https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:48:09 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608486 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 18:16:49 +0000 photojane 608486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank y'all SO much!! I'm so glad I asked... I feel so much better about what to look for now. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608207 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 14:37:02 +0000 sunny 608207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with MerryC! Weighted keys and full sized key width are the most important thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608154 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 13:44:23 +0000 mrsmate 608154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Weighted keys are a must for developing proper technique! I grew up playing piano and I would actually prefer a digital piano to a real one at this point...much easier to move, don't have to tune, and you can play them with headphones while LO is sleeping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608123 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 13:21:20 +0000 wheres_c 608123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Merryc says it all!<br /> On the lower price point, Yamaha makes a better product than casio, plus their customer service is way better.<br /> I used to work at a Keyboard Repair shop.<br /> Roland, Kurzweil, Alesis and Korg are some higher end models that are well made. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608116 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 13:16:50 +0000 illumina 608116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not, but my Mum is a piano player and we always just had a keyboard in our house when I was younger. She said it was fine for playing/learning, it's just the sound that isn't quite as nice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608115 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 13:16:47 +0000 MrsTiz 608115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A keyboard would be fine! I don't play but DH does and he learned on a keyboard so I think he will enjoy that </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608109 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 13:12:49 +0000 singingbee 608109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MerryC: you put into words what I couldn't quite articulate early this morning! Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608106 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 13:10:34 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 608106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I learned on a keyboard years ago. Just make sure that if its not full-sized, there are at least two full octaves above and below middle C (ask the music store guys if you're not sure). Like @Grace said, those extra keys will be important soon. A pedal is important, and if you can afford the weighted keys, they will make a huge difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608072 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:47:38 +0000 Grace 608072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I teach piano and echo everything MerryC said. There should be plenty of keyboards that have full sized and weighted keys. I've even seen them at Costco. Also, if you do only end up with 4 octaves, he'll be missing the extra notes after about a year. Something to think about. Oh! And make sure to add a damper pedal (they plug into the back of keyboards). He'll start using it pretty fast. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608059 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:38:56 +0000 Happygal 608059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a keyboard with weighted keys and a pedal. I got it with way more bells and whistles than needed. Like @MerryC said: keep it simple! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608033 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:16:33 +0000 Dandelion 608033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A keyboard would be fine...like others said, try to find one with weighted keys, so that the pressure you put on it effects the loudness of the sound. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608026 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:13:10 +0000 twinmama 608026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think a keyboard would be fine, and I think that's a really sweet gift! The sound and feel of a wood and ivories piano are wonderful, but won't affect his ability to learn music theory, and it will take a bit to get all of that now. If he really loves it, and LO starts playing too, I think it would be worth making the space in your home for a real piano. We have a spinnet that is pretty compact.</p> <p>2 main suggestions for the keyboard: weighted keys, and full size keys. Those two things will make it most like a regular piano. If you can only get one, make sure you get full size keys, because that will affect hand position. Other things? get as many octaves as you can afford, but I'd say 4 is a bare minimum, 6 would be better. Don't worry about getting all the other built in sounds (drums, chimes, etc.), but if there's one wit h a built in metronome (a beat to help keep consistent tempo), that's nice to have when you are learning rhythm and tempo, and means you won't have to buy a separate one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608021 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:10:15 +0000 singingbee 608021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@photojane: I don't necessarily think so this early on. If you think he is going to be really into it and a keyboard would be easier to store compared to a keyboard, then I would talk to the music store. The ones that are more like a piano, in the sense that they react to pressure, will be more expensive. </p> <p>He will be able to learn the basics and see how much he likes it regardless of how expensive the keyboard is. If it were me, I would probably go with the cheaper option and then upgrade later on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608012 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:05:07 +0000 photojane 608012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@matador84: @Jennimac: Thank you!!</p> <p>@Jennimac: Do you think the price of the keyboard makes a big difference in his ability to learn? They all look the same to me, but some are $60 while others are $200. Is there something I should be looking for? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-608006 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:01:09 +0000 singingbee 608006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think a keyboard is all right for now. They say not to use it for long term because some keyboards don't require you to put any pressure down to make a sound--there isn't a softer sound if you push lightly or a louder sound if you push harder. Does that make sense? They are some fancy keyboards that do that, though! I think a keyboard is a great way to start off and then as he gets into it a bit more, you can look into getting a piano. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-607996 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:52:12 +0000 matador84 607996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It would be fine to get a keyboard. Go to a music store and talk to them and see what they'd recommend. What a thoughtful and fun gift! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-piano-players-on-the-bee-i-need-help#post-607984 Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:46:40 +0000 photojane 607984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need the help/advice of any piano players! </p> <p>My husband has wanted to learn to play the piano as long as I've known him (over 12 years). He grew up with a piano in his house, so he's always played around on it, but never had lessons. He's pretty musically inclined, so he can play a few songs by ear, but he doesn't know the notes or any of that. For the past few months, he's really been talking about finally sitting down and learning to play for real - I think it's because it's something he'd like to pass down to Sadie. </p> <p>I say all of this, because his birthday is next month &amp; I'd really like to get him lessons as his gift. I also want to get him a keyboard. His parents are willing to give us their piano, but we don't have any room for it in this house. </p> <p>So, is a keyboard alright for learning to play? I know the sound and functionality is a little different, but it's kind of our only option at this point. Will he be able to learn &amp; practice alright with a keyboard? If so, do you have any recommendations? I went on Amazon and there are a zillion keyboards &amp; I am totally overwhelmed!</p> <p>I REALLY appreciate any help! :) </p>