Why You Need 61-Keys
Here’s why you need a 61 key music keyboard.
A portable digital keyboard with 61 keys is what you will need if you want to seriously learn the musical keyboard. When I say seriously, it means learning to play the electronic keyboard with both the hands. With a 61 key keyboard, you should be able to play a lot of songs and musical pieces of considerable complexity. It should keep you busy for a long time!
Most music creators use keyboards less than 61-keys, but that is because most of the time, they record in parts, and they can do with fewer keys. In fact, they prefer it that way, as it takes less work-space.
However, for playing keyboards, you need more keys, and I am suggesting at least 61-keys for the beginner so that you can comfortably place both your hands on the keyboard and learn the pieces.
Besides the standard 61 key (5 Octave) electronic keyboards, you do get keyboards with lesser number of keys (Casio makes them) but then your learning will be limited to playing with your right hand only. You cannot use your left hand to play the chords, which is not a very good thing to do.
So, get at least a 61-key keyboard if you are serious about your keyboard playing, and if possible get one with touch-sensitive keys!
You can find some good 61 key keyboards for as low as 200 dollars.
Read about the common features on electronic keyboards and digital pianos.
Arrangers/Personal Keyboards | Synths/Workstations | MIDI Controllers
61-Key Arrangers/Personal Keyboards
When it comes to home keyboards, Casio & Yamaha are the market leaders, though there are a couple of other names as well, but nothing that offers the variety that these two brands offer.
As you can see, there are several choices, with the CTK and PSR-E series having some high-end arrangers if you’re willing to pay more.
You can read review of the best-selling 61-key keyboards:
- Best 61-key keyboards for beginners (around 200 dollars)
- Best 61-key arrangers for intermediate/advanced players (around 500 dollars)
- Best lighted keyboards: The keys light up and makes it fun to learn. Also Read: Yamaha EZ Lighted Keys and Casio LK Lighted Keys
- Casio CTK 61-Keys and Casio CT-X keyboards: Popular portable keyboards from Yamaha.
- Yamaha PSR 61-Keys and Yamaha YPT 61-Keys: Portable keyboards from Yamaha.
61-Key Synths/Workstations
In this category, its a mix of several brands, with Yamaha, Korg, Roland, Nord, Kurzweil being the more popular ones.
- Arrangers in the price range around $1000
- Professional arranger keyboards
- Roland Arranger Keyboards
- Synths in the price range $700-$800
61-Key MIDI Controllers
These are used primarily in music production, and the more popular brands include Akai & M-Audio.
Keyboard Accessories
Piano Accessories like Power Adapters, Stands, Cases, Bags, Headphones, Dust Covers and Pedals are available, which can be bought.
The Power Adapter is essential to turn on your keyboard, and you probably need a keyboard stand to begin with. You can consider buying a keyboard stand and a keyboard bag as it gives you the option to move around your keyboard.
I feel the other accessories can be bought later as needed.
For absolute beginners, sustain pedals may not be required (unless you want to play piano style and are planning to buy an 88-key keyboard.
Do you prefer practicing at odd times? How about getting a good pair of headphones?
61-Key Keyboard: Notes/Layout
A keyboard with 61 keys is also known as a 5-Octave keyboard. One octave contains 12 keys (7 white plus 5 black) so this makes it basically a 5 Octave keyboard (the one extra key is ignored).
You can learn the notes of a 61-key keyboard here, with the layout (the notes are similar to that on a piano).
Read more about the notes on a piano keyboard
Top Brands for 61-Key Keyboards
There are a lot of manufacturers in the market who make good musical keyboards. For this size keyboard, you can explore Yamaha keyboards and Casio keyboards, these being the more popular ones when it comes to beginner keyboards.
Check out Casio’s CTK-series, Yamaha’s PSR-series…
You may even explore Korg keyboards, and
Roland keyboards if you already know a bit about keyboards.
Korg PA series, Roland’s E-series have some of the popular 61 key arranger keyboards. Check out pro arranger keyboards, if that’s what you’re looking for.
The cost of the music keyboard models in these series will differ based on the features offered as well as on the quality of the sound. You can get a rough idea of keyboard & piano prices here.
You can read more 61-key Music Keyboard reviews here…
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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