Casiotone CTS200 vs CTS300 | 61-Note Beginner Keyboards | Casio Keyboard Comparison

 

Small but mighty! Today we’re looking at the Casiotone CTS200 vs CTS300 - a pair of 61-note compact digital keyboards with tons of sounds, fun features and excellent portability courtesy of a convenient carrying handle. We often focus on Casio’s 88-key musical instruments, such as the Privia series pianos, so this is a fun change of pace for us.

Both of these Casiotone keyboards can be had for under $250 CAD, but there is a $50 price difference between them, which is fairly significant considering the price point. We’re going to cover exactly what these differences are and of course, dive into some of the fun features. Casio has a number of these types of smaller keyboards including the Casio LK-S250, CT-S100, CT-S400, CT-S1 and Casio CT-X700, but today we’ll just be focusing on the Casiotone CTS200 vs CTS300 61-note keyboards. Whether you’re looking for an introduction instrument for a youngster, or simply looking for a fun instrument to mess around with, this comparison is for you.

Casiotone CTS200 vs CTS300 - Background

Given the price point and number of keys, many folks are automatically going to assume that the CTS200 and 300 are a pair of portable keyboards built strictly for beginners. And of course, both of these are definitely great beginner instruments, no question. But at the same time, they’re both equipped with a number of features aimed at more advanced users, which makes them both shockingly fun and usable for a wide range of musicians in terms of experience level. For example, they’re both MIDI-capable, and you can actually specify the MIDI channel you want to use. You can even turn local control on and off, which is something you’d expect to see on an intermediate or professional portable arranger keyboard. They’re both also extremely portable thanks to a trusty built-in carrying handle and the fact that both can run on battery power. Now let’s move to what’s the same about these two pianos.

CTS200 vs CTS300 - What’s the Same?

In terms of the number of sounds and overall concept of functionality, the Casio Casiotone CT-S200 and CT-S300 are virtually identical.

 

Playing Modes

There are 4 playing modes available on each piano, the first of which is accessed by pressing the brightly colored Home button. The default mode is just the standard way a digital piano normally operates, so you can access all of the onboard tones which consist of a whopping 400 presets in total including acoustic piano sounds, electric pianos, strings, synths and just about everything you can think of. Polyphony sits at 48 notes which is definitely on the low side, but not surprising given how affordable both of these pianos are. There are 10 Reverb levels so you are given a little bit of control over the sounds which is nice. The second playing Mode allows you to play along with rhythm auto-accompaniment. It’s not a complex auto-accompaniment system, but you are nonetheless able to play with a full band behind you. There are 77 different rhythmic styles to choose from with 2 variations per rhythm available. Mode 3 is called Song Mode, and here you’re able to access the 60 built-in songs each piano possesses. You can turn either the right or left hand off which is a great educational feature. Finally, the cherry on top is the Dance Music Mode. This is super fun and an easy way to get lost in being creative for hours on end, with different options for drum beats, basslines and synthesizers.

 

Features

Both pianos are easy to operate thanks to a logical layout and handy LCD display. Standard features like Transpose, Tuning and Metronome are included on both. As mentioned above, both can run entirely on battery power, though an AC adapter power supply can be purchased as well, though in some markets a power adapter is included at no charge. The battery life is actually quite strong so you won’t be burning through batteries anyway. Both pianos include a music stand at no additional cost. A keyboard stand and sustain pedal can be added for a cost as well.

 

Connectivity

Connectivity is another area where these two pianos are identical. Both pianos have a stereo mini headphone jack that can also serve as an output jack. They both also have a stereo mini audio input, pedal jack, and a USB port (micro B port) which is how you can connect either one to your favorite device to access apps like the Chordana Play App or to operate a DAW.

 

CTS200 vs CTS300 - What’s Different?

