Seekin piano-related help/advice?

im 18, and want to learn to play the piano. im gonna be taking piano lessons, but i also wanna be able 2 practice @ home with headphones cuz i know i'll suck @ first, so i dun want the embarrasment of my entire family hearing me play the really simple songs people play when they first begin to learn. SO im thinking of buying an electrical keyboard, but i want one that sounds like a piano; not one that only makes techno sounds. so r there any particular models, or brands that r good? any particular features i should be on the lookout for?


or should i just buy a cheap piano and then be like ';to hell with everyone else!';Seekin piano-related help/advice?
First off, let me say that because you are a beginner, your family isn't expecting you to be playing sonatas right away. If I were you, I would just buy a regular upright piano from Yamaha. I mean, there really isn't much of a benefit in playing the piano with headphones on.





However, since you really want a piano that connects to a headphone, then I suggest purchasing a digital piano. There are various models from different brands, but I prefer Yamaha pianos. I like how they feel, and they last a long time.





Whatever you do, don't buy a cheap, almost broken piano for the heck of it. If you truly are serious about wanting to play the piano, then I suggest you spend some money and invest in a good-quality piano. Doesn't have to be brand new, but at least get one that still has the same qualities as a new piano.





Test the keys of the piano, make sure you're comfortable with the heaviness/lightness of the keys, check the sound (nice and crisp), and check the pedals. When you go to check out a piano, go ahead and sit on the chair and play something. See how they feel. You have to take the piano on a test run to make sure that it's compatible.





Good luck.Seekin piano-related help/advice?
Your family should understand it is hard to learn the piano and you must dedicate yourself if you want to buy a piano. So you should get a piano and show your family your progressive learning. Good luck to You,


Matt





PS Best answer appreciated
Make sure it's a ';digital piano';, not a piano keyboard. Also, you will want ';weighted keys';, ';piano action';, ';touch sensitivity';, and 88 keys. You will want it to have a sostenuto (sustain) pedal. The degree of portability depends on how much you will be transporting it. Yamaha makes excellent digital pianos. You can save money by avoiding extra bells and whistles. Casio Privia is a reasonable alternative that is about half the price of a Yamaha. This is what I use for group lessons in my studio.





Other items you will need to be prepared to buy: A good stand. The X-type stands will get you by, but tip over very easily. I recommend table-style stands. They cost more, but are much safer to set your digital piano on. (Retail - usually about $70). A keyboard/piano bench. The little $20-30 foldable/adjustable ones are usually sufficient. If you plan to use headphones, you may or may not need to purchase an adaptor for the headphone outlet. Not all headphones have the same type of plug on them. These adaptors only cost a couple of dollars, though.





Also..... when you begin lessons, talk with your instructor about your concerns about enduring the ';simple songs.'; He/she may be able to start you out in a method that is more satisfying for adult beginners. And if you have other background in music, or are just highly motivated and a quick learner in general, you may get past the simple stuff more quickly than you anticipate.
i have a digital piano. it is a yamaha. it sounds...kinda sorta like a real piano. not the same though. maybe you should go with that.
We are all professional music teachers, pianists, and judges for music competitions in NY. We own a Steinway grand, and 5 electric keyboards for recording, gigs, etc. Last month we bought EXACTLY what you need - M-Audio 88sx. Less than $400 - google to compare prices. 88 notes, semi-weighted, touch-sensitive (velocity curve adjustable) keyboard, no *outer space* sounds, just all good piano and organ sounds. It is our business to do research adn KNOW - and this is what we just b ought for ourselves.