Request for advice...Keyboard for Practice (when piano unavailable)
I will be without my piano or access to one for two weeks. Is there a recommended portable (or lightweight), with weighted keys, acoustic-like, alternative? Mine is going in for regulation/maintenance. Thank you!!!
9 replies
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The Yamaha p-45 is not very expensive, p-125 is a step up... My significant other uses one as a gigging piano. Lightweight and stores in a closet or the garage. Action is decent.
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Denise Yes, I checked out the Yamaha P-125 on the Sweetwater.com site. Jacob Dupre, a pianist, does an excellent full demo with explanation of all features and specs. However, Yamaha has a new one out, the P-515, which has added the Bosendorfer warmer, tonal grand sound and touts that the action includes a graded increase in weight going to the bass. I viewed a video on this one, too. In sync with Dominic Cheli in that I have no experience with these and have always considered them "toys,." (sorry, personal prejudice due to no experience with a good one.) But there's no way to rent a piano for two weeks while mine is being rebuilt. My first choice is to sell my rebuilt piano for a better price and replace with a Steinway Model D. Trying to temper my desire for my dream piano with practicality and not be without a practice instrument during the rebuild, the time it takes to stuff the piggy bank (someone suggested more like the ferrel hog bank), and the time it takes to locate the perfect D for me. Thank you both for responding. Have a great week! (Note; My current grand is 50 years old. My dad bought her for me when I was 16. She was "born" before either of you. I've had her and played her long enough to have earned a new instrument! I don't want a Lexus, Ferrari, any fancy car-- I want a Steinway D before I die! Can you relate?) Happy practice you two!
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Bren Warner Your grand and I are soul sisters ;-) born the same year. My grand is a 1965 Baldwin L. I lusted after a Steinway A or B. I couldn't find a rebuilt B that felt or sounded right that pleased me or my other half. I did find a new A, but I just could not cough up the price tag with just purchasing a new home for which to house a grand. We struggled between an SD10 and an L and ultimately went with the L, but I now house the Baldwin L, my Schulze Pollmann 124 Professional upright and a recent addition - a Yamaha Clavinova CLP150 for my students to practice on while waiting for lessons. (and I can have a little mixing fun). Jason has a Roland gigging stage piano, a smaller Yamaha gigging piano that he is looking replace with the P125. The 515 has wooden keys so its a bit heavier to haul around and as he gets older, that is definitely a concern. He hasn't used his Roland stage piano in a while because of weight. I will tell you for practice, the reviews of the P125 put it on the level with the Clavinova and I am impressed with the feel... definitely not a toy. for the price point... it's not too bad. You can also find a second hand one for a song if you look. I just scored a barely used Yamaha Arius YDP 181 digital piano for a student today for $400!! (not portable) It's definitely a buyers market. Good luck!
When I was a child, my mom always teased me that she would replace my Kimball spinet that I purchased with my first communion money with a Steinway if I ever got good enough... I did get good... apparently not good enough ;-)
I will say, my Baldwin L is fantastic... and although I occasionally have pangs for a Steinway... I don't think I will ever own one.
I say, I have a taste of three continents... Baldwin (US - North America), SP (Italy - Europe built when they still handmade the uprights in Italy) and Yamaha (Japan - Asia). I am blessed, I should never lust for more. I count my blessings. -
Bren Warner Oh, also Just so you know... I was told by my piano store that the Mellow Piano sound on Yamaha Clavinova is recorded from a Steinway, but they can not call it a Steinway ... because of licensing. Not 100% sure if I believe it... but, although not binaural, it sounds pretty good!
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Bren Warner One more reply and I promise I'll stop... One of the benefits of the digital... Jason and I can both practice. And then a picture of my 3 babies... I apologize for the mess... I was working in the yard all day!
Late night practice session... Bach for me; Mozart for Jason.
My babies...
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Denise Wow Beautiful space!!! 😍
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Hi Bren Warner I don't have much experience with cheap, light weight keyboards but Yamaha always has high quality products, I can definitely vouch for them!
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Bren, I agree with Dominic that Yamaha offers offers high quality products engineered for traditional (acoustic) pianists. I have a model P-515 that I enjoy playing. I can’t say it is lightweight; It is portable. I’m not nearly as strong as I used to be, can carry it out to the car. The keyboard did’t slow down a few advanced players who have played on it and through earphones it is like playing on a 9’ grand.