We've made a quick video showing the 2 types of keyboards we recommend for students here:
https://youtu.be/8O4tqDcXLxU
And a summary below:
61 key keyboards - $100
Pros:
Lots of sounds like piano, violin, drums, synthesizer, electric guitar etc.
Portable - easy to pack up or travel with
Makes getting started easy... no waiting a few months to buy a keyboard. (practice is important!)
Cons:
Keys are weighted with springs and so are very light
Not all 88 keys (this is not really a big deal... the upper & lower keys are not used very much)
88 key keyboards - $450 to 600
Pros:
These are great to start with. Students should seriously consider upgrading after 6-12 months
Weighted keys - not as heavy as a real piano, but often very close
Cons:
Often they have less sounds which for younger kids is a big deal.
Why weighted keys are important:
The weight or resistance in the keys helps you build muscle memory. This is a big part of how we learn. Our brains are not thinking of EVERY note or letter as we're going through the music, but remembering the melody and the movements instead.
Recommended Stores: American music and Costco are great sources for these keyboards. Costco may only have these keyboards over the holidays.
We also have practice time available on real pianos.
Please let us know if you have any other questions!