88 Keys? 61?, What size keyboard is good for learning? Options

[xparrot]

I'm on the verge of purchasing a MIDI keyboard to learn how to play the piano.

My question is, how many keys do I need to learn? A piano has 88, so I lean towards that. But there are 76 key, 61 key and 49 key controllers.

Which would be a good one to learn on for someone who has never played before?

I found this software for OS X that will be available soon:
http://www.floridamusicco.com/pianokeyboard.htm

What other hardware will I need to connect the MIDI keyboard to my computer.

I have(or will have as soon as it delivers) a dual 2Ghz G5 with 2GB of RAM

Thanks in advance for the help with this.

-Kirk

[Synthetic]

well a 61 note keyboard will probably be fine to learn on and especially for any synth work but... if you want to be a piano virtuoso though... a 88 key is what you should go with because when you start playing with both hands (one for bass lines and one for the melody) you will need that extra range of octaves to be effiecient.

I took lessons on 88 key piano but did all my practicing on my Yamaha 61 key synth that was sufficient for me... i never really planned to become Billy Joel or Elton John though

if you plan to get a G5... you really don't need anything else. It comes with 24bit audio inputs and midi in and out I think so it sounds like you will just need to consider software that you want to use and that depends on how much midi and audio work you wish to do.

PS... you know most of us here will be envious of your G5 and will probably spew a few sarcastic remarks at you when you start asking for help relating to that new speed demon hehe