I bought a Casio Privia PX-160 electric piano keyboard at the recommendation of a student who used to be a concert pianist. And I am really glad I did.
Unlike the electric piano keyboards that I am used to, this one feels nearly like a real piano when you play it. It isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty darned close.
For me, the crucial test is whether, when I place my hands on a keyboard, my fingers start to improvise and create new melodies. With a real piano, that happens as a matter of course. With most electric piano keyboards, it doesn’t happen at all — my fingers just sit there, waiting for inspiration that never comes.
The Privia PX-160 passes this test with flying colors. Throughout the day, whatever I am doing, I find myself drifting over to it, creating new melodies each time.
I’ve just ordered the proper Midi/USB cable so that I can connect my Privia to a computer. Once I have that connection set up, then all of those spontaneous melodies will be saved.
Over time these melodies will flow together into a growing reservoir of musical possibilities, like water.
If you’re going to be going MIDI into your computer, I highly recommend checking out Pianoteq, which is an incredible-sounding piano modeler. A good pair of studio monitors or headphones, alongside the action of the keyboard, will make you feel like you’re sitting at a real grand. I recommend it to all of my clients who want a great sounding live piano.