Welcome! This is an exhaustive 25 min read about the choosing the right piano for your home, budget, and musical interests. Click the button below for a handy, condensed PDF version of this article.
Do I need to own a piano to learn to play?
The answer to this question is an emphatic “yes” and thankfully there are now more options than ever before! In this article I will cover how to select the right piano for your budget, as well as the benefits of starting with an acoustic piano. You will learn about the differences between pianos, reputable brands, where to shop, and what to look for when you’re making the final choice. You do not need to be an experienced pianist to buy a good instrument for getting started.
Is an acoustic piano better than a digital piano?
Although for me the answer to this question is also an emphatic “yes” others may disagree. People often cite the yearly tunings, the cost of moving, and other piano maintenance as a reason to purchase digital over acoustic. However, the many benefits of an acoustic instrument far exceed the cost of maintenance.
When my students start on digital pianos, they typically upgrade to an acoustic within the first few years of lessons. This is because the digital piano just doesn’t meet their musical and physical needs. Entry-level digital pianos do not offer the same amount of variation in volume and tone quality as an acoustic, and the action is not comparable, even when it is “fully-weighted”.
Do fully-weighted piano keys make a difference?
The variables of weight, speed, and trajectory of force going into the key create audible differences in tone quality, volume, and color. Having control over these factors leads to greater expressivity, but also more comfort. The tone quality provides the player with valuable feedback into the amount of effort and tension in the body. The importance of playing with beautiful tone is a foundational skill that I teach from day one of lessons.
What does it mean for a piano to be responsive?
An acoustic piano will provide the maximum amount of responsiveness possible; meaning that it will respond to every slight change in weight, speed, and trajectory of the pianist’s touch. Even the best digital pianos still have a mechanism where the sensor is the key bed, robbing the pianists of the interaction between hammer and string, which, IMO, is where much of the magic happens. The highest end digital pianos are remarkably responsive, but at that price point, an acoustic piano may even be a less expensive option!
What is the best piano for beginning students?
The best piano for a beginning student is the best possible instrument they can obtain within their budget and for their living space. If at all possible, an acoustic piano is best. I’ve noticed that students beginning on acoustic pianos have less difficulty with developing healthy technique. I’ve also students completely transform their playing after making the switch to an acoustic. One does not need to be able to notice the differences between instruments to benefit from a higher quality instrument. However, it should go without saying, that students will practice more when they find the instrument more satisfying.
A digital piano is a reasonable option if the student is not yet committed to studying piano long term. It’s also reasonable if the student plans to move frequently, or has neighbors that could be bothered by the noise. Digital pianos are a marvelous thing, in that they remove barriers and allow more people to learn to play.
How to Shop for an Acoustic Piano
1) Set Your Budget
Start by determining your budget and reflecting on experiences with pianos that you have enjoyed. Consider where the instrument will live in your home and if you have preferences in terms of finish or cabinet style. How much should you spend? Well, I’m a bit biased, but I suggest spending the highest amount that is reasonable for your bank account. A quality preowned piano could start around 3-6K while a quality new digital piano could fall within that same price range.
2) Consider Buying Pre-owned
I suggest buying a pre-owned piano because there are many, many excellent pre-owned options. Sometimes an acceptable free piano pops up, but I've never seen a really good one for free and usually they have serious problems with regulation (action is not consistent or even across the keyboards). If someone offers you a free piano, it is worth it to have it inspected by a technician. Pianos always need to be moved by professionals.
3) Be Open to Different Brands
Yamaha, Kawai and Baldwin are reputable brands, but I've also found Kohler and Campbell, Everett, and Charles Walter studio uprights that I absolutely adore. At the highest end, I'm in love with the Shimmel uprights, but that's a huge investment for just starting out. The Essex studio uprights made by Steinway are quite nice and reliable, but are also more of an investment. Serious pianists playing advanced repertoire should consider purchasing a high quality grand.
4) Browse Your Local Stores
The sales representatives at our local Pacific Northwest piano stores are excellent at facilitating the process of choosing a piano and my students have been really happy with their experiences at these stores. Ultimately the sales people want to pair you with the best piano within your budget, and they are happy to answer all of your questions. They are used to working with people who are totally new to playing an instrument.
5) Get Familiar with the Touch and Tone
You don't need to know how to play anything on piano to explore the sound and feel of a piano; single tones or chords will do just fine. It's all about finding the piano with the most pleasing tone (to your personal tastes) and most responsive touch (variety of volume and tone qualities) within your budget. Or more simply put, generating any sound, even on a single pitch, should provide a tremendous amount of pleasure. The weight of the keys should offer a decent amount of resistance and I personally feel that a heavier key is better.
Sometimes it’s difficult to describe tone in words, and it’s okay if you like something but can’t explain why. Some qualities that shape personal preference in tone are the brightness versus darkness, fullness, ringing tone, pureness and clarity. I’ve heard customers ask specifically for a piano that “sounds digital” as well as the opposite a piano that does not “sound digital.” The same piano will also sound a bit difference in a different space. Generally, longer strings have a nicer and fuller tone.
What kind of pianos should I avoid?
