I've been searching YouTube for reviews of good beginner keyboards and I saw this video demo of the casio ctk 2400.

Actually I decided to search for video reviews after reading the lengthy review on soundselectric.org which I mentioned on an earlier blog post.

Here are some features which I think the girls will absolutely love!

• 400 tones (plenty of options to choose from)
• 150 rhythms (yep, same as above)
• built in microphone that lets you record or sample your own sounds (the girls will have a blast with this!)
• 48-note polyphony (I'm sure the girls won't really understand what this is for but they will appreciate this feature all the same)
• Step Up Lesson System (this is perfect for beginners and actually makes me wonder if I still need to pay for those piano lessons. hahaha!)
• 110 built-in songs (the kids would love playing along with these songs)
• MIDI connectivity via USB (to connect to their laptop)
• can operate on 6 AA batteries (they can bring the keyboard anywhere and play it when they feel like it)

What do you guys think?

Shall I go for this keyboard?

I saw this quote online and thought to myself that my nieces will love this.

This is not just relevant in their musical journey. This also applies to many different facets of their life.

While loving something you do is important, there will always be circumstances where you have to do something you hate and still become accomplished at doing it!

Take for example, a smart and diligent kid who despise Math class. No matter how much he hates the subject, if he tries hard enough (perhaps to please his parents) then he can become accomplished at it.

I just hope my nieces will become accomplished at playing piano because they love it, and not because they had no choice but to become accomplished. :-)

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If you are new to my blog, read more about why I started this blogger page.

P.S. I am still debating whether I will pay for piano lessons for the girls or not. LOL

I have decided to buy my nieces a proper beginner keyboard, however, I am also trying to decide if I should spend money for piano lessons and I searched online for a couple of tips to help me with the how, where, when and why of piano lessons.

I’ll share a few of my more important findings here in this post.

1. Who will teach the kids?

Of course, the number one consideration with piano lessons is the teacher. And I mean a physical and on-location teacher, not the ones you can find online (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but I prefer a face-to-face teaching style.

And no, it can’t be just any teacher. What if it’s a fake teacher? A person with criminal history?

I would prefer a referral from someone who used their services previously.

But if not, then I need a detailed background check such as where they got their music education, how long they’ve been teaching piano, can you listen in to their lessons so you can gauge their skill?

What about the teacher’s personality? Is he or she easy to get along with? Do they have kids of their own?

Not to diss male teachers, but since my nieces are obviously girls, I would be more comfortable with a female teacher.

I also get wary of male teachers because of news articles like this. Very scary indeed!

Maybe this video will help you:

2. How often are the lessons?

How many times a week?

My nieces are both choir members in our church and are really quite active at school.

Piano lessons would have to fit their current schedule and I guess my sister (their mom) would know best when to have the lessons.

I believe a daily schedule might not be feasible so maybe 2 or 3 times a week will be fine (again, it’s up to my sister and the girls themselves).

3. Are they interested?

The girls truly are interested with learning how to play the piano which is why I even started this blog because I want to document this particular time in their life (and mine as well).  

It would be a different story if I was the one who wanted to gift them a keyboard and sign them up for lessons if they have not expressed any interest or desire to learn.

4. What kind of keyboard do they practice on?

So I’ve been doing a lot of research into the kind of beginner keyboard I should buy for the girls and I came across this website www.soundselectric.org that recommends mostly Yamaha and Casio keyboards.

The keyboards are not too expensive and I think the reviews are spot on.

I just need to know which keyboard is going to stand the test of time (no matter which keyboard I end up buying it’s not going to last forever!).

But I am leaning towards getting a Yamaha keyboard as I know they have a solid track record when it comes to longevity of their instruments.

Maybe in a few years when the girls have outgrown their starter keyboard, and they have mastered the art of playing music, then I will them a real, honest to goodness piano. (I still have a few years to save!haha)

Last words

There you go! I hope this list gives you an idea on piano lessons and what you need to consider when signing up for lessons!

Oh, wait!

I didn’t include pricing and the cost. You didn’t really think it was going to be for free, did you?

Well, I’m sure there are free options (think Youtube) but for a personal, live teacher, there’s going to be costs associated with it.

Perhaps you can discuss and negotiate the rate with the teacher.

Good luck with that!

I found this nice picture on Pixabay and I thought it looked nice. Perhaps because she reminds me of my oldest niece, she's almost 10 years old now but quite big for her age.

I can picture her playing on the keyboard piano which I will be buying for her and her younger sister (she's 8). I can imagine her playing well into the night trying to perfect a song. Or, maybe it would be my second niece who will be playing late at night. Because I think she is the more persevering type and her older sister is a bit lazy! hahahaha

Time really flies!

It just seemed like a couple of years ago when the girls were born. Now, they have gotten so tall and big and really, really smart!

They've been asking for a keyboard as a gift. I couldn't say no. hahaha!

And I didn't want to either. Both girls deserve a nice musical instrument and it would make everybody in our family happy when they finally get to play.

I’ve been doing some research about music and how it affects children’s development. I found this really cool article on Time.com which suggests that children who know how to play an instrument become smarter than kids who just passively listen to music, even classical music. The more involved a kid is musically, the more his or her brain develops which translate to better academic results.

Music appreciation and making music are different concepts with the latter (making music) enabling the brain to develop “neurophysiological distinction” (super big words I know!) between different sounds. Apparently, playing a musical instrument ‘rewires’ the brain through the generation and manipulation of sound.

Whew. That was quite a mouthful there. Haha!

But I have to say it’s true, at least for me and my sister anyway. We both play piano and not to toot my own horn, but I think we both are smart in our own ways. *wink*

But anyway, that article makes me think I am on the right track here: buying my nieces a musical keyboard as a gift could turn out to be the best gift they will receive from me.

Well, this is of course aside from my love and affection. Hahaha

Perhaps this time next year, my nieces will be getting all the top honors in school. My sister and her husband will be super proud, their grandparents (our parents) will be teary eyed with joy, and me, the super aunt, will be even prouder! A happy ending for everyone!

So, I found this great video from Hoffman Academy on Youtube. Mr. Hoffman is actually quite a well known piano teacher and his teaching methods are really very easy to follow -- just perfect for young kids learning how to play the piano!

My two nieces found the lyrics quite funny too:

Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns
One a Penny
Two a Penny
Hot Cross Buns

I'm getting the girls to know this simple lesson by heart so they'll be ready for the next lesson.

See you next time!

Welcome to my blog about my beginner keyboard journey!

The reason I am writing this blog is because I am looking to buy a new keyboard for my nieces who are starting to learn how to play the organ. Both me and my sister are organists at church so I do know quite a bit about music.

So, why a keyboard? Why not a real organ?

Well... an organ is about a hundred times more expensive than a beginner keyboard. LOL! If I was rich, it'd be no problem but I'm not. So. An inexpensive keyboard it will be for my favorite nieces.

I hope you enjoy reading my posts.