software

This is awesome. I've been wanting to play piano forever and my grandma just found some extra money in and old account and wants to buy me one. So I was hoping you guys could help me out with what to get...

I was thinking I should get a digital piano for computer stuff. I'm really just looking for a versatile, easy to use, beginners piano. What's best for it's price? Hopefully around $300-400. I looked on Ebay, and they didn't seem to have much. What should I look for and where?

Thanks.

Yamaha and Roland are always at the top of my list. Try to go for quality over features though. 500 different voices are nice, but they're no fun if the keys are thin and flimsy. Also, try to get as many octaves in there as possible - full sized is great! Check the Yamaha and Roland sites (or other manufacturers too). If you find something you like, go to a local dealer and the odds are they'll be able to order it for you.

you mean keyboards? Korg, roland, yamaha, nord,

Yeah, keyboards. Would have to be full sized and feel like a real piano, though...

I have a Yamaha S-80. While that particular board is probably out of your range there are some things you might want to consider. Some features have already been mentioned.

For piano and organ type voices, the more keys you have the better. While most 88 key boards are probably out of your price range there are mid sized boards that have better features than the bottom end 88s. Just stay away from anything that has 3 1/2 octaves or less.

Weighted keys are also very nice but again they generally cost more money or you'll sacrifice features to get them. Try to avoid anything that feels like a toy or too flimsy.

The S-80 and simular boards are fully programmable poloyonic synths with access to all the LFOs, wave shapes and other parameters as well as having modeled voices as well. They can also be used as midi controllers and can have master/slave relationships with other midi gear and sequencers. Inexpensive boards will possibly have some samples and limited control over the voices. Again find something in your range that has at least some flexability and midi is a must but most stuff is midi capable nowadays.

Choose a board that has a little weight to it. The really light stuff is generally not sturdy or very well built.

Shop used and demo the board first, you'll save some cash.