(Part 2) Best portable keyboards according to redditors
We found 94 Reddit comments discussing the best portable keyboards. We ranked the 54 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
![Otamatone "Techno" [Japanese Edition] Electronic Musical Instrument Synthesizer [Music Link connect] with a smartphone (iPhone and iPad iOS / Android App) from Japan by Cube / Maywa Denki, White](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31D4TZcoPIL.jpg)
> Is the harmonica an instrument that beginners can learn?
Piano is definitely easy-mode for learning about the foundations of music. Its typically much more expensive however, even small electronic keyboards can cost hundreds (and don't have the best feel when playing either).
However, the certain set of songs the Harmonica was originally designed to play, is going to be the set of beginner songs that you'd practice with a Piano anyway. These are your "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", "Mary had a Little Lamb", and the like. In fact, a book like America Harmonica Songbook will contain nothing but beginner friendly songs (on Harmonica OR the piano).
However... the Harmonica has a number of advanced techniques. Bending and Overblowing are difficult maneuvers needed to unlock certain notes. (notes that are just... there... on a Piano or other instrument). Chords are also difficult, often requiring tongue-blocking (ie: an octave blowing through holes 1 and 4 while tongue-blocking 2 and 3).
Performing the techniques aren't necessarily hard. But performing them in a musically coherent way? That will take years of training your lips, tongue and throat to do all the techniques. It probably won't take you much longer than a week or two before you can perform an overblow for example, one of the hardest notes to sound. But to play it with a rich tone, accurately, while thinking about chords (and everything else going on in a song) is what takes the years of practice.
Not that any instrument is easy mind you. Playing a set of chords in triplets with your left hand, while playing them in 4/4 common time in your right hand on a piano also takes years of practice. I guess what I'm saying is... music gets hard.
If you want to mess around with 1st position songs (America the Beautiful. Happy Birthday. Mary had a little lamb), the Harmonica is more than acceptable. There's a ton of songs to learn in this simple style.
If you want to pull out a Whammer Jammer? That's gonna take years to learn.
It is called a Keytar
https://www.amazon.com/Otamatone-Deluxe-Maywa-Denki-Special/dp/B00PXMJ08I/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1492827028&sr=8-4&keywords=otamatone
Or
https://www.amazon.com/Otamatone-Touch-Sensitive-Electronic-Musical-Instrument/dp/B01M1OV5KC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1492827028&sr=8-5&keywords=otamatone
Or
https://www.amazon.com/Otamatone-Deluxe-Maywa-Denki-Black/dp/B007ONHDN8/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1492827028&sr=8-7&keywords=otamatone
This?: https://www.amazon.com/First-Act-Discovery-Portable-Keyboard/dp/B07BLGB6VZ
It is not a midi controller, looks like you would be limited to onboard sounds.
If you are going to be sending midi to a computer, I'd say go with this:
https://www.amazon.com/midiplus-32-Key-Midi-Controller-AKM320/dp/B00VHKMK64/
or this:
https://www.amazon.com/MIDITECH-Controller-i2-32-BT/dp/B078YJ5SX8
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If 5din midi out is important to you (maybe have sound module or something), spend a little more:
https://www.amazon.com/midiplus-keyboard-controller-49-Key-AK490/dp/B01IND48OY
or
https://www.amazon.com/midiplus-AK490-MIDI-Keyboard-Controller/dp/B00VHKM72Q
I just checked and it looks like Target doesn't sell them anymore, but Walmart and a few others still sell them. The model is CTK-2090, there is also a more expensive version with lighted keys.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Casio-CTK-2090V-61-Key-Portable-Keyboard-with-Power-Supply-and-Stand/182851058
https://www.amazon.com/Casio-CTK-2090V-Portable-Keyboard-Supply/dp/B00WUY8I76?keywords=CTK-2090&qid=1539183543&sr=8-2&ref=sr_1_2
I just got the Yamaha PSRE353. 61 keys with touch sensitivity and computer/ipod connectivity. I'm really happy with it so far. At 199.99, including headphones and a stand, it was a good deal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01686U2I4/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_0Y5pyb2SF0DJF
Omg this is so generous of you; and it’s going to be the best Christmas for whoever is blessed.
My son had 2 major surgeries at 3 and a friend made him a blanket. He is almost 9 and still uses that blanket. There is something about blankets that are so special and memorable. That is so awesome about the rain deer and snowman poop will have to try that this year. Thanks for the idea.
