(Toy?) keyboard piano for 4.5 year old dd

[Hellopitty]

Can you recommend a decent keyboard piano thingy? There are so many to choose from and it would be nice if dd could experiment/play around a bit with it and the sound wasn't too awful either.

I have never liked the ones they sell at the ELC, you know, the little flimsy one that comes with a plastic stool and an inbuilt mic. Although a mic would be nice as well I guess.

The main purpose is to encourage dd to play around with sounds and rhythms and have fun.

Thanks!

Here are some I looked at online but I am non the wiser .

1. www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-keyboard/p231303508

2 www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005INCZIO/ref=s9_simh_gw_p267_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1NQ64NDAT7MG88VWXD3H&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=430153987&pf_rd_i=468294&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

1. www.amazon.co.uk/Casio-SA-78-Mini-Keys-Keyboard/dp/B004HCWFA0/ref=pd_sim_sbs_k_h_b_cs_2?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Hellopitty]

I also saw this

1. www.elc.co.uk/Bontempi-Digital-Keyboard/136743,default,pd.html#q=Keyboard but it had no reviews so am not sure.

And....

1. www.amazon.co.uk/Bontempi-Speak-Play-Computer-Keyboard/dp/B007PX18IS/ref=sr_1_5?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1385457757&sr=1-5&keywords=Bontempi%20keyboard&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Hellopitty]

Anyone?

[Ferguson]

Hi - you are lucky I just seen this -

NO! not a toy, a PROPER keyboard! I haven't looked at links, and no time tonight.

But try and go for a proper keyboard, full-size keys, and 61 of them if you can manage it. Our DS started music on our big Yamaha organ at a few months old; by 5 yrs was playing tunes, and at 6 yrs was reading music.

I taught recorder in primary school, as a TA, for ten years, but also did keyboard with Yr6, and percussion with Yr1 and Yr2, coaching the children to accompany the Christmas production each year.

The opportunity to create music is one of the most valuable and rewarding things you can do for a child. And as they get a bit older they can play in ensembles or shows at school.

[Ferguson]

Oh - I just realised no one had replied to you!

Is the money the main problem? I have looked at links now, and personally I think all those would just be a waste of money; all right for a 2 year old maybe, but at nearly 5 DD wants a proper musical instrument, not a toy novelty.

Sorry if I'm being rude, but music is one of the things I've always been passionate about.

I'll come back tomorrow, and if you can give me an idea of what is the most money you could consider, I'll try and see what might be available.

cheers

[Ferguson]

Do you play any instruments yourself? What sort of music do you all like? If you don't already play keyboard yourself (and I get the impression maybe you don't) would you want to learn yourself, alongside her?

If you get a 'proper' keyboard, you will also need a decent stand for it, rigid and ideally adjustable.

And if you buy in a music store, don't be shy - HAGGLE over price, to get a good reduction, or get lots of other goodies included.

If you want to learn, I can 'talk you through' the early stages.

[Hellopitty]

Thanks for your replies ferguson, . I can see your point with regards to getting the real thing. I was thinking of getting a toy ad then perhaps a digital piano next year as I would love to learn to play as well. I used to play the violin but was not very good at it .

[Ferguson]

I did a similar reply to someone else the other day, so I'll try and copy it and come back tomorrow.

[Ferguson]

I've been looking at Keyboard prices:

The Bontempi GT740 only 40 midi-size keys

you saw at elc - £69.99

same one at Play.com is £65.44 + £3 delivery

same one at Tesco is £48.77 free delivery

__

There are bigger Bontempi ones, obviously get more expensive as get larger/more keys/more features.

=====================================

The Yamaha YPT 220 has 61 full size keys, and instead of batteries comes with a mains adaptor, and many more features than Bontempi.

Best price I found so far:

Amazon £69.99

So that is a BIGGER and BETTER Yamaha (about the best make there is)
for the SAME price Early Learning Centre were charging for the little 'toy' Bontempi!


Now, I don't want to bully you in directions you might not want to go, but please do plenty of research and compare prices before you commit to anything, or you risk wasting money.

[andrea315]

Defiantly go for a real one I bought a toy one it was rubbish got a second hand real one and she loved it :-)