Keyboards are also piano, they're main functions are piano, the first thing you get when you on it is piano. They're simply a cheaper solution for a piano (acoustic or digital) maybe you can call them portable piano or once they were. When you go for piano lessons, if you can't afford a piano, you can always opt for a keyboard, it's the same thing, except the feel and touch (sound quality of lower end models). Keyboard and/or Digital Piano are simply much more powerful where they provide functions and various tones, and there's also high end keyboards used/considered as Music Workstation/Synthesizers where you can create/mix music/song (e.g. Roland G70, Roland V-Synth, check http://www.rolandus.com for the video demos on those product)... There're also very powerful Digital Piano nowadays like Roland RD-700SX Stage Piano, Yamaha also has a few, but they cost a bomb, they're very much like a keyboard but with Weigthed Hammer Keys and more full Piano features (e.g. Half-Damper Pedal Capability, etc...). There's also Music Workstation with Weigthed Hammer Keys, the Roland Fantom X8, Yamaha S90ES, etc... These keyboard are more like a Portable Piano since they offer more piano features (e.g. Hammer Keys, etc).

Anyway, like a member mentioned, any instruments with keys (which are also CALLED Keyboard, the piano/organ/etc keys are called keyboard) can be considered keyboardist in this matter.

Go visit http://www.rolandus.com, go to the products, some/most of it has videos/demos (e.g. Roland G70, Fantom series, Arranger - EXR series, Stage Piano - RD700SX/RD300SX (great videos, and killer looking stage piano), Intelligent Piano - KR Series)... If you want something NEW, check the Roland VIMA's videos, that's one powerful instrument... also check the Roland Digital Grand Piano videos... tough, the features might or might not be used by many....

If you wanna play the keyboard/piano fully, you should get a real keyboard with at least 76keys, or better a digital piano.

The prodikeys are more like for you to record/create music, you can't really play much song especially since the keys are so little and so small, imagine playing both hands (or arpeggio runs), you'll have to do chord inversion mostly and/or you might be out of keys, unless you do a recording for separate play, but then you're not really playing the song. I have both type Prodikeys, the DM and the newer one, the PC-MIDI. The DM is better, it has pitch bend, but very expensive, the PC-MIDI is less than RM200. The keys ARE touch sensitive... And for your problem not sounding sometimes, I guess it's because your PC is slow or low on memory, one thing I know is this prodikeys consumes quite a lot of memory, if there's not enough memory it'll lag... And, to play to song nice, e.g. when playing arpeggio, you need a sustain pedal, there's only sustain ON/OFF for the prodikeys. Anyways, the sound from the prodikeys is good I would say. IF you wanna see some good demo, visit the prodikeys website, there're a few demo for the normal Prodikeys and the Prodikeys DM.

http://www.prodikeys.com
check the Prodikeys DM or Prodikeys product page for the demo video on the left.

For the Prodikeys DM, the Drum video High Res seems to have problem, try the Low Res version, and you should check it out, it's cool and funny, look @ the uncle (chinese) get over excited playing the drum kit!
Here's a link to it:
http://www.prodikeys.com/products/prodikey...5_Drums_Low.wmv

There's a software called "EasyNotes" which turn your midi files into NOTES and also which key to press on the keyboard. It's very much like whats found in Roland high-end digital pianos built-in Learning Software. Nice features!

Anyway, make sure you check carefullly before you buy, IF you're looking to play songs, you should look for a keyboard at least 76keys and supports sustain pedals (if you're gonna play piano). 61keys are ok but most probably you'll find it limited when you play more songs or tries to express yourself more... Good Luck!

This post has been edited by Andy214: Jan 13 2007, 01:33 AM

"hoping to get 1 thats like a piano" and "So getting a keyboard is better" seems to clashed badly.

Anyway, there're cheap digital pianos competitive pricing as the a keyboard. It depends what you choose, you could get a simple Yamaha Digital Piano with very little feature at a very cheap price OR you could get a Yamaha keyboard with a lot more features. If you're tight on budget and looking for a digital piano but with more feature, you can opt for Casio, they're cheap and very up to date, got tons of feature, of course most people would rate the sound, feel and touch "not good". It still depends on the buyer anyway, some might feel ok, or some might not mind, but you have to consider the FUTURE, one day you MIGHT get more experience, etc. Also, selling would be another problem, there're always new models, new technologies, and so for the digital road, it's good to get one good one and settle down rather than planning to sell of, unless you get a really really cheap one (but I would not recommend, I used to have a 61-keys keyboard, and it's one MAJOR reason for improvements, satisfaction, etc. When you played a digital piano, you'll notice a vast difference).

Anyway, if you're really interested in a Yamaha Digital Piano and cheap one, you can check out the P series, P60, P70, etc... It's not big, it's portable and have 88-keys, but it has very little features and patches. By the way, for more better sound, you can upgrade by adding a MOTIF RACK, so, even with a very simple keyboard/digital piano, you can have all the sounds, and many more features from those high-end keyboard/digital piano.

