Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Please recommend a digital starter piano for a 9YO

I think the OP has to think a bit more into the future. His kid is 9yo, an age where progress, if motivated, can be quite fast. Purchasing a cheap unweighted keyboard now can possibly mean another purchase in as little as 6 months. So if the OP is fine with this (and the depreciation hit they'll take), then getting something "cheap" to be "safe" just in case the kids doesn't continue is ok. However, if this is not ok, for whatever reason, then the OP will likely want to stick with a decent keyboard with weighted keys that fits their budget (a few have already been mentioned) that will last a bit longer.

As the other posters said, get an 88 key weighted and graded keyboard, like the Casio XPs or the Yamaha YPGs. Since it's for a child, you might get more enthusiasm for the piano if you get a keyboard with some fun voices to add, and yes, a recorder so your chidl can hear himself. Also, even the lower end models often have a split keyboard, so it becomes possible to have the teacher and student play at the same time, although no doubt your child will be taking lessons on an acoustic.

If you check the online sellers like Kraft, Musicians Buy, Mucisians Friend & B&HPhoto, go to some local stores and have your child try out keyboards, and then look for the best deal, you'll have a keyboard that will be good for several years with the above characteristics.

I'm expecting my YPG 635 today. I'm so excited to FINALLY be able to practice after a MONTH without a real keyboard, only having a 66 key CASIO with many educational features, including a recorder and finding my keys running off the lower end with no notes to play, and I mean OFTEN.

I'm no expert, but buying a used digital piano would worry me. I think you'd be better of with the Casio PX 320 which has a really nice sound, although a slightly stiff keyboard, weighs only 24 lbs, and has loads of extra features, including a recorder, fun voices.

I didn't buy it because I like a light action but perhaps a for an enthusiastic 9 year old you'd want a bit more tension in the keys to burn up some energy.

Is Vincent French? Where are these French forums? I'm such a Francophile!

And, BTW Gyro, nothing is sexier than a broken French accent. Haven't you noticed that in your travels to Paris?

Ahhhh, je vais visiter la France un jour!

I was just at the Guitar Center this morning checking pianos for home. I had my eye on the Casio PX130, which seemed to be the minimum to do the job of being just a piano (the similar 330 has more voices and other treats), and a couple of Yamahas. I liked the Casio keys better--the Yamaha's were too sharp on the edges. When I was playing, I didn't notice the difference in actions as much as when I was looking at that, individually. The Yamaha was better, lighter and crisper, but I didn't mind the Casio. GC had the 130 on sale for $450 to the end of October. I really liked the Casio "classical piano" voice, and that's probably what I'm going to get. The Casio is the cheapest piano that will take a 3-pedal set, too, which I thought would eventually be important.