UK: Starting Out

I want to learn to play keyboards and be able to read music. I have the 'very' basic knowledge from music lessons at school years ago but that's about it. I know of a piano tutor in the neighbourhood but as I work shifts and have two kids I might not be able to attend on a regular basis. Are there any alternatives like PC software. I was also wondering about what keyboard to get to start with. I believe there are MIDI keyboards which attach directly to your PC via the USB. What are the advantages of these over other keyboards? How many keys should I get, I have seen keyboards with varying numbers of octaves. Where do I start.

I am learning piano myself via 'Teach Me Piano'. It is not bad, but it's song ,not touch my heart(boring),I think that's important to learn playing piano.Maybe primer is not enough skills to play good song!! But I will never give up ,some day I will play a Nice music.^^b Maybe I think a teacher is needed. Teach Me Piano http://www.voyetra.com/ Go On!!

<< PC software may be useful, but only as a 'suppliment'. >>

Good tip, Tom. Pulverizing your Windows XP system software and swallowing it a little at a time each day has an extremely calming efect on one's nervous system when compared to actually installing it on your computer and trying to use it.

The rationalization process is seemingly well under way; that's too bad!

By speaking with that 'piano tutor in the neighbourhood', perhaps (?).