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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to buy ds keyboard instead of a piano?

117 replies

Waveysnail · 31/10/2019 14:51

My youngest son has started piano lessons and he wants a piano. We dont have the space and live in a terrace. Trying to persuade him a keyboard would be just as good but he is adamant. He is only 6 so not like a music genius. AIBU that keyboard is perfect to practise on?

OP posts:

runawaywithusthissummer · 31/10/2019 15:25

I don't see the point in wasting a £100 or so on a keyboard that will need replaced in 6 months. He needs something to practise on so he will be getting some form.of instrument

Fair enoughZ. Your OP said 'he wants' and 'he is adamant'

I wouldn't be looking at piano V keyboard at this stage for a 6 year old anyway/. I would be looking for a solid commitment before spending £100's

PettyContractor · 31/10/2019 15:29

The P45 will be fine, I think. I went for a P125 for DD because can add full pedal unit (rather than just sustain.) Also, Yamaha software on tablet would connect to P125 and not P45, but so far that's not turned out to be something that matters. It looks like the P45 has a USB port, so can connect to tablet for use with piano-teaching software like "Joytunes Simply Piano".

The ability to connect via USB to a tablet is definitely worth having, so I'd check the P45 can do it.

The P121 is the 73-key version I was talking about earlier. (I had enough space for the P125 so even though the extra keys have not yet made any difference, there was no reason not to have them.)

Having said all that, I would tell him to start with keyboard, which you can probably pick up used for next-to-nothing, and that when he
hits certain targets, you'll buy a keyboard then. I wouldn't spend hundreds on a piano until it was actually necessary for making further progress.

Aquilla · 31/10/2019 15:29

My daughter does keyboard at school and practises on an old piano at home. Not really an issue at this age. Get a second hand keyboard and see how he's doing in 6 months.

PettyContractor · 31/10/2019 15:30

I meant offer to buy a piano once he's achieved targets using a keyboard.

Frankiestein402 · 31/10/2019 15:32

Cf www.mumsnet.com/Talk/extra_curricular_activities/3707956-can-someone-please-help-me-buy-an-electronic-piano

6 is young to be spending 600-1200 - unless you expect to get other uses out of it - touch sensitive keyboard will be OK to grade 1, weighted keys are must have after that, equally at grade 1 88 keys not necessary and I'd be surprised if a 6yr old could reach!

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 31/10/2019 15:36

Digital. We waited far to long to afford a real piano and my son spotted a very good quality digital one for about £400. It can be used on stage and with headphones and can be plugged into a computer for recording etc.. and was easy to take to uni and compact enough for student digs. if your six year old progresses you can sell it and buy a real one then. I'm sure he will enjoy it

PlinkPlink · 31/10/2019 15:36

I went to uni and did a music degree. I play the piano and I sing.

I got through all my grades including my Grade 8 Piano with just a touch responsive keyboard and plenty of opportunities to practise on real pianos at school. I don't advise trying Grade 5 and above with just a keyboard. It's exceptionally frustrating 😂

He's only 6 and until you know for sure that this is something he wants to take past Grade 5, I wouldn't blame you for just buying a keyboard.

Get him a touch responsive weighted key one if possible.

MacavityTheDentistsCat · 31/10/2019 15:37

How about renting a piano instead of buying for now? You can often find places that rent them out fairly cheaply.

Moondancer73 · 31/10/2019 15:38

Not unreasonable but be careful that you buy one with heavy enough keys - one that has light keys is a waste of time and money

DragonOnFire · 31/10/2019 15:40

I learned on a cheap keyboard and it was fine, not the same as a piano and eventually I would have liked a better one that mimicked the piano better. I was 9 and it was all I felt I needed.
If taking exams for the royal board then these will be on the piano and they behave very differently. I used to go to my piano teacher's house to practice before my exams, and my school piano was free to use.
He is 6 though and who knows how long he will want to play. A keyboard will suffice to see how he goes. If you (and importantly him) are still serious as he gets going then maybe stretch to what you have linked to above.
Eventually my parents found us a piano, free to a good home, just needed tuning. My sister has since picked up a piano for free that also needed rehoming. I know they take up space, but just wanted to let you know they are out there.
I started to play the 'cello when I was 6, my parents bought me a specially made quarter size 'cello and it was a fair amount of money so quite a gamble. I played it for years and then had to pass it on to my sister, so it got some use. I eventually got to grade 5 on my 'cello and grade 3 on piano, quit them when I was 15, so we made use of our lessons and instruments. Still got them today.

