Everyone loves music. It can make you happy. It can make you sad. Music can make you dance. It can free your inner creativity. Music is just amazing and it should absolutely by part of our schools. This article will share more about Music in Our Schools as well a review of the Casio Privia keyboard. Many students start learning about music on a piano keyboard (just as my son did) and it is a great life long instrument to learn. A Casio PRIVIA PX-S1000 was provided to me in order to facilitate review.
March is ‘Music in our Schools Month’
Music As Part Of A Child’s Education
March is ‘Music in our Schools Month’ and I am a big supporter of music as part of a child’s education. Some people may need a concrete reason to support music education in schools. Those people may enjoy knowing that music can contribute to an increased IQ. In a study by E. Glenn Schellenberg published in a 2004 issue of Psychological Science, “children who were given music lessons over the school year tested on average three IQ points higher than the other groups”.
Music For Creativity
But music education is about so much more than concrete numbers! It is about beauty- making it and appreciating it. It is about creativity and freeing the soul. However, most people aren’t born great at music, they have to learn and practice. And typically, the earlier they start, the easier that is so music education in our schools is very important.
Music Encourages Work Ethic
Music in schools is not just about learning the musical skills and getting to be a part of the musical world. It also comes with a host of other benefits. Both of my children are very book smart and never had to try hard to get good grades in elementary school. That is why I loved music for both of them. Weekly music lessons taught them discipline and made them learn the value of hard work. Then when then got a change to take music in school, it allowed them to connect socially with their peers. They also benefited from learning to perform in public. Music gives them a real sense of pride.
Music Provides Social Interaction
My daughter enjoys music so much (Clarinet, Violin, and Piano) that she asked to attend a band camp at Ball State University last summer. I was shocked but pleased that she enjoyed music that much! She had a wonderful time progressing in her instrument skills, and meeting other students who enjoy music and performing. Allowing children the opportunity to learn to play an instrument is like opening a door to a whole new world for them.
Celebrate Music in Our Schools Month
Casio America, Inc. is celebrating ‘Music in Our Schools Month’ this March through a partnership with the Keep Music Alive, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers free music lessons and classes to new students at over 850 music schools and stores in over a dozen countries. My son chose piano as his instrument when I offered him a chance to take lessons at six years of age. He started on a Casio keyboard and it is an excellent instrument for many people who want to learn to play to music. From beginner to advanced, Casio’s lineup of digital keyboards matches any skill level. I am happy to provide a review of the Casio PRIVIA PX-S1000 with you today.
The Casio PRIVIA Keyboard
As I mentioned, my son started playing a Casio portable keyboard at the age of six. He played drums in the school band in 5th and 6th grade and piano at home. This year, he entered the 7th grade and he was able to start playing the keyboard for the school band. It was an achievement because he had to try out for the spot and he was very proud to have been selected. His piano teacher told me that it was time to upgrade my son’s keyboard to full size with 88 keys and one that had fully weighted keys. I am so happy that Casio was able to provide a Casio PRIVIA PX-S1000 to facilitate my review because it is the perfect instrument for a musician that is ready to up their game. This fabulous keyboard should last him all the way through high school and beyond.
Casio PRIVIA Keyboard PXS1000 Features:
- Stunning piano Tones with damper and string resonance, plus 17 other Tones
- Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard with simulated ebony/ivory key textures
- Beautifully polished top panel design with illuminated touch sensor controls
- Bluetooth audio for playing along with your favorite songs
- Designed to work with the free Chordana Play for Piano iOS/Android app
- Slim design that weighs less than 25 pounds
- Powerful stereo speaker system plus two headphone jacks and two 1/4″ outputs
- Optional battery power (AC adapter included)
- Class-compliant USB port with no drivers or installation needed
Beautiful, Elegant Full Size 88 Key Digital Piano Keyboard
First, I have to say, the Casio PRIVIA PX-S1000 has a striking design. Modern, elegant, sleek. It is feels more solid than his old keyboard and yet it is slimmer. The keys have the beautiful look and feel of real piano keys with the simulated ebony/ivory key appearance and texture. It is embellished with a beautifully polished top panel design with illuminated touch sensor controls. When powered, on the various functions light up and when powered down, the various functions go black to match the keyboard for a smooth, fancy piano look.
Optional Casio CS-68 Digital Piano Stand
The Casio PRIVIA PX-S 1000 keyboard is fairly lightweight (under 25 pounds) too for such a powerful keyboard. We are currently using it with our previous portable stand but I am thinking we will buy a CS68 Stand to give it a fancier, one-piece digital piano look. In fact, I would suggest buying the full deluxe bundle package that comes with all the accessories because it is cheaper than buying them all separately. Available through my affiliate Amazon link.
Casio Privia Sound Quality
I just love the sleek design and sound quality on the Casio PRIVIA PX-S1000 keyboard. It has a powerful stereo speaker system so you get great volume and clarity. The built-in speakers are engineered to sound accurate when facing a wall, placed on a table, or in an open performance space. It sounds like he is playing a piano, not a keyboard. The speakers project towards the player from subtle ports just above the keys, and towards the audience from rear-facing drivers so you get excellent sound no matter where you are located in the room. The concert grand piano tone sounds great and has damper resonance along with impressive volume range.
Weighted Keys and Key Responsiveness
My son can also achieve the full music dynamics so that can play super pianissimo or forte as called for because of Casio’s Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard that offer the perfect resistance and sound response. The hammer behavior feels different and better than his old keyboard because it reacts naturally to his playing dynamics. It is grand piano sound and feel in a compact keyboard.
Portable Keyboard
As my son gets older and want to play in bands, it will be nice to have such a portable keyboard. As Casio says, “the PX-S1000 will make you rethink how portable a piano can be. It’s 43% smaller than previous generation Privias without compromising its true piano experience.”
Advanced Tech Features
It offers integrated Bluetooth audio that lets you connect your device wirelessly to the PX-S1000 for playing along to your favorite songs. You can also download the Chordana Play for Piano iOS/Android app, that will allow you to change instrument settings, control the MIDI recorder, and learn your favorite MIDI songs with a graphical “piano roll” which grades you on how well you play. Two headphone and two 1/4″ outputs. Class-compliant USB port.
Conclusion
The Casio Privia keyboards are popular for several reasons:
- Quality Sound: The Privia series features advanced AiR (Acoustic and intelligent Resonator) sound engine, which provides high-quality, realistic piano sounds.
- Authentic Key Feel: These keyboards often have weighted keys with a scaled hammer action, which mimics the feel of an acoustic piano, making them suitable for serious practice and performance.
- Portability: Casio Privia keyboards are designed to be lightweight and portable, making them easy to transport for gigs, rehearsals, or home use.
- Affordability: Compared to many other digital pianos with similar features, the Privia series is often more budget-friendly, offering great value for the money.
- Educational Features: Many models include built-in lesson functions, duet mode, and connectivity options for educational software, which can be beneficial for students and teachers.
We are so happy with the Casio PRIVIA PX-S1000. It is a huge leap up and it will perfect as my son continues to play music in school. My son’s piano teacher was all smiles when he saw what I had gotten for my son. He gave it two thumbs up!
Do you think music in our schools is important? Do you help your child’s inner musician flourish? What valuable lessons do you think your child learns from playing an instrument? Have you tried the Casio PRIVIA PX-S1000? Tag us with your comments, questions, or photos @familyfocusblog @CasioMusicGear #familyfocusblog
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