Keyboards come in many shapes, colours and sizes, but most share the same basic features. This page is here to help you make the right choice as each model is made to appeal to people of different age groups, musical tastes and budget.

Many keyboards feature a data entry pad (like a calculator keypad), with larger buttons somewhere nearby to allow selection of voices or rhythm styles.

This general style of control layout is found on many of the latest small to medium sized keyboards.

Plan your purchase.

If nobody in your family can play (yet), it is tempting to just ask a sales-person to recommend something, or just to choose something which looks good. However, if you spend a few minutes thinking about who will play the keyboard and what they (you?) would like to be able to play, you will probably choose well.

Sales-people are there to help, but the quality of their help can only be based on what you tell them.

If you are buying for yourself, think of a type of music which you would love to be able to play and ask to hear a demonstration in the shop (not the demo songs within the keyboard). Ask the sales-person to play on several keyboards within your price range and then narrow your choice to those you like the best. If you are buying for another family member, take them with you if you can, and include them in the choice.

Some of the most useful rhythms are actually not very impressive at first. These include a selection of Waltz, Swing and general 8 beat and ballad rhythms. Check them out with the sales-person and make sure that you can easily hear the beat. In all, make sure that there is a choice of at least 100 rhythms and 100 sounds on the keyboard.

Mail Order and Catalogue purchases are fine as long as you know exactly the make and model number of the instrument you want.

Don't just choose something that looks good or has a good specification in the book, get a recomendation from a teacher or someone who's judgement is trustworthy.

Things to look for.

Things to avoid.

At least 100 rhythms (preferably more). A number of these should be easy to hear and play with. There should also be an intro, ending and fill in for each one.

At least 100 sounds. Look for "GM" (General MIDI) or similar as this will guarantee a wide range of useful sounds

A 61 note keyboard (Five octaves). Some keyboards offer more keys than this and are good for people who want to occasionally play piano music.

Touch sensitivity. This is very useful for adding realism to your playing, the harder you play the note - the louder it is.

Reverberation (reverb). This is an effect which makes you sound as if you are playing in a hall. Wthout reverb, the keyboard can sound rather dull.

MIDI Sockets on the rear panel which will allow you to connect your keyboard to a computer so that you can make your own recordings (not something you must have but it may be useful later on).

Over complicated controls. A well thought out keyboard should be easy to understand and use.

A small selection of rhythms. Its amazing how you can quickly get fed up with the same rhythms for each song.

A small selection of sounds. Most people use only 20 or more of their favourite sounds but if you buy a keyboard with only 20 sounds on it, you may only like two or three of them.

Poor quality sound. There is absolutetly no excuse for it these days.

Gimmicks. Unless you actually want them.