Electronic keyboards have come a long way since their early days in the 1970s and '80s. It is now possible to find great sounding keyboards under $200 that produce high-quality piano tones. Yamaha has been and remains a leader in the keyboard industry. A Yamaha MIDI keyboard is an example of the latest cutting-edge technology, but a used Yahama keyboard can also produce lush sound and last for years.

For example, Yamaha has a varied selection of reduced-key (61 key) keyboards available. The PSR172 is a 61-key Yamaha electronic keyboard that comes with a pedal jack allowing it to be used as a full practice piano. It also comes with a built in metronome for serious practice. To top it off the PSR172 comes with a DJ 'turntable' that mimics the popular sounds found in rap and R&B music.

If you are looking for an even more realistic 'piano-like' experience and are on a budget, you might want to look into the Yamaha PSRE303. This model actually comes with a feature called 'touch response.' Simply put, this allows the keyboard to respond like a piano insofar as the harder you press the keys, the louder they get. This is a great feature for those who are looking for a great piano substitute keyboard.

Additionally, the PSRE303 comes with a built-in two-track recorder. This keyboard also comes with a backlit LCD screen and an 'education suite' that acts like an electronic piano teacher. You can literally take piano lessons from this portable keyboard, and it even has a chord dictionary as an added bonus.