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Best Beginner Keyboards for Learning Piano | 2023

Friday May 26, 2023. 09:54 PM , from Sweetwater inSync
Even if it doesn’t become their primary instrument, every musician should learn to play the piano. And, for beginners, buying a keyboard to learn on is a great option because keyboards simulate the sound and feel of an acoustic piano without the size and expense. The best beginner keyboards for learning piano should be playable and portable and have useful features like metronomes and built-in speakers. For those of you who want to start learning the piano, Sweetwater carries plenty of beginner keyboards that are well suited for new players.

Even having a handful of simple skills on the piano can pay dividends for any musician. The design of the piano keyboard is highly visual in nature and helps beginners build a solid foundation in the essential elements of music, especially those related to harmony. When you get a good understanding of the basics, such as intervals, chords, and chord progressions, you can easily apply those concepts to instruments like the guitar and bass. If you’re ready to start learning to play the piano and need your first keyboard, then you’re in the right place. Below, we’ve selected the best beginner keyboards for learning piano.

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Best Weighted Keyboards for BeginnersBest Unweighted Keyboards for Beginners

Best Weighted Keyboards for Beginners

Keyboards come with two general types of keys: weighted and unweighted. Both options will work perfectly well for the beginning pianist. Weighted keyboards are best for beginners who also want to play the acoustic piano. These keyboards replicate the touch and feel of an acoustic piano and help beginners develop the proper playing technique for a weighted-key instrument.

Yamaha P-125a 88-key Digital Piano

Proactive beginner workspace, rich Yamaha tones

The Yamaha P-125a 88-key digital piano comes loaded with the nuances of modern acoustic keys, providing emerging musicians with an authentic playing feel that will start them off on the right foot. By utilizing Yamaha’s proprietary GHS weighted-action keybed, the P-125a simulates the traditional light action of higher keys and heavier action in the lower register. With the enhanced Pure CF Sound Engine, players will instantly become immersed in expressive Yamaha tones from exquisitely sampled Yamaha grand pianos to orchestrated strings and nearly everything in between. Its simple, responsive interface ensures beginners have all the tools to navigate the P-125a’s expansive sound base, letting them explore the boundaries of piano tones while strengthening their musical talents.

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Alesis Recital Pro 88-key Hammer-action Digital Piano

Alesis’s flagship beginner practice piano

The Alesis Recital Pro 88-key hammer-action digital piano has instruction-friendly features that set it apart from the rest of today’s introductory keyboards. Like the other weighted pianos on our list, the Recital Pro’s traditional keybed facilitates a realistic and responsive feel with uncompromising sound. Its impressive cache of 12 expertly crafted voices with layer and split functions gives beginners a perfect starting palette for practicing traditional acoustic sounds, with just enough room for pad and dual-instrument exploration. However, what makes the Recital Pro stand out from its competitors is its onboard lesson mode, which splits the keyboard in half and retains matching octaves so both the student and teacher can practice and perform simultaneously — perfect for single-home instruction or impromptu lessons. Top it all off with a headphone jack for noiseless nighttime practice, and the Recital Pro maintains its status as a family-, student-, and budget-friendly beginner instrument.

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Casio Privia PX-S1100 Digital Piano

Sleek performance onboard an eye-catching chassis

Casio keyboards have come a long way in speaker design and keybed authenticity. In the case of the student-oriented Casio Privia PX-S1100 digital piano, these ideals have stayed the same. Its onboard Privia-series speaker system provides crystal clear playback audio that enables instrumental exploration with your favorite tunes or backing tracks when paired with Bluetooth connectivity. The PX-S1100’s detailed, hammer-response Smart Scaled keybed features simulated ivory/ebony keys, providing comfortable access to the piano’s 18 built-in tones with stunning damper and string resonance behaviors. Taking a step back reveals the PX-S1100’s slim, sophisticated design, including a smooth, all-black interface with light-up navigation, making it a perfect addition to any living room, studio, or performance venue. Beginner players will find all they need and more in this excellent, tried-and-true Casio model.

