Buying your first Digital Piano

Digital Piano or Acoustic Piano

An acoustic piano use hammers to strike metal strings. When strings vibrate they generate a sound. This is the same basis on which all instruments work. Violins have strings which vibrate when bowed. Guitars have strings which vibrate when strummed. Pianos have strings which vibrate when played.

Acoustic pianos Grand or upright?

Grand pianos are seen in a concert hall. Upright pianos are seen primarily in the home.

Digital pianos have no hammers or strings whilst the Acoustic pianos have moving parts.

Where does the sound of a digital piano come from?

High-quality microphones record the sound of an acoustic piano. The recorded sound is reproduced through the speakers of a digital piano.

Is the Digital Piano the same as an Electric Piano or Keyboard?

A digital piano is often referred to as an electric piano. However, the two are totally different.

Electric pianos use mechanical and electronic parts to generate sound. Electronic pianos were popular with bands from the 1960’s and 70s.

Digital pianos can be confused as keyboards. Portable keyboards are not a cheaper alternative to a digital piano. keyboards have keys that are light and springy in feel. Keyboards generally have a 61 or 76 keys. This is a note range of 5 octaves or 6 1/4 octaves.  A digital piano has an 88 note range just like a concert grand piano. The piano-like keys are fully weighted which make it feel like a piano.

Keyboards are fine for having fun but not as a serious alternative to learning to play the piano.

Finally the Benefits of a Digital Piano

• Acoustic pianos need tuning once a year costing around £150.
• Digital pianos have no tuning costs. No hammers and strings result in no tuning required.  Digital Piano save you money and allow you to place the piano anywhere in the home. That includes next to radiators or in basements without any tuning changes with temperature or humidity.
• Digital pianos include a variety of sounds allowing you to play different genres of music.
• Volume can be adjusted and headphones can be used resulting in silent practice.
• Features include twin headphone sockets resulting in another to listen
• Digital pianos are significantly lighter and easier to move. Digital pianos are half the height of an acoustic piano resulting in placement under windows or shelving.
• There are features helping you to learn.  A built-in metronome for keeping time. A  recorder for self-evaluation of your performance. Your teacher can also record your lesson!.
• Technology enables you to connect to a computer for composing.
• Digital piano cost considerably less than a quality acoustic piano.