Teaching Piano to Kids - Advice

My daughter started on (and still uses) a Casio 88 key keyboard. It has weighted keys, and her piano teacher is fine with it. You can pick one up for around $200. An X folding stand runs about $15-20. You can buy a sustain pedal and plug it in as an accessory later. They won't need that right away anyway. My daughter didn't need it until almost year 3 of lessons.

Im sure you can find a decent full sized keyboard somewhere that has "piano" option on it. My son has one and that is what my 3 yr old granddaughter is using for her lessons.
We had a huge, old, antique upright that my boys learned on. I wish I still had it, but like you said "moving them is horrible". It's a shame I finally had to let it go, mostly because it was also the piano my dad took lessons on as well. It was pretty jacked up tho, had some mice living in it at one time and needed a lot of work so I soothe myself by remembering that.
I'd go to a music store and sample some of the keyboards there and see how your girls like them and get some advice from the clerk.
I think it's awesome that your girls have the love for it, it's so good for kids to learn an instrument. It's a great way to soothe frustration and stress.... and a great esteem builder as they get better and better at playing.

There are learning keyboards that you can purchase. Notes and tunes light up on an LED display. They learn the names of the notes, and also how to play simple tunes. Most come with a recording feature and they will have a blast listening to their masterpieces. Just google learning piano or learning keyboard. As a former music teacher with a minor in piano, my advice would be to hold off on the formal lessons until they are about 8 years old or so. They will need to be able to have basic mathematical skills, such as adding, subtracting, basic division, etc in order to comprehend basic theory, ie rhythm, beats, note values, time signature, etc.
In the meantime, get them a good portable, and let them experiment in developing their ear and creativity with a piano. Picking out even the easiest songs ("M. Had a Little Lamb", "Row, Row, Row Your Boat, etc) goes a long way in getting them ready for starting lessons. I took piano for 16 years including coursework in music school, and this was how I began playing myself.
Music is so wonderful. Kudos to you for wanting to build on their musical talents and interests!!

I started lessons when I was in the first grade, and for the first couple of years I practiced on a PLASTIC keyboard. It was really to get used to the fingerings, practicing scales, etc. Eventually, we did get a used piano - we too were on a very very very tight budget - but the small plastic keyboard, plus weekly lessons, were all I needed. Also, I started with group lessons (I was one of 4), and progressed to smaller group (2) and eventually solo lessons as I got older. In the end, I took lessons for 8 years, so starting on a plastic keyboard was NOT a detriment. My first job was playing the piano for a church!

My daughter has a good portable electric piano with 88 keys and sustain pedal, plus a folding stand. We got it at Costco around Christmas for under $200. It was easy for her to take to college because it folded up.

My sons were using an electric keyboard that we borrowed for free from church. The music pastor had several and loaned them out for worship team members to practice on. Every now and then he put out an announcement for used keyboards and would get them free from people who weren't using theirs. So you might want to ask around or put a request on freecycle or craigslist to see if someone has an old keyboard they'd like to pass on to a good home.

If you can read music, you can teach your children using a beginning method book. Lesson books from Alfreds, Musictree, and the Fabers have enough step by step instructions that you could probably use them for the basics. Just teach them one new thing at a time, let them practice and make sure they also PLAY and enjoy making music. Since you don't consider yourself musical, why not find another musical mom who would like to team teach, and get together once a week for a group lesson and some social time?

These things are important when purchasing a keyboard:
That it has "weighted keys" meaning it is touch-sensitive, and also that it is full-sized. This will give your girls a closer feeling to a real piano. I have a Yamaha P-70. Yamaha is very reliable and durable. Get a good case - it is worth the money. My keyboard has been on a plane 4 times and moved three times with my flight case. I had to save money for it, but it will last me forever. When not in use my little son plays on it or we use it as a coffee table because we don't have much furniture.
Good Luck!
P.S.: I disagree with the "learning keyboard" that has notes light up. It will end up as a crutch. A plain keyboard is a better investment if you don't have much money and will serve you for a very long time.

We RENT a piano... $55 per month... which is also what my mum did when I was a kid (navy family), although it was much less back when. The first tuning (after free delivery) was free, which saved us a couple hundred dollars right there. It was a minimum of a 6mo commitment. So if you've got the space... that's something to consider.

As far as lessons go... check with MWR. There are often lessons on base for a fraction of what civillian lessons go for. If not, you can try posting an ad on base. Lots of young sailors/soldiers/marines are excellent muscians who would LOVE to trade an hour a week of lessons in exchange for a little beer money and a home cooked meal. Ditto, there are a lot of stay at home spouses who would like the extra income... the Wive's Club would be where I'd look for those types.

Best of luck! :)

Google search: "learning piano online."

Or, if you get an iPad... there is an app on it, in which you can learn musical instruments. My friend's daughter, does that. We have that app too. My kids use it.
The app is called "Garage Band." Even pro musicians use this.
An iPad would be a way for you and your kids, to learn musical instruments. Right from home. This app has everything you need to learn how to play musical instruments.

I'm not sure, but 4 and 5 seem a little young, unless they just really pick things up easily. But, check with an instructor.
My daughter started taking lessons in January - she was 8. She started with an electronic keyboard and our instructor said that would probably serve her well for several years. But, eventually we would need an actual piano. And then several months ago, a friend gave her a real piano.
She takes a one hour lesson once a week. And, I can't believe how awesome she plays already! They really do learn fast :)
Good luck!

My daughter is 5 and started lessons about a month and a half ago. She loves it and is learning so much from her weekly 30 minute lesson. At this age it is adequate.
We do not own a piano, however we have borrowed a keyboard and at one point borrowed one of those roll-up keyboards as well. When we can clear out some space and have a few extra bucks for a mover, we'll get a piano - so easy to find on free cycle or craigslist. We've already found a bunch (just make sure you take someone who knows about piano tune when you go to look at them) so far. Piano movers cost around $150, give or take.

If they are wanting to play the piano, allowing them to take lessons is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. It is a wonderful skill to have, and I've heard that being able to play piano makes it easier to learn other instruments as well.