Good beginners keyboard (Yamaha PSR-550)

Member Name: englishdavid

Product:	Yamaha PSR-550
Date:	31/05/09 (148 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great array of sounds

Disadvantages: Tuition mode not all it can be

I bought this as a entry level keyboard for my wife sometime last year, primarily for the "learn to play" functions. First things first, the keyboard is a substantial item . It's over a metre in length and certainly couldn't be described as a 'toy', despite its low price. We purchased a cheap stand to place it on and it's kept in a corner of our lounge so its available to practise on whenever time allows.

The keyboard is a joy to use. It has been so nice to watch my wife, in the space of around 12 months, progress from a complete novice to now being able to read music and play 3-fingered chords. The lessons included on the keyboard are fairly rudimentary and, to be honest, my wife didn't find them as useful as they were probably intended. However, a visit to a local muicstore yielded a few good "Learn to Play" type courses and she's thoroughly enjoyed every other aspect of the instrument.

As you would expect, there are an array of different sounds that can be produced and, although she tends to stick to the straigtforward "piano" mode for most of her playing, it's kinda fun to listen to some of the emulations - it all adds to the enjoyability of the experience. There are various rhythms which can be played along with which help with developing a sense of timing.

All in all, we can recommend this as a great beginners keyboard for anyone wishing to take up the instrument.

Summary: Recommended for entry-level playing