I've seen numerous posts about likes and dislikes about the keyfeel, and wishes for weighted keys on the PSR's.. Here's my take on this.. If you want weighted keys then buy a digital that has a graded keyboard.. When you get into todays keyboards that have large voice banks, weighted keys don't really work well into the equation and here's why... I don't care how well your fingers can move up and down a weighted keybed because there are voices like the sax, guitar, bass, and most importantly the drum kits, that do not work well with weighted keys.. Anyone ever try to fly on a sax solo with weighted keys?????? It doesn't work properly... It takes longer for the key to come back up thus limiting the solos possibilities... Also anyone ever try to crank out a drum beat on weighted keys... My take on that "VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE" I've played drum set for many years and there are things on the hi-hat, snare, bass, and toms that are impossible to do with a weighted keybed.. You have to be a pro at step recording to do these things, and when that's done the drums lose the natural feel, and sound like they were step recorded. A weighted keybed is nice, but I feel is only applicable to paino based instruments... If you want to rip out killer guitar solos, sax solos, and heart pounding drum beats the furthest I'd go is semi-weighted keys.. The best semi-weighted keyboard I've ever used for playing ALL instruments was the Roland XP-60.. That had a nice keybed. Yave to keep in mind that a weighted keyboard is designed to work best with piano based instruments. When you're playing other voices those weighted keys can get in the way and limit your music.. When I was up north in Erie PA I was at our local music store and I was playing on the new Yamaha Motif.. After years of practice I've been able to rip out drum beats recorded in realtime that sound great, and not recorded one part at at time like bass first, then overdub the snare over it.. I can Play the hi-hat, bass, and snare at the same time, I can also do fills at without overdubbing.. This took a lot of practice, but has really boosted my music.. After playing drums manually on the Motif, I had numerous sales reps, and shoppers come and ask me how in the hell did I do that.. One sales rep said "those are the best keyboard drums I've ever heard"... and said he's been playing for years and couldn't do this.. I asked him what he played on and he said a Kurzweil digital.... I told him that's the problem and explained the issue of weighted keys and how they affect specific instruments.. I then moved to a Digital piano they had in the store, I think it too was a Kurzweil, and then played the same drum beat on that, and EVERYONE heard the differnce.. With the weighed keys the beat was sluggish and didn't sound good. My point, weighted keys are nice, and I too love to use them, but only when playing voices that require weigted keys, but when I'm using voices that require a quick key return, I'd rather use non-weighted.... I know everyone hates using a lot of gear when performing, but a good 88 key controller can be hooked up to your keyboard, and they're not heavy at all.. This way you can have the 88 weighted keys you want, and you'll have the ability to use both in a performance.

I agree.
DonM

One exception to the rule....

On the whole, your logic makes complete sense.

However, if you can only afford only ONE keyboard, and you are a beginner and practicing scales, arpeggio's, runs, fills, etc. would it not be more advantages to practice on a weighted keyboard than a synth weighted keyboard? Once you develop the finger dexterity on that keyboard, moving to a semi-weighted or non-weighted keyboard will make your fingers fly.

Again, if you can only have ONE keyboard wouldn't it be nice to have a weighted keyboard with the features of an exotic arranger?

Just a different point of view...

Regards,
Al G

I totally understand what you're saying, but you have to look at it this way.. If you want to learn to play the piano, and build your finger strength up playing weighted keys, then I don't suggest buying an arranger as the firt keyboard... Being a musician can be a steep investment. Of course funds can limit what you'll be playing, but personally I wouldnt buy an arranger for practicing scales.. I'b buy a small 88 key digital.. Those prices have dropped and you can get one now for less than the PSR-2000. If you want to run scales, and learn how to use those keys, I think this is the route to take... Later on you could invest in a more complicated keyboard..... I sold MANY casio arrangers to beginners, and when showing people how to use them, it was like I was talking in another language... So many new players see all those buttons and it scares them. Also having one keyboard and what you get really depends on what you want to do with your music.. I've sold arrangers and had people bring them back because they said it's too much for a beginner to learn, and wanted something that didn't have so many features. Again it depends on your ability and skill level when you start playing. Trust me I know all about the only being able to have one keyboard... I've been playing piano for over 20 years and learned to play on a acoustic piano, now all I have is a PSR-550.. Big difference.... It was all the years of playing the big one first and then moving on to a keyboard that helped me... However it all depends on your budget and what you want to do with the keyboard...

Squeak

Most of the folks I know that tell me they like weighted keys are ex piano players. They have the tendency to pound on the keyboard's keys so hard that they eventually manage to break the key switches. Let's face reality--it's not a piano. If someone pounded on their computer's keyboard that hard, they would be buying a new keyboard on a weekly basis.

Squeak's point about the runs for guitar, sax and other instruments makes a lot of sense. Hey, the next thing they'll want is weighted finger pads on a sax, clarinet, etc. A keyboard is a snnth--not a piano, and it surely does not lend itself to weighted keys. But, that's just my opinion.

By the way Squeak, did you ever get around to buying that new PSR-2000?

Gary

Travlin'easy,
I couldn't agree with you more.. Good point about ex piano players, and that it's not a piano, but a keyboard that has keys to replicate the feel and playing style of a piano... I'm always shocked when I hear about people snapping keys... Nope don't have a PSR-2000... I figure I'll be buying that with my Social Security Check (in about40 years or so..)

Squeak

Would you believe? (Maxwell Smart). I'm sitting here trying to learn to play piano on my PSR2000. I'm in linefor a Casino job playing just piano, and I've never done it. Most difficult thing to learn is the left hand and the sustain pedal. Right hand is no problem. I started out loading the PSR9000 "Piano only" style into the 2000 and started playing along with them. It's a great learning tool, and you can even use them to fake playing the piano, but that's not the way I want to do it.
The next month or so I'm playing almost every night at a Piano Bar (using the 2000) so I will be able to practice on the pigeons, I mean patrons, there.
DonM

When I was reading the Harmony-Central synth BBS most players there would say:
Piano - Weighted keys
Organ - Non weighted
Synth - Non weighted
Many musicians (who can afford it) have a weighted keyboard for piano and non-weighted for synth/organ. If I had the money I wud buy a weighted piano board to go along with my PSR550 (even though I have never played piano) (dream on buddy).
Starkeeper

SqueakD,
I have a chorus and another melody line or instrumental break for acoustic. Will try my hand at recording tonight.
Starkeeper

Starkeeper,
You're right... Most musicians prefer weighted keys to piano based instrument sounds, but prefer a synth for the rest.. I too would love to have a 88 key weighted controller to hook up to my PSR-550.. Boy that's be great. With my 2 tier keyboard stand I could place the 88 key controller on the bottom and put the 550 on the top at an angle.. Boy that would work nicely.. Oh crap! almost forgot.. "I'm broke.. " IO look foward to hearing what you added to the song. I've been working on it too, and pulled off a really nice sweet flute solo,,,

Squeak

SqueakD,
You've played piano for 20 years, played in a blues band and play guitar, but you don't read notes or know chords!!!!!!
Hmmmmmmmm.
Starkeeper