Keyboard Recommendations

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Keyboard recommendations for beginners through advanced students of various ages (click on links to view items):

Alesis Recital – 88 Key Digital Piano Keyboard $236 (for younger beginners age 6 to 8).

Yamaha P45 Weighted Digital Piano $449 (suitable for ages 10 and up: beginners through advanced).

Donner DEP-10 Beginner Digital Piano 88 Key $299 (ideal for beginners age 8 and older).

Donner DEP-10 Beginner Digital Piano 88 Key with a furniture-like stand: $399 (great for beginners age 8 to adult).

Roland Stage Piano RD-08 is recommended for middle school students and older. This quality durable stage piano is perfect for serious students who have limited space at home and need a portable option, unlike conventional upright pianos that require tuning and take up more room. Pricing starts around $1,000.

U Shaped Keyboard Stand (recommended) on Amazon:

Stand 1 $40

Stand 2 $89 (collapsible)

Z Shaped Keyboard Stand Heavy Duty $50 by Amazon.

Yamaha Piano Bench $33.

Donner Wood Piano Bench $66.

These five features are desirable for a keyboard or digital piano to have:

- Touch Sensitivity

- Weighted keys

- 76+ keys (including white and black)

- Full Size Keys

- Internal Speakers or an amplifier

Additional items you will need include:

- Traditional shaped pedal (not square shaped)

- Medium/heavy duty keyboard stand (U or Z shaped, not 'X' shaped)

- Adjustable bench or wooden cushioned bench.

BRANDS:

- Alesis (for younger beginners age 6 to 8)

- Donner (suitable for younger to older beginners of all ages; known for improving quality over the years, making them a good choice for a competitively priced keyboard)

- Yamaha (for ages 10 & up, beginners through advanced)

- Roland (for ages 13 & up, beginners through advanced)

- Kurzweil (for teenagers to adults, intermediate through advanced)

- Casio Privia (for middle school and older, beginners through advanced)

TYPES OF KEYBOARDS:

- Keyboard (portable and lightweight, usually with internal speakers)

- Stage Piano (heavier, feels more like a piano, usually without internal speakers requiring an amplifier).

- Digital Piano (designed with a wooden shell stand, offers a realistic feel, usually has 2 or 3 built-in pedals, internal speakers, and a matching bench)

- Clavinova Piano (similar to a Digital Piano but heavier with furniture-like design).

PEDAL (Most keyboards do not include a pedal):

- Yamaha FC-5 Sustain Pedal for Portable Electronic Keyboards

- Roland DP-10 Damper (sustain) Pedal.

PIANO BENCH:

We recommend an adjustable piano bench to pair with either a digital piano or keyboard. Adjustable benches are important as they can be customized to the height of the student and instrument, providing a stable, even surface for proper posture and position.

KEYBOARD STAND: Choose between Z shaped or U shaped. A heavy-duty stand helps keep the keyboard steady while practicing, and the U or Z shapes provide ample legroom.

WEBSITES TO SEARCH:

- Musicians Friend

- Sweetwater

- Guitar Center

- Amazon

AREA MUSIC STORES:

- PLAYGROUND MUSIC, Mary Esther, FL.

- LEITZ MUSIC, Panama City, and Fort Walton Beach.