All of our family (esp. during reunions) gets a little musical, good or bad we still listen and love it. We had one a long time ago, I am thinking a Yamaha and I was thinking maybe we should get a new one since the old one was lost in a shuffle. 200.00 is not that much when you think we are only going to use this off and on, and not out playing for a paying audience. I am not too sure about the recorder option though.

Is this a question about a Yamaha or the Casio?

Sorry to confuse you, it is about the Casio but I was trying to remember that we had Yamaha a long time ago and I was not sure what the difference would be, if any, specific with like price range, if it works for both newbies and vets, etc.

If you miss it at the family gatherings, then I say "Why not?" You should be able to learn to use it in no time, and pianos are generally designed to be preset to the piano sound when they turn on, so it shouldn't be any trouble. A recording option would just be gravy at that point. Who knows? You might use it someday.

I love the idea of things I might need as most times thats really how it happens....oh I have this button, nice.

I remember a long time ago we had some crazy brand that someone got one year from Santa and it was actually tuned bad coming out of the box. No clue now but I think bad and always remember that when I purchase something new, esp. when ordering online. I still might peek at the Casio though, it is mighty pretty.

Do you have a piano or music store near you that might have a Casio that you can try out? We are fortunate to have a Kimball Piano Store nearby that also carries several different brands of instruments. Perhaps if you have a store nearby you could check one out there.