the record/playback mode, and other learning enhancement features.
The H-shaped stand is part of the package, as are the 200-timbre capability, 128 rhythms, and a diverse set of ten demo songs. There’s even a double-keyboard feature for easy lesson work alongside a teacher or tutor.
Pros
-Includes a fully functional bench
-Features 10 demo songs
-Comes with 128 rhythms and 200 timbres
-Ideal and intuitive for beginners
-Designed to encourage learning and regular progress
-Double keyboard mode is perfect for lessons
Cons
-Sound quality could be better, even considering the price point
-Connectivity is quite limited
-Aesthetically rather plain for some tastes
-Keys tend to be too sensitive and are not full size
-Beginners quickly outgrow this keyboard in some cases
-When plugged in, there can be a low electrical whining noise at times
Plixio 61-Key Digital Electric Piano Keyboard
A solid value for $64.99, this full-size keyboard piano is an electrical wizard. It boasts MP3 and USB input for intermediate and advanced players who want to sharpen their skills. Designed for the boundary line area between beginner and intermediate players, this piano is fully functional even for those beyond the intermediate levels but is not so overwhelming for new learners either. That’s the beauty of its design, and is an aspect that many other keyboard electric pianos lack.
The keyboard is simple to use for learning songs, acquiring new skills and even experimenting as you move through the learning curve that every beginner faces. Playing performance is impressive for a 61-key model. The piano can be fully customized via the MP3 input and the included USB port so that any performance can become unique.
The keys are full size, which is a big advantage for those who will move on in their skill development on a standard piano. The keys on this model carry just the right amount of firmness and are realistically responsive. The in-tune sound is a welcome aspect for beginners and more advanced players.
The lesson mode runs from “pure beginner” level to a challenging engagement of skills for players up to early-advanced abilities. There’s even a built-in stand for sheet music, situated on top of the unit to prevent sore neck and shoulder muscles. This feature promotes appropriate “piano posture” in beginners, an essential part of learning.
Pros
-Keys are highly responsive and ideal for beginners
-The unit is easily portable
-The demonstration songs are easy to use
-You can record the music as you play it
-Includes a fully functional power cord
-There are multiple rhythms built in
-There is a vast selection of music that users can choose from
Cons
-There is not an included stand with the keyboard
-Some advanced players might find the functions limited
Casio Privia PX-160BK 88-Key Full Size Digital Piano
For a keyboard piano at one of the higher price points, $499, this unit delivers the goods. Its generous bundle includes an almost-like-a-grand functionality, top polyphony at 128 with a full set of built-in tones numbering 18, including classic mode, modern mode and more.
Pros
-Lightweight
-Aesthetically designed to look great in any room and in any home
-Overall music quality is better than most any selection in the keyboard piano product segment
Cons
-The one downside users have noted is that the bench is not adjustable
Kawai ES100 88-key Digital Piano with Speakers
For $729.99, consumers expect a lot from a keyboard piano, and with this model they get their money’s worth. This easy-to-transport model includes an incredibly responsive keyboard as well as a set of onboard controls that are intuitive and ideal for beginners and more advanced players. The keys are graded and weighted so that they are almost impossible to distinguish from the real thing on an acoustic piano.
Pros
-Simple, intuitive interface
-Very easy to transport
Cons
-The sound quality could be better
-The speaker is not of the highest quality
-The range of functions is somewhat limited
Yamaha P45 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano
Prices at $449.99, this keyboard offer superior quality all around, with a well-designed keyboard that works for all skill levels. This full-size unit has been designed to let users get as close as possible to the feel of an acoustic instrument. Has 88 weighted keys, dual and duo mode, a pair of 6W speakers, polyphony of 64 notes, stereo sampling of AWM, multiple touch-sensitive options. Other features include: Excellent key traction, sturdy unit, 10 instrument sounds, full sustain-jack, headphone and USB connectivity, a fine-tuning, transpose metronome.
Pros
-Lightweight
-Simple to use controls
-10 authentic voices included
-Sampling technology (advanced wave memory)
-Superior key traction
-Solid, sturdy overall construction
Cons
-Lacks “aux” output
-Lacks ability to do track recording
What Is the Difference Between a Keyboard and a Piano?
The primary difference between the two lies in sound production. Comprised of a set of strings and levers arranged inside a wooden box, the piano is capable of generating sound organically. When a key is pressed, the lever beneath strikes a string, which in turn produces a note that gets amplified by the piano’s body.
A keyboard, on the other hand, relies on a synthesizer to generate sound. This is basically a mechanism that converts electric signals into musical tones. These are then amplified and broadcast via a loudspeaker.
So while the keyboard is often seen as the piano’s digital cousin, the two are actually a world apart. One is a percussive stringed instrument, while the other is electronic. And as long as the strings are properly tuned, a piano will always produce a richer sound compared to a keyboard. The keys are also heavier, since they carry the weight of the levers behind them.
Are Keyboards Better Than Pianos?
For the most part, yes. That’s because the latter, while offering a bit of variety in tone, can only make one sound. Digital keyboards, on the other hand, come equipped with a wide range of sounds (e.g. percussion, brass, drums and woodwinds). Who wouldn’t be delighted to have such a versatile instrument?
One that’s also more practical as well. You see, pianos are heavy — uprights start at around 400 lbs, with grand pianos averaging thrice as much. Keyboards, by contrast are compact and light enough to be carried around by a single person. They’re also more user-friendly; it’s much easier to control volume by turning a knob than it is by varying the pressure placed on the keys.
Truth be told, keyboards are yet to catch up with acoustics in responsiveness and sound quality. No one knows how many technological leaps that’ll take, to say the least. Nevertheless, they keyboard has the piano squarely beat when all variables are considered.
Proud University of Colorado graduate. Proud former spelling bee regional finalist. Most importantly, proud son, brother and uncle.
