Keyboard Organ
Keyboard Organ
Yamaha PSR-E423 Versus Casio CTK-5000 - Electronic Keyboards Comparison
The electronic keyboards market is a very competitive arena with some big players including Yamaha, Roland, Casio and Korg (amongst others). This is all good news for the consumer because what we are seeing is high quality and feature packed keyboards which offer incredible value for money.
However, one of the problems with all these keyboards and all their features is trying to pick the right one for you. In this comparison I have chosen the Yamaha PSR-E423 and Casio CTK-5000, which go head to head in the medium size sector. I'll run through some of the similarities and differences so that you can gain a greater understanding and hopefully make a better choice for yourself.
Keyboard
Both these instruments have a 61 note keyboard with full size keys. However, the PSR-E423 has organ style keys whereas the CTK-5000 has piano style keys. Even though both keyboards have touch response, which means you can vary the note depending on how much pressure you apply to the key, the organ style notes of the PSR-E423 will remain on for as long as you hold down the key. On the other hand, the piano style keys of the CTK-5000 will allow notes to gradually fade away.
The PSR-E423 has 32 note polyphony whereas the CTK-5000 has 48. Polyphony is the number of simultaneous notes which can be played at the same time. In this context, the CTK-5000 is capable of providing smoother and more natural transitions between notes.
Sounds
Both keyboards have a similar specification when it comes to onboard sounds and tones. The PSR-E423 has 700 tones and the CTK-5000 has 670. These range from a grand piano to a triangle, and every other instrument conceived in between. As with most instruments of this type - some are good, some are not so good.
Similarly both keyboards are extensively stocked with onboard rhythms and songs. The PSR-E423 has 174 rhythms whilst the CTK-5000 has 200. You can use these as accompaniments to enhance your own performance. Likewise, the PSR-E423 has 30 songs whereas the CTK-5000 has 152. These are useful for lesson play and your own listening enjoyment.
Features and Facilities
Both keyboards have digital effects available including reverb and chorus (PSR-E423 has 9 reverb and 4 chorus; CTK-5000 has 10 and 5) and both have a sequencer so that you can put together and record your own compositions (both keyboards have 6 tracks available with a 5 song memory). Additionally the CTK-5000 has an SD card reader for increased versatility so that you can download/upload your own files.
You can connect a set of headphones to the output of both instruments for silent practice. However, only the CTK-5000 has line outputs for connection to an external PA system or mixer. For this reason, the CTK-5000 is better suited if you wish to use it in a live performance situation.
One other noteworthy feature, again with the CTK-5000 only, is the sampling function. With this you can record any audio sound input (maximum 10 seconds) and then play it back through the keyboard. This opens up a whole new range of creative possibilities and potential for fun.
Conclusion
As you can see, both these keyboards are very similar in terms of specification. For home use, you basically cannot go wrong with either. The CTK-5000 lends itself slightly more to a live environment. However, the PSR-E423 has more onboard instrument tones and a lower recommended retail price. Ideally the best thing to do would be to try both before buying, but at least now after reading this article you should know what to expect.
About the Author
Rikki Abbott is a talented multi-instrumentalist who has played keyboards, trumpet and drums in many bands throughout the world. He owns a successful independent music shop in Edinburgh which you can find at www.rikkismusic.com. Visit the website now for great deals on Portable Keyboards.
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Keyboard/Organ advice?
I'm looking to move into playing the keys and i'm looking for some advice on what to get.
I want something that has some good organ on it, that doesn't sound like a cheap kids keyboard, something with a bit of character. Something that can do smooth blues to rough uk garage (see the horrors).
Price range up to £300 or a bit over at a push. I know thats not a huge amount, but there must be something. If there is anything over that price range, say anyway.
Cheers.
cant help
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How Much Time Should I Practice Each Day? (Piano, Organ And Keyboard))
When you first start to learn a piano, keyboard or organ, you have to be patient, because this is the only time in your playing life that you cant actually play anything, you can only practice. Like your playing ability, your practice should evolve. Therefore, for a beginner I recommend a minimum of half an hour practice a day. Using simple five-finger exercises for both hands and learning to read sheet music, you should be able to play, with both hands, one or two simple pieces of music within a month or less.
When you initially start to learn, your interest in playing the piano or organ is very heightened, so it is very likely you will practice a great deal more than half an hour a day and your progress will be a great deal faster. As the weeks and months go by the novelty will wear off and you may start to miss the odd days practice. This is the time you need to set a schedule for yourself, or maybe it's your child that's learning to play the piano. Now you need to be strict with yourself or your child.
Remember we started of with a minimum of half an hour a day, as a keyboard teacher I would still be asking for half an hour. Its very normal for the novelty to wear off, it's probably more common in children. So here are some tips to get you through this brief negative stage.
1. Make sure you have a piano teacher or organ teacher. Your teacher will see and hear your progress more clearly than you will and can offer encouragement and remind you of what you have achieved so far.
2. Ask yourself if you want to carry on playing the keyboard, after all, you are paying for lessons, but paying for keyboard and piano lessons is not enough, you must do the practice. I have had pupils that don't mind paying but don't want to practice at all. As far as I am concerned, they are wasting my time and are politely asked to leave and never return. (That's happened twice in thirty years as a music teacher)
3. After your half an hour practice, play the pieces of music you have already learned. This is now you're playing time, your enjoyment of what you have achieved so far.
4. Have a goal, is there a piece of sheet music you really want to play? Is there a music exam you want to pass? When I took my Grade 4 Royal Schools of Music practical exam for piano, I practiced four hours a day for six months because I wanted to pass with distinction, and I did, just. I was twelve years of age and learned a valuable lesson at that time. If you have a goal, it drives you to success.
5. If you are a parent and your child is loosing interest you have to try to encourage your child with the above suggestions, but ultimately you must insist they practice every day. (I know some people out there will disagree) If your child wont practice every day then its time to call it a day. Now I can tell you that the threat of stopping the piano lessons has worked for the majority of my pupils. I have done this myself many times with pupils and it works like a charm.
Some of my pupils from years ago are now teaching me a thing or two. They have also become teachers themselves and because they, like all music teachers, have been pupils themselves, they are very aware of the minor problems that can occur when learning to play a musical instrument such as the piano, organ or keyboard, in fact any musical instrument.
So if you want to be a keyboard player for a hobby, half an hour a day should do you. If you want to be a concert pianist then ten hours a day should just about cover it, or just start at half an hour a day and gradually evolve your practice time to what you want to do with your new talent.
About the Author
Visit Mikes music sites for instruments, sheet music for piano and keyboard, memorabilia and hundreds of music articles.
Keyboard Organ