UPSCALE PIANO LESSONS - CLICK NAVIGATION LINK AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

'ACTIVE WEEKLY SCHEDULES' Click on the very first calendar on the left-hand navigation bar to find times for weekly reschedules. Also, be sure to click "UPDATE" on the page before selecting a time to refresh your computer screen which will allow you to see an accurate and up-to-date screen page.

New Students:

Here's the scoop on buying a new keyboard.

If funds are limited, you can start-out with the ($200.) YPT- 410 keyboard. (See keyboard below) But, the reality is, songs to be played in the method book will exceed the limited number of keys (61) offered by the YPT- 410 in about three to six months depending on the speed of the student's advancement. Also, the YPT- 410 doesn't sound all that great, so there's not a lot of musical reward from playing on it. So oftentimes students get discouraged from practicing because of its poor sound quality.

If you have the $$$ to skip-over the first level and go directly to the ($900.) YPG-635, (See keyboard below) then you'll have something with enough keys (88) and a nice piano sound to last three or four years or until you reach a late intermediate or advanced level of playing.

For those of you with money to burn, just buy the ($2,200.) CP-300 from the get-go and be done with it. This keyboard has a phenomenal sound and a 'Steinway-ish' keyboard action. The resale demand and resale value for this keyboard is phenomenal also, so you won't have any trouble selling it off if you decide not to continue.

Also, you can look for a used YAMAHA P-200 or P-250 at DADDY'S JUNKY MUSIC website. (If you find an older P-150 model, don't pay more than $400. for it.) The P-200 and the P-250 are earlier models of the CP-300.) Depending on cosmetic condition, you can find them selling for $800. and upward: I saw a mint condition P-200 sell on ebay recently for $2,500: That's $700. more than it cost to buy it new in 1999! The P-200 is the keyboard that I use in the studio and at home.

Final Note: If you decide to venture away from the Yamaha brand, Korg and Roland are also good manufacturers.

YAMAHA YPT- 410 KEYBOARD

(ENTRY LEVEL)

Yamaha YPT410 at Musician's Friend: $199.00

http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-YPT410-Electronic-Portable-Keyboard?sku=439620

Yamaha YPT410 at Wal-Mart $229.99

The Wal-Mart "Education" package includes headphones and an "X" stand.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10298382

Yamaha YPT410 does not ship with a sustain pedal: Order the FC-4 pedal as an add-on from the dealer. (Do not buy the [cheaper] FC-5 pedal.)

YAMAHA FC- 4 SUSTAIN PEDAL MUSICIAN'S FRIEND - $22.99 (Mail Order)

intermediate Keyboard

YAMAHA YPG-635

B&H Photo in NYC sells for: $899.99

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/543200-REG/Yamaha_YPG635_YPG_635_88_Note_Keyboard.html

This keyboard ships with the (cheaper) FC5 pedal but I recommend buying the FC-4 pedal.

YAMAHA FC- 4 SUSTAIN PEDAL

B&H Photo (Mail Order) $25.95

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=yamaha+fc-4&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

If you bought three FC-4 pedals separately, you'd spend $75.00, so, if you buy the YPG-635 keyboard; best to order the optional P-7A 3-Pedal Unit.