If you really want a piano, a keyboard is a lousy substitute...but a piano is an equally lousy substitute for a versatile fun packed keyboard!

A piano usually sounds good, has weighted keys, weighs hundreds of pounds, is NOT easily moved, and except for changes in the surrounding atmosphere, usually has the same quality sound from one day to the next... unless it is out of tune.

A portable keyboard usually sounds good, has 'touch sensitive keys' that are often weighted like a real piano, weighs between 10 and 70 pounds, is obviously portable and runs on electricity. (Some of the smaller portable keyboards also run on batteries: I recommend rechargeable batteries if you go this route.)

Keyboards never go out of tune and have hundreds of voices and rhythm patterns built in. They can be hooked directly to a computer (via MIDI cables or audio jacks) to record and playback your own performances, and MIDI files can be played through any other MIDI compatible instruments.

When considering a portable keyboard, you need at minimum (1) a Sustain Pedal jack and (2) no less than 64 note Polyphony. (POLYPHONY refers to the number of tones that can be simultaneously played or 'caught' by the Sustain Pedal at one time. MORE polyphony is always BETTER!)

When you play the GRAND ARPEGGIOS found within Advanced PMMO, you'll sometimes be playing as many as 200+ tones at once (caught by the sustain pedal). Yet, if your keyboard has only 64 polyphony, only 64 tones will play. As each new tone is played, the oldest 'drops out' of the sound. What's more, if the piano voice you're using uses 2 slots of polyphony, you'll only hear a maximum of 32 tones at once, when playing a 64 polyphony instrument. (My performing keyboard has 256 polyphony.)

Even so, a 61 note Keyboard with a POLYPHONY Of 64 or 128 will sound quite good! Unfortunately, polyphony less than 64 is quite noticeable and should be avoided.

In most ways, portable keyboards share very similar basic features. They:

• are touch sensitive (meaning the harder (or softer) you strike a key, the louder (or softer) the sound produced);
• default to the 'piano voice' when turned ON;
• have a variety of rhythm patterns and instrumental voices; 'bells and whistles' that CAN be enjoyable, but may be rarely used.
• are quite affordable, usually costing anywhere from $100.00 to $1200.00 U.S. Dollars. (Professional keyboards can cost quite a bit more.)

Better sound straight out of the box will cost more, yet any portable keyboard can be amplified through the speakers of a home stereo and yield a pretty good sound.

• Make certain the keyboard you buy has a jack to receive a Sustain Pedal (often not found on lowest price keyboards). A keyboard without a sustain pedal is no better than a toy!
• AVOID any keyboards with less than 64 note Polyphony; because that won't be enough...if you learn to play PianoMagically.
• Two speaker sound is NOT always Stereo (check to be sure the keyboard you purchase plays in Stereo).
• Get a MINIMUM of 64 note Polyphony (more is better);
• Higher price often yields better sound quality, with separate Tweeters and Woofers built-in (plus more 'bells & whistles').
• Higher price often includes 'built in piano lessons'...whether you want them or not. To those who don't know, 'built in lessons' may sound like a good thing...and it IS for the manufacturer! For the most part, 'built in lessons' are a junk enhancement.
• Higher price may also come with a 'built in' MICROPHONE... or even a PROJECTOR. For most folks, these are junk enhancements.