Huntington KB61-100 61-Key Portable Electronic Keyboard, Silver

This keyboard is an excellent bargain for the price. Obviously any keyboard in this price range is not comparable to a real piano that costs thousands of dollars. However, compared to other keyboards in the under $200 range, the quality is great. The sound is good, and the pressure required to press the keys is good. One thing that was particularly important to me is the dimensions of the keys are pretty close to that of a real piano. I have seen some keyboards with miniature keys, but on this product the width of the keys large enough for adult fingers. This keyboard would be great for beginner and intermediate piano students. I took piano lessons for 10 years as a kid, and this keyboard is better than the one that I used for my first three years before my parents bit the bullet and bought a real piano. Since most piano students quit long before they reach intermediate-level music, I think this keyboard is a good financial choice to start with until you know that they're committed to stick with it.

A good basic keyboard, but keep in mind at this price point you aren't going to be getting a "piano quality instrument". It has many options for changing the instrument tone, using background beats and things like that, and you can even record your own songs - however you can only record one note at a time (no chords!). I think you are getting a lot more fluff than you will actually ever want or need. It strikes me that this might be more of a toy than an actual instrument for the vast majority of users, but still this might be a good "entry level" keyboard, maybe for a first year student. My son who has been taking piano for years noted that his pieces he is currently working on could not even be played on this little keyboard because with 54 keys... not all the notes he needed were on here, but he agreed with me that for the basic songs we are using this for, this will be more than adequate, this was purchased for a church so that we could help the children practice basic Sunday School songs with music while church was being held, so we didn't need something so complicated - and this will do the trick.

I bought this keyboard having zero piano experience, then put in about an hour of practice every day, and was able to play a few songs by the end of the month. The keyboard definitely served its purpose as a beginner's platform, and would be completely adequate for anyone just starting out with the piano. I do have roommates however, and in trying to be considerate, I purchased the "Hosa Technology YMR197 3.5mm" cable (which for the current price of about $4, is totally worth it) so that I could plug in headphones. I found this function phenomenal, in that I could play as much as I wanted to and it wouldn't disturb anyone. The keys are nearly quiet as well (depending on how hard you press), so while using the cable and a pair of headphones, I could practice virtually silent to the rest of the room. This is also great for self-conscious beginners, as no one else will be able to hear the keyboard but you. I definitely had a rough start, so I didn't mind that the rest of the room couldn't hear me. Hosa Technology YMR197 3.5 mm TRSF to Dual RCA Stereo Breakout Cable A warning to intermediate players: you may not like the feel of the keys. Unfortunately this is one sacrifice you will have to make for the price, and probably the only reason why I gave it 4 stars. You may notice that the keys feels a bit springy, considerably different from a real piano, and even a more expensive keyboard. But I suppose you get what you pay for, and don't get me wrong, I definitely wasn't disappointed in the product, but if you are willing to spend a bit more for a more accurate feel, I would suggest doing so. Overall: If you are a beginner, and not looking to splurge on a more expensive model, this one will definitely do the job. It would be great for kids who are learning, but don't have a piano in the household.

First off, this is a cheap, Chinese-made keyboard. The plastic is cheap, the thought behind the design is cheap, and the end result (your playing) will probably sound cheap. That said, it does have a few nice features which are worth discussing. There are 98 or so sounds to play with (at least two sound like repeats), most of which are actually pretty decent sound quality. It is a big keyboard, but very light if you're on the move. The power cord could be a little bit longer, but it's not a show stopper. FYI, the headphone jack is not stereo-size (your average US headphone jack)... it's more like the end of a guitar cable. You will likely need an adapter to use it. Now, for the bad. As one reviewer mentioned, the record function is basically useless, as the keyboard inexplicably records only one note at a time -- so chords or a series of smooth notes are out of the question. Also, expect lots of interference when a cell phone is around (beeps and squeaks out of the speakers). There are eight drum sounds -- which, again, are basically useless to me, because only one sound will play at a time. I'm a drummer, so I can play complex rhythms with my hands. Not on this keyboard. I hate the sensitivity of the keys. I am an amateur, self-taught piano player, so keep that in mind. But I find the keys too sensitive, and I often hit a lot of extra notes. There are 100 rhythms, but they're mostly lame (and somewhat mislabeled). Oh, and I did not recieve the one showed in the photograph; mine is silver and has slightly fewer buttons. If you can believe it (after that review), I am glad I bought this keyboard. It works for what I'm going to use it for: I'm playing at home, I'm not going to perform with it, my wife and daughter enjoy playing it, and it sure was a bargain. I just wish, since they chose to include those features, that they served some useful function. Make an informed decision. I would give this keyboard a solid two stars if it cost over $100 bucks.