CasioCTK Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 I am considering buying another keyboard - small Yamaha PSS-A50 - for occasional playing anywhere outdoors, just for my pleasure. But, it has smaller keys (minikeys) than my MZ-X300. And I am afraid this could cause problems for my fingers (or my head?) when switching from one size to another one. Has anybody personal experience with using keyboards with different key sizes? Thank you for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasioCTK Posted July 14, 2020 Author Share Posted July 14, 2020 Hmmmm. Nobody has any experience with playing on mini keyboards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giano Posted July 14, 2020 Share Posted July 14, 2020 I think the key size will likely make you to play differently than on normal keys, but this is not necessarely a bad thing. This video could also be of interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSJAaLb6JOM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jokeyman123 Posted July 14, 2020 Share Posted July 14, 2020 I have a Korg microKontrol with mini keys, have had several mini-keys for desktop keyboards. definitely more awkward for my fingers-but for doing simple things-simple chord patterns, rhythms, bass lines, if your technique on full-size keys is already developed, you can adjust, but I wouldn't make a habit of it-because transitioning back to full-size is where you will notice the adjustment necessary to play properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasioCTK Posted July 15, 2020 Author Share Posted July 15, 2020 Thank you, Jokeyman123. I was dreaming about small „travel“ keyboard, but it looks like having 2 keyboards with different key size is not very clever idea. I was afraid of that. 🙁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jokeyman123 Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 A good compromise would be a 49-key controller with full-size keys-there aren't too many (if any) 37-key with full size keys. I've owned a few 25-key controllers-many are very compact-the alesis was the best of the bunch-the rare A25 has both midi din and usb ports, the Q25 has only usb. But the range of keys was too limiting for me. Again, if you are fleshing out parts for multi-track compositions, a mini-keyboard is fine IMO-why I have the microKontrol. But if you want to practice running scales, chord progressions-are concerned about technique-it could be awkward-more the width of the keys than the length are cumbersome for me with mini-keys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Saucier Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 I suggest one of the new Casiotone models. CT-S300 is a great little portable keyboard with full size velocity sensitive keys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jokeyman123 Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 Forgot about those-yep, that would be a very good solution-nice size, easy to carry around. Might pick up one myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasioCTK Posted July 16, 2020 Author Share Posted July 16, 2020 I decided to buy Stagg melodica as my first minikeyboard. It has just 1 tone, no rhythms, no display, but has „breath sensitive“ keys, small size, small weight and is cheap. Ideal for trying to switch between mini and standard keys. After some time I shall see if „mini“ is any good for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jokeyman123 Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 You are in good company-Donald Fagen liked the melodica-listen to his melodica on "Peg", Hey Nineteen, Babylon Sisters and of course...Aja. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Saucier Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 @CasioCTK I expect you to post a video like this soon using your new melodica.... https://youtu.be/6jZMwDiSQio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspeter Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 I have a Yamaha Reface CP that I bought for travel and I haven't had a problem switching back and forth from the minikeys. My hands are in the smaller side and my fingers are fairly slender, so that may also be a factor. The Reface is useful, too, in that it has an aux in for your phone. I've used mine to practice along with recordings and lift chord progressions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.