Keyboards

[Astral Traveler]

I've been trying to get my son interested in music and he is but not in guitars. The other day he said he wanted to play the piano so I hooked my MIDI controller up to the computer and loaded a grand piano. He's been sitting there playing a bit every day since and although his hands are small (he's 8) he's playing full chords, sometimes even extended. Today he learned the melody intro to The Final Countdown, he's picking it up really fast.

I'm thinking about getting a keyboard instead and sell the MIDI controller, so he can turn it on himself whenever he feels like it without having to turn on the computer, start the DAW and load a VST plugin.

For my part I only need a MIDI out or a USB out and I'm happy, most keyboards that aren't at the very bottom of the line seem to have either or both so my "needs" are met by a keyboard.

I'll be buying used but the question is; do I go for an older high end model or a current but used lower end model? $350-ish seems to get me either.

 

[BFT Gibson]

Many years ago i got my Daughter a simple keyboard. Recently been using line out into preamp(or to amp)..it records real well & can play through the monitors. It is basic but sure does a lot. way more than i would ever use. kinda use if for piano or organ sounds. Slowly getting the confidence to incorporate into songs.

I learn more about playing guitar everytime i use it..how notes & shapes expand my sounds as i learn. Having the physical keyboard helps me a bunch.

 

[steveb63]

How great for you!

I firmly believe music "saved" me.

Without the love for the structure of playing, practicing etc... taught me some about self discipline, and self reliance.

Must make you very proud.

 

[Astral Traveler]

How great for you!

I firmly believe music "saved" me.

Without the love for the structure of playing, practicing etc... taught me some about self discipline, and self reliance.

Must make you very proud.

Yeah! I hope he keeps at it

 

[Beagle]

I bought my son a Yamaha keyboard for a sensible price years ago. Strike while the iron is hot.

 

[aon]

Kind of off topic, but I got my son one of these for his first birthday

Slightly expensive for what it is, but it actually sounds and looks quite nice, has velocity sensing and was the only thing I could find that is a proper keyboard and has a screw on the battery door to keep him from opening it. He's now 1 year and 3 months and he can turn it on and can sometimes change the patch (usually he seems to go for the church organ sound that has endless sustain). He's also started to play it with single fingers instead of his whole hand. Next year I think I'll get him a plastic ukulele.

Anyway, it's nice how good keyboards you can get for relatively little money these days. I'd probably look at build / sound quality and ease of use rather than the sheer amount of features?