Purchasing a piano can be a complicated decision and there’s simply no such thing as a categorical “best choice.” Instead we want to look for the unique best choice for each of us. Factors that weigh in are primary use, size/portability, cost/value/investment, quality/longevity/required maintenance, tone/feel and aesthetics/connectivity. This piece will outline these criteria and hopefully answer your questions about where to start. It is not meant to be a buyer’s product guide but instead a paradigm for how to begin research on the topic.
Primary Use:
Will you use the piano for practice only, just to improve your technique, or to sound truly beautiful and expressive for yourself and others? Do you want a piano (digital or acoustic) or a keyboard (always digital)? They can look similar but they’re actually very different. There is actually some overlap in the labelling and construction of keyboards and digital pianos so some keyboards can work as an alternative to a piano for beginners or even intermediate players so long as they have weighted keys and damper/sustain pedals. However, most companies distinguish keyboards from pianos. In the studio, keyboards, utilizing sound libraries, aid artists digitally recording and composing. On stage, performers and audiences love them in the context of modern and electronic music. Pianists though require their instrument to have a certain very specific feel and tonal capability which entails weighted key resistance, hammer-like mechanical key action and the ability to create dozens of variations in dynamics and tone color.
Size and Portability:
Keyboards come in various numbers of keys but pianos are usually 88 keys and that’s important. If space is a deal breaker there are 61 key digital pianos and keyboards that, while not ideal, can work for beginners and intermediates though. Beyond the key count there’s a huge range in size and portability for digital pianos. A portable, high quality, digital piano (that sits on a stand and can be put away in a case) can often be a good practice solution for pianist’s living in tight quarters and you can practice with headphones when needed which is helpful too. If purchasing a portable, digital piano be aware you’ll usually need to purchase a quality stand and sometimes a compact full-range keyboard amp/speaker separately. Moving up in size you have compact digital pianos that are self-supporting and include their own speakers. Next you’ll find pianos built into cabinets, acoustics and digital pianos labeled as spinet, console, studio, and upright depending on their height and internal layout. Finally, we have baby grands (acoustic and digital) and grand pianos ranging from 5 feet to 9 feet in length. The general rule to remember with both digital and acoustic is that larger sizes of comparable quality will almost always yield a better sound and range of expression. Bigger pianos aren’t just louder, they can actually play both louder and softer and permit a skilled pianist to access a myriad of colors and tones.
Cost, Value and Investment:
When you research the cost of acquiring a piano, you’ll find the cost range spans from under a thousand to over $100,000!! What you want to spend should of course be based on budget but also within context. Cheaper is not always more economical and long term economics favor, higher quality instruments which can last for decades and even generations with some instruments holding their value extremely well. In those cases, fine pianos become part of a family estate. Of course digital and acoustic pianos can be purchased new or used and while new provides a turnkey process, used pianos can provide great value as long as a prospective buyer hires a professional piano technician to inspect potential pianos. Local piano dealers and teachers can usually refer you to reputable tuners and technicians.
Quality, Longevity and Required Maintenance
Pianos can potentially be money pits and a beautiful looking piano that “plays all the notes” can sometimes require thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars to restore. Digital pianos enlist very expensive proprietary electronic components that manufactures stop supporting eventually and even the very best of the best suffer under this fate. While high-end digital pianos truly rival acoustic pianos in sound and feel, the company’s commitment to support the technology inevitable determines the instruments longevity. This phenomena usually factors in after about a decade, but it’s a huge consideration if you’re considering purchasing used or the investment aspect. While acoustic pianos don’t have the same issues of supported tech they are not immune to servicing issues. In addition to biannual tuning most acoustics require extensive maintenance at least once each decade and expensive restoration work every fifteen to twenty-five years.
Tone and Feel:
Pianos are musical instruments first and foremost not simply utilitarian machines and while that may seem obvious it’s too often overlooked. The heart and soul of a piano is its voice and the physical connection of the pianist to the instrument. Just as our human voice is an expression of who we are, most experienced pianists feel the voice and feel of their instrument to be an extension of their musical soul. As a player gains experience this subtlety and connection takes hold but only if the instrument’s endowment permits. This is one reason it is prudent to invest in an instrument that is substantially more capable than the pianist. Musicians grow into their instruments, we need to be able to push beyond our previous attempts to create art on a higher level.
Aesthetics and Tradition
While for many aesthetics and tradition take a backseat, both undeniably play an important role in the equation. Creating art in a way that connects us to previous generations and developing a craft with roots that go back half a millennium preserves a tie to our past and a bridge to the future. In a world where electronics makes everything “better” and easier, there is something deeply satisfying and profound and organic about the acoustic piano. That being said, digital pianos have achieved amazing benchmarks and I feel that in some situations their advantages significantly outweigh the strengths of the acoustic piano.
Connectivity and Versatility:
Digital pianos can be astoundingly refined surpassing average acoustic pianos and coming close to matching some of the great instruments -and they do it somewhat economically, consistently, and with less hassle, maintenance and real estate. They also usually allow effortless top-notch recording, home entertainment playback of recordings and integrated pedagogical tools as well. There’s no denying today’s tech is formidable and can make life easier, digital pianos are no exception.
TALK TO A PIANO TEACHER
So there you have it! Lots to think about and perhaps a little soul searching but hopefully some direction of where to start and what questions to ask. Most importantly, talk to knowledgeable people who can help you narrow down the choices! Call or write to us anytime (we are objective because we don’t sell any products) or talk to a piano teacher you know. In any case we love to help get people pointed in the right direction and look forward to talking with you.