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10 Responses to “When first learning the piano is it okay to use a keyboard instead of an 88 key piano?”

1. Shawn on October 3rd, 2009 at 3:48 pm

   learn to play that first then get the full sized or if u want get a used full size piano cheaper if u know how to play realy really good then get a brand new 1 i say stick whith the 61 keys tell u get better
   References :

2. Trent on October 3rd, 2009 at 4:21 pm

   My girlfriend is a great pianist and she says you don’t need the full 88 keys because you probably won’t be playing those deep bass notes while learning
   References :

3. Piano Pronto on October 3rd, 2009 at 4:35 pm

   Use what you have for the time being. If you really love playing and have a true desire to continue then you should graduate to a full size 88 key piano as soon as you can. It’s much more rewarding to play on a full size instrument. If you progress quickly you will outgrow those 61-keys quickly and you *will* need those lower bass notes!

   Congrats on your new endeavor!
   References :
   Pianist 23 yrs/Piano teacher 15 yrs
   BA in Piano/MA Musicology

4. Azathoth on October 3rd, 2009 at 4:42 pm

   If you can’t afford a better keyboard or a real piano -which is totally understandable- what you have will work for now.

   However, you should start saving for either a high-quality keyboard or a real instrument -as someone who has a high quality keyboard, I recommend a real acoustic piano- because you *will* want a full keyboard. And beyond that, there are certain aspects of musicality you don’t have access to if you’re using a keyboard.

   Playing a keyboard means you’re working within a preprogrammed set of MIDIs. Playing a real piano means you’re actually making a personal sound.
   References :

5. vebre! on October 3rd, 2009 at 5:17 pm

   I first started learning piano 10 years ago on a small yamaha keyboard, it’s probably better for you to start learning on a keyboard and then when you get better and more into it (hopefully) you’ll be able to invest in a gorgeous full size piano and continue honing your skills
   Hope that helps!
   References :

6. oblacone on October 3rd, 2009 at 5:52 pm

   Ok here is the problem with a 61 key keyboard -
   1 – the keys are most likely not weighted, meaning it feels like you are just pressing down some springy plastic.

   2 – 61 key keyboard has an ok amount of keys but it really isn’t smart because it limits what pieces you can play.

   1- You should look for a digital piano – asuming you maybe dont have a big budget, look for the Casio PX120 its something around 400 – 600$
   It has 88 Weighted keys, and very many have this keyboard, its good for beginners and for people on a low budget.

   2 – If you have a slightly bigger budget, I would look at theese

   Kawai CA 51

   Yamaha CLP 340

   Roland HP203

   or

   Yamaha P150/P140

   Kawai CN31 or CN32

   Roland RD-700GX

   All theese are great Digital pianos so check it out!
   but i mean thats just my opinion. however the best thing would always be to go for the real thing … but thats not necessary

   But if you cand afford any of that atleast have a look at Casio CDP 100.

   ANyway i find it not okay to learn piano on a61 key piano,, better buy a 88 key now than later.
   References :
   Experience.. because i played on a 47 key piano before.. VERY limiting now i have a 88 key keyboard.. not weighted.. extremely limiting too.. i dont get the weight of anything just sprigs, its terrible, but then ill be getting a Upright piano this summer

   Hope you choose the right piano

7. joshy on October 3rd, 2009 at 6:26 pm

   For the first 6 years I only had a 5 octave keyboard and I even managed to play a Chopin Nocturne on it (had to double over on occasion). There is no hurry to buy a piano, though it does make a difference to the sound texture that you learn to emit from the piano. So if you can practice on a piano occasionally it would be good. Digital keys without weights are not really that useful.
   References :
   Personal Experience. Learned piano for 12 years, teach occasionally.

8. Tina on October 3rd, 2009 at 6:48 pm

   Yes, that’s what I did, but once you have decided that you want to continue learning Piano, it’s better to switch to an actual piano. The feel is different, the sound is different, and you can play more songs because there’s more keys. =P Plus you can also start using the pedals. ^_^ Good luck!
   References :
   My piano experiance (5+ years)

9. Quod Eram Eras on October 3rd, 2009 at 7:01 pm

   It is ok. However, I strongly suggest you get a full size one if you are serious enough. Anyone who will be taking piano seroiusly should be able to have a full sized one.

   It does make a difference. I have played loads of short keyboards and they are just not the same as the full size version (and you can’t reach those very low/high notes).
   Hope this helps
   References :
   My Brain.
   My Piano.

10. Michelle on October 3rd, 2009 at 7:47 pm

    Learning on a keyboard for the first few months is definitely ok. I started playing piano when I was about 7 or 8 years old, and I started on a TINY keyboard, which fit my small fingers well…I think it only had about 3 octaves or so…then for the next few years I played on an electric organ that was still small (probably around 61 keys, I don’t remember exactly), then when my parents figured that I was going to keep continuing, we found a cheap piano. So although I do not like playing on keyboards now, it is ok to start on a keyboard until you seriously know that you’d like to purchase a piano. I’ve been playing piano now for about 15 years, went to college for piano performance (I have my Masters now), so I’d say that learning on a keyboard is not a handicap at all..I turned out fine and I’m sure you’ll do great!

    Depending on the method in which you learn piano, you will not need all 88 keys at first (unless you learn with the Pace Method, but even with that a 61 keyed keyboard would work fine).
    Good luck!
    References :

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