Electric Pianos

[cheesewotsit]

Some background: played the Trumpet growing up, always had a piano or keyboard in my parents and self taught a bit.

I've been recently listening to some Ben Folds Five and want to be that good. (I know...) So, I want to buy a digital/electronic piano/keyboard of some nature. It's a long term self-teaching project, but I miss playing music but don't want to go back to my trumpet.

Had a google and there's vastness to pick from. Seems a starting price for something decent is £500. Is that right? Anyone bought one recently?

I'd like something with a stand and the ability to have headphones for quiet playing.

Any help appreciated before I just pick something and go for it.

[red997]

go to a music shop & try some... seriously

i thought I knew what I wanted, but ended up buying something totally different !
Keyboard feel was the biggest part of the change for me.
Ended up buying a Yamaha circa 500 notes - sounds great, and has a lovely feel

[Super Slo Mo]

I bought a Yamaha P105 with stand earlier in the year. It suits my needs really well and sounds nice enough as its sampled from the Yamaha concert grand. Feel is pretty realistic too, although it's more sensitive when playing pianissimo compared to the real grand piano I have lessons on.
I think they're available for around £500, and will be fine up to quite an advanced level.

[Billsnemesis]

It is definitely the case that you need to try them. We were looking for an electronic piano for Billette minor a couple of years ago and even as a non-piano player I could tell that there was a huge difference in feel between Yamaha, Technic and Kaiwai.

Play them to see which one feels best but there are some good ones out there. Even the Casios are not too bad and are the cheapest way into something with a piano action

[cheesewotsit]

Thanks chaps. Had planned just to get one and work with it, but you're all right of course. The differences could be great. I'll go piano shopping in a few weeks.

[Super Slo Mo]

If you're only going to play this one instrument the feel isn't all that important, especially since you're not playing to a professional standard. As long as it's weighted and touch sensitive, which most are, then you will be fine.

[chevy-stu]

I bought a used Yamaha P90 for a rehearsal studio hire piano, and it's been great. Sound good, pretty hard wearing getting bashed about bit. Was about £300 I think

[Chicken Chaser]

The obvious choice is Yamaha but if you can find a Kawai dealer locally, try one. I've had Yamaha's for over 25 years but having played a Kawai, I was won over.

If you find yourself running out of budget, you could look to buy a midi keyboard and hook it up a computer using VST software.