Keyboard Advice for Musically Ignorant
 

My 9 year old daughter has started voice/piano lessons about a month ago. She has been practicing with a cheap Wal-Mart keyboard, but now it is time to buy a real keyboard. I tried doing some research, but I have no clue what I am doing and no idea what all the terminology means as I read the sites. We are basically looking for something to practice basic piano lessons on and to train her vocally. We would like something portable, something that can hook a microphone up to and has built-in speakers, and don't want to spend more than $600. We don't need all the bells and whistles of someone composing music or doing gigs, but it would be cool to have some of those cool voice effects to play with (not sure what the technical term for that is). Anyway, I am lost in a sea of keyboards, electronic pianos and synthesizers....does anyone have suggestions as to where to begin? I sure would appreciate it!

I highly suggest going to a local shop rather than a big chain. People are more knowledgeable and will at least tell you what to look for, if the prices aren't right. They're also more likely to haggle.

Depending on what you want, you might want weighted keys. It gives the keyboard the same responsiveness that a real piano would have. If she ever transitions from one to the other, the change will be much easier.

If piano takes a strong second to her vocal training then I suppose it wouldn't matter too much, but for whoever is playing, the weighed keys would be a better move.Also, the keys don't drag like plastic keys, its a minor thing, but I know it pissed me off.

Make sure you know what you want for amplification too. Some pianos are going to require an amp to go along with it. Most keyboards are going to come with speakers, but if you start getting serious instuments, the design is such that they are expecting you to play for other people, and not just alone in your room. As such, you may find more with a amp port than internal speaker systems.

yea you can get a simple keyboard with weighted keys for around 600$
with a built speaker