New or used digital piano?

Question

My daughter (early teens) would like to learn piano, and we are on a very limited budget with only a car to move things. I want her to start with 88 keys and an authentic feel, just in case she wants to stick with it.

I am looking at a couple of different options:

First, I can get an older used Roland 400 for about $200 to $250 locally.

Secondly, I can afford an Alesis Recital 88-Key Beginner Digital Piano from Amazon. The cost with taxes, etc will be $350.

Much more than that will be outside of our budget.

Can someone please give me some advice?

Thank-you.

Answer 1

Do you mean Roland rp 400? if yes then 200 bucks is a seriously good deal as it retails for over 1.5k.

Regardless, Roland's probably a better product. It's the stronger brand and you're saying you can get it cheaper. So yeah, I'd go with the used. A beginner should always go for the cheapest option just to see if they even like the aspect of playing a piano.

Also, if I may add. Try to find instructors that will teach your daughter pop music, music theory, how to play by ear and use chord progressions.

I find that in piano there's generally two types of teachers: those that teach how to read classical music from sheet music, and those that teach rock music, pop music, scales, chords / music theory, etc. Go for the latter. In my childhood I spent 4 years learning how to read classical music from an old lady down the street who went to Julliard. it was the biggest pain in the ass I ever went through. Not to mention completely unhelpful. I didnt learn a single thing about music throughout that period just a few Chopin pieces that I could care less about. Granted, some people commit their entire lives to the classical route but ask your daughter if she wants to play classical or everything else (aka what she hears on the radio).

Now that I've revisited piano I just play by ear and improvise with music theory. That's alot funner. I dont even attempt to read music anymore. Everything can be figured out by ear. just don't get a teacher that just emphasizes learning how to read classical sheet music. they suck the life out of music and turn you into a drone. my former teenage self is begging you.

Answer 2

The HP 400 has the old 5-pin MIDI jacks. You'll need a MIDI-USB box to use it with a computer. The Alesis Recital has a 'semi-weighted' keyboard. Not quite piano feel. But then, nothing except a real piano ever does. And many real pianos have a quite unpleasant action, particularly if old or poorly maintained.

The Alesis doesn't seem to come with a sustain pedal (strange, for something sold as a piano), so add that to the price. Sampling technology has come on quite a bit since 1983, so the Alexis will sound more like a piano that the Roland.

Is there an 'Alesis Recital Beginner' model that's different to the 'Alesis Recital' ? I can't find mention of it.

On the whole, get the Alesis.