Fun & Exotic Digital Keyboards 😸

Sophia
Hahaha that is absolutely awesome! I haven't seen such a happy face in a very long time!
And Sandy is looking ready to belt it out!

TLH21
Got the new version of the Folding Piano 88 about a month ago with touch-sensitive keys but...

There are still shortcomings. The biggest are the small size keys. It's not easy to move to a keyboard or piano with regular size keys learning a song on the Folding 88. The keys that have very little depth means it's hard to control the loudness. When you play chords especially there is not a lot of room for your fingers to go down slowly to get a soft sound. It's easier to play soft & loud when doing single notes than intervals & chords. Look under the bottom of the blue box you see "THIS IS NOT A TOY". On the other hand don't think anybody would use it for professional performances either.

The keys are more solid. When playing the plastic noise is hardly noticeable. For travelling this is still the smallest keyboard found. There is a 49 version of the keyboard. a keyboard that is already very compact and under $200, don't know why people would get the 49 instead of the 88.

Found a listing on Amazon for the Carry-on Folding Piano 88:
Brand Carry-on
Colour White
Number of keys 49
Skill level Beginner, Professional
Special feature Portable, Recording
Size Piano only
Age range (description) Adult
Item weight 2.2 Pounds
Style Portable,Professional
Connector type 3.5mm Jack

In 2 places you see "Professional". Anybody who tried the keyboard would think this must be a joke. The ad is for the 49 key version, not the 88.

My immediate reaction to a folding keyboard is that I just don't trust it to last, because I think the fold point adds an inherent weakness where wires/connections might easily wear loose or become dislodged. That aside, it's very light and gives plenty of scope for fun on the run, so if it ticks your boxes and you can afford it, go for it. (What will you do with the kitty keyboard though? If you won't be using it then maybe you could give it away/sell it for money towards the new keyboard.)

Sophia Well, the search continues for a cute and fun little keyboard. What is your opinion on this one?

It's broken. Don't you see the big fat crack, right in the center?
At least the keys are full size.

Lol yeah I posted in the blues thread about my final decision. l ordered the Yamaha PSR-E373 61-Key Electric Keyboard, it will be here next week

Too funny you mention that!!! I watched that video yesterday. I didn't even remember you had the Casio. This is the video that made me decide:

In fact I started looking for the CT-S300 and found one that was a little above budget (CAD $250)... but I was prepared to go for it. Then he started raving about the PSR-E373 I found one on sale for the price he mentioned ($199) but in CAD (which we all know is the poor person's version of the US dollar). So, that was an insta-buy. Mine is indeed black but for colour I have the kittyboard

Really looking forward to it! Here's a demonstration of the sounds:

I can't wait to add a smooth sax or acoustic bass to my blues lesson someday

My top priority was the keyboard action, followed by portability and 3rd was the piano sound. I don't care about bell and whistles. But I admit, I miss the LCD screen for displaying the metronome speed. Not that I would ever use a metronome... But If I start getting into serious playing, it would be handy to see the beats per minute. But I could also imagine to play with a drum-computer from an arranger. The fever lesson backing track was a lot of fun, tbh.

There are a lot of comparisons around... Seems like Jeremy See don't like the Casio action that much. Another reviewer says the Casio action is better suited for piano players. He says it feels almost like a weighted action. But, it doesn't. Believe me. Not at all.

Bottom line, everyone concludes, you can't go wrong with either. Especially for 200 fake-dollar$.

Exactly For great action, realistic piano experience, pedaling (whether with ears or fingers), etc, the Clavinova is perfect. Almost like a true acoustic. My kitty keyboard is a toy, for fun and satisfy my inner child. What was missing was something to cater to my inner geek and desire for versatility - and I believe I made the right choice for that. A little bit of everything now

Oh I would have loved that, or even a higher end keyboard. But this newer version is around $300. The $199 of the older version is a little more than I was prepared to spend even, but I think balances nicely with its many features.

I just got notification that it's been shipped and expected to arrive in the next few days, wheeeee!

Haha I took your advice before and would have taken it again. I'm happy with the choice too

Sophia Wow, big difference. Still, the e373 is a nice little keyboard. I've been eyeing the e383, but don't really need it. This too shall pass.

Heh, I know the feeling. I have been craving something versatile since I saw Navin's post (now the first in this topic). First I was only thinking about the fun factor and portability, but then gradually I started thinking about more possibilities almost like a band in a box. I think it was you who mentioned that a while ago. This will be a nice compromise, it's not a true toy but it also won't break the bank. And from the videos I have seen, it sounds really nice too, good enough for me anyway.

Of course I don't really NEED it either, but eh, sometimes we just need to treat ourselves to cater our whims, right?