<p>I've been asked to recommend keyboards for a couple of music majors. S has a large one...should they get smaller ones for class/dorm rooms? If so, does anyone have recommendations? Thanks!</p>
<p>My D has a 61-key M-Audio unit that runs entirely off the USB cord. I got it for less than $200 a couple of years ago at a Sam Ash store and it seems to do what she needs.</p>
<p>It matters what they want it for.</p>
<p>If they want it to pick out melody lines or practice chords, smaller is fine. If they want to practice piano on it, it needs to be larger. </p>
<p>When my piano students' parents want to start with a keyboard "to see if they like it", I recommend at least 61 keys - and look for weighted, full-size, touch-sensitive keys to give it the most piano-like response. I also ask them to make sure it has a sustain-pedal, and has a stable stand at the appropriate height.</p>
<p>Obviously you need to make sure it has the appropriate electronic capabilities to feed into a computer, etc.</p>
<p>My S2 has a 76-key Casio WK-1600 - It's a great keyboard with Midi, and he used to do most of his composing on it (feeds into his composition software on his computer). He doesn't take it to school, though. It doesn't seem to be available anymore. A similar one seems to be the WK-110 - available on Amazon for about $150.</p>
<p>He also has a Hecsan Rollup Piano, which seemed like a good idea at the time, but he doesn't like it, and doesn't use it. It is basically a rubber mat with piano keys marked on it, (but all at the same height, and they don't move) - I thought it would be good for him in his dorm room when he just needed to check chord progressions or wanted to do a little composition (also has Midi), but he doesn't like the feel of it. It's a lot of fun to fool around with - a novelty - but not much more.</p>
<p>Thank you!!!</p>
<p>M-Audio also makes an 88 Key usb controller. If you couple this with Ivory software you have a portable Yamaha, Steinway or Bosendorfer on the laptop. I did this for my D and it has come in very handy.</p>
<p>Here's a link to the software..</p>
<p>[url=<a href="http://www.synthogy.com/%5DSynthogy%5B/url">http://www.synthogy.com/]Synthogy[/url</a>]</p>
<p>best
jd</p>