One more thing, if you've played a few times on a digital piano (weigthed hammer keys), and you try playing the keyboard, you'll feel the keyboard like a "Toy".

If you want something good, but it's not cheap, I think at least RM5K or 6K. It's a new product from Roland, just launched recently during the NAMM SHOW 2007, it's the Roland FP7. There's a lower end model the FP4, but I would recommend FP7. You can check Roland US website and watch the video.
http://www.rolandus.com
Navigate to Products>Digital Piano>Stage Pianos>FP7

The RD700SX is also a very powerful model, but the FP7 are more up to date with new features, it's just in a lower class range. The RD700SX does not come with built-in speaker and it cost around RM8K. You can check out the videos too if you want, it's very cool. The FP7 just launch, I'm not sure when it will reach here.

If you're looking for 76-keys keyboard only, you can find many in most music shops which sells piano/keyboard. If have a little more budget for keyboard, try checking out the Roland Interactive Arranger keyboard, they're good and fun to play. They're quite expensive, but I think someone is selling the second hand high-end Arranger model for less than 2K in lelong.com.my.

Lastly, good luck on whatever your decision and happy shopping!

Yea, the E-09 is the cheapest Roland Arranger Keyboard, 61keys. You can find a huge/long video demo for it on it at Roland US website.

Anyway, during this year NAMM 2007, Roland also launched new Arranger Keyboard, the EXR-46 OR, looks more powerful, also 61keys. Not sure how much is it, and when it's gonna reach here.

If got budget, should really check out the FP7, just watch the videos. There's also a piano designer function, which allows you to customize/modify your patches/tones. The guy got mention about it on the video, tough, I'm not sure how it looks like. The KR107 has the Piano designer function as well, you can watch the demo there, but I'm not sure if it's similar.

LoL, yeah, the G70, superb and the LCD Screen was way cool! Complete Organ Tone Wheel Modelling. But the latest one was version 3 and I read many are annoyed with them updating the version, sort of. I don't see that model in Bentley when I went there, but I saw Fantom X8, "woah", the real one was a kill! It'll be so tempting to see the real G70.

Watching the video is what makes me buy my roland, the videos give me understand the product more and grabs my attention! Plus, Roland's piano/keyboard has profesional and killer looks! And their website are so complete or full or information, I even posted for inquiries and support and they replied well. The UK website was not bad as well. So far, other brand has poor support/info, etc. By the way, another tempting one which almost makes me change my mind was the Yamaha S90ES, anyway, actually I only like the Grand Piano patch, IMO, it's more modern type of sound, more harmonic/nice suitable for modern pop songs.... Roland's one is either very dark type or very bright, if playing classical, jazz, it's good. Well, one biggest drawback of the Yamaha S90ES is the look, it looks like a "toy" to me, like those kid's piano and the build quality from the video I saw is dissapointing, can hear the "click" of the button so obvious, and the "plastic hammer" sound of the keys, even in the videos itself. I forgot where I download the video, but it was cool altough the demonstrater looks kinda "not pro" (not sure what's the word), unlike Roland one, especially Corey Fournier, very profesional. If you happen to found the video, one nice part is where the guy plays the Rock song with backups, "woah", really like a rock band playing.

To make it more temping, watch the video "Why A Roland Piano?", you can find it in KR117M Digital Grand Piano section and a few other like newly launched RG-3 Digital Grand Piano, newly launched HP203 to HP207. The videos are amazing to let you know about Roland more, showing the History, Technology and Quality. Now I'm tempted to see their new Progressive Hammer Action II (PHA-II) keys... If there's only upgrade for keys... argh...

EDIT: Found the link to the video for S90ES
http://www.yamaha-europe.com/yamaha_europe...ovies/index.php
Note: Look for "S90ES"


This post has been edited by Andy214: Feb 2 2007, 09:50 AM

Keyboard, Digital Piano, basically, they're the same, Digital Piano have "weighted keys" or simply put, keys like a real piano and depends on which type you're taking about, a portable/stage digital piano, looks exactly like a keyboard except the keys. A Home Digital Piano, will have varierty like the acoustic piano, there's Digital Upright and Digital Grand (even have Baby Grand, smaller and shorter version).

As for function, again, check the Roland US website for more information, basically, the functions are the same between brands, only certain are unique.
http://www.rolandus.com
- Check KR103, KR105, KR107 Upright Digital Piano for video demo of various functions and tones.
- Check RD700SX Portable/Stage Piano for video demo of the portable version. (Caution! This is a killer and profesional looking piano!)
(Note: The FP7 Stage Piano is newly launched by Roland during mid of January 2007, it's in the lower class range from the RD series, but since it's new, it has many new up to date features.)
- Check the RG-7 Digital Grand for video demo about Roland (History, Technology and Quality). Worth check out if you're considering a Roland.