Avoid super, super short pianos, especially spinnets and perhaps console pianos too. I personally prefer a tall upright to a short grand piano. Pianos that are over 100 years old can have amazing tone and are sturdy, quality instruments, but don’t always make the best practice instrument due to issues with regulation. If the action has been completely rebuilt then it’s not a problem!
Addressing Noise Concerns
I’ve had a number of students purchase the Yamaha Silent Piano. These pianos are a fantastic option for those worried about disturbing neighbors in apartments or condos. With the flip of a switch, these pianos send the audio through headphones, allowing you to practice in total secrecy. It’s also possible to install a silent system on any acoustic piano.
Digital Piano Options
There certainly are some situations where a digital piano may be the most appropriate option. I use a digital piano for my online lessons as it is more suitable for tone quality over Zoom and is less likely to disturb my family. If music production is the end goal, then having a piano that also functions as a midi controller will come in handy. Or, if you’re gigging with a band, then a stage piano is an absolute necessity. If you need to buy something quickly or on a budget, a digital piano may be a faster option.
What are the basic requirements for a digital piano?
Your piano should have 88 fully-weighted keys. Anything else could be considered either a toy or a midi controller and is not acceptable for learning piano. The highest end Yamaha digital actions may feel like playing on an acoustic grand, but they won’t sound exactly like it because sound coming from speakers is not equivalent to sound coming from strings. At that price point there will also be plenty of good acoustic options available. I do not recommend an entry level digital piano under any circumstances as the lack of responsiveness is a huge barrier. I’ve even had a few kids tell me that they “need a Steinway” because they can’t change the volume on their digital piano.
What digital piano brands are best?
I have the most experience with the Kawai digital pianos and thus highly recommend the CA/CN series as a starting point. Other typically recommended brands are Yamaha and Roland. I’ve found that students have a slight preference towards the tone quality of one versus the other. While one student adores their Kawai MP Stage piano another loves their Roland stage piano, and another student preferred Yamaha specifically for the tone quality.
Problems with Digital Pianos
This next section will clarify the potential problems with the lowest priced digital pianos. If you need to start with one of these instruments, don’t sweat it. This section will help you understand exactly what you’re buying and why you might want to upgrade your piano in the future.
Short Distance to the Fulcrum
A traditional piano key balances on a fulcrum like a see-saw, thus it’s slightly easier to press the are at the front end of the key than near the point of balance at the back end of the key. Unfortunately, most digital pianos under $5k use a compact action mechanism, where the distance between the edge and the point of balance is short. This means it’s much more difficult to press the key down anywhere but the very edge.
This is a huge constraint for anyone playing piano, but I’ve seen it make it literally impossible for adult students to play comfortably. When it is difficult to play on the full length of the key, students curl their fingers back and twist at the wrist, creating excess tension, discomfort, and potential injury.
The highest end digital pianos utilize an exact replica of grand piano action. I even recall one Yamaha digital that has imitated the vibration of the bass keys under the fingers. Impressive! You can read about the differences between Kawai action mechanisms here. Basically, if you are willing to spend enough, the fulcrum issue ceases to exist.
Plastic Action Parts
I personally have a preference for wood action parts over plastic, but I don’t have enough experience to say that this makes a difference in terms of touch and tone. Wood action parts will last longer (plastic degrades over time) and at least in theory, will be more similar to an acoustic piano.
Sturdiness
Entry-level digital pianos like the Roland FRP-2 Bundle at Costco (≈$500) do not have a solid, weighty cabinet, and will move around when played. It’s not fun to chase a moving piano as you play! The pedal also moves around causing an insane amount of difficulty with pedaling. For this reason, I prefer digital pianos that have a solid cabinet with attached pedals rather than a digital piano on a stand. For full control over touch and tone, the piano must stay in one place at all times!
Constraints Cause Injury
While the overall tone quality of a digital-piano is often just as beautiful as an acoustic piano, the touch of the key does not produce as much variety in tone. Variety in general is one thing that saves us from repetitive strain injury because variety makes for fewer exact repetitions. Additionally, to play safely for many hours, we also need to be able to easily press the key near the point of balance. If you plan to practice piano for many hours each week, a lower-end digital piano is a fast track to injury.
What else do I need for my piano?
There are some accessories for piano that are required, but do not necessarily come with the instrument. In addition to your new piano you will need:
An adjustable piano bench
An adequate piano pedal; if you purchase a digital piano that comes with a boxy black pedal shaped object it will need to be replaced. I have a huge preference for pedals that are attached to the cabinet, but if that’s not possible I recommend this pedal.
Small children will need a foot stool or pedal box to rest dangling feet
If your home is very humid, you may want to go ahead and install a Damp Chaser system to help keep the piano happy and in-tune
A special lamp for the music rack for adequate lighting
Can someone help me buy a piano?
As a teacher, I’m always happy to help my students purchase a piano. Piano technicians are able to give a second opinion on an instrument. There are some technicians who specialize in helping people locate instruments anywhere in the country. If the task of buying a piano feels overwhelming, it’s perfectly reasonable to ask for help. Your piano teacher, piano technician, and local sales people will be more than happy to assist you! If you have questions or comments for me, please get in touch.
