Learning Piano using Keyboard?

[keith]

Hi everyone. I'm eager to learn piano and found alot of interesting software that teaches piano using a Midi keyboard.

Well, is it actually possible to learn piano from a 49 key keyboard? Piano has 88 keys right? I'm thinking of buying the keyboard and learning from the software (Voyetra Teach Me Piano Deluxe), anyone here has suggestions or advice about this? Will I be able to play real piano if I practice on the 49 key keyboard at home?

Thanks.

[Gill the Piano]

Well, it's a bit like using a motorbike to learn to cycle in that a keyboard is a diffent beastie to a piano; the touch won't be right, even on a weighted keyboard. However, from the note range point of view, it'll be a long time before you use more than 49 notes. You have 4 octaves, and a learner can cope on a 5 octave piano up to Grade V. So you could get to Grade III level at a pinch before needing a proper piano, and on average most kids do a Grade a year. Adults are generally slower to learn than children, so you'd be all right on the plastic one for about four years. However, if you want to learn the piano properly, you'll need a proper piano!

[keith]

I'll start with the keyboard then.
Thanks for the advice