Buying a keyboard can easily give you choice stress! If you want to learn to play keyboard, you need a keyboard, that is clear! But what kind of keyboard do you actually need? The choice of keyboards is huge and so are the price differences. What should you pay attention to? Below 7 tips to help you make the right choice.
1. Determine your budget.
When you start thinking about purchasing a keyboard, it is wise to first consider how big your budget is for this. A keyboard of a few thousand euros will undoubtedly sound better than a keyboard of € 500. All bang for the buck! But what is ultimately a good choice for you does not always have to be a very expensive one. If you are a beginner, you do not need all those functions that are on a keyboard of a few thousand euros.
Moreover, the operation of an extensive keyboard, due to all those extra functions, is only more difficult to learn. In addition, new keyboards are released every year with even more gadgets and hip beats. It often happens that a student, after having had lessons for about 4 years, really wants a new one. I therefore advise beginners to look at a keyboard in the price range € 250 – € 800.
Then you have a nice choice of reasonably good sounding keyboards. You have them even cheaper, but then the options are sometimes very limited (see also point 2) or the sound quality is lousy. So listen carefully if you find the sound acceptable, you will have to listen to it often!
2. Is it a keyboard?
There should be speakers on a keyboard . If you need an external amplifier / box, it is probably not a keyboard but a synthesizer or master keyboard. You are in fact dealing with a different instrument, which looks very much the same on the outside.
3. Enough keys
A suitable keyboard has 61 keys (5 octaves) . Most beginners choose Best 49-Key MIDI Controller. But you can choose according to your own style. More is allowed, but make sure you don’t have a digital piano. Also a great instrument, but not useful if you really want to learn to play the keyboard.
4. Velocity sensitive
I always advise choosing a velocity-sensitive instrument. This means that when you hit the key quickly, the sound is loud and when you hit the key gently, the sound is soft. So you can control how loud it sounds with your fingers, just like with a piano. If you don’t get used to this in the beginning, it will be more difficult to deal with later.
5. The functions: Intro, Ending, Fill, Sync start.
These are functions that make playing with the auto accompaniment a lot more attractive. Most keyboards have them on it, but check it just to be sure. Fade out, Break and several variations of the automatic accompaniment are also useful, but you often only find it on the more expensive types.
6. Bench and stand
Don’t forget that you also need a bench to sit on, which can be adjusted to the correct height or height. And a stand to set up your keyboard. You usually have to buy them separately. Since it is important that you sit in a good posture while playing, it is often better to choose height-adjustable ones.
Remember that it is important that you are comfortable when you play your instrument. A hard wooden or unstable stool does not invite you to sit on.
7. Ask your own teacher for advice
Perhaps it is smart to buy the same keyboard as the one you are taught! Or does he / she know a nice second hand for sale.
I hope that your choice of stress when buying a keyboard with the help of these tips will be limited!
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