Want to learn to play the piano, but think it would be sensible to initially buy an organ. Question...is

[Hopeysgirlwasntbig]

there a fundamental difference between to piano and electric organ?

I guess what I'm wondering is, if you start on the organ is it easily transferable to the piano?

COMPLETE novice.

Also, what's the general opinion on second hand pianos, should that be the road we go down one day?

bump

If you want to do piano, then I would get a piano - the touch really is very different. And I personally would get a real piano, not an electric one - lots of people on here like the 'clavinova' type, but I do find that my pupils do much better when they have a real piano to practise on.

The main differences are that on a piano, you are physically moving hammers to hit a string, on an organ you are sending an electric current.

2nd hand pianos can be great. Some music shops/piano shops will hire you a piano, and if you decide to buy it, will take the money already paid off the price.

Can't play myself, but my 18year old dd plays. We started her off with an electric keyboard which did her for the first few grades, and then she needed more keys that weren't on the electric one so bought a piano.
I really wouldn't buy a piano straight away as the child may hate it and give up. Also the volume control on the electric one meant that while she was a real learner we didn't all have to listen . Piano a lot louder.

Also the piano is a big piece of furniture to find room for, whereas the keyboard is easier to store.

thanks for that tortoiseSHELL, much appreciated

I'm assuming you teach piano?

How much more difficult is it for an adult to learn than a child?

Obviously that shouldn't spell but should be . Sorry

Generally you have either a proper wooden piano which is heavy and expensive OR an electric piano OR a keyboard (Casio are the lead manufacturer for both these) which is lighter, less space consuming, sometimes cheaper and also comes with fancy settings (so it can sound like other instruments). The advantage of electric pianos is they allow you to use headphones so no one else can hear your practice.
I was given a keyboard which is a small electric version of a piano and played that for a while before taking the plunge and buying a proper piano.
Keyboards are nice and light and portable, real pianos are not.
I have a second hand piano, if in doubt take a piano tuner along to listen to it before you buy, mine came from an ex professional player so was very good. And get a double stool if you are teaching a child, then the teacher can sit next to them.

Yes I teach piano! Adults and children have different challenges - I think children can find it more natural - adults seem to 'think' more, and worry more about getting things wrong. The reading sometimes is harder for an adult to learn intrinsically (like learning a foreign language), but adults will tend to make faster progress initially, especially if starting as an absolute beginner, because they have more developed motor skills, and can remember from week to week what the teacher as said!

I think you should hire one and see how you get on!

My brother got a fab piano on freecycle - it's worth trying!

I bought a second hand piano recently and the chap that delivered it said that they skip at least one a week because there is no market for a full size second hand piano. He said you can pick them up for peanuts. I however had paid £500 for a smaller one so it'd fit in my house.

PS I can't play and have about 3 minutes a week to teach myself but am suprised at how much I've learned already.

I gave away a piano of Freecycle. It was impossible to get rid of. Ask around....