Are you a beginner? Enjoying playing a piano and thinking about buying a keyboard or piano?
A few years ago, when my son came home with his music teacher note about his interest in playing the piano in his classroom. I was so happy that besides being a soccer gold-kicker, he found something that he can enjoy being alone or at home (not to mention there are so many benefits about playing a piano). So, without further due, I started looking for literally everything from piano books for beginners, piano tutoring program and teacher, etc. but except the piano because I was worried that he might be just curious and it’s a big investment. Then one day his music teacher said to me this: Having a piano first.
It was just like a wake-up call. “Having a piano at home, not only your son, but also any of the family members can play it whenever you like regardless if you are professional trained or not. It’s truly a good idea to “test the water” and “promote the interest”. Even he just walks by and touches a few keys, at least he starts his first step.” Indeed, all of the ensuing experimentation is very musical and can be counted as time well spent.
Time flies, it has been 8 years since we had the first piano and now we are looking for a new one because the first one got damaged during the relocation.
The first same old question people ask me is “keyboard or piano?” “electric or acoustic?” I would say this – It depends! There are a few factors to consider: Space and environment, Level and commitment of the piano player, Budget available, and also on what the player’s goals are.
There are three categories of piano. I list them based on their pricing from low to high:
Digital keyboards
The most convenient, most versatile and also the cheapest. Feel and sound aren’t as good as acoustic pianos, but keyboards work well as a first instrument. Especially if you are a fan of digital learning or online lessons, this type of piano offers modern technology for you either connect to an app or provides LCD display. I recommend a standard 88-key if your budget permits.
Here are my top picks – digital keyboard:
- RockJam – Like Best Choice piano, the piano kit is a 61-Key Keyboard Piano and it comes with a Stand, Bench. On top of that it comes with a LCD Display Kit, Headphones, Simply App & Keynote Stickers. What an all-in-one package! The cons are they don’t have 88-key version and it doesn’t come with a pedal. However, they do offer different bundle options with a pedal: with pedal, with universal pedal, and with pitch bend.
- Best Choice Products: This a 61-Key Beginners Complete Electronic Keyboard Piano Set w/Lighted Keys, LCD Screen, Headphones, Stand, Bench, Teaching Modes, Note Stickers, Built-In Speakers. The cons are that the 88-key version costs about $100 more and it has lighted keys. If you prefer your piano to sound like a real piano, this may not be a good option. However, it certainly good enough for a beginner.
- Starfavor SP-150W Digital Piano – 88 Key Weighted Keyboard with Hammer Action and triple pedal. It has 2x30W Speakers, 200 Rhythms, 238 Tones, plus a recording feature which I like a lot. It’s high-quality built. It’s on sales now with a discount $40. The minor issue is that you will probably need to buy a bench and stand. The reason I call it “minor” is that its mobility allows you to place it on any table. Its “like real” sound from the weighted keys will overcome this tiny issue.
Digital pianos
A full size 88-key piano that is nearly as versatile as the digital keyboard while mimicking the feel, look and sound of an acoustic piano well. A great alternative if budget and space allow.
In general, the key considerations when buying a digital keyboard are “Action” (how well the keys respond when they are pushed down) and “MIDI compatibility” for connectivity and input/output need.
Here’s some useful explanation about the “key action of a digital keyboard or piano:
- Fully-weighted action keys use a counterweight to simulate the feel of an acoustic piano’s key resistance.
- Light weighted (synth action) keys are spring-loaded and feel more like pressing buttons. They are most often used in synthesizers and workstations.
- Hammer action keys are a newer innovation and use an actual hammer. These digital pianos are even closer to the touch and feel of an acoustic piano.
- “Graded keys” refers to how, in an acoustic piano, lower note keys are heavier and higher note keys are lighter. Some digital pianos also imitate this.
