Buying a piano

[Coronita]

[quote=FlyerInHi][quote=flu]
There’s an app for that.[/quote]

Playing music is more romantic.[/quote]

There’s an app for that too.

[FlyerInHi]

haha… Taylor Swift on Spotify? Or is she off of that now.

[Coronita]

I think it’s great that kids want to learn music. For my own kid, I just want them to want to learn, not me pushing them all the time to do it. Then again, at a young age, kids don’t always know what they want or not want to to so some pushing around I guess is necessary. So I don’t know. I tried this reverse psychology thing in which I waited until my kid saw every other kid start to play an instrument. My kid then asked me for lessons, to which I said no because it’s a huge time commitment on both parent and kid, and I would only consider it if they could want to practice themselves. In my ideal world, my kid should come home everyday and want to practice themselves without me nagging about it. So far, it seems to work. We’ll see how long it lasts. This could backfire one day in which If i say, if you don’t want to practice, then there’s no point in continuing with taking lessons, to which my kid might one day just say “ok…”

[FlyerInHi]

Why can’t music be mandatory like math or English?

[cvmom]

[quote=flu]For my own kid, I just want them to want to learn, not me pushing them all the time to do it. [/quote]

Flu, what kind of Carmel Valley asian parent are you??? jk

Kidding aside, I think your approach sounds great. With my other kid, it was obvious after a couple of years of lessons that this was not his thing. So we quit and did something else. Our rule is, kid has to do one sport and one other activity. Kid can choose what.

[NotCranky]

I have read most of this thread at one time or another and am considering an instrument for the kids.

Someone recommended an electronic keyboard with weighted keys. If anyone can help, would that be something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Casio-PX150-Weighted-Digital-Supply/dp/B00AC4YLKE/ref=sr_1_9?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1431723557&sr=1-9&keywords=88+key+keyboard+weighted+keys

Would a synthesizer with all the different modes be a good thing to offer the kids. We visited a friend this weekend and her son had one of those and was having all kinds of fun with classical music, and just being creative.

[flyer]

That looks like a good option, since it has the full 88 keys, and they are weighted. I’ve heard good things about that model. You might also want to check out the ones they carry at Costco.

We’ve all played for years, and have a few pianos. We still have the Steinway Grands my grandmother gave us, another is a Yamaha, and one is an electronic. Those, along with other instruments, have kept us all interested in music over the years.

I don’t know if you plan to have the kids take lessons, but, if so, you might want to run this by a music teacher. As has been mentioned, if they really want to learn to play in a way that will last them a lifetime, instruction is essential. If it’s just for fun, that’s fine too.

Imo, having the ability to play musical instruments, as well as other artistic endeavors give a person a great balance, especially when you add the academic, along with sports and other things to the mix, so I think your kids will enjoy it.

[joec]

[quote=Blogstar]I have read most of this thread at one time or another and am considering an instrument for the kids.

Someone recommended an electronic keyboard with weighted keys. If anyone can help, would that be something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Casio-PX150-Weighted-Digital-Supply/dp/B00AC4YLKE/ref=sr_1_9?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1431723557&sr=1-9&keywords=88+key+keyboard+weighted+keys

Would a synthesizer with all the different modes be a good thing to offer the kids. We visited a friend this weekend and her son had one of those and was having all kinds of fun with classical music, and just being creative.[/quote]

One recommendation you should consider is if you used to play, go and touch and play the keys before buying a digital piano.

I tested a few and some just didn’t feel right to me.

Also, some digital pianos can’t be played fast or used by advanced pieces because the key action isn’t made for that and you’ll have to upgrade if your kids continue playing.

Just something to consider I guess. Check with the teacher too as suggested if they plan to take lessons. Good thing is with more than 1 kid, there is a higher chance someone would enjoy it more and play longer.

[NotCranky]

Thank you for the replies. No teacher involved at this point. I could teach them to start with , though I could teach them bad habits too. So, thinking about that.

The money spent vs. the possibility that one or more of the three boys take up an instrument or more than one instrument is a no brainer. I would like to pick the right pieces to start with . I am going to buy a guitar, a snare drum and one of these key boards and see what we do. We may get a trumpet, I played trumpet for a few years and my dabbling in it anew may be constructive towards tease out some commitment. If the kids have some friends who play music that could be a help. Just trying to plant the seed.

