Casio Mini Keyboard (SA-78, SA-77, SA-76 ) for Kids (Review)

Casio Mini Keyboards (SA-77, SA-78, SA-76): Wondering what toy you should buy for your toddler? The Casio Mini Keyboard is a useful mini electronics keyboard that will arouse creativity and spark interest in your child; its a fun way to learn music and should definitely be on your to-buy list for your child.

Introduction

While there are toy xylophones, toy guitars and other musical toys out there, the Casio Mini Keyboard is one f the smartest products out there.

Its a great way to keep your child occupied in a constructive manner, and also one of the things that you have at your disposal to divert your child’s attention of the mobile phone or the tablet.

All kids have their favorite songs which they like to see on television. Why not try to play those songs on the keyboard?

Even if you don’t know the notes of the songs yet, you can just pretend to play the right notes and sing along. Your child will also join the fun and explore the various features in the keyboard. The Casio Mini Keyboard is perfect for introducing your kids to the wonderful world of electronic music.

It comes with 44 keys, is quite sturdy and the sound quality is quite good for the price. Suitable for kids, serves as a great gift as well. Simple tone selection, drum pads, Easy-to-read display (LCD), good features and functions. See PRICE on Amazon.

Casio Mini Keyboard: Comparison Chart

Until a few years back, there were only one model in this series, but now there quite a few. Here are the various Casio mini keyboards that we will review.

• Casio SA-77: 44 keys, 100 built-in tones, Polyphony: 8 Notes Max
• Casio SA-76: 44 keys, 100 built-in tones, Polyphony: 8 Notes Max
• Casio SA-46: 32 keys, 100 built-in tones, Polyphony: 8 Notes Max
• Casio SA-47: 32 keys, 100 built-in tones, Polyphony: 8 Notes Max
• Casio SA-78: 44 keys, 100 built-in tones, Polyphony: 8 Notes Max
• Casio MA-150: 49 keys, 50 built-in tones, Polyphony: 8 Notes Max. This one is available only in select countries

 

Casio (SA) Keyboards: Highlights, Pros & Cons

The standard electronic keyboard, usually used by adults and older children, has 61 keys of standard key sizes. A mini size keyboard, on the other hand, differs in these two aspects.

• Number of keys – Comes with 44 keys, 32 keys
• Size of keys – Slightly smaller than the standard key sizes

 

These two differences, along with the any features, makes a Casio mini keyboard ideal for kids to explore the world of music.

• • These have several exciting tones and rhythms which your kids will enjoy
  • The keys are smaller in size and there are enough keys to learn with both the hands.
  • It is lightweight and inexpensive
  • Great for introducing your kids to the world of music
  • Ideal for kids to start early on keyboards, since keys are of mini-size
  • Economical way to start learning electronic keyboards
  • Very light musical instrument, kids can easily carry them around
  • Using an electronic keyboard is a fun way to learn music

 

 

Here are the pros and cons of these mini keyboards, applies to all its models.

• Pros: Inexpensive, Lots of features, Lightweight
• Cons: These are toys, No touch sensitive keys, Less than 61 keys

 

Difference between Casio SA-77 vs SA-76 vs SA-78

If you have done some research on these keyboards, you will notice that there are a couple of Casio mini keyboards that look very similar – the Casio SA-76 and Casio SA-77. So what exactly is the difference between these two keyboards?

Not much except cosmetic changes, such as color. Besides, some manufacturers make keyboards (with similar-specs) for different markets (in some markets Casio also sells Casio SA-78).

So there’s hardly much differ between the Casio SA-76 vs SA-77. Here are a couple I would like to mention.

• Casio SA-76 comes with a pair of 1.2W speakers while Casio SA-77 has a pair of 0.8W speakers. So looking at the specs, Casio SA-76’s speakers seem slightly stronger, but that is something which your ears may not notice at all. Besides, most adults think that all of these toys get really noisy after some time 🙂
• The organ tone on Casio SA-77 sounds better (a lot better) than the organ on Casio SA-76. So if you’re a music teacher and will be using this keyboard for lessons, go for the Casio SA-77

Casio SA Keyboards: Review

The benefit of exposing your children to music at an early age is well proven. Besides, it is always better to have some constructive learning activities for your kids, rather than let them while away their time in front of the television. A skill like music will always give them lifetime of pleasure.

So if you are thinking of introducing your kids to the fascinating world of music, these compact and portable musical keyboards are perfect for your child.

The standard-sized keyboard (61-keys) can be too large and overwhelming for your young child (depending on his/her age), so it would make sense for them to start on something smaller. Besides, the mini keyboards are cheaper as well.

