I often get asked by parents what instrument will be the best to purchase, and without a doubt, a decent and in tune Acoustic upright Piano is the best to learn on and these can easily be found on Trade Me. You will just need to ask some key questions regarding storage and tuning.

I know for some families you just won’t have the room or inclination to go down this route, but having a good digital piano or keyboard is really essential to make the most out of lessons.  If children have a good instrument to learn on at home, they are much more likely to enjoy practicing at home and it certainly makes it a lot more enjoyable to listen to as well. 

Most importantly, is that you must realise that Piano and Keyboard are different instruments, and will be taught accordingly.  If you would like your child to learn a keyboard, then that is what you need at home. If you want them to learn a Piano, then that is what you need at home.

Top recommendations for a Digital Piano: Yamaha Arius, Yamaha P125, Yamaha DGX670 or KorgB2SP

So here are my top recommendations for purchasing a Keyboard: 

Firstly, whatever keyboard model you end up buying Touch Response is the number 1 function you must have when learning. This allows for playing dynamics (soft to loud and everything in between), and buying anything less than this would be a waste of money.

For beginners I always recommend a Yamaha PSR473.  There is a model just below this called PSR373 which is slightly cheaper. 

You can get Yamaha Keyboards from Music Works stores, or there is a wide range of Digital pianos available at KBB or The Rock Shop depending on your budget.

You may be able to find an older model PSRE463, 453 or 443 (or PSRE363, 353, 343 etc) on Trade Me but older than that I wouldn't recommend getting as keyboards lose their value very quickly so they are often sold for far more than they are worth if the model is more that 2 or 3 yrs old.

PLEASE NOTE : Once children reach the 2A Carol Matz book, a FULL size digital piano or acoustic piano is essential to manage the music as they will need all 88 keys. 

Fleur Savage performing "Study in Ab" - Stephen Heller 
and "Sonatina in C major Op 36. no 3, 1st mvt" - Clementi 

 

Josie Hua performing "Fantasia no. 2 in D minor" by Telemann 

Syon Davison performing "Get Smart" by Irving Szathmary arr. Elissa Milne 
and "Trepak" by Mark Nevin - Dec 2023

 

Fleur performing L'avalanche - March 2023

 

Deck the Halls - Rhythm Cups by Wendy Stevens : Christmas recital 2023