Queenoftheashes · 31/10/2019 15:41

I use a keyboard due to space. It’s full length has pedal and stand etc. It’s fine for practice. My piano was recently disposed of by my parents and it was a right pain to get rid of.

thechancellor · 31/10/2019 15:43

If you're able to buy a digital piano or a proper keyboard with weighted keys, do it sooner rather than later - it will be a pain for DS to have to unlearn bad habits and relearn his technique at a later date, and it might be a reason for him to give up when it suddenly gets harder.

footchewer · 31/10/2019 15:43

OP that Yamaha is a great compromise between a piano and a keyboard. You and your son will both be able to learn to play the piano properly on it as beginners. If you become a serious piano students, then you can upgrade to an acoustic piano later. As you know, for now the critical feature is the weighted keys. Enjoy!

nomoneyinmuck · 31/10/2019 15:48

Hi I would look around for a second hand piano quite cheap to buy if you have the room. There really is no comparison and if he is keen a keyboard will not encourage him. Music is so important .x

SunniDay · 31/10/2019 15:50

Hi OP,
The package in your link looks good. If you want to go a further step up to the Yamaha P125 (as recommended by previous poster) was what was recommended for my son in a music shop (that also offers piano lessons) as "future proof" to carry him through without needing to upgrade in future.

My son started with an ordinary kids keyboard (probably £35) and the simply piano app (which is fantastic) and got hundreds of hours of fun out of that set up. It was only when we realised he is going to be music mad that we bought the digital piano and he recently started lessons. If music is your sons thing I would go with as good as you can afford.

"Simply piano" is excellent with a great teaching method that feels like a game and hundreds of songs. It teaches real music reading and my son was pretty much ready for his grade one when he started lessons -after a little coaching with the dynamics stuff.

I don't agree that the digital piano is an inferior choice to a piano unless you are really quite wealthy. A decent piano will cost a packet. It will go out of time (not helped by modern homes and central heating). It's tuning and maintenance will cost a lot again - or it is left unmaintained. If you move house you will need piano movers. Digital all the way.

The piano has weighted keys and can plug directly into simply piano/garage band etc and the app side of it is only going to grow in the future.

Wishing your son many years of happy playing. I love my son playing in the evening already and can't wait to enjoy listening in the future. We already get bohemian rhaosody and are working on rocket man - It's great.

SunniDay · 31/10/2019 15:52

out of tune/ not time

TheoneandObi · 31/10/2019 15:53

Get a digital piano. We wasted money on a keyboard when DD was having piano lessons. She simply couldn’t practice properly on it. Having a piano was transformative - particularly one that doesn’t need tuning. You DS May only be six but he’s right!

RhinestoneCowgirl · 31/10/2019 15:54

Following this with interest as we also don't have room for a piano. My solution so far has been to encourage DD to play violin instead

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 31/10/2019 15:55

I have a yamaha with weighted keys and it feels exactly like a piano, there really is no difference.

Xmasbaby11 · 31/10/2019 15:58

Dd 7 has just started piano lessons and her teacher recommended a keyboard, a Yamaha that cost around £100. In fact I have several musician friends who all said the same. That was 6 months ago and she's enjoying it. If she sticks with it, we'll upgrade to a digital piano.

Original poster

Waveysnail · 31/10/2019 16:17

I think it's going to be the yamaha. Thnak you mumsnet wisdom. Iv another son who's autistic so earphones are probably going to be a must if I dont want screaming while other one practises. Plus it's going to have to go in my bedroom as it's the only free space in the house.

OP posts:

Elbowedout · 31/10/2019 16:26

We have a digital piano that we bought for DS to practice on whilst our real piano was away being restrung. It was a fairly basic one as we didn't want to spend a fortune on something that was only for short term use (though it has come in handy when he goes to play at old folks homes and the like as it is relatively portable.) He hates it and only plays it when he has to. His teacher also has a digital one that is much, much better but probably cost a fortune. DS says the keyboard is fine but the pedals are still not terribly convincing. (Not that a 6 year old is going to be using the pedals of course.)
It is a tricky situation. If your son sticks with it you are in danger of falling into the "by cheap by twice" trap, but a piano is a big expenditure if he doesn't. I would look into hiring for a while, or maybe second hand, but you really need to know what you are looking for if you go for used. Remember, there is no such thing as a free piano! We did get ours second hand - well probably multi-hand actually as it is over 100 years old - and it is a gorgeous instrument but it needs a lot of TLC. On balance, I would go for rental in your position if you can.

Elbowedout · 31/10/2019 16:27

Buy not by sorry - annoying autocorrect.

00100001 · 31/10/2019 16:43

buying a weighted keyboard or a piano fora 6 year old that has JUST STARTED lessons, is akin to buying them a Huge Technic Lego set when they have just started taking an interest in Lego... :/

Mendingfences · 31/10/2019 16:51

We bought a digital piano when ds started learning. His teacher would prefer him to have an acoustic, and tells me this fairly regularly, but is also very pleased with ds progress (which he tells me Even more regularly).

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