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Family Matters:  Piano or keyboard?  |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 22 2011 : 6:27:47 PM
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I need help. I'm a pretty advanced pianist, and I'm trying to decide whether to get a piano or a keyboard. My first preference is a piano. Hands down. But, finding a moving company that will move the piano up our mile long driveway-then having a tuner come out to tune it twice a year doesn't sound like fun. I don't have those worries with a keyboard. Do any of you have a keyboard you use an love?
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2011 : 8:15:55 PM
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The best buy where my husband works has a very popular electronic keyboard that has "weighted keys" like a real piano. Are you settled at your current home permanently? or is loading a piano up in a moving van repeatedly a likely scenario?
It may also interest you that pianos are known come up on craigslist in the free section often; so if "free" + getting it home appeals to you that may be something you would want to look at.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
Edited by - Dusky Beauty on Oct 22 2011 8:16:42 PM |
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musicmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Wendy
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Oct 22 2011 : 9:19:49 PM
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As a piano teacher, I have to go with recommending a real piano if you can. Piano movers are used to working through all sorts of obstacles and they are amazing! If you have a good piano, it may only need tuning once a year. I love my piano tuner and always look forward to his visits. He loves to chat a bit about musicals. :)
All that being said though, there are some really nice electronic pianos out there. A couple of my students have gotten them and they are working just fine. You definitely want to look for a weighted keyboard and full size, 88 keys. It will really throw off your playing if you don't have full size keys as your muscle memory gets used to the size of the keys when playing.
Like Jen said, definitely watch Craigslist. Several of my students have gotten some great deals. I usually have them looked over by my tuner/technician as he knows more of the inner working problems of pianos. I just know if I like the tone and touch.
If you can be patient, an amazing deal could come your way. I shopped around for about a year before getting my current piano and I'm so glad I waited as it is exactly what I wanted.
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.
Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com |
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nut4fabric
True Blue Farmgirl
885 Posts
Kathy
Morgan Hill
CA
USA
885 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2011 : 08:38:08 AM
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We bought an electronic piano 18 years ago for our daughter and love it!!! It's the size of a regular piano so it's not light but we have moved it ourselves a few times. We have had major moves 4 times and never a problem with it's sound or the pain of having to have it tuned. It does have many of the sounds that organs have so that has been an added bonus as our daughter likes to change the arrangements. It was a good investment and I would do it again
Kathy |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2011 : 04:47:58 AM
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I wish I could afford a NICE piano + the cost to have movers move it up here, but I'd bet that moving it would be around 300-500 all by itself, since I live SO FAR out. I'm praying about it, because I NEED something better.
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2011 : 09:32:14 AM
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Megan, Here is a craigslist search I pulled up in your area for "piano" http://lexington.craigslist.org/search/?areaID=133&subAreaID=&query=piano&catAbb=sss. There is one freebie at the top of the list not too awful far from you. You could also try cold calling churches in the area-- many people try to donate old pianos to churches so the church office not only may be getting rid of their old pianos, they may have some leads for you of people they have had to turn away.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13774 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13774 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2011 : 1:13:48 PM
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Megan,
I have both and I will ALWAYS prefer an acoustical piano . . . a "REAL" piano. I have a Steinway professional upright and it is WONDERFUL . . . they cost!! I also have a Yamaha Clavinova which I bought for use in traveling as a Christian musician. It is a full-sized keyboard with 88 weighted keys and pedals . . . it is not the easiest to move, but certainly much easier than a piano and filled a need. I can't tell you the hundreds of times I've had to play "dinky" electronic keyboards and/or broken down, miserable, abused upright pianos . . . most of which were dreadfully out of tune!!! I am an accomplished pianist, vocalist and instructor . . my Steinway is the one I use professionally.
As I said, a "real" piano is my preference!!
I wish you the best on your search and decision.
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
through my lens - http://ceejayscamera.shutterfly.com/
from my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
Edited by - ceejay48 on Oct 25 2011 10:16:51 AM |
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traildancer
True Blue Farmgirl
485 Posts
Loyce
Glide
OR
USA
485 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2011 : 09:27:09 AM
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I vote for a real piano. I play the keyboard at church. It is fun to play with the different patches. BUT--I would rather play the piano any day. I have keys to the church so I can play for myself any time I want. My son has a keyboard and it is okay for dinking around and first learning the piece, but not the same at all.
The trail is the thing.... Louis L'Amour |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2011 : 6:56:54 PM
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I'll keep an eye out and keep praying about it!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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Lieberkim
True Blue Farmgirl
839 Posts
Kimberly
Sunnyside
WASHINGTON
USA
839 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2011 : 7:18:16 PM
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I'm a purist when it comes to music. I only like a real pipe organ (I think the electric ones sound tinny), I hate the electric piano our church has and wish I had the money to buy a real piano for the Church!! I don't even like my guitars to be plugged in, to me as soon as electricity gets involved it loses something. But I know lots of people who say the electric pianos are so good now that you can't tell the difference. So I think you're doing the right thing, pray about it and keep your eye open for a good deal!!
