Is a 61 key keyboard almost as good as a regular piano for singers
By suspenseful
@suspenseful (40192)
Canada
January 29, 2008 6:16pm CST
I figure someone who is a musician should be best answering this question. I am a singer, and was talking about getting myself either a regular digital piano or one of those 61 key keyboards. I will be singing mostly classical sacred songs, but I do not have enough money for a regular 88 key keyboard and yet when I see the 61 key keyboards advertised it is usually as if they were toys. So should I wait until I can afford the regular digital piano, or is the 61 key keyboard not a toy?
2 people like this
5 responses
@calisurfer (29)
• United States
22 Feb 08
It really depends on what you want. For wat you want to sing a full 88 key piano/keyboard would be best for you. One thing is very important though, try to get weighted keys. Especially if your a pianist.
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
13 Apr 08
Thanks I will look into that. I have a friend who was a vocalist who is helping me out with my singing and she has a piano.
@zeloguy (4911)
• United States
30 Jan 08
I would think if you are learning the keyboard 61 key would be just fine and even if you did already know how to play it would be a good tool to stay sharp until you could afford a larger piano.
I don't know if it is fair to say all 61 key keyboards are toys.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
30 Jan 08
I know the ones they have in Future Shop and Best Buy are not, but not too sure of the one that they have at the other stores. The computer stores have them all year round, but the regular department stores just have them around at Christmas.
1 person likes this
@zeloguy (4911)
• United States
30 Jan 08
I would actually check a piano shop (which you can find at some malls) and if nothing else talk to them and get some ideas from them about what to buy. Are they incredulously expensive yes, but just by talking to the salesperson you may just get some ideas to narrow down exactly what it is you are looking for.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
20 Jun 08
We do not have any piano shop around where we live. There used to be one but he moved. I guess they do not think anyone around here is that musical. The only piano keyboards they have here are the 61 keyboards, although I could order the larger 71 keyboard or the regular 88 digital one around Christmas at Sears, but how to sneak it in the house without my husband knowing about it. 
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
30 Jan 08
Wow it's been ages since I priced keyboards so don't know what the difference in price is. Back several years ago when all the kids were still at home I purchased a smaller keyboard for the family. I honestly don't remember how many keys it had but I know not as many as a full sized piano. It was right around $100 and was great - keys were same size as a regular piano and it had a million different settings on it. I even enjoyed playing it from time to time and I'm a diehard 'there's nothing like a real piano'
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
30 Jan 08
It sounds like a 61 keyboard. It is designed because much of the left hand has chord settings.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
30 Jan 08
I can sing up to a C6 with no trouble and just the la la las and a a ahs, up to G6. In laymen terms, up to the high high C and high high G.
That is one thing I am worried about a 61 key piano. I was also hoping to make enough money to buy the 88 key, because I want to relearn the classical music pieces I learned when I took piano lessons when I was young.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
13 Apr 08
They now have 72 keyboards. Now how to sneak it into the house when my husband is not looking. He is at home all the time.
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
30 Jan 08
I think as long as it has the notes that you need and is of reasonable quality, then you should be ok with the 61 key keyboard. We managed to pick up a really good one for about $20 on ebay, so you could try that. It was new and has more functions than our girls know what to do with so suits our needs.
You could always go to a music shop and ask them to show you some of their products.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
30 Jan 08
Thanks. I saw a few on sale, and I want to get a good one but not one that is a toy.