Piano Action

While both the S200 and S300 have 61 full-size keys, there is a big difference between the key actions, and this is the single largest difference between these two pianos. The difference is that the S300’s action offers touch sensitivity, while the S200’s does not. Both actions are unweighted, but having a touch-sensitive action unlocks some velocity-related touch response effects on various sounds, and really opens the S300 to be used as a MIDI controller. Given the relatively small price difference between the two, this makes the S300 almost a no-brainer if you have any type of piano background, or if you think the beginner starting out with one of these pianos is likely to start piano lessons at some point.

 

Speaker System

When it comes to the built-in speakers, the sound quality on either one of these isn't great, as would be expected for the size and price of both of these 61-key digital keyboards available. That said, this is an area where there is a modest, but still noticeable difference between the two. The S200 has 4 watts of amplifier power, while the S300 has 5 watts. A modest difference as we said, but a difference nonetheless.

 

Pitch Bend Wheel

Finally, the S300 incorporates a pitch bend wheel, while the S200 does not.

 

Closing Thoughts

Either one of these 61-key portable keyboards is going to be a great option for someone seeking an introductory instrument for a total beginner to the piano. They’re both actually built to be quite durable as well, signalling that Casio definitely has kids in mind as a target audience for these pianos. Alternatives to check out are the Yamaha PSR products, and the Roland GO pianos. Thanks for reading!

The post Casiotone CTS200 vs CTS300 | 61-Note Beginner Keyboards | Casio Keyboard Comparison first appeared on Merriam Pianos

2359 Bristol Cir #200, Oakville, ON L6H 6P8

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(905) 829-2020

Music Activities For Toddlers & Preschoolers | 10 Fun & Easy Music Activities for Childhood Development

Music activities are a wonderful way to spend time with your child. On top of having fun expressing yourselves, there are so many benefits of music making.

Singing songs can help with a child’s language development, dance can help develop their gross motor skills, and playing musical instruments can help develop fine motor skills.

Here are just a few:

Music Can Change the Mood

Have you ever noticed that hearing your favourite song puts a smile on your face? Or a song makes you feel calmer, or helps you release some anger and frustration?

Kids feel the same way! You can use music as a tool to help regulate children’s big feelings or to burn off some energy when they’re bouncing off the walls.

Music is a Teacher

There are so many ways that the benefits of music can contribute to a child’s development!

Did you know having a good sense of beat makes you better at using scissors? That young children who can pick out sounds in music can also pick out sounds in words, making them better readers? Did you know that moving to music helps children learn to control their bodies, making them better at sports?

There are so many reasons why music is a great tool for learning!

Music is a Team Effort

Music activities can get families working together, not against each other. There is no winner or loser in music games and (in most cases) no fighting over who gets what!

Playing music together is a great way to create a sense of connection and belonging, practice social skills like turn-taking, and build your child’s self-esteem.

10 Fun and Easy Music Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

As a music educator and mom, here are my favourite music and movement activities that anyone can do:

Family Dance Party!

When you’re feeling cooped up, crank up the tunes and get moving!

You can choose music that kids love (Encanto soundtrack, anyone?), expose them to some of your favourite songs, or together create a playlist so everyone gets their pick. No need to stick with just preschool music – kids love all kinds of styles and often interpret songs differently than we do. Pop, rock, oldies, world, or classical music- as long as it has a great beat, it can be great for dancing.

You can also suggest ways to move, like moving like a specific animal, or dancing using a certain body part. Then add some silk scarves or shakers to really make this a party!

Freeze Dance

A classic kids game. Put on some favorite songs and dance around.

When the music stops, FREEZE! You can be in charge of starting and stopping the music, use one of the many pre-made freeze dance songs from the Kiboomers, or my personal favourite, play the Silly Dance Contest by Jim Gill.  

DIY Musical Instruments

You don’t need fancy equipment or expensive musical instruments; you can make homemade instruments using items around the house. Pots, pans, empty yogurt tubs, chopsticks, wooden spoons, and jingle bells are all fantastic music makers.

