Classical, Music, Piano

Choosing an Electric Piano for Lessons

A good question I often get is, “Do you have recommendations for a keyboard?  I’m thinking about options for piano lessons with limited space for an instrument.”

Sometimes an acoustic piano is simply not an option. Even if you can find a free one in good condition, you need a space for it, a way to move it, and regular piano tuning.  My response is to look for these features when shopping for an electric piano.

  • Full size keys
  • Weighted keys (feels more like an acoustic instrument)
  • Touch sensitive (meaning you can play louder or softer by how fast you strike the keys, without turning a volume knob)
  • Sustain pedal
  • Full 88 keys
  • Bench to sit on and Stand to set the keyboard on if it is not built in to the model

You may notice that settings like strings or auxiliary percussion sounds are not on my checklist. Sometimes a harpsichord or organ sound is fun to play with, but since they don’t respond dynamically like a piano, I generally don’t use them.

If you have all these features the instrument will take you far in your lessons.  In addition to my acoustic piano, I have a Yamaha P-155 electric piano that I really like but there are other options out there too. Guitar Center, Prossor Piano & Organ, and Ted Brown Music are all located in Tacoma and sell electric pianos that are worth checking out.

Classical, Events, Flute, Music, Piano

An Afternoon of P.D.Q. Bach – Mar 25, 2017

Saturday March 25, 2017 at 2:00 pm

Benaroya Hall – 200 University Street, Seattle, WA 98101

Philharmonia Northwest is honored to present the West Coast premier of Peter Schickele’s latest discovery, PDQ Bach’s Concerto for Simply Grand Piano and Orchestra, with the noted piano virtuoso Jeffrey Biegel as soloist. The amazing range of PDQ Bach’s talents are celebrated in this festive concert with other humorous works – the tasteful oratorio, The Seasonings, S. 1-½ tsp, the heart-wrenching Liebeslieder Polkas, and the beloved Eine Kleine NICHTmusik. (RVW)

Julia Tai, conductor
Jeffrey Biegel, piano

Eine Kleine NICHTmusik
Concerto for the Simply Grand Piano – new commission
Liebeslieder Polkas
Oratorio: “The Seasonings” (S. 1 1/2 tsp.)

Schickele.com