Yamaha is preferred by many, usually for the sound. But you should test it out yourself, the sound, touch and feel depends on individual preference. One may prefer one over the other.

You should test and try out different brands and models before you decide to buy. Before you went for testing, it's better to understand more on the functions/features, it'll help more.

---

Added on February 5, 2007, 8:28 pmIt depends what you planned for yourself in the future. Even for beginner, it's recommended to start with a real piano / digital piano because the weighted keys will make a difference. You'll train your hand/finger dexterity, strength, fingering, etc. Plus, the sound is also important factor, you'll notice more when you try to "play by ear" or achieve sound satisfaction.

By the way, if you play a few times on a digital piano, you'll feel the keyboard like a toy, the keys especially, it'll feel so light, plastic and fragile.

Keyboard with hammer action usually is the portable digital piano, the digital piano is part of the keyboard family. There's so many types of keyboards, e.g. Arrangers, Works-stations etc. The weighted/hammer keys can also be found on keyboard controller, and the Roland Fantom X8 Music Workstation. It gives better feel or preferrable by many musicians, especially piano players.


This post has been edited by Andy214: Feb 5 2007, 08:28 PM

Not sure if this site can help:
http://www.tweakheadz.com/software_synths.html

It's about software synths, but there's also many other good information from the site.

LoL, you can set the weight or "heavy-ness" of the touch... It's digital... One point of the weigthed keys is the looks, piano/organ like keys. The "weight" or "heavy" touch can usually be set. Plus, organs are also a common patch found on keyboards...

Check on higher end keyboards/digital pianos, they have "Tone-Wheel Modelling" function for Organ players, and the RD700SX is also being used by many Organist, even tough it's a Synthesizer + Digital Piano.

Check http://www.rolandus.com/products/productde...666&ParentId=87.
Check out the demo video, there's one about "Tone Wheel Modelling" and watch the guy jam on the Organ patch. It's very cool!

That is known as a "Digital Piano", basically there're many types of Digital Piano:
1. "Upright" - like those upright acoustic piano
2. "Baby Grand" - well, baby grand
3. "Grand"
4. "Portable/Stage" - Requires stand (or comes with it).

Anyway, basically, all are "keyboards", even the piano, organs, etc... they're all in the keyboard family or known as keyboard instruments, and the first tone/patch is always the Piano, also part of the General Midi (GM) standard.

So, to put it simple, a normal keyboard, even without weigthed keys, are simply a portable, cheaper alternative for pianos. Synthesizers, Arrangers, Music Workstations, are all keyboard with "extra" feature/funcitonalities which makes them falls into their respective category. There're also combine categories, like "Synthesizer + Digital Piano", "Music Workstation + Digital Piano",... they're all still the keyboard, just difference in the feature they provide. Of course, unless you're talking about other instruments synthesizer, etc.

You can check this site for more information on keyboards, brands, etc:
http://www.know-your-keyboard-piano.com/index.html

What's the difference between a piano and keyboard? I don't know if there's keyboard lessons, but you're learning the same thing, piano uses keybed which are called keyboards. I see many people are confused with keyboard and piano...

Yes you can practice using a keyboard, if a cheap alternative solution for a piano, in fact, it was a "portable" cheap piano in digital form. But of course, to learn properly (certain skills) and also to advance (includes faster improvement and other stuffs, such as fingering and strength) etc, it's recommended to have at least a digital piano OR keyboard with weighted keys. An acoustic would be more better especially if you're going through conventional piano classes which means "classical" music lessons which require additional skills using the acoustic piano.

For starters, you can start with a cheap keyboard so that you can decide whether you plan to continue or maybe plan for a good digital/acoustic piano. For digital, you can choose the portable type, those can be carry for gigs (like those musician used on stage), they're called Stage Piano.

As for classes, take note that usually piano lessons offered = classical path to music using the piano. If you're not into classical music, most proabably you'll lost intrerest and stop. So, you might wanna inquire porperly for classes. If you prefer to play naturally by ear, without the need to learn to read notes and stuffs, you can check out:
Play By Ear

practice the most basic exercise, scales... familirize yourself with all the keys. When you're good, the piano is like part of your body, you just know where the keys are, what keys to press, etc...

Another easy way for easier playing is simply transpose the song to C, then no more black keys, unless there're naturals. Even many profesionals tranpose the song into C so it's easier to play. If you have digital piano, then it's even better, you can use the transpose feature... One thing about transposition is, you'll feel the song differently, each key has a unique feel to a song... Like Am keys feels more sad, and you can find many sad songs are in Am keys, while C key are more happy, pleasant... Anyway, like many ppl said, when you go back to original key, you'll feel like home... With digital piano transpose, you can preserve the feel while playing C key physically because the music will be in the original key.

Good luck and happy playing!