Hi Jus, Welcome well, here goes another opinion. I would stay away from all the bells and whistles and concentrate on learning to the play the keyboard. As Sk880user recommended, Lessons, theory, scales,....good basic piano fundamentals. It seems painful at first, but in a short amount of time, you'll pick up so much that will help you later on. I'm not saying buying a keyboard with the extras is necessarily bad, but the problem is, we all have a tendency to use the stuff if it's there, and at your stage, you need to concentrate on playing, not entertaining, not sequencing and arranging stuff, not tweaking sounds...but PLAYING. I realize that some of the technology today enhances learning, as with lighted keys you can follow, that displays chords and their variations, and some of the bells like a drum machine to making practicing fun ..CAN be helpful, but I still think the best way to learn is to emphasize the fundamentals, and learn to play basic keyboard. Then the PSR will become a great musical tool that will enhance your talents, instead of hiding your weaknesses. I'd buy the most basic keyboard in your budget, 88 keys 0r 76 perhaps, no synth feeling keys, hammer action or the next closest thing. used P-80's or technics, or other comperable boards will do nicely. If you have a college or church near by, you can practice using theirs from time to time ...to get the feel of it, then select what keyboard is right for you. many ways to slay this dragon...seek a teaching aid, live or computer based, or video series...stick with it, concentrate on the basics...and HAVE FUN....Good Luck Brian