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Today's Bonus:
- 61 piano-style keys
- Touch Response (2 sensitivity levels, off)
- 48-note polyphony (maximum)
- 400 high-quality tones including stereo grandpiano tones
- Package includes Yamaha Power Supply, Keyboard Stand and Professional Closed Cup Stereo Headphones
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I really don't think I could have found a better keyboard at the price of the Casio CTK3000. After much research, I decided on this keyboard because of the number of keys and the fact that it came with a stowaway stand, headphones and charger. For me, an adult who is just learning piano, it was essential for me to have headphones so I wasn't disturbing everyone in the house. The keyboard is really easy to use. I didn't even read any of the instructions. I just plugged it in and started practicing.The stand is a little difficult to adjust and it doesn't attach as securely to the stand as I would like it to, but it's not unstable or anything. The keyboard sort of just sits on top of the stand. This is not a problem for an adult, but if you're looking at getting this keyboard for a child, then you may want to take that into account. This keyboard also works great on a regular table, as long as you have one that is at an appropriate height for practicing. I use the keyboard on the tabletop more than I use it on the stand, but I'm glad I have the stand for those times that I do need to use it.
The keyboard also comes with a little bar that you insert into the back of the keyboard to hold your sheet music or lesson book. There is a groove at the top center of the keyboard to prevent the sheet music/book from slipping. I found that the other reviews I read and the product description didn't note that the keyboard does have a space to hold music. Of course that may be something that is just standard on keyboards, but, as a piano novice, I was not aware of this.
Bottom line, I think this keyboard is excellent quality for the price and will last a beginner quite a while.For a complete beginner like me, this package (keyboard + stand + headphones + AC adapter) has been ideal. An experienced friend recommended that I opt for a touch-sensitive keyboard, and it has indeed been the right way to go. You could surely learn on a lesser keyboard that doesn't have the touch response, but it wouldn't sound very good, and you'd want to upgrade pretty quickly.
It has quite a number of alternative tones, which I seldom use other than when just goofing around, and a large number of rhythm tracks and some other digital effects that I've not needed either, but they're on there & they work.
I've also not experimented with the USB, MP3 or MIDI I/O functions, as mine didn't seem to come with any connectors for those. The irony is, I would think people who need that stuff would probably also get a fancier keyboard, but who knows...
This keyboard does have some built in "instruction" functions that are kind of fun and have a very patient way of helping you along, but they are more geared toward the total newbie, in that they help you familiarize yourself with using all fingers on your hands and playing in time with accompaniment. An interesting feature is, when you get stuck in a song, the accompaniment will stop and wait on you, and a voice will speak the number of the finger you should be using ("One" = thumb, etc). Once you hit the right key, the song will move on with you. It doesn't do much for helping you to actually read music in my opinion, but that would be a lot to ask. The digital readout during the lesson will show you the proper key(s) to press on a key diagram, which finger(s) to use on a hand diagram, and does in fact have the note(s) shown on a staff, but the staff is teeny tiny and not very useful for learning to translate a note to a piano key. You'll want to seek that level of instruction elsewhere.
It would have been even better to have a package that also included the sustain pedal, but that omission hasn't at all been a problem at this early stage. Those are for sale individually if you want one.
I highly recommend this as a starter keyboard. I would not rely on it as your sole instruction resource. At the very least, get a "for dummies" book or something to get yourself started reading music.I bought this for a friend who needed an inexpensive practice piano, thus Casio came to mind. What surprised me (and somewhat disappointed me, because of the shipping costs) was that 80% of this package's weight is solely devoted to the stand. The stand is supposedly a Stage Stand, even though being a bit flimsy.
The keyboard is ready to plug n start playing. The sounds aren't the best, but for the price it serves as a home practice or for classes/schools who need an extra keyboard. There are the general options in which most Casio budget keyboard come with. Reveerb, Touch Response, you can octave shift 1 octave up or down, which is handy for a keyboard this size.
The computer hook up I must remind you if you're planning to buy this keyboard; it does not include a USB cable. The Keyboard does get immediately recognized on Windows Vista and ready to be used as a MIDI Controller. Very handy, especially if you have better sample libraries for piano and other instruments.
The headphones are a nice bonus.If you want to learn piano, this is the best product on Amazon. It's the best deal for your money. The accessories are must haves, and the keyboard itself is in great shape and has everything you could need for a beginner. It doesn't have the full 88 keys of a regular piano but that's not necessary for a beginner. If you're thinking of buying a "starter piano" this is the best one there is.
My only gripe is the holder for the music on the keyboard isn't the greatest.
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