
Entry Level
The first recommended keyboards are those entry level models which meet the basic requirements. And tend to have a more 'basic' price.Casio CTK-240 49 Note Full Size Keyboard
The Casio CTK-240, at under £60, is a 49-note keyboard. Perfect for the classroom that is short on space. It is also available as a package.
Yamaha PSR-F51 Portable Keyboard
Yamaha supply the excellent value for money PSR-F51. With 120 realistic instrument voices and 114 backing accompaniment styles – great for lots of experimentation – that are laid out in a colour coded, simple and intuitive design, you will certainly have many options for diverse lesson content and teaching. Even better for the classroom this model has duo practice mode. This allows two students to play together. Perfect for saving space and money. As always a package version is available.
Axus Digtal AXP2 Electronic Keyboard
Finally, the new kid on the block. The Axus AXP2 keyboard offers an industry leading specification at a very affordable cost.
- 61 touch sensitive keys, the harder your press the louder sound you create
- 200 voices, 128 rhythms, 10 built in songs. Vibrato and Pitch Bend.
- USB and Audio Inputs, ideal for headphone use or playing along your favourite songs.
- Includes mains adaptor, music stand and pair of headphones
Middle Ground
Similar to the earlier Key Stages, a 61-note sized Keyboard should be the one to consider, as it will be sufficient for composition and theory lessons. The important aspect is to now consider connectivity? These classroom tasks and coursework units generally require music composition software; Sibelius, Logic, GarageBand, Finale, Cubase etc., so it is essential that your keyboard has suitable connectivity to the P.C. and network for data storage and MIDI controller communication. When Schools approach us for advice, we always involve the IT/Network departments to ensure we only supply suitably connectable keyboards, i.e. USB 2/3, Firewire, Thunderbolt 2/3, MIDI in/out. The main keyboards we strongly recommend to our Schools & Colleges are the following:Yamaha PSRE363 portable Keyboard
One of our most popular Keyboards supplied to schools & colleges teaching Key Stage 4/5 GCSE, BTEC or A Level Music Courses. Excellent specification and USB/MIDI connections.
Casio CTK-3500
Another great sounding and connectable keyboard with similar functionality to the Yamaha.Yamaha NP-12
The best, affordable answer if you require a top quality connectable keyboard, but without the distractions of many ‘buttons’ and functions. This offering from Yamaha provides all of the features, such as touch-sensitive full-sized keys and amazing sound quality, that you would expect from the world’s largest and most popular keyboard manufacturer. For the performance elements of Key Stage 4 and 5 courses, a good quality, robust and reliable Digital Keyboard is another necessity. In my opinion, the key aspects to consider when looking for a great sounding, affordable and suitable digital performance Keyboard/Piano are;- 88 Full size keys. A must for all traditionally tutored and amateur performance pianists and accompanists.
- Weighted Keys. Ideally, weighted graded hammer action boxed keys.
- High Quality Sound. This ensures the recorded performance exams are of the highest possible quality for assessment.
- Good quality In-Built Speakers for easy accessibility without outside amplification. Must be loud enough for ensemble work as well as solo performance.
- Pedals. The sustain is a necessity, but ideally also with soft and damper pedals.
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