Besides, these don’t cost much. So, if you’re worried that your child may just lose interest in playing the keyboards after some time, you won’t lose much. At least you will be happy that you tried to give your toddler a push in the right direction.

Make sure you get the adapter as it saves money (compared to the batteries).

The keyboards are fairly sturdy. Past buyers have mentioned that their kids have handled it roughly, stepped on it, and it still works fine even after a year.

As mentioned, these have smaller keys compared to a standard sized keyboard. if you’re an adult go for normal-sized keys. But for kids, it’s a fun little keyboard with fairly good sound quality.

 

Various functions on a Casio-SA-77 keyboard

 

Can Adults Use it Too?
Why not?

Though designed for kids, if you are an adult and are eager to learn electronic keyboards, you may start with the basics of keyboard playing on this instrument.

You can gradually move to the standard 61-keys keyboard after a few months, if you feel you are seriously interested in learning further.

However, this is not a controller keyboard, so there’s no easy way to get the sounds/songs that you play on this keyboard on to a computer. It also doesn’t come with a microphone.

 

Click here to buy Casio SA-76/77 mini keyboard on Amazon

 

Use it for Music Classes
The good thing about 44 keys is that you can still place two hands on the keyboard. While it may not be comfortable for adults to play with two hands on these, you can surely demonstrate important concepts to students.

That is why lot of keyboard teachers buy several pieces of these keyboards for their classroom. Turns out cheaper and its perfect for teaching kids and younger students.

Video Review / Demo

 

 

Lemmings #1 played on Casio SA-76

 

Competition Check

Here are some more keyboards that you may consider.

• Yamaha EZ-220: 61-key keyboard. Light up keys
• Casio LK 175: 61-key keyboard. Light up keys
• Yamaha NP 12: 61-Key piano with non-weighted keys

 

Read: Checkout more mini keyboards for kids here…

More Features & Technical Specs: Casio SA-Series Keyboards

Here are the main features of the Casio SA-76. Most of these apply to all the models in this series, except for a few minor differences.

1. 44 mini keys, not touch sensitive keys
2. 8-note polyphony (good for playing with one hand)
3. You get 100 instrument tones
4. You get 50 exciting rhythms ranging from waltz through to salsa and many more from the world of music.
5. 10 built-in songs, these practice tunes help you learn a diverse range of styles.
6. The piano/organ setting button enables you to toggle between the sound of a piano and an organ.
7. Melody-off function
8. Reasonable sized LC display that provides easy access to the instrument’s various functions.
9. Five Drum Pads (buttons), each with an individual drum or percussion sound for playing rhythm.
10. Melody Cut Rehearsal System (includes 10 rehearsal songs for practice), provides effective training for the right hand.
11. Easy to switch between piano and organ modes
12. Slot for connecting headphone
13. Speakers: 2 x 1.2 W
14. Power supply: Optional AD-E95 adapter or 6 AA-size batteries
15. Dimensions: 23 13/16 (Length) x 8 5/16 (Width) x 2 1/4 (Height)
16. Weight: Approximately 3.1 lbs (without batteries)

 

Can it Help You Learn to Play the Keyboard?

You can definitely use it to start learning. Remember, learning to play the keyboard or the piano takes time and its a series of stages. You just don’t start playing the piano like a pro after a few months of lessons.

Lot of music educators have mentioned that they own a few of these mini keyboards in their studio which they use to teach beginners in a group setting, not just kids but adults too. Its another thing that the adults hate learning on these keyboards and fancy the bigger ones.

But, the fact is that you can definitely take the first few lessons on these ones.

Closing Thoughts

A mini keyboard is a great way of introducing your children to music, and to the fascinating world of electronic keyboards. The size of these electronic keyboards makes them ideal for kids, to play as well as to carry around.

Earlier Casio used to have just a 37-key mini keyboard but now they have introduced a 44-key mini keyboard which is getting quite popular. The advantage with the 44-key Casio mini keyboard is that since its almost 4 octaves, you can teach the kids to play with both the hands right from the beginning.

With 44 keys, and polyphony of 8 notes, you can play multiple notes together. You can play melody with the right and chords with the left. You don’t get touch sensitive keys yet in the mini keyboard and may be its asking for a lot more in these keyboards. But you never know, with rapid changes in technology and cut throat competition, some day Casio may come out with touch sensitive keys in their mini keyboards. But as of today this is the best way to introduce your kids to music.

So gift one to your child today!

Buying Links

Here are the buying links for all the Casio mini keyboards.

• Casio SA-78: Buy on zZounds
• Casio SA-77 on Amazon
• Casio SA-46 on Amazon
• Casio MA-150 on Amazon

 

Have any views on the Casio SA series mini keyboards? Please share it below.

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