Here my top picks:
- The ONE Premium Upright Digital Piano: 88 Hammer Action Keys. If your goal is learning how to play a piano. This piano provides the best learning experience, smart piano, as it is set to connect with learning apps and it comes with an extensive Music Library that has more than 4000 music sheets! The One Premium also offers the piano in white which is not easy to find. However, it doesn’t come with a bench.
- Donner has a big selection of digital pianos that offer the look and the sound like an acoustic piano. For example, DDP-400 Digital Piano has 88 Key Progressive Weighted Keyboard and it’s Bundle with Headphone, Bluetooth, Record,138 Tones,100 Rhythms and LCD Display. It’s polished in elegant brown color. On the other hand, DDP-100S, DDP100 and DDP-90 are all have weighted keys and provide the same compact digital features but at a cheaper price without LCD display.
- Yamaha YDP184 Arius Series Console Digital Piano: It comes with a Bench and music stand. It has several features, such as recording, demo and metronome, etc., It’s furnished with dark rosewood. Personally, I think it has CFX Premium Grand Piano tone (thanks to its graded hammer 3 action keys.) Yamaha is well-known for its flagship CFX concert grand pianos and this digital piano creates the sound of a concert grand piano at only 10% of the concert piano price!
- If you prefer a piano that sound like an acoustic piano from a well-known quality brand that comes with warranty and repair network but don’t have a big budget, Yamaha YDP145 Arius Series Digital Console Piano with Bench, Black is a good alternative.
- On the other hand, if you care less having a piano from a known brand, you can save a lot for a unique look piano with similar 88 weighted full size key and grand piano sound. Vangoa Digital Piano, designed for beginner and home professional. It’s polished with beautiful white and it comes with digital bundle features, such as two teaching modes, double keyboard, split, record, chord, drum kit, metronome, transpose, etc. It’s equipped with two headphone jacks, USB-MIDI and DIN MIDI connectors, the home digital piano can be connected to a computer, phone, tablet, or laptop for MIDI use or access to a variety of piano learning apps, which is perfectly used for teaching, practicing, music creation, or performance. The bonus point is its price is literally half of Yamaha’s! That certainly makes it a steal and probably can also get a matching bench.
- Roland DP-603: This 88-key Digital Piano has authentic grand piano touch polished ebony. Very elegant! It comes with similar features that you can commonly find in a digital piano along with accessories (headphone and online lessons), plus a modern touch – Bluetooth wireless connectivity to smartphones and tablets for using apps. However, the matching bench is sold separately.
Acoustic pianos
The best option for playing experience and sound quality, but by far the largest and can be extremely expensive.
There is nothing better sounding than a full-fledged acoustic piano. This type of piano uses real wood and actual strings to create the musical notes. The result is a very nice, natural tone of the produced sound. Acoustic pianos have two main subcategories: Upright, and Grand. The price is range from $5,000 to a few hundred thousands.
To answer the early question about “keyboard vs. piano” and “electric vs. acoustic”, my son wants to compose his own tunes while my daughter just shows a tiny bit of interests and plays here and there. Their little brother loves playing piano but for his age, I will want to keep it simple.
Being that said, I more lean toward to electric for several reasons: First, Pianos at the high end of the spectrum are handmade. I neither process the knowledge nor know any serious pianist whom I can take along for their advice or judgment before you purchase it. Also, quality control on instruments today is not what it used to be. There is a great variation from instrument to instrument. Finally, I neither have the space or do think it’s an good investment for beginners.
I know that many professional classical pianists frown at the idea of an electronic piano, but many electronic pianos today have full key boards (88 keys) and weighted keys (which means that they have action like a piano, not like an organ). Some of them actually have quite good “sampled” piano sound.
Not to mention, they often come with headsets that allow you to practice any time of the day or night along with many features and digitalized sounds (drums, saxophone, strings, choirs, organ, harpsichord, programmed rhythm sections, etc.). that add fun to playing and composing needs.
So What should I choose? I will certainly take advantage of this Black Friday Deal. Will You? I will come back to tell you what we end up buying. Stay Tune.