Menopausal keyboard / clavinova help!!

[NationMcKinley]

Hi

As a child I was desperate for piano lessons but my amazing mother was a single parent and there just wasn’t the money. I’m now 50 and the last 20 years have been spent raising children / working / chasing my own tail (not in a bad way, just Full On). I need a hobby and I keep coming back to the piano…..

We do not have the space for a regular upright unless against an outside wall which I don’t think is ideal. I was thinking about a compact ish electric keyboard but with good sound. Any suggestions, please? I don’t have loads to spend but would like something reasonable.

I have two DC with SEN so all my spare pennies go on extra tuition / music lessons for them. I was planning on teaching myself via YouTube etc. I should have said at the beginning that I have (or maybe had, now 😬) perfect pitch and can play by ear - my secondary music teacher kept trying to get me to learn but as I said, the money wasn’t there. My plan is to muddle along now and maybe in a few years time have some formal lessons.

Can anyone give me any advice / suggestions, please? Thanks!!

What is your budget?

I wonder why you think a regular upright (acoustic) cannot go on an outside wall? I think there are lots of advantages to digital pianos, but I don’t think only having an outside wall is a reason to discount an upright.

I have an acoustic piano. It is on an outside wall, in direct sunlight and a few inches from a radiator. All the things the guide says to avoid. It’s fine.

My personal opinion is that lessons are the best way to start, if nothing else for accountability.

It does depend on budget. There are some decent electric pianos out there. They'll never be quite the same as proper piano, but very good, and better for space. You can also wear headphones to keep the noise down.

I've got a Roland FP10, which feels OK and sounds very good.

https://www.gear4music.com/Keyboards-and-Pianos/Roland-FP-10-Digital-Piano-Deluxe-Bundle-Black/2UYW?

Thank you! I have no idea about budget! Tbh it’s going to be huge as well, DC….

I thought it was bad for pianos to be against outside walls because of temperature changes messing up the tuning? Have I made this up? Would be great if I have!

I had a similar issue - no room for a piano in the house so I got a Roland electric piano which is in my office (outhouse). Took up piano lessons age 43 & I’ve loved it!

I think there is a school of thought that says that pianos shouldn't be against outside walls because of temperature changes or something, but I suspect that it's less of an issue now, what with insulation and central heating. We have a piano against an outside wall and it's been fine.

Keep your eye on Gumtree and Facebook marketplace. We got a second hand Clavinova which is great. It has weighted keys and responds like a regular piano, but you don't have to worry about it going out of tune, and can use headphones with it!

I was concerned about buying a lemon if I got a "real" piano, as I had a small budget and zero knowledge of what to look for.

@SpringHasSprungGrassIsRizIWonder this is literally the same as me: I know nothing at all! I am leaning towards a clavinova-type thing tbh - the headphones will be very appreciated by my family……

Clavinovas are not so good these days. Roland definitely better.