Reddit reviews Williams Legato 88-Key Digital Piano

Technically you can. It's just that you will have to get used to how a piano really feels like whenever you are going to perform, that and you might not get the added benefit of having all the octaves to play on, meaning some songs will not be possible to play.

And I know this one isn't in the FAQ, I am not sure about your price range, but I still found that this keyboard works pretty well, however make sure to counter in for the essentials pack ($30) because without that you'd need batteries and a suspension pedal. It's still a great keyboard for a great cost. Try looking at guitar center for this one, they usually have it on sale for like $160

Williams Legato

This [piano] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P03P778/ref=s9_simh_gw_p267_d5_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-3&pf_rd_r=0CM6ZH61N703PMRQRQNK&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2084660942&pf_rd_i=desktop) seems to be within your budget right now, but idk much about it's quality sadly, but it has weighted keys and it's a full size. it doesn't come with a stand or a power cable but there's a usually purchase combination that has that.

looking at this

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Series-P105B-88-Key-Digital/dp/B008FVBX7A/ref=zg_bs_11970121_2

versus

http://www.amazon.com/Williams-Legato-88-Key-Digital-Piano/dp/B00P03P778/ref=zg_bs_11970121_1

TL;DR: Okay this comment got very long. Basically, I think it's entirely accidental but people have a habit of going OTT when they're "into" an instrument, and forget what a beginner truly needs. I think there's a minimum requirement, but that it's achievable for something closer to $180-300

I see two clear sides to this.

Part of it is that Piano tends to be a predominantly middle class "hobby" (/pastime.... the fact "hobby" doesn't feel like the right word half proves my point), and therefore perceptions of "cheap" can vary quite wildly. That can throw out a feeling of snobbery, especially when anyone new to the instrument knows they can get a basic keyboard for $50. That's where the stuck up/snobby side comes in

There's also a point that most people who are here take the piano fairly seriously: and therefore have a different perception of what is needed for a "minimum acceptable" piano, because they themselves would find anything below that level completely useless. This is where the elitist side comes in to the perception

Similarly, there's a point that the more "into" piano, or anything else, you are, the higher your minimum accepable level is. I struggle to recommend cheap laptops for my family, because a $400 Dell from target could never cover my needs. We're all guilty of this sometimes: because we've invested so much time and effort into something that our expectations are far higher and we can find it difficult to recognise that others don't have very advanced requirements.

On the other hand, there is a clear minimum level (touch sensitive keys) below which many strongly feel that you are no longer playing the Piano, but are instead using a basic synthesiser with the notes arranged in the same way as the piano. I think we all agree that a basic Casio keyboard doesn't allow you to learn how to play staccato, or even to understand the difference between playing piano and forte. Therefore, there is a basic requirement that isn't covered by cheap keyboards.

It's not that people are being elitist in saying "Look, if you want to be able to learn on this keyboard and then transfer the skills to a piano, you really need weighted, hammer action (or at least touch sensitive) keys", it's that.... well, they're right. If you play a keyboard without touch sensitive keys, at an absolute minimum, you can't learn many of the skills that go beyond plinking out a basic melody.

It's a tricky one, balancing the two, and I feel the FAQ definitely strikes the wrong balance. It aims too much for "assuming you can already play and are happy to invest heavily", rather than "You've got an interest and want something that you can learn on from scratch"

Particularly with this line, which definitely lends itself to the "snobby and elitist" thing. The line in question is linked to <$500 keyboards

> Keyboards in this price range are more toys than they are instruments.

So the first thing I'd ask here is that if <$500 gets you a toy rather than an instrument, we have two things to ask.

1. What is the true minimum needed?
   
2. How much is the cheapest instrument that reasonably covers the above.
   
   While we see lots of "You need midi", "You need voices" nonsense banded around, I think we can sensibly limit the "needed" down to:
   
   

• Touch sensitive keys: Mandatory
  
• 88 keys: debatable
  
• Semi-weighted or weighted keys: debatable
  
  Personally I'd say that for a true beginner on a tight budget, weighted keys are a nice to have, but not a deal breaker. 88 keys, similarly, is nice... but how many beginner or even intermediate level songs use the 1st and 7th octaves? Anything over 60 keys, if we're honest, is enough to cover the 5 octaves used in most music.
  
  So we're looking at 60+ keys and touch sensitivity, as being the "true minimum". With 88 keys, weighted or hammer action etc being "nice to have". So how much is one of those?
  
  Here's one for $300 that's got graded, hammer action keys. So we're already at 60% of the $500 mark in my first search, hitting both my "necessary" and ll three of my "nice to have" measures.
  
  Is it an incredible piano? No idea, I've never tried it. But it certainly looks good enough to learn on, as far as I can see.
  
  And here's one for $180 that lacks the hammer action and fully weighted keys, but still has 88 keys, and is touch sensitive and semi-weighted. Would anyone say that a beginner couldn't genuinely start to learn with this instrument?
  
  I do see the point that there's an element of "buy right or buy twice" here, that buying a $700 instrument that will last you well until you're proficient, rather than a $300 beginner instrument and upgrading later, will actually save you money in the long run... but we have to remember that this sub has a confirmation bias. By being here, you instantly belong to the "didn't give up on Piano" club. For everyone in this sub, there are others who wasted $300, never mind $700.
  
  So yeah, I'd say that we really just need to re-define the "minimum" and "recommended" levels, find the right instrument for those levels, and then discuss them sensibly
  
  There's nothing wrong with saying "This is the basic piano that's worth having at $180" (or whatever) "And here's a better one for $300 that will last you beyond beginner, and a $600 one that's good enough for anybody to keep at home" or whatever.
  
  It's just the re-adjustment at the bottom end that's needed. Just because I've got a $1400 Yamaha Arius that's practically an Acoustic replacement, doesn't mean that's suitable for a beginner on a budget. Let's try to give the best advice we can, regardless of situation.
  
  Of course, I accept that others may think that those pianos I've linked aren't worth learning on: I'd welcome any responses justifying that (not in a "Defend yourself!" way, but for genuine discussion)

Basically what I got. You can learn on it and I still am using mine two years in, but you'll wish you had that extra $170 to spend on a real keyboard when you buy one. Try checking for second hand options on craigslist or in stores. Or go for this instead, it's only a little more but has 88 keys, probably better action (but you also have to buy AC power adapter).

What about something like this or this?

They are certainly a step up from the $150 portable keyboards but obviously are a step down from the $500 ones listed.

What have been people's experiences with the Williams Legato 88? I am looking to spend a little as possible on a piano and this looks like a good place to start. Any feedback?