Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The description was misleading, the CTK 2550’s are NOT midi capable. As a piano teacher, a general midi connection is a requirement for my students. This model only plugs into a computer or iPad via audio cable. Also, many answered questions by various people were also confusing because some implied that it was midi capable (clearly they do not understand the difference). If you go to Casio’s website and read the manual, it is only an audio connection. What is the difference? With general midi, you can run real assessment software (not the funky audio and visual only apps) as a learning tool. I am a piano teacher and a keyboard is a great way to get the younger crowd started (7 and under) for a short period of time. Maybe the first six months to a year. After that, a full-size digital piano with weighted keys (rather than touch sensitive) is recommended for correct technique development. For aspiring piano students, the term “touch sensitive” only means that when you press the key, it plays. There is no dynamic control i.e., soft, medium, loud. One sound only. Weighted, hammer-action keys provide weight and dynamic control for proper development and simulate the action of a real, acoustic piano. Look for the terms weighted, graduated and hammer action. The CTK-2550 is basically a music toy and as a piano teacher, I DO NOT recommend these to my students as we use fun practice tools and assessment software via internet with general midi connectivity. Casio makes some great products, but this one is a toy. If you or your child is a piano student, Get a CTK 3500 or above, for about the same price. Better yet, go digital and get into Casio’s Privia line, all of which are full-sized 88-key weighted, hammer-action digitals, and midi-capable. It’s a bit more money but you will have both a happier and more motivated student (a quality instrument makes all the difference) and a happy teacher. If you are on a tight budget, start with a CTK 3500 or above and plan to upgrade to digital after a year or so. I purchased this for a student and while I understand all the specs, I was mislead by the description on Amazon. It has been sent back and I actually purchased something elsewhere, as it is the second time I was duped by a misleading description on the Amazon website.