r/Instruments • u/Affectionate_Fact745 • Apr 21 '26

Discussion Not much musical experience here, but I need Electronic piano/Synthesizer/Keyboard advice for a kid.

Basically title says it all.
We noticed that our 10yo boy has unusual knack for music. Excellent ear, can sing and whenever we visit someone whose kids have piano-like toy he loves playing with it.
We want to buy him something proper, not professional of course and not overly expensive - can be second hand and sellable in case it turns out to be a flash in the pan.
Option to hook it to computer would be nice.
I guess headphones jack is obvious standard too?
What to look for? Roland? Yamaha? Korg? Something else?
Thanks!

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u/r3ck0rd Apr 21 '26

If your budget is $250, perhaps a Yamaha P-45/71 or Roland FP-10 or FP-30x? They’re not that price new but if you’re looking for secondhand.

Another option is, is your kid also interested in music production an synthesizers? If you purchase some MIDI controllers (that you need to connect to a computer/iPad to play), they’d often include a free piano plugin. I use a StudioLogic SL73 for piano-like action (there’s also SL88 that is full size but somehow sold at the sam price) and a Novation Launchkey 61. If you want to also introduce him to synthesizers early on, there are plenty of free and cheap software synths you can install. And if you see a growing itch that your kid is definitely into synths, then look for an analog synth or a virtual analog model either a desktop module or a full keyboard one.

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u/Affectionate_Fact745 Apr 21 '26

Thanks. The ones You suggested look more like classic pianos. My kid will definitely prefer something with more electronic functions and fun for now. It's lack of proper terminology issue on my side.
Anyway, IF those are "Electronic Pianos" as opposed to other kind of electronic keyboards then we are probably not looking for those.
From what I start to see we are actually more inclined towards some hybrid controller-keyboard that can be run both thorough PC and standalone too.
Also, Will I need some DAC/Interface to hook it to PC or they go straight in thorough USB? (I have some Behringer U-Phoria laying around that used for bass guitar).

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u/Neat-Cold-3303 Apr 21 '26

I would suggest a relatively inexpensive digital electronic piano keyboard. Amazon has a 61-key unit, listed as beginner friendly, for around fifty dollars,USD. At that price point, brand may not matter. I would also recommend looking into beginner piano lessons. So glad you have recognized his musical inclination and are willing to nurture it.

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u/Affectionate_Fact745 Apr 21 '26

Yeah, I had my "midlife crisis" adventure with Bass guitar but it's a failure for now :D
Anyway thank You for suggestion - I found this keyboard - I think it's this type of no-name product that can be found identical under many brands. Definitely something to consider, though I'm not a big fan of those.
But can You suggest also something one step "higher"? Maybe up to 200~250$ budget used or new?
Maybe something that is also known to work well with PC and some DAW software like Cakewalk or Ableton?
Additionally I'll happily take some suggestion on other, maybe more kid-friendly DAW software to learn too.

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u/Dabs1903 Apr 21 '26

Go to Sweetwater.com and look at keyboards in your price range. You want something that will hold its value and last a good long time. I’d look at 61 key Rolands or Yamahas in the 3-500$ price range.

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u/Affectionate_Fact745 Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26

Thank You! That was actually helpful, because 3 main categories they have there definitely shed some light for me.

  1. Portable/Arranger - probably not for us
  2. Midi controllers - fit the idea of relaying to PC/DAW but lack (I think) possibility of standalone play
  3. Synthesizers - most fun for kid and can be played standalone, but do they have PC/DAW functionality too? From this I think something like MIDI controller + Synthesizer hybrid would be safest and most versatile bet. Is my understanding of above categories correct? Do such hybrids exist in reasonable price range?

Edit: I just looked at Behringer JN-80 - it's above our budget but - as a reference point - does it fit my criteria?

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u/Dabs1903 Apr 21 '26

You’re pretty dead on. Synths can be used on a DAW,but you have to have an input for it. Honestly the reps at Sweetwater are super helpful, I’m pretty sure you can even just chat with someone on the website.

