My 7 yr old daughter had her first piano lesson?

Question

and her instructor has asked to invest in a piano worth couple thousand dollars.I was thinking to go with a keyboard worth 200$. Should I go for a higher priced piano or go with a cheaper one? Where can I get one? Also anyone has any idea about this model-Valdesta Classico 760 Digital Piano .
Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

Neither. You have no idea whether the kid will take to piano (unless she's express a HUGE interest in the past), and if you buy a full, real piano (or a digital of equal quality) and she quits after six months, you're out the money (although at least with a real piano you've got a nice piece of furniture).
$200 keyboards are BAD BAD BAD. The reason is that (1) most of the cheap ones do not have 88 keys, so it doesn't look like the same thing she'll be playing at your teacher's house, (2) you can do all sorts of fun, fake suff on it, which distracts from actually learning to play the thing, and (3) the keys are NOT WEIGHTED, which means that it will FEEL VERY DIFFERENT from the piano she's supposed to be playing. Getting finger strength and dexterity are crucial for a person just starting, and it's very important that the keys she presses reflect that.

My suggestion -- GO USED. You can get a nice used piano usually in the classifieds for $500 or less... although have someone go along who knows something about pianos to tell you whether it's in playable condition. But better yet, get a USED, WEIGHTED 88 KEY KEYBOARD. Here's a link to on on eBay, an Alesis QS8.1 (fairly new model) -- it's really really heavy, but it's fully weighted and only $500.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ALESIS-QS8-1-KEYBOARD-SYNTHESIZER-88-WEIGHTED-KEYS_W0QQitemZ280118959303QQihZ018QQcategoryZ38070QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There are other models out there too that I'm sure you can get for less, but don't skimp on the $200 ones... they don't have weighted keys (or the weighting is really chincy). Yamaha, and even Casio make keyboard with 88 keys and fully weighted keys (sometime they're called stage pianos or digital pianos) that will be a better bet. And if she doesn't take to it, you're not out that much money (or can sell the thing on eBay again for 75% of what you paid for it).

Good luck!

(Here are some more:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-PF-15-88-Key-Weighted-Electronic-Piano-Keyboard_W0QQitemZ280119135928QQihZ018QQcategoryZ38091QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CASIO-PX200-PX-200-88-WEIGHTED-KEY-PIANO-FREE-SHIP_W0QQitemZ170115681570QQihZ007QQcategoryZ47081QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Korg-N1-88-key-weighted-keyboard-with-hard-case_W0QQitemZ200111876406QQihZ010QQcategoryZ38089QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
)
Note that some of these do not have internal speakers (like the Alesis)-- that's not a big deal -- you can hook up powered computer speakers or headphones to the board.

Answer 2

Keyboards are nice if you don't have the funds for a piano or if your kid isn't very serious about it, but pianos generally have more keys and a much better tone. I used to use a keyboard and since I've been using a piano I've been happier and playing better (and more frequently, actually). Keyboards are nice for beginners, though, because they give help on playing songs, you can plug headphones into them (a blessing, believe me) and they can always be packed away out of sight when guests are over. Pianos look and sound much better, though. I would get the keyboard (but not a very expensive one) and if your child stays with the lessons and they really enjoy it (in, say, 6 years), maybe then a piano would be a good idea. Age seven, though, I'd get a keyboard.

Answer 3

get a full width keyboard with 88 notes if possible and foot pedals. Go to craigslist.org for a used one. Make sure she sits at the same height As a real piano. It also has to have a music stand attachment. If you cannot get a full width keyboard, do NOT buy it. It has to have the same width as real piano. Get a used cheap piano, but a small one with 88 keys. It is a starter piano. If she shows interest and talent in a few years, then get at least a Yamaha, Kawaii, Steinway, etc. No Korean Pianos, because they have major problems within 5-10 years because the lack of hardwoods and also, the keyboard construction leads to warping and is not repairable..

Answer 4

Hi!

I started piano when I was four, and my parents weren't exactly rich, so what they did was rent a piano. Many kids wind up quitting piano when they get older...you can usually tell if a kid is going to quit if: a) he/she never wanted to start in the first place, or b) parents place a lot of pressure on the kid to do well.

Also, some kids 'outgrow' the piano - it's a good fundamental instrument to start with, and some eventually switch to violin, flute, etc.

Anyways, just rent a piano for the first few months. If your daughter seems really into it, then I suggest you purchase a stand up piano (something like Kawai or Young Chang) for a few thousand dollars. Trust me, it's not as expensive compared to some others on the market. For example, my own piano, a baby grand Schimmel cost 28k. My old piano, a stand up, cost only 4000.

In the beginning, a keyboard is okay to practice on, but as your daughter progresses, you should switch to an actual piano. A keyboard definitely does not offer the emotional/dynamic range a piano does.

Good luck, and I hope your daughter enjoys playing! Don't be too harsh on her, and don't worry if she says later on that she wants to quit, everyone goes through those periods.

Answer 5

I taught music for over nine years. At the beginning, it is acceptable to use a keyboard until you determine whether or not your daughter actually likes the piano. No point in investing several thousands of dollars only to have her change her mind in a few months.

If you can get a weighted keyboard (one that has the same number of keys as a 'regular' piano), that could be a decent compromise. Or get a second hand piano. Look on Craigslist or in newspaper.

Answer 6

tbh, you can get really good keyboards that simulate pianos nowadays. They include pedals, touch sensitive keys and sound more like the real thing. and for a cheaper price. I have recently invested in an electronic piano. It takes up 1/3 of the space and cost 1/3 of the price (£450) don't know bout USD. Anyway, don't go for the most expensive piano if shes only had one lesson.

Although its such a wonderful instrument to play and I would seriously encourage her all you can :)

Answer 7

DON'T buy a piano yet. Some churches, libraries, or even neighbors will let you practice on their pianos. Do that for at least a month, and see if your daughter wants to continue. If you do decide to buy a keyboard, it absolutely MUST have "standard size" (also known as "full size") keys. That means that each single key, black or white, must be exactly the same size as if it were on a "real" piano. Whatever your decision, never buy any keyboard that doesn't have standard sized keys.

Answer 8

I played on the same piano from the time I was 5 until I was 19, and trust me, it does not affect talent. My piano was an old upright that we bought for $50 at a garage sale, and although my teacher hated it, I was her best pupil. I would wait until your daughter is older to invest in a nicer one, just to make sure that she enjoys it. I would definently advise getting a piano over a keyboard though.

Answer 9

If you're expecting her to invest her time in studying music, you should invest in an acoustic piano. As a parent, you will be the deciding factor in her success. Get a real instrument, set aside a consistent time for practice, be generous with praise at her accomplishments, and take her to concerts. An acoustic piano will retain its value over time and you can always resell it. Anything electronic will be junk in a few short years. Students will never learn to produce a beautiful tone and technique on a piano if they learn on an electronic keyboard. The gift of music is one of the best things you can give your child.

Answer 10

Well first see if your daughter actually likes playing the piano. If she seems like going around a few months definitely go get a keyboard. If it seems like she would want to play for around 10 year get a grand piano.