237 Dawson Road, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 Studio237dawson@gmail.com
KEYBOARD PURCHASE
Two Recommended Keyboards for Beginners:
Yamaha NP32 Piaggero 76 Keyboard
Cascio CTK-3500 PPK 61 Key Keyboard (Young Beginner)
These 5 features are desirable for a keyboard 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:
- Pedal
- Keyboard Stand (medium/heavy duty) not the cheapest
- Adjustable bench
BRANDS:
Yamaha
Kurzweil
Roland
Casio Privia
TYPES:
- Keyboard (portable and lightweight) usually has internal speakers.
- Stage Piano (heavier weight, feels and responds more like a piano, usually does not have internal speakers so it needs an amplifier).
- Digital Piano (has a piano like wooden shell stand, feel, and response, 2 or 3 built in pedals, internal speakers, and comes with a matching bench)
- Clavinova Piano (similar to the Digital Piano but heavier. Furniture like.
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 go with either a piano or keyboard. Adjustable benches are important because they "adjust" to the height of the student and piano/keyboard, provide stable even surface which provides for proper posture and position. There are a variety of benches to choose from.
KEYBOARD STAND: There are a variety to choose from. I like a heavy duty stand to keep the keyboard still while practicing.
WEBSITES TO SEARCH:
Musicians Friend
Sweetwater
Guitar Center
Amazon
AREA MUSIC STORES:
PLAYGROUND MUSIC, Mary Esther, FL
LEITZ MUSIC, Panama City, Panama City Beach, and Fort Walton, Beach
GUITARS AND UKULELE
Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar
If you are seeking a beginner's guitar for your child age 9 to around 12, we recommend the Yamaha FG JR-1 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar. It is a smaller sized guitar with quality. This guitar will last longer, and have a good resale value when the student grows out of the instrument or you may pass it onto younger siblings. The cost is around $160. You can view this guitar on Amazon. We have one at the studio for you to look at and try.
This is a full size guitar for adults. You can view it on Amazon.
KALA MK-B MAKALA BARITONE UKULELE
This larger ukulele is great to begin learning on and enables the student to easily transition to guitar.
This Ukulele may be found on amazon.com or other sites.
AREA MUSIC STORES:
PLAYGROUND MUSIC, Mary Esther, FL
LEITZ MUSIC, Panama City, Panama City Beach, and Fort Walton, Beach
VIOLIN AND STRING INSTRUMENTS
Violins should be rented at first. Go to our VIOLIN AND STRINGS page to find out more.