Keyboards

The kind that resemble pianos, not the kind that I'm typing on.

I want to buy a keyboard. It's kind of been something that's been on the back of my mind for a few years now. I've been playing piano since I was 4 (althought I don't think anythign in the first 5 years really could count as "playing.") Well, in later years I've done alot with piano, like teach, accompany choirs, play in various praise teams, and accompany theater productions. Usually I have to depend on somebody else having equipment. Also, when I'm away at college I can never practice, becuase my piano is at home. Although I do have a keyboard at home. It's some Casio model with no sustain pedal, no waited keys, maybe 100 sounds, 50 rhythms, and 20 jukebox songs. If it had a sustain pedal MAYBE I would consider bringing it to college, but without one, alot of songs, especially praise and worship, sounds very choppy. Not to even mention sound quality or lack of significant lower octaves.

Some of my friends want to start a band, with me on keyboard and harmony vocals. However, none of us own keyboards. This is a perfect situation of why I would want a keyboard. (I could've also probably used one for me and Leah in the past year when we break out into song in my room.) Talking to a friend who worked at Sam Ash for a year or so, I know that I want a Yamaha (for better sound quality.) I also want weighted keys (dynamic contrast,) which adds to the price. And for the record, no keyboards are made without the adapter for sustain pedal nowadays, so that won't even be an issue.

I tried to explore my options on the internet, but it's just a little overwhelming. I have no idea how people who review computers all the time do it. There's just so much information put in the best advertising twist to confuse poor naive buyers. If anyone has any great suggestions, I'm open to hear them. Either way, I'll talk to my friend some more and then actually head out to a music store to see the options for myself.