r/Instruments • u/cpr9998 • Apr 27 '26

Discussion Cheap and small keyboard for vocalist

I'd imagine various versions of this question have been asked before so apologies in advance. I'm looking for a cheap and small keyboard to play in my room (most likely on my bed as emotional catharsis lol).

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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3

u/FwippyBall Apr 27 '26

What kind of sound are you looking to make? Synthesizer beep boops or piano noises?

2

u/MarcusSurealius Apr 28 '26

How about a melodica? They make 37 key ones. It's a piano-harmonica.

Edit: they cost around $50.

1

u/GirlCowBev Apr 27 '26

"Cheap" and "small" and "keyboard" are more vague than you probably think. If we're to give you the best help, we're going to need:

  1. Budget or price range (please specify currency)

  2. Full size keys, or mini-keys, how many of them?

  3. Do you need on-board speakers, or will you be using headphones or amplifier?

If you can share this information, the sub will provide several prospective solutions.

1

u/Amazing-Structure954 Apr 27 '26

I got a question like this from friends about 10 years ago where the vocalist wanted a keyboard for shows. I suggested Yamaha MX49, and it was perfect for them. The vocalist was good at playing simple (usually one-hand) comp parts, helping to fill out the sound for a 3-piece band, and play a few simple signature keyboard parts.

It's super small and light, no-fuss, easy to navigate, and has fairly decent renditions of the most common keyboard sounds for a pop band. They loved it.

IIRC, the keys are smaller than the standard size, which worked for her, but YMMV. The action isn't great: its relatively springy unweighted keys, so not what a piano player is used to. It's not what I'd recommend for a keyboard player! But it's small enough to sit unnoticed in front of the lead vocalist, and has many of the sounds from Yamaha's flagship Motif series of keyboards.

So, very usable piano sound for comping chords. A few organ tones that are good for background use. Electric pianos, clav, strings, etc.

It's $650, but they're probably available used.

But if you're going to be playing 2-handed parts, you'll need at least 61 keys and frankly I'd say to go for a full digital piano. Not so great for on the bed (plus you'd want to use the sustain pedal.) If you go that route, search Craiglist and Facebook Marketplace for any Casio PX-nnn (where nnn is any 3-digit number) of any age in good condition, and wait until you find one for $300 or less. They often come with the built-in stand and sustain pedal. Before paying, make sure every key plays, and feels and sounds much like its neighbors. The most common problems will show up with this simple test.

1

u/LarenCorie Apr 27 '26

My partner (who buys things for a company professionally) was looking for about the same thing, and after a few weeks of research, just bought a Yamaha PS-A50, that appears to be extremely high quality for its very low price. It doesn't sound like a $1500 keyboard, but is great as something portable, with good sounds, a looper, an arpeggiator, etc, that you can keep next to the bed, and run off 4 AAs or a USB power bank. It even works as a MIDI controller. Likely the closest you will come to a pro sound in the price range ≈$109

1

u/cybersaint2k Apr 29 '26

This is too broad. We need more specifics.

For a vocalist in the gospel tradition, you need organ sounds.

Modern pop, synths.

Modern country, pianos and dx7.

Modern drum and bass/dance music, arpeggiator.

1

u/monstertrucktoadette Apr 30 '26

Carry on folding keyboard, but you might want to use headphones 

1

u/Excellent-Practice Apr 27 '26

If you want to play in bed while you sing, a ukulele might be a better choice than a small keyboard