1)no if you are playing casually or playing for fun. Normally one learn keyboard to play chords and synchronize themselves in a band or vocal/choir team. unless they are playing keyboard like piano, instead of chords they play songs.
2)Not necessary if you are playing for fun. I knew alot of keyboardist played by ears thus its not necessary although I will recommend you to grasp an understanding about it. also, if you planned to play keyboard like piano, you will find notes(tauge) reading to be useful.
3)the higher a grade is, the harder one can pass that grade. people go to exam to examine themselves and see which levels they are.

conclusion, if you want to play songs, its better for you to look for a teacher and learn the notes. If you just want to play chords and assist a band/vocals/choir.... you can learn yourself from various source such as youtube/music books etc. oO there are also teachers that specialize in keyboard only.

those who discouraged u from electronic keyboard are not doing it becoz of the sound, they are saying it becoz of the control and expression that are lacking in most keyboards

1) up to yourself, u can learn karate from books and youtube, but would u?

2) up to yourself again, u can learn to act in a shakespeare play without learning how to read, but would you?

3) its like belt in karate, u start off with white, then yellow, then all the way to black. a black belt can generally kill a white belt with KI alone. in piano u go from grade 1 to grade 8...

For me, I learnt organ.

If you have tutor, probably will let you know how to follow beats, set rhythm, and pedal control.
and remember, learn theory. so that you wont suffer urself on reading note when play the songs.

ermmmm.... i am afraid u need to spend much more than RM 350 for a keyboard. its is way way way too low of a budget

pianoforall, duno about it, cant comment. what kinda music do you wana play?

my 2 cents.

cheaper keyboard do not have touch response, meaning that u cannot control the volume.

as to why sellers sell those is so as to cater to the demand. there are some who just wana hit some notes and will be happy, there are others who seek to put more emotion in their playing. different target audience different budget.

how serious are u in learning? if u are dead serious and even going for classes then there is really no point to get a toy instrument. it will only be a waste of your school fees if you dun have a proper instrument to play on.

secondhands are fine.

before anything else i guess u better spend some time to discover for yourself what you want in your music education and the amount effort you like to put it becoz a good keyboard is not cheap.....

well...looks not bad at all.. you can try it...My first glance (at the books name ) is taht they gave you introduction to many types of genre a keyboardist should have. well... if RM120+ is not too expensive for you, maybe you can try them.

if you want to play sentimental songs, 88 keys is a must as it opened more options for you to swing/flash your improvisation.

DGX505 sounds not bad....


it says it was designed for piano levels. and it can change the sensitivity from light to heavy....its not too abd for a keyboard but Amazon is selling for about US$540 equivalent of our RM1620+  but overall i will say its not bad, quite good in fact. I opined based on how I look at the video demonstration, so it will be good if you can test out the keyboard yourself. 

well, good luck and hope you get a really good keyboard and have fun playing the keyboard, coz it really does

just helping you, I saw someone selling on the forum...maybe you can try to inquire/nego with him.

http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=1693522&hl=piano

oh my God.... from RM300 to 700 to 1100 to 1800 and now 3600. Respect!