Piano Practice....Sans Keyboard

Wow, this one is a doozy.  There is nothing more frustrating for a piano teacher than to have a student not have access to a keyboard.  Now some would say that the student shouldn't be taking lessons if there isn't a keyboard readily available, but sometimes things happen.  In the military world, one occasion that pops up sometimes is that a family's household goods are packed out months in advance of a move, yet the parents still want the student to take lessons. Or a piano might have so many sticky keys that it is unplayable. Or a keyboard not working properly. So many reasons...so what to do?
1. Check out your local chapels, churches, etc.  Ask if they have a piano on which your student may practice.  Some churches, especially if given the back story, would allow practice on one of their pianos or keyboards. 
2. Check with a friend.  Do you have any friends with pianos or keyboards?  Ask if you could barter babysitting services or hot dinner in exchange for some time at their piano for your student.
3. Check your local hotels.  Some of the nicer ones have pianos or keyboards.  Ask if your student could play on it.
4. Check with a local university/college music department.  Ask if they have practice studios and if your student could practice there.
5. Lastly, make do at home.  Print out a paper keyboard, set it on the counter or table and have your musician work their fingers on the keys.  Have them press harder with their fingers to build finger strength.  Use a ball of socks on the floor for a pedal. 

There are times that we must get creative for practice opportunities.  A brainstorming session with the teacher, student and parents would be very helpful.  Try to work together and figure out the best avenue possible for the young musician.  Anything is possible!

Purchasing a Keyboard - What to look for?

I've been asked by many people about having a beginning piano student learn on a keyboard vs a piano.  Of course true pianos or digital pianos are the best option, but sometimes they don't fit in the budget.

So if a keybord is what's in your budget, what do you need to look for?
These are big things that are must-haves!
1. Full size keys.  Notice I didn't say "keyboard".  The individual keys themselves need to be full size.  It doesn't matter as much if there are 88 keys on that keyboard, especially for the beginner.  But those keys need to be full sized so that the musician's fingers can begin to learn spacing and intervals.
2.Weighted keys - also called touch sensitive.  This means that the volume of the keys can be adjusted through the amount of force played on the keys, not just a volume slide or control.  To determine if the keyboard has it or not, try playing as lightly as possible and then as hard as possible. If you noticed a difference in the volume, then they keys are weighted; if not, then  its not.  :)
3. Port for optional sustain pedal.  Check the back of the keyboard to see if there is a port to plug a sustain pedal into.  While the sustain pedal is not a must-have for the first couple months, it is used within the first year of lessons.  Sometimes the pedal comes w/ the keyboard as a package deal, sometimes its something you have to purchase later.
4. Stand/Bench.  In the very front of the primer level piano lesson book (I use Faber's Piano Adventures), there is a page that describes how to determine the musician's seating at the piano--both how high and how close to the keyboard.  This need must be met by either the stand and bench to be bought w/ the keyboard, or a counter and adjustable stool/bench at home. 
5. Music stand/rest.  This is a place to stand up your music.  There have been many people who have forgotten all about that until they got the keyboard home, so just make sure.

These 5 things are must-haves and thankfully keyboard manufacturers are making keyboards that meet these needs in more budget-friendly ways.  The Yamaha keyboard in the picture is just one example of a keyboard that provides these things.  The pedal and bench are additional purchases.