My daughter, Ailey Grace’s dream gift is a electric keyboard. She is learning how to read music and preform at school. She is picking it up quickly and keeps asking when she can have one at home to practice. A lot of things come hard to her and she is used to trying her best and it still not being enough. (Her words) (she has an intellectual disability and language disorders) so seeing that sparkle in her eye when she talks about playing the keyboard hurts me to the core that I can’t provide it for her.
I have looked at several articles and this is the cheapest keyboard (that’s not a toy) and what is recommended for beginners, Yamaha’s are also what they use at school so it will be more familiar to her. But she would absolutely love any keyboard.
Yamaha Ypt260 61-Key Portable Keyboard With Power Adapter (Amazon-Exclusive) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077C4WXB8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Xcd0DbN7E5QC8
Thanks again for such an amazing offer and Merry Christmas!
I think I would just play however is the most fun. I don't really need to impress anyone. Basically I want to have fun and improve my dexterity.
One more question, what's a good starter keyboard? I randomly googled something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Roland-61-Key-GO-Education-GO-61PC/dp/B06ZYZMD8Q
I got money to spare so I don't really mind the price, unless it's over 2k or something. That's a bit too steep for an instrument I have no experience in.
https://www.amazon.ca/Domybest-Portable-Electronic-Keyboard-Microphone/dp/B06XXRSQS5/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&qid=1499744682&sr=8-23&keywords=electric+keyboard
yeah my budget is around $200 but is 61 keys any good compared to 88?
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and what is the differences between yamaha and some off brand on amazon like this: https://www.amazon.com/LAGRIMA-Electric-Keyboard-Electronic-Microphone/dp/B01LYU0J1B/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
one of those silicone rubber keyboards maybe?
I've wanted to learn how to play the piano for a long time, anyone had success learning from scratch as an adult? I've played the guitar for a long time so I know more or less how chords work and stuff. I wonder if something like this would be a good place to start: https://smile.amazon.com/Artesia-Digital-Dynamic-Semi-weighted-Sustain/dp/B016V2215C
I highly suggest the one I picked up: 61-Key Yamaha keyboard with stand and headphones. It's not inexpensive, currently being $171.33 but it's definitely a good, solid, fantastic-sounding musical instrument. Lots of bells and whistles but you don't need them to feel like you're really sitting at a good keyboard.
I picked it up for my birthday in February and I haven't regretted it in the least. Normally I get buyer's remorse for anything over $50. Heh.
My nephew got this one from Amazon
Yamaha YPT255 61-Key Keyboard Pack with Headphones, Power Supply, and Secure Bolt-On Stand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01686TXTI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OzooybJ30D2G3
He got it for his 8 year old daughter. However, I haven't tested it. Planning on checking it out tomorrow though so I will come back and report my findings. Seems like a decent beginner keyboard from the specs.
This Nord keyboard is red and very popular, and the last time I saw them I assumed it was this one.
https://www.amazon.com/Nord-76-Key-Portable-Drawbars-NSTAGE2-EX-HP76/dp/B00X65QQLI
ah, a bit out of my price range atm, I don't suppose you'd have an idea if this is any good? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-PSRE253-Portable-Keyboard/dp/B00UNEECWK/ref=sr_1_27?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1485967930&sr=1-27
The main songs I want to play are the Halo theme and To zanarkand if that makes any difference...
This is all I've found so far - it's not weighted, but that seems like something I might not find at this point
https://www.amazon.com/Casio-SA-46-Key-Portable-Keyboard/dp/B00Q836ST0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493000674&sr=8-1&keywords=small%2Bkeyboard%2Bpiano&th=1
PSR-E443 is something you are looking for.
Touch sensitive keys and probably the best for the money.
I would say this. I'm sure there are other ones with stands and other things, I had a yamaha when I was in the teens and it is still kicking now. It's a great platform instrument, especially if she sings and writes. She can jump from this to another instrument or you can learn along with another instrument. I'm asian had to learn with Piano first!
We have this keyboard and it has the typical demo mode that plays through a loop of songs. My almost-3 year old just figured out how to make it play longer versions of those songs individually too. Also, we have it running on batteries (nowhere convenient to plug it in) and they last a lonnnnnng time.
I know you have the cat piano already but just thought I'd throw that out there anyway.