Excuse the mess & the noise, my children are making happy memories |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2011 : 8:09:43 PM
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My husband is a piano salesman, and has been for most of his working life. He is a dedicated musician with two doctoral degrees, one in composition. He absolutely encourages serious musicians -- or those hoping to raise them! -- to buy a "real" piano. The problem with most electronic keyboards is that they lack the ability to form a dynamic bond between the pianist's fingers and the sound the machine makes. And yes, it *is* a machine. So is a piano, but it's made of real things, with real resonance, responsiveness and "personality." The relationship a pianist has with her piano is special. Electronic keyboards will never provide an artist with that experience, which is why they often wind up gathering dust in the cellar, or people will try to trade them in for a real piano. Most of them have very little value when used, unlike a good acoustic piano that has been maintained properly.
It is possible to get a used Steinway or Yamaha (or their entry-level alternatives such as Boston, Essex, Pearl River and so on) at a cost comparable to, or lower than, that of the level of instrument you'd want an electronic option to be. You will never, never regret it. If you buy from a reputable Steinway dealer (not a used piano place that will sell you anything), the company will stand behind the piano, work out the best schedule for tuning and, if needed, voicing, and so on. With some instruments, you can even get a trade-up deal by which you can someday buy an even nicer piano, with the full price you paid for your original one taken off.
Wendy's right about the experience that professional piano movers have with getting instruments into the most impossible places! But that's only if you purchase your piano from a reputable dealer, where it's much more likely that your instrument will be handled and installed in your home properly. A generic used piano store might not bother, and your new keyboard will be handled like any old piece of furniture.
I feel like I should now say, "But wait! There's more!!!" ;-) |
Edited by - Rosemary on Oct 25 2011 8:15:25 PM |
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Simply Satisfied
True Blue Farmgirl
427 Posts
Emily
Montana
USA
427 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2011 : 05:18:00 AM
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I bought a keyboard 2years ago. I wanted a real piano and think they really are the best. That being said I love my keyboard. It's best feature is that it can have headphones plugged in to it so I can practice during nap time, early in the morning or even while my husband is watching tv. I had also heard that you shouldn't put a piano against an outside wall as the temperature changes can make the strings need more attention. Amazingly I couldn't find an interior wall I could give up to place a piano so the keyboard ended up being my choice. The touch isn't the same but it isn't bad. I also have around 10 different piano based sounds which is good because the first one sounded bad but the third one sounds just right for me. I also hope to get to use the sync option with my computer to record some Christmas songs for my family once I get them a little smoother. My sister keeps begging for a cd of my stuff I just can't brave it yet. Either way playing is better than not playing so I say think hard then enjoy whichever you pick.
Emily
Farmgirl # 3591 |
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traildancer
True Blue Farmgirl
485 Posts
Loyce
Glide
OR
USA
485 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2011 : 09:29:47 AM
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A bit off topic--I was in a wedding and the prelude music and the processional were played on an electric violin!! Whoever heard of such a thing. It looked weird but sounded lovely.
The trail is the thing.... Louis L'Amour |
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2011 : 2:19:34 PM
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@ Loyce I just saw a video online of a music video with an electric cello, they have all sorts of electric instruments now, crazy!!! It was neat.
For my personal preference when I played piano (it's been YEARS!) was a real piano no matter how aged it was. One of my friends had one of those keyboard piano type things with the weighted keys and I never clicked with it. Although I would settle for a keyboard right now just so I could get back to playing again. I really miss it. We got a piano given to us that we thought just needed a tune up but it was beyond repair. So sad. Back to square one for me. Good luck finding something!!!
Mothers are those wonderful people who can get up in the morning before the smell of coffee. ~Author Unknown
http://countryrenaissance.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunflowersAndHoney |
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Sweet_Tea
True Blue Farmgirl
194 Posts
Tara
Newberry
SC
USA
194 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2011 : 07:51:45 AM
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I have been playing Piano my whole life...
I tried to get a keyboard.. and I got a weighted keyed full keyboard Roland..
I didn't like it.. I wound up selling the keyboard and using the money from that to pay the movers to move it into a u-haul, I drove it from Georgia (my parents farm) up to South Carolina to my farm, then had it moved, and tuned...
I just couldn't get used to playing the keyboard..
but the Roland was awesome :)
Farmgirl Sister #2974
~ http://notsosweettea.blogspot.com/
"The air of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears"
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Nov 08 2011 : 3:07:07 PM
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Piano for me. I love the feel and sound of a grand piano.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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sweettea
True Blue Farmgirl
55 Posts
Candace
St Cloud
MN
USA
55 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2012 : 8:00:06 PM
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Did you get your piano or keyboard yet, Megan? I'm an advanced pianist also. I bought a Privia 320 by Casio about 4 years ago. Although I love the feel of a real piano my reasons for buying it were that I needed something that didn't need to be tuned and that I could move with us if I needed to. I bought it when I was pastoring a small church in Washington. They did not have anyone musical and the piano they had was ancient. The Privia 320 was affordable yet, the quality of an instrument that professional groups used. It also has weighted keys. The downside is that when I play my classical music the keyboard doesn't respond to the dynamics of the music I'm playing. I don't regret getting it because without it I wouldn't have a piano and I have spent many a happy hour playing to my hearts content.
"There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle." Albert Einstein |
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Family Matters: Piano or keyboard? |
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Piano or keyboard?
