9 Top Keyboards for Beginners

There are many types of arranger music keyboards on the market and making sure to get the right right one for your needs and not overspending on unnecessary features is important. There is a large range in these instruments from the very simple entry level keyboards better suited for beginners to a large variety of more advanced models that are much more geared to experienced users because they have a lot more advanced features.

Arranger keyboards are the electronic music keyboards that people are usually referring to when they are talking about music keyboards have hundreds of sounds and built-in rhythms! With choices like, piano, flute, guitar, violin, drums as well as special effects. These music keyboards also have built-in accompaniments/rhythms, which act as back up music for when you are playing so you can become a one man band, with back up instruments such as, drums, bass, piano, guitar, brass and strings. The accompaniments, also known as styles, fit all types of musical genres, including, rock, rhythm and blues, Latin, Country, Jazz, Techno and many more. They are useful for learning to play piano, creating your own music and songs, and for just simply having fun playing with all the various sounds and functions they have.

The Key Count
While acoustic pianos have the same amount of keys, electronic music keyboards come with many more, the smallest of which has 61 keys, which is the best option for the best music keyboards for beginners. The 61 key entry level keyboards are listed below and are some of the finest choices for beginner players.

Brands
Overall, the two leading brands of arranger music keyboards are Casio keyboards and Yamaha keyboards. Both of these offer great quality, lots of features and durable long lasting keyboards. Of the two brands, Casio tends to be a little less expensive.

Prices
The prices of keyboards can vary greatly, with some as low as $150 (retail) to the range of thousands of dollars. The much more expensive models are really meant for the pros who have home recording studios, perform on stage and are generally in need of advanced features which beginners just simply do not need and will not need to pay for.

Best Music Keyboards for Beginners - Entry Level Keyboards

Here is a list of the best keyboard models for beginners, along with user ratings/reviews.

1. Yamaha YPT-220 61 Key Personal Keyboard

Features:

• 61-key portable keyboard with 375 high-quality instrument voices and 100 accompaniment styles
• Portable Grand button lets you instantly call up Yamaha's world-famous grand piano sound
• Yamaha Education Suite (Y.E.S.) feature; 102 built-in songs for easy learning
• Reverb effect with 9 different reverb types
• Powered by 6 AA batteries or AC adapter

2. 61-key Touch Sensitive Portable Keyboard with 482 Voices

Features:

• Professional black finish
• 61 Keys
• Synth Control Knobs, Arpeggiator, Pitch Bend
• 700 Voices (including GM & XGlite)
• 174 Styles
• 6-track sequencer: record your own songs

3. Yamaha EZ-200 61 Full-Sized Touch Sensitive Lighted Keyboard Bundle - With Professional Headphones, Keyboard Stand, and Power Supply

Features:

• 61 Full Size Keys
• 32 Notes of Polyphony
• 367 high-quality tones
• Learn to play the "EZ" way instructional method
• Stereo Speakers

4. Casio CTK-5000 61 Key Digital Keyboard

Features:

• 61 piano-style keys
• Digital effects (10 reverb, 5 chorus)
• Sampling available thru audio input
• Pitch bend wheel
• SD card slot

5. Casio CTK-4000 Personal Keyboard, 61-Key, with MP3 Connection, 10 Second Sampling, and Digital Effects

Features:

• 61 piano-style keys
• Touch Response (2 sensitivity levels, off)
• 48-note polyphony (maximum)
• 570 high-quality tones including stereo grand piano tones
• 180 rhythms including 74 ethnic rhythms and 20 patterns for piano play

 

 

6. Casio LK-220 Personal Lighted Keyboard, 61-Key, with MP3 Connection, USB Port, and 400 Tones

Features:

• New 48-note polyphony AHL sound source
• 400 Tones, 150 Rhythms
• New StepUp lesson system
• Sampling Function, Audio-in Terminal for mp3-Player
• Microphone input

 

 

7. Casio LK-270 Personal Keyboard Premium Package with 61 Keys, Headphones, Stand & Power Supply

Features:

• Enhanced high-quality basic functions
• Powerful lesson functions
• Incredible entertainment features
• Designed to help you sound your best
• This package is bundled with professional closed-cup headphones, single x-braced stand, microphone, songbook, music stand and power supply.

 

8. Casio SA-76 44 Key Mini Keyboard with LCD Display

Features:

• 44 mini keys
• 100 tones, 50 rhythms and 10 integrated songs provide variety
• LSI sound source and 8-note polyphony ensure good sound quality
• LC display helps with selecting different music options
• Includes a striking change-over switch making it easy to switch between piano and organ modes

 

 

9. Casio LK-100 Lighted Keyboard

Features:

• 3-Step Lesson System
• On-screen fingering and timing indicators
• 100 amazingly realistic tones
• Auto Accompaniment
• MIDI compatibility