As a beginner, it can be hard to decide what kind of keyboard to buy. You may not want to spend too much but at the same time you want something that will last past the first 6 months. Today there is such a wide variety of instruments that it can be a confusing process.
Here are a few tips to help you decide:
• The keyboard should have full sized keys. Even if you have a young child who is starting, they will soon grow out of smaller keys, and the chances are the keyboard they use in their lessons will have full size keys.
• Ideally if you want the keyboard to last longer than the first 6 months it should be touch sensitive.
• 61 keys minimum, this will be enough to last a couple of years, but anything less will be out of date almost as soon as you start

Here ia a link to our light up keyboards feature page,

Casio LK-220

Casio LK-220 Key Lighting Keyboard. This keyboard lights keys so that you can play along to the songs. 

- 61 full size keys
- Key lighting
- AHL sound source
- 48-note polyphony
- Touch response
- 325 tones
- 150 rhythms
- 110 tunes
- 10 digital effects
- USB

Casio CTK 3000

Casios new full size llectronic keyboard with touch resoponse keys is a great priced keyboard offering features but keeping the cost low. With loads of sounds and also phrase by phrase lesson features makes this keyboard great to learn on.

Features:

- 61 full size keys
- AHL sound source
- 48-note polyphony
- Touch response
- 325 tones
- 150 rhythms
- 110 tunes
- 10 digital effects
- USB

Casio CTK 230 49 Key Keyboard

Casio’s keyboard for new learners who are just starting out playing the keyboard. With an easy to use layout for simple operation and lesson functions, this keyboard will guide you along the way to musical proficiency.

Features:

• Keys 49 (full)
• Polyphony (maximum) 12
• Preset Tones 100
• Rhythms 100
• Auto-Accompaniment Yes
• Tunes 50
• Lesson Function Yes
• Key Transpose Yes
• Phones/Output Terminals Yes
• Song Controller Yes
• Tuning Control Yes
• LCD Yes
• Speakers (dia x qty) 10cm x 2

Video

The Yamaha PSRE413 is a 61-key portable keyboard with innovative features for learning to play, like the Yamaha Portable Grand and Yamaha Education Suite. A step up from the Yamaha PSR-E403, it too has fun, creative features including sound control knobs for real time control over effects, filters, EQ, tempo and 100 different Arpeggiator patterns. The PSR-E413 includes USB connectivity, allowing for the transfer of songs, styles and MIDI data between the instrument and a computer.

This can be used for educational purposes or for musicians to play along with pieces that are downloaded into the unit. For aspiring music artists, recording original pieces is quick and simple with the six-track/five-song capacity onboard sequencer. And, with Yamaha’s Performance Assistant technology, anyone can play a song – even novices. When the PSR-E413 keys are struck in time with the music, the notes are corrected to match chords of the song being played. No matter what keys are hit on the keyboard, the correct notes will play.

Features:

• Latest generation PSR portable keyboard with great educational features and USB
• 61-key unit with Touch Response
• 504 great sounds
• Extremely portable, and lightweight for easy transport
• Keyboard education tools
• The Yamaha Portable Grand – specially selected Yamaha grand piano sample, recorded in stereo for exceptional realism
• The Yamaha Education Suite
• 6 track 5 song sequencer to record your own songs
• Five types of Master EQ
• 32-note polyphony
• 9 digital reverb, 4 chorus, 26 harmony effects and 50 type arpeggio function
• Arpeggiator provides 100 different patterns and beats
• Performance Assistant technology
• USB connectivity
• Foot switch socket – allows connection of an FC4/5 foot switch for sustain
• Headphone socket – for private practice
• Requires a Yamaha KPA3 power adaptor – not included

Yamaha’s E-Series keyboards enrich, educate, entertain, and empower

61-key keyboard that features 375 natural sounding voices. 

The PSR-E213 features 375 natural sounding voices, including Stereo Grand Piano, 361 XGlite voices, 12 drum kits and a sound effect kit. The PSR-E213 also has 100 accompaniment styles and 102 built-in songs. Use the Portable Grand button to instantly call up an authentic stereo grand piano sound. The instrument also has a rich Reverb effect that adds concert-hall ambience to any performance. The Yamaha Education Suite feature makes learning and practicing music more fun than ever before.

Features:

• Total of 375 high-quality instrument voices and 100 accompaniment styles 
• Portable Grand button lets you instantly call up Yamaha’s world-famous grand piano sound 
• Yamaha Education Suite (Y.E.S.) feature 
• 102 built-in songs for easy learning 
• Reverb effect with 9 different reverb types 

The PSR-E213 features 375 natural sounding voices, including Stereo Grand Piano, 361 XGlite voices, 12 drum kits and a sound effect kit. The PSR-E213 also has 100 accompaniment styles and 102 built-in songs. Use the Portable Grand button to instantly call up an authentic stereo grand piano sound. The instrument also has a rich Reverb effect that adds concert-hall ambience to any performance. The Yamaha Education Suite feature makes learning and practicing music more fun than ever before.

The Yamaha PSR-E213 it’s an unbelievable bargain as a full size MIDI controller.

Specification

SpecsColor/FinishBody Color: Black

Weight: Weight 4.4kg (9lbs., 11oz.)

Control: InterfaceKeyboard Number of Keys 61

Type Organ Style

Display Type Custom LCD

Size 92mm x 32mm

Language English

Panel Language English

VoicesTone Generation Tone Generating Technology AWM Stereo Sampling

Polyphony Number of Polyphony (Max.) 32

Preset Number of Voices Stereo Grand Piano + 361 XGlite + 13 Drum/SFX/SE Kits

Featured Voices Sound Effect Kit

Compatibility XGlite Yes

GM Yes

EffectsTypes Reverb 9 types

Functions Panel Sustain yes (in menu)

Accompaniment StylesPreset Number of Preset Styles 100

Fingering Multi

Style Control INTRO, MAIN x 2, FILL-IN, ENDING

Other Features One Touch Setting (OTS) Yes

SongsPreset Number of Preset Songs 102

FunctionsLesson/Guide Yamaha Education Suite (YES) Listen & Learn, Timing, Waiting, Chord Dictionary

Overall Controls Metronome Yes

Tempo Range 32 – 280

Transpose -12 to 0, 0 to +12

Tuning Yes

Miscellaneous PIANO Button Portable Grand Button

Storage and ConnectivityConnectivity DC IN DC IN 12V

Headphones x 1

MIDI In/Out

AUX Pedal 1 Footswitch (optional)

Amplifiers and SpeakersAmplifiers Amplifiers 2.5W + 2.5W

Speakers Speakers 12cm x 2

Power SupplyPower Supply Adaptor (PA-3C/PA-130), or batteries (Six “AA” size, LR6 or equivalent batteries)

Power Consumption 10W

AccessoriesIncluded Accessories Music Rest Yes