If you are thinking of learning to play the piano, you may well want to start out with an electronic keyboard. They are generally much cheaper than a real acoustic piano and have options like percussion rhythms or instrument sounds. However, if you intend to have piano lessons your piano teacher will probably want you to have an acoustic piano at home to practice on. All the same, an electronic keyboard can give you hours of fun and if you want to progress to an acoustic piano you can do that later, when you think you will be able to play.
Most experts recommend that you buy an electronic keyboard with at least 61 keys so that you can play more traditional music. A good option is a piano keyboard with a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) sometimes known as a USB Keyboard, which can communicate with your computer and other electronic instruments. The USB keyboard is a less expensive option and have no built in sound so can only be used with a computer. It is expert opinion that even the lowest priced piano keyboards perform better than the USB keyboard which loses some sound quality.
Digital Pianos sound closer to the true acoustic piano but they are much more expensive and more suited to experienced players. Digital Pianos are great for professional musicians who travel around and need a portable piano. They also have the ability to reproduce many other sounds as well as piano. Musicians like the fact that they can produce rhythm patterns, bass lines, acoustic and electronic instruments, and percussion sounds, along with all the digital effects like reverb, delay, distortion and chorus.
It really does depend on what type of musician you are when it comes to choosing a keyboard. You might be a DJ wanting to add in some more musical effects or you might want to learn to play without the expense of a full size piano. You may well be a touring musician. The only true restriction is how much you want to spend. Prices start at under £100 and rise to over£3000.
Tom Jacobs is a consumer electronics writer and specialist. Tom has held a number of senior roles in the industry, before becoming a writer and adviser at ZenoStore.com