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Korg D1 88-key Stage Piano/Controller

A complete starting pianist package

The Korg D1 88-key stage piano/controller is an excellent, all-in-one package for newer and emerging musicians. The subtle variations of the RH3 weighted hammer-action keybed provide emulations of true acoustic resonance and provide 4-sample dynamic response, making both comfort and playability reply like they would in a traditional piano environment. Korg’s proprietary PCM sound generation engine harnesses 30 high-quality piano, electric piano, pad, and string tones, all of which can be manipulated by onboard brilliance, reverb, and chorus studio-grade effects. The included MIDI I/O allows players to access control and playback within DAW or studio situations! As a bonus, you’ll get a damper pedal and music rest — get ready to start your musical journey as soon as the Korg D1 arrives at your door.

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Best Unweighted Keyboards for Beginners

Unweighted keyboards, known as synth-action keyboards, are a great option for beginners. The keys on these keyboards may have little weight in terms of key resistance, but many have touch response. Touch-response keys are velocity sensitive and will play at different volumes depending on the speed you play them. Synth-action keyboards are often considerably more lightweight and more portable, and they have excellent features for the beginning pianist. The softer response of unweighted keys allows for even quieter practice when playing with headphones on.

Roland GO:KEYS 61-key Music Creation Keyboard

Start your musical career in the driver’s seat

We get it: most beginners want to head straight into the action. Thankfully, with the Roland GO:KEYS 61-key music creation keyboard, producing complete works of art is possible with the touch of a few buttons. From drums to lead lines and powerful bass performance, the GO:KEYS offers more than 500 instrument sounds to enhance practice and ensure absolute musical creativity. Built-in Bluetooth functionality allows you to jam alongside your favorite tunes or backing tracks in real time. However, this keyboard’s most impressive feature is the Loop Mix function. You can trigger loops and samples from the keyboard with a simple button press, generating rich and unique compositions no matter your skill level. With a Roland GO:KEYS in your arsenal, working hard and playing hard come hand in hand.

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Yamaha Piaggero NP-12 61-key Portable Piano with PA130 Power Adapter

All-terrain practice piano for beginners

For those looking to dip their toes in beginner piano exploration, Sweetwater instructors suggest the Yamaha Piaggero NP-12 61-key portable piano with PA130 power adapter. It is affordable, simple to use, and features a compact build. These features make it a great option for students who need an instrument to carry to and from practice sessions. It’s also packed with high-quality piano samples from Yamaha for authentic sound and sensitivity. It’s perfect for a player who is usually on the move. An onboard hi-fi speaker system and 6-AA-battery-powering capability allow you to take the NP-12 to practice, on vacation, or even outdoors, making practice a breeze no matter where your excursions take you. Finally, with the additional Controller App, navigating your piano’s user interface is a cinch; you’ll have ample reason to explore the NP-12’s expansive feature set as soon as it arrives.

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Casio Casiotone CT-S300 61-key Portable Arranger Keyboard

Authentic synth action at an appropriate price

As mentioned before, keybed authenticity and audio quality are staples of Casio designs. The Casio Casiotone CT-S300 61-key portable arranger keyboard applies this same formula to an unweighted chassis. Its 61 synth-action keys are velocity sensitive and allow dynamic expression courtesy of two separate sensitivity settings for various playing styles. A pitch-bend controller is added for enhanced voicing control of its 400 unique tones and 10 different reverb settings for ample exploration of effects. At a very reasonable price point, the CT-S300 is the most affordable on our list and has proven its worth among a wealth of Sweetwater musicians.

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Korg Liano 88-key Digital Piano

Hybrid keybed piano with DAW compatibility

Although technically unweighted, the Light Touch action keybed of the Korg Liano 88-key digital piano provides revolutionary response and feel similar to many weighted piano models. Given its lightweight and full-scale build, the Liano is a perfect option for players looking for a standard-sized instrument that’s still easy to carry to and from practice. Eight onboard sounds, from acoustic pianos to strings, sound exceptionally crisp through 8-watt built-in speakers and provide a great range of tones for experimenting beginners. Connecting and recording on your favorite DAW is easy with USB-B, MIDI, headphone, and output ports. Throw in a music stand and a PS-3 pedal switch, and the Korg Liano is an excellent choice for beginners and advanced players on the go.

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Find Your Perfect Beginner Keyboard Today

One final thing worth adding is that you can be a beginner at any age. Starting the piano can be a fulfilling and life-changing experience for anyone. If you are considering it, then we would strongly encourage you to give it a try! Give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700 to find the perfect beginner keyboard for you.
The post Best Beginner Keyboards for Learning Piano | 2023 appeared first on inSync.
https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/best-beginner-keyboards-learning-piano/
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