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Original poster

OH GOD we have got to the piano lesson stage... but don't have a piano. Any recommendations for reasonably-priced*, decent keyboards?

55 replies

AitchTwoOh · 01/09/2011 19:57

*okay, i mean cheap.

OP posts:
Original poster
AitchTwoOh · 01/09/2011 21:36

i would love a plinky plonky piano, but did you read that my neighbour is a cunt? Grin
it's a very music-y school, the kids all do competitions etc and music is COOL. she's been doing colourstrings there and at nursery and is keen to learn an instrument. like i say, she was chosen to do violin and we had to nix that.

OP posts:
Original poster
AitchTwoOh · 01/09/2011 21:38

no way am i buying anything new... that is a given. i am the queen of second-hand. let's see if she practises at all with the daft kids' keyboard we have (£13.99 iirc, a snip!) and then i will have to look on gumtree. actually, there seem to be quite a few here for around the £250-£500 mark, so that might be possible. and there is always my mum's one for true plinky plonkness.

OP posts:
stripeybump · 01/09/2011 21:42

If you see anything you like the look of, post a link here and we can all dissect it help Smile

befuzzled · 01/09/2011 21:43

You need a digital piano from "gear 4 music" with volume control and /or head phones. Their cheapest own brand one is about £350 and is excellent, at least sounds it to me. Ds 1 was a complete beginner from a non musical family and started on it in January and has just done grade 1 preen preen

WhiffOfBath · 01/09/2011 21:45

Yes, I did read that. I didn't like it, but that won't stop me being a know-all about pianos.

You can in fact get real pianos that have a 'silent' feature. V expensive new, but worth looking out for second hand? You won't get one on Freecycle, but might find one by trawling the internet.

With bad neighbours, it's hard to think of any instrument that wouldn't be found offensive (sadly). How about really annoying them with a trumpet?

MmeLindor. · 01/09/2011 21:47

For sheer cunty-neighbour-annoying-ness it has to be bagpipes, surely.

RebelFromTheWaistDown · 01/09/2011 21:47

We got DD her piano from the auctions for 3 quid Grin

discrete · 01/09/2011 21:51

We have a real piano and a Clavinova and dh claims the Clavinova is just as good (and has volume control too!) so you are probably not short-changing massively with that (I know nothing about music, dh is the musician).

They ain't cheap though, so I would look into rental as someone suggested.

befuzzled · 01/09/2011 21:52

What is a clack ova cf a digital piano like we've got?

stinkyfluffycat · 01/09/2011 21:53

Oh yes, bagpipes. Get some bagpipes for a week, and then cunty neighbours will be eternally grateful for tinkly piano sounds instead.

befuzzled · 01/09/2011 21:53

Clavinova, even iPhone doesn't know

Original poster
AitchTwoOh · 01/09/2011 21:55

i will DEFINITELY ask for advice from all of you, no doubt. so who are the digi-experts? identify yourself.

OP posts:
befuzzled · 01/09/2011 21:59

I repeat, gear 4 music. I am no expert but everyone at my ds school got one from here ( slight exaggeration but you no what I mean )

befuzzled · 01/09/2011 22:00

And I'm thinking there must be some second hand ones on eBay etc?

WhiffOfBath · 01/09/2011 22:03

We have a whole host of instruments, and the Clavinova is very, very good - but is still not as good as the real thing. But then there is the price issue again, even if you wanted to go for the Clavinova (which is the only electronic alternative I'd recommend). Sad

MyGoldfishIsEvil · 01/09/2011 22:03

We got our piano free (I think it was on free to collect) but my brother knows a lot these things, and spoke to the bloke and knew it was a good one. I wouldn't have a clue!

A few years ago my mum couldn't give her old piano away - they ended up smashing it up Shock

Original poster
AitchTwoOh · 01/09/2011 22:04

www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/yamaha-dgx-500-88-key-digital-piano-excellent-condition/86082337 so this is not good, yes, because it says touch sensitive rather than weighted? i will deffo check out all suggestions, i promise, am just looking for lie of land stuff at the mo.

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 01/09/2011 22:04

I got some good advice on this thread recently

keyboards

stripeybump · 01/09/2011 22:06

Erm I'm a pianist - classical so am really a real instrument snob, but through necessity (I teach piano and keyboard) I have got to know a fair bit about electric ones, they've come on so much since I was a lass that I wouldn't dissuade you from one. I'd recommend Classenti at the lower budget - has won awards for tone quality. Clavinovas yes, but they're only really famous cos they were the first electric pianos to focus on having a really nice feel and tone. Most keyboard brands do really good electric ones now, but you do need to spend £500 up. They don't really degenerate the way real pianos do though so second-hand will be absolutely fine as long as it's been looked after. Just google the model name and number for price and reviews.

Stuff to look for:

Weighted keys
Pedal
Touch sensitivity
Real sampled piano sound

Original poster
AitchTwoOh · 01/09/2011 22:06

and this is not good because it is short? www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/well-cared-for-yamaha-clavinova-for-sale-new-owner-wanted/86718155

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Original poster
AitchTwoOh · 01/09/2011 22:07

excellent. stripeybump is IN MY MUSIC GANG. who else? Wink

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stripeybump · 01/09/2011 22:07

Weighted means it includes touch sensitivity but not all touch sensitive keyboards are weighed iyswim.

Original poster
AitchTwoOh · 01/09/2011 22:10

musicposy is great on that thread, whoknows, thanks.

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stripeybump · 01/09/2011 22:10

That Clavinova you linked could be good - email the seller and ask for its model number Smile

stripeybump · 01/09/2011 22:15

Not the first Yamaha you linked unless you want lots of ready-made cheesy crap being played out the speakers all day long.

Yamaha make Clavinovas which are designed to mimic real pianos (this IMO is what you're after) but they also make good quality keyboards which are for jamming with beats and things. I mean you could go for that but I wouldn't - it won't resemble a real piano sound at all, will sound keyboardy - you're paying for all the beats and things with their DGX range.