If you’re feeling crafty, you and your preschooler can make your own shakers or paper plate tambourines, or older children can try making a water xylophone.

Sing Some Action Songs

Preschoolers love action songs and they may already know the standard circle time songs like I’m a Little Teapot, If You’re Happy and You Know It, or the Wheels on the Bus.

Adding simple actions makes the music more engaging for children, and also helps them remember and understand the lyrics of the songs. For a newer classic, try The Wiggles’ Rock-A-Bye Your Bear or Going on a Bear Hunt.

Knee Bounces

You may think knee bounces are just for infants, but 2 to 4-year-olds love them too. If you can handle their weight, sit on the floor with your child in your lap.

Kids love getting bounced up and down to the Grand Ol Duke of York (just watch the face of the child in this video), or being bounced faster and faster in This is the Way the Ladies Ride.

Being bounced to a steady beat helps children feel and develop their sense of rhythm.

Fingerplays

Fingerplays are such valuable tools for preschoolers.

They focus energy, help with counting skills, and they also help strengthen those little finger muscles. I use finger songs when I need to bring energy levels down or to fight boredom when we’re stuck waiting somewhere like the doctor’s office.

5 Green and Speckled Frogs, The Finger Family Song, and 5 Little Ducks are all classic finger songs that preschoolers love.

Musical Storytime

Many storybooks are based on favourite songs, and most libraries (and Amazon!) are stocked with them.

You and your kids will love looking at the beautiful illustrations as you sing the words. Illustrated nursery rhymes like The Wheels on the Bus by Paul O. Zelinsky add visuals to classic songs, but there are plenty of books using more popular music.

Expose your child to a variety of musical styles with Louis Armstrong’s What A Wonderful World, Peter, Paul and Mary’s Puff the Magic Dragon, The Beatles’ The Octopus’s Garden and Bob Marley’s Every Little Thing.

Balloon Dancing

Kids. Love. Balloons.

And there’s a good reason for it! Balloons are fun, unpredictable, and make great dance partners.

Play a family game of Keep Up by tossing some balloons up in the air and working together to keep them off the ground. Add some magic to this game by playing a fun song at the same time.

Keepy Uppy from the Bluey soundtrack is my go-to.

Color What You Hear

This is one of the quieter music activities that will help your child develop their listening skills.

Choose some classical music that has a very clear story or theme, like In the Hall of the Mountain King, The Happy Farmer, or anything from Carnival of the Animals. Find a printable coloring sheet online that matches the theme and get out the crayons. Colour in your pictures as you listen to the music.

Not only does this help develop listening skills, it also helps your child understand how music can make us think of something else.

For a more advanced version, instead of a printable, give them some blank pieces of paper and ask them to draw what they hear in the music.

Hear A Real Musician

If you can, take your child to see a children’s concert, stroll around an outdoor jazz festival, or just stop and listen to a sidewalk busker.

Many orchestras also offer concerts designed to expose young children to the different sounds of the orchestra and to classical music, and they are typically during the day, under an hour, and allow kids to move around as they listen.

Sign Up For a Music Class!

Making music at home is wonderful, but making music in a group is a whole other experience.

Early childhood music lessons typically involve singing songs, dancing and moving to all types of music, playing rhythm instruments (like drums, sticks, bells) and creating positive musical experiences for children and their families.

Most of the activities can be done at home too, giving you plenty of musical ideas for the week!

Final Thoughts

Beyond creating a fun and engaging environment for young children, music activities can have a profound effect on early childhood development.

We hope that these suggestions provide you with an understanding of the benefits of music and lead to many years of music-making!

The post Music Activities For Toddlers & Preschoolers | 10 Fun & Easy Music Activities for Childhood Development

first appeared on Merriam Pianos

2359 Bristol Cir #200, Oakville, ON L6H 6P8

merriammusic.com

(905) 829-2020