I got a couple of questions I'm hoping you guys could answer:

I'm still a relative beginner pianist and working my way up in skill. Recently, I've been considering buying a synthesizer mainly because the piano I currently have in my home is not in the best of status and also because I'll be heading off to college fairly soon.
Now the question is whether it is wise to even buy a synthesizer. Or are they a waste of money, especially if I'm still trying to learn?

Another question is what is the difference between a synth and a digital piano.

Finally, if buying a synth is wise, which would be a better choice?
I've been looking at these two. $300 price range.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6662738&type=product&id=1087342275914

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=key/search/detail/base_pid/706072/

If you're still learning, I wouldn't reccomend either of those. Keyboards like that don't exactly have that piano feel to them. Maybe you would want to get your piano checked out. It might be cheaper than buying a synth.

Don't buy your keyboard from Best Buy. 1) They are evil. 2) They are probably really overpriced.

check out http://www.zzounds.com/ instead.

here (http://tweakheadz.com/tips_on_buying_a_keyboard.html) is a good article on how to buy your first keyboard (although it is direct towards more of a DJ-type audience rather than pianists).

Some basic tips:
* Your keyboard MUST have touch (velocity) sensetivity. That is, the harder you depress a key, the louder it is. Some cheap toy-ish synths don't have this.

* Your keyboard should have at least 61-keys. 88-keys are best, but the cheaper models are usually smaller.

* Make sure you buy a power cable and a stand! Nothing under $200 will come with its own power cable.

* Eventually if you want to get serious, you'll either want an acoustic piano or a higher end digital with weighted keys. Weighted means the keys feel heavier and more like a real piano.

I started off with a Casio CTK-591 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DH7IT/002-5769660-1924819?v=glance&n=172282). I had it for a year, and just last week I upgraded to a Yamaha P60 (http://www.zzounds.com/item--YAMP60). The Casio did the job while I had it, but after having played on my P60, there's really no going back.

Also, when you go off to college, check with the music department whether or not it is possible for nonmajors to use the piano labs (if your school has any).

For a beginner, tac-tics is right in that you need a 61 key or bigger though I'd go for a 76 at least. My first keyboard was a 61 key and I couldn't play a lot of songs because it was too small. An 88-key would definately be the best though.

As for a keyboard, I would go for the Casio WK-3200 76 key. Has lots of features and stuff to play with for an affordable price but if you felt like spending a little bit more, I would go for a Casio Blem PX-300 88-key or a Casio PX-110 88-key. They are 88-key's and also has weighted keys so that they feel more like you are playing a real piano and doesn't feel like your playing with a toy. Doesn't have too many features like the other one but they are all decently good pianos.

If you have to stay under $300 then the Casio WK-3200 would be your best bet. Hope this helps. Good luck!

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=key/search/detail/base_pid/706072/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=key/search/detail/base_pid/706043X/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=key/search/detail/base_pid/706075/

For a beginner, tac-tics is right in that you need a 61 key or bigger though I'd go for a 76 at least. My first keyboard was a 61 key and I couldn't play a lot of songs because it was too small. An 88-key would definately be the best though.

As for a keyboard, I would go for the Casio WK-3200 76 key. Has lots of features and stuff to play with for an affordable price but if you felt like spending a little bit more, I would go for a Casio Blem PX-300 88-key or a Casio PX-110 88-key. They are 88-key's and also has weighted keys so that they feel more like you are playing a real piano and doesn't feel like your playing with a toy. Doesn't have too many features like the other one but they are all decently good pianos.

If you have to stay under $300 then the Casio WK-3200 would be your best bet. Hope this helps. Good luck!

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=key/search/detail/base_pid/706072/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=key/search/detail/base_pid/706043X/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=key/search/detail/base_pid/706075/

I started on a Yamaha YDP-223. It is a rather expensive digital. It has weighted keys and everything but now, I am playing on my sister's acoustic WM Knabe piano and... it is a whole new world.

This is a really old piano too. The action just feels so much different and more natural.

I've only been playing for 4 months but if you are serious about learning, I would highly recommend finding out how much it would cost to fix up your acoustic one.

However, a nice digital will get you through the basics. I just have a harder time with dynamics now and I think it is because of the digital, they seem to be more 'forgiving.'

I'd recommend a piano over the keyboard and synth. :D With that aside, I'd go with a digital keyboard over the synth, especially if you're a beginner. If you plan on playing an actual piano in the future, I highly suggest weighted keys, since that'll make the transition from a keyboard to a piano much easier.

ouch-sensitive keyboards are a must, and you should also make yourself use that feature. Yes, it's easier to play with that off, but it's a bad habit that'll come back and kill you when you suddenly decide to play with dynamics or when you move on to a piano. I started off playing at the same volume when I was younger, and when I decided to turn the touch-sensitive feature on in order to get dynamics in, I had to go through extra trouble. Don't make that mistake! :)

Try to find one with many keys. 88 is good, but if you can't get that, aim for something no less than 61 because as you continue playing, you're bound to run out of keys.

A lot of keyboards come with extra sounds and rythmn banks. If you're more into piano music, these are useless. I do know people who love messing with the different instrument sounds and built-in songs, but before you go for the expensive one that includes a zillion sounds, ask yourself if you'll really be using those.

I'm not sure which keyboard to recommend, since mine is prehistoric and is probably a discontinued model, although it works pretty well. I've had issues with older Casio models, but seeing all these recommendations for them, I guess they've improved over time.

Remember to also pick up a good pedal if you decide to get a keyboard. I recommend the sturdy pedal-like pedals over the tiny, flimsy square pedals.

You probably know this already, but make sure you do some research before getting your keyboard, or a synth if you decide to get one. Amazon usually has some nice reviews and ratings for people to check out, but also be sure to do a quick Google for reviews as well.

A lot of keyboards come with extra sounds and rythmn banks. If you're more into piano music, these are useless.

This was one of my biggest annoyances when researching keyboards before I settled on my Casio. All the cheaper keyboards have stupid little Rhythm and Voices. Basic rule: if you didn't break $200 on your keyboard, those voices will SUCK. The cheap sound quality of my Casio was one of my top 3 reasons for getting my Yamaha.



]Remember to also pick up a good pedal if you decide to get a keyboard. I recommend the sturdy pedal-like pedals over the tiny, flimsy square pedals.

For most keyboards, there is a pedal input which acts as a Sustain (the rightmost pedal on a real piano -- it keeps the notes sounding even after you release the key). I recommend this one (http://www.zzounds.com/prodsearch?form=prodsearch&q=m-audio+pedal) by M-Audio. It's heavy enough to stay in place and feels more or less like a real one.

A pedal is a nice addition by all means, but it's not absolutely necessary when you just start out. Pedals will work with just about any keyboard, so if you do upgrade to a better digital, you don't need to buy a new one.