Academics are going well, with sports it depends on the child. One has crossed sports off, but is doing very well academically and in intellectual type hobbies, D&D, Magic, chess, robotics, to the extent he has been exposed. I don’t care about sports achievement as much as having the possibility of enjoying sports recreationally now and later in life. Nothing wrong with a sports scholarship but we don’t groom the kids for the possibility like some people do.

This keyboard is a Yamaha, and has full 5 stars on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Digital-Keyboard-Headphones-FastTrack/dp/B00BSUHEBE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_267_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1GV65DZERM42BE28A2KSI’ll read the reviews later. Those are very helpful as many of the posters are playing keyboards.

[njtosd]

[quote=flu][quote=FlyerInHi][quote=flu]
There’s an app for that.[/quote]

Playing music is more romantic.[/quote]

There’s an app for that too.[/quote]

Good one.

[njtosd]

[quote=Blogstar]Thank you for the replies. No teacher involved at this point. I could teach them to start with , though I could teach them bad habits too. So, thinking about that.

The money spent vs. the possibility that one or more of the three boys take up an instrument or more than one instrument is a no brainer. I would like to pick the right pieces to start with . I am going to buy a guitar, a snare drum and one of these key boards and see what we do. We may get a trumpet, I played trumpet for a few years and my dabbling in it anew may be constructive towards tease out some commitment. If the kids have some friends who play music that could be a help. Just trying to plant the seed.

Academics are going well, with sports it depends on the child. One has crossed sports off, but is doing very well academically and in intellectual type hobbies, D&D, Magic, chess, robotics, to the extent he has been exposed. I don’t care about sports achievement as much as having the possibility of enjoying sports recreationally now and later in life. Nothing wrong with a sports scholarship but we don’t groom the kids for the possibility like some people do.

This keyboard is a Yamaha, and has full 5 stars on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Digital-Keyboard-Headphones-FastTrack/dp/B00BSUHEBE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_267_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1GV65DZERM42BE28A2KSI’ll read the reviews later. Those are very helpful as many of the posters are playing keyboards.[/quote]

If you are thinking about a snare drum – I would at least look at electronic drum sets (about $140 on Amazon, I think). My daughter started out on electronic and now has a full acoustic set. I miss the electronic days . . Also, a simple keyboard works great until the kids need more, then you can Craigslist it.

[NotCranky]

[quote=njtosd][quote=Blogstar]Thank you for the replies. No teacher involved at this point. I could teach them to start with , though I could teach them bad habits too. So, thinking about that.

The money spent vs. the possibility that one or more of the three boys take up an instrument or more than one instrument is a no brainer. I would like to pick the right pieces to start with . I am going to buy a guitar, a snare drum and one of these key boards and see what we do. We may get a trumpet, I played trumpet for a few years and my dabbling in it anew may be constructive towards tease out some commitment. If the kids have some friends who play music that could be a help. Just trying to plant the seed.

Academics are going well, with sports it depends on the child. One has crossed sports off, but is doing very well academically and in intellectual type hobbies, D&D, Magic, chess, robotics, to the extent he has been exposed. I don’t care about sports achievement as much as having the possibility of enjoying sports recreationally now and later in life. Nothing wrong with a sports scholarship but we don’t groom the kids for the possibility like some people do.

This keyboard is a Yamaha, and has full 5 stars on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Digital-Keyboard-Headphones-FastTrack/dp/B00BSUHEBE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_267_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1GV65DZERM42BE28A2KSI’ll read the reviews later. Those are very helpful as many of the posters are playing keyboards.[/quote]

If you are thinking about a snare drum – I would at least look at electronic drum sets (about $140 on Amazon, I think). My daughter started out on electronic and now has a full acoustic set. I miss the electronic days . . Also, a simple keyboard works great until the kids need more, then you can Craigslist it.[/quote]
Thanks I’ll give that some thought. One gentleman we know from the kids school recommended the marching snare and a famous book of drills. We have played the high end electronic drums sets at Guitar Center ( I think it’s called that) . Those sets are amazing but not in the budget! Thanks for a lower cost option.

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