[Dixielandjazz] Re: Electronic Piano Keyboard

[Laurence Swain]

On 12 Aug 2005 at 19:00, Rae Ann wrote:

> I am considering buying an electronic piano keyboard for my own amusement.
>  I had piano lessons as a child and barely remember a few rudiments. Any
> advice about what to buy or what to stay away from? I'm willing to pay
> $300 or so for a short keyboard.  Not much room around here for a
> full-size keyboard. I'm sure after I buy it I will see clearly what I
> should have bought instead. I'd appreciate any advice from you experts.  I
> was the owner of a Steinway for most of my life,  but have given it to my
> son, who can play it. Help, please. 

Rae Ann:

A few years back I bought a new 76-key Yamaha that I still use at our summer cottage.  It's 
lightweight, will run on flashlight batteries (nice for sing-alongs on the beach), and sounds 
OK. I forget what I paid for it, but it was under $300.

More recently I bought a used Kurzweill 88-key  behemoth that has weighted keys (to 
simulate real piano key feel).  New it sold for about $1800 -- I paid $450 because it was 
missing its power supply while on sale in a music store, so no one could try it out.  I 
borrowed a friend's power supply, found that the keyboard worked, and bought it.

It is very heavy, and I need assistance when I go to move it.  I bought a rather heavy 
carrying case for it, which I use when I must take the keyboard to a gig. (And I need our 
staion wagon to cart it, as it won't fit into our large sedan.) I always ask for help in moving the 
thing around. Sounds terrific, has a real nice feel.  But overkill, I think, for what you want.

I just looked on the Web for the current Yamaha 76-key offering, and found what appears to 
be the same unit as the Yamaha I bought a few years ago: Yamaha DGX205, and Best Buy 
has it for under $300 ($299.99!).
It has a zillion effects, voices, etc -- even a dixieland accompaniment (ensemble) device.  All 
of which should encourage you to re-learn the instrument.
Hope this his helpful.

Larry Swain