Have you ever listened to a pianist or watched a keyboard player on stage and thought, “I’d love to do that!” but the cost of buying an instrument puts you off?
Whilst it’s true that the finest grand pianos can cost an eye-watering amount, the great news is that you can find something a lot smaller, more affordable, and still great fun to play.
Learning to play the piano has been scientifically proven to boost your mood, keep your brain active, and can even reduce the risk of developing dementia.
And thanks to Casio’s great line-up of entry-level keyboards and digital pianos, it’s great value too.
We explain some of the jargon that you might come across and recommend some products to kickstart your piano-playing journey.
So, if you’re wanting some suggestions for the best keyboard or piano to buy for beginners, read on!
How much is a beginner’s keyboard?
You can buy a full-size, 61-note Casio keyboard for less than £100.
This will get you a CT-S100 with 122 different sounds and USB connectivity, allowing you to link up to an iPad and access music learning apps.
It’s really easy to use and the built-in carry handle makes it great for music on the move. Of course, there are more instruments available.
Below is our essential guide to some of the often-requested features and why you might want to consider them.
What are weighted keys and do I need them?
If you’re wondering what weighted keys do and whether you need them, you’ll need to consider the style of music you want to play.
If you love the pure style of solo piano music, your teacher – if you have lessons – will probably recommend a digital piano with weighted keys.
This is because an acoustic piano has them too.
If you want something that sounds and feels like a traditional instrument, weighted keys are something to go for.
Casio digital pianos start at under £350, with the CDP-S110 offering great value for money for the piano beginner.
On the other hand, if you’re just looking for an enjoyable keyboard to learn on – by yourself, in your own time with music-learning apps, perhaps – weighted keys are not essential.
What is a touch-sensitive keyboard?
A touch-sensitive keyboard has keys that respond to how hard you strike them, just like a traditional piano.
If you want to play piano-style music, touch-sensitive keys are a must. All Casio digital pianos, such as the CDP-S110, are touch sensitive, and some keyboards are too.
Digital piano or keyboard?
When looking online for an instrument to buy, it can be confusing to see some keyboards described as ‘pianos’ and others simply as ‘keyboards’. What’s the difference between a piano and a keyboard, we hear you ask?
Digital piano
Put simply, a digital piano is an instrument that has 88 weighted keys and aims to recreate the sound and playing experience of a traditional piano. As this is their focus, you won’t normally find lots of different sounds, drum beats, or extra functions.
If you like the idea of a digital piano, but don’t have the space or need something more portable, consider the Casio CT-S1. It has the same sound quality as Casio’s digital piano, in a much smaller package.
Find out more about the CT-S1 here:
Keyboard
Buying a keyboard is an even more budget-friendly way to get into music, particularly if you’re looking for something portable that can help you learn to play. Most keyboards have lots of different tones to enjoy, such as guitars, saxophones, trumpets, and much more, which make even your very first pieces sound entertaining.
The great thing about keyboards is the sheer variety they can give your music, and there are usually a lot more features on board to make playing easier, too.
For instance, most Casio CT-S keyboards have an accompaniment mode, which is like having a live band with you as you play, adding drums, guitar, bass, and other instruments to your performance. From golden oldies to legendary pop songs, from cool jazz to the latest dance music styles, Casio’s keyboards can do all of this and more.
Find out more about Casiotone here:
What are lighted key keyboards?
Did you know there are some keyboards that show you how to play in literally a few seconds flat? Casio’s LK-S series do exactly that, thanks to their innovative lighted key system.
Put simply, this is where each key lights up in turn, showing you which note to press to complete any of the songs in the keyboard’s built-in library.
The amazing LK-S250 can teach you to play 60 songs with no prior musical knowledge required and is great value for money.
What keyboard is good for music apps?
Piano learning apps on an iPad or Android tablet are really popular at the moment as they’re a fun and interactive way to start your piano journey.
If you’re looking for a keyboard to use with music learning apps, you’ll need to look for one that has Bluetooth or USB connectivity. The Casio CT-S100 is a great option for beginners, at under £100!
What’s more, Casio even have their own app, Casio Music Space, which can teach you to play in a fun, visual way. Watch us try Casio Music Space in the video below to see how easy it is to get started!
Where can I find online piano lessons?
So, you’ve bought a Casio keyboard or piano, unboxed it, and set it up, ready to get started. Now, what do you do? If you’re looking for free online keyboard and piano lessons, rest assured that your purchase comes with a great set of resources.
At the Casio Music Academy, you have lifetime access to a whole beginner’s course created by leading UK educators. The course is specially designed for beginners and will take you from the very first steps right up to reading music and playing your first piece.
What model of Casio piano or keyboard do you think is good for beginners? Have you used the Casio Music Space app or the Casio Music Academy to start your learning? Let us know your experiences in the comments below.
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