Hi everyone,

Being new to this forum I'm currently looking for my first keyboard.

I want it for (a) learning to play, and (b) maybe messing around with sequencing, interfacing with my PC, etc . .

I'm currently torn between the Yamaha PSR290 and the Casio CTK671.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom why I should choose one over the other, or indeed any alternative recommendations?

Thanks!

Hi and welcome!

I must admit, I've never owned any of these keyboards and you'll probably get responses to this thread from people who are much more clued-up on the topic that I am.

But, for what it's worth, I'd go for the Yamaha. I recently saw a cheap Yamaha keyboard in a music store (don't know what model it was) that could handle MIDI and also had lights on the actual keys as well as an onboard tutor to show you the chords and correct finger positions.

To me that seems like a pretty cool invention and if I was trying to learn how to play the the keyboards (which I suppose I am!), then in my opinion, that's definately a road well worth going down.

-Equalizer

PS- I just noticed the name. You wouldn't be from Scotland by any chance would you?

That's great! Then when it plays some backing for you, it actually feels like you know how to play.

I quess anything with MIDI capabilities would do, BraveHeart. Check out some Roland XP synths, XP-10 or 30. There are bigger more expensive models too, but they all have great presets.

-tek

Yes, *those people* who think because they can generate 8 tracks of midi backing (a so called Yamaha 'style' but does not have any!) and that does indeed make them *think* they can play!

Not only that, they will tell you that if you do record your own midi tracks "from scratch" you are cheating!

THEY are "playing" with their left hand one finger generates 8 midi track and yes with right hand actually play (usually badly) a melody.

Am I bitter? You bet I am those buggers kicked me out of a Yahoo group for using software instead of WORSHIPPING YAMAHA STYLES!

(I bought the WRONG keyboard. Bad, bad keys kitten....bad!)

What the hell were you doing in a Yahoo group for Yamaha styles in the first place?! Have some self-respect. Well, I quess you do, now that I think about you creating your own MIDI-files

-tek

Wow, people like that should definitely be raped, tortured and murdered. Seriously.

raped and murdered? haha i hope thats hyperbole, and i agree with the torture!

Ok, so is that a couple of votes for Yamaha and none for Casio?!

I'll be sure to check out some Roland synths too . . .

BraveHeart,

Let me give you different perspective. I strongly recommend Yamaha but I urge you to pay more money for better yamaha keyboard.

For example, if you buy PSR740, in addition to getting large subset of motif(yamaha flag synth) voices, you will get the styles which will help you learn how to play and can be a stepping stone for your growth.

I do not recommend a synth for a beginner student even on my worst enemy.