Help required with piano/keyboard instrument

[minisoksmakehardwork]

I have a 7 yo who has decided she would like to take up piano. We are not adverse to this but not being a musical family (my lessons were a very long time ago), I don't have a clue where to start on finding an instrument she can use at home.

Practically, an upright piano, while beautiful and melodious when played well, won't fit in our home.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good electric piano/keyboard, suitable for a beginner which also won't break the bank. Alternatively, are the instrument rental companies any good? I've seen a few who will rent an instrument which you either pay rent for with the aim of buying or changing when the period is up.

Tia.

what kind of budget do you have OP? my niece has the alesis recital piano and it certainly sounds like a proper one. It has weighted keys too to simulate the feel of a real piano x

Yamaha do a lot of great digital pianos - eg the P45 retails around £3/400.
You should look for a full size digital piano with a headphones socket and adjustable volume. That’s pretty much all you need.
Best not to get a keyboard with lots of fancy features as honestly they’re just distracting for kids.

Budget is currently around the £350 mark although doting grandparents are happy to contribute in advance of birthday and Xmas if needed. Because I have previously had lessons I'd love to get back to playing therefore any outlay wouldn't be wasted if dd did not pursue the instrument.

@AuntieAvocado - you make a very valid point about an instrument with lots of 'bells and whistles'. Dd is an impulsive mild Adhd child who is being assessed as to where she is on the spectrum (paediatrician's words) and anything 'fiddly' is likely to be a distraction.

Having looked at both recommended models online, I'm going to see if any of our local music shops have any in stock to see before purchase but either look like they would fit the bill. They certainly fit the space we have.

Thank you.

I wouldn't spend a lot of money until your child has decided she likes learning piano and is prepared to practice regularly.
All the notes are in the same places on a second hand piano/keyboard as in the more expensive ones.

If you’re going to play as well I’d recommend the Yamaha p45 - I’m using it and it plays like a real piano, has a grand piano function for a richer sound. I’ve added a sustain pedal (was maybe another £20/30?), and they sell a quite nice looking black stand for it. It’s working well for us.

@Heratnumber7 - I absolutely take your point and advice was sought on models as I love a bargain. I'm not adverse to second hand so I've also looked for second hand models of the recommended keys boards and tbh, the nearest one (still an hour and a half drive away) to me is just the keyboard and stand, priced at just £100 off the brand new package deal I could get which has everything @AuntieAvocado has recommended. By the time I've put fuel in the car, I may as well have the brand new package delivered to my home for convenience.

Regardless of dd, I have decided I really, really need to do this for me as well and haven't been this excited about a hobby in a very long time. The ability to play music is a wonderful gift and while I don't expect to be the next Stevie Wonder (I taught myself one of his songs as a child) or Martha Argerich, if I can entertain myself and my family I shall be very happy indeed.

In the meantime, dh was talking to his brother, because we remembered he has a piano, and he also has a very old and 'not much good for anything' keyboard dd can borrow to bash the keys on as it's better than my old toy one I dug out of storage!

@AuntieAvocado - thank you once again.

Go for one with full-size weighted keys, that way it will feel similar to the keyboard on a piano. Has she actually had any lessons at all yet? A piano teacher would be able to give advice.