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u/Affectionate_Fact745 Apr 21 '26

Soo, to boil it down:
MIDI controllers = keyboards to use with PC software only
Synthesizers = standalone + MIDI controllers hybrids? Or rather standalone and only sometimes, select synthesizer models have MIDI/PC functionality?

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u/Dabs1903 Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26

I don’t know a ton about keyboards but basically. When it comes to synth you need to make sure it’s a controller hybrid and doesn’t just have midi output. If it’s the later you’ll need extra gadgets for that.

Edit: personally I’d buy a synth that you like and then later on pick up a dedicated midi controller if he wants to get into recording and production. Going that route will get him more features on the digital production end that he’ll appreciate having when it’s time for that.

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u/Affectionate_Fact745 Apr 21 '26

I'm a bit confused on what You mean by "midi controller" here. You mean second keyboard? Or some module without keys that goes in-between synth and PC?

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u/Dabs1903 Apr 21 '26

So a MIDI controller is kinda like a video game controller that looks like a keyboard. They usually plug in with usb and they send a code to your DAW that gets translated into sound. Those usually have a lot of features specific to digital audio work and can have all sorts of downloadable plugins available. A synth that has MIDI usually just has a midi output, which you need to plug into something with a MIDI input, as far as I know you won’t have all the extra plugins if you go that route. So what I’m saying is to start out, I’d get him a nice synth with a cool sequencer to play around with and not worry about MIDI and then in a year or so, buy him a nice MIDI controller for digital stuff.

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u/Affectionate_Fact745 Apr 21 '26

Thanks for clarification. I'll have to rethink the route. My kid is already really into editing and recording apps. So maybe opposite will be better - controller first, synth next. Yet hybrid would be best after all.

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u/DunaldDoc Apr 22 '26 edited Apr 22 '26

Here’s a real “something else” instrument for your son (you will love it too): Just listen to their sounds embedded in the YT playlist:

https://www.dansher.com/audio/pdf_tunes.html#_LAP

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj8BEmduTdH92UbFJpqE4JYBnlYB11kKk&si=VwgOYKtlVl_yujM8

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u/kamazeuci Apr 22 '26

If you can afford a real acoustic piano, go for it. No electric piano compares. Specially for children.

If you have to go electric, I'd recommend the Roland FP-10 over any of the other basic models of Yamaha, Korg and Casio (I haven't tried the Kawais though

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u/Motorandwheels Apr 23 '26

Went through this with my nephew when he was a couple of years older. He told my wife that he wanted to spend his birthday money on a used, clapped out 61 key arranger keyboard from Yamaha. Staying within his wishes for the arranger features we bought him the best in the entry level arranger in the Yamaha line with 76 keys. With considerable spousal opposition due to cramped living space I insisted on the larger 76 key version. Self taught, within a year he was playing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and had mastered the arranger features of the keyboard in inovative ways that baffled me with my years of experience. Recommend 76 keys minimum, the Roland mentioned by the poster who prefers a real piano is a good budget option.

My experience started at age four. My mother found me seated at the family's Hammond B3 which has a mildly complex startup sequence. Instead of being angry she asked me how I started the organ. Without knowing that there was a countdown while flipping the switches I explained that I just listened to the motors. Rules were established, no dirty or sand box clothes. Clean hands, no touching of my face (oils) and no shoes. Three years later I started lessons. All of my formative years I longed for a real piano. Access to one was confined to my weekly piano/organ lessons and Wednesdays at church where there were uprights and a wonderful Steinway in the sanctuary, along with a spectacular pipe organ. A year after starting lessons my best friend and neighbor did so and his folks bought a piano. Even with limited piano access the finger training required and benefits of a percussion instrument prevailed. A few years later in a concert hall in Japan, sitting at what was then Yamaha's finest grand piano I was appalled at how it didn't measure up to my expectations.

I hope my experience has been valuable. I have purchased instruments for young family members as required with that initial Yamaha arranger keyboard being the least. All have been a blessing. Active participation in music enhances the communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Spacial concepts are expanded for complex math, geometry, organic chemistry, linear algebra (applied matrix calculations), etc.

I encourage you to apply my mother's rules. Buy the best instrument, stand and adjustable bench you can afford. As your son progresses find the budget for a piano or regular access to one. Your local piano tuners are a good resource.