[ecoquant]

I think a melodica is a good comparison and goal.

A melodica is not good for learning piano obviously but is a really interesting musical instrument in and of itself.

Trying to replace the real instrument makes about as much sense as a paper computer keyboard for learning typing. If you really want to learn to type, you obviously are going to "invest" in a real computer keyboard.

If that investment is too much up front then you have already set yourself up for failure so what is the point?