If you are just starting out and finding your way into learning to play a piano, your first consideration might be which type of piano I should buy: Acoustic or Electronic Keyboard?
While there many options to choose from, depending on your budget level and personal goals, both types of musical instruments have their pros and cons. First, let us have a look at the major difference between traditional string piano and the modern digital piano.
Acoustic Piano – Best Sound Quality and Realistic Touch
As you might have heard, nothing beats the true acoustic sound of a full size concert grand. The same applies for the realistic keyboard touch, feel and the way each key response to your fingers. At the early stage of learning, it is very crucial to train your finger to play the correct way and get the feel for it. Owning either an antique refurbished or brand new professional quality grand piano would be your best bet for this purpose, if you can afford it.
However, concert grand is so expensive, that only some people can afford it as a tool to learn how to play piano. Typical price points start from at least $3000, and can be in excess of whopping $100,000 for top quality made by big brand names such as Yamaha.
Digital Piano Keyboard – Versatile and Many Benefits
On the bright side, if you only have under $500 to spare, your second best option would be one of the entry level digital piano keyboards. While electronic instruments cannot give you the real deal of realistic touch and mind soothing sound, they can be very versatile. For instance, many designs come with separate headphones which allow you to practice even when everyone sleeps. Every successful piano player knows, that once, their family member used to suffer hearing the annoying amateurish play during their early days practicing as beginners.
Another advantage of electric pianos is that fact that they can support some very useful learning software, such as those which will highlight the notes as you play, or warn you when you strike a wrong key, and etc.
Digital keywords are also very light weight and easy to transport. Mobility is especially important for those who perform on stages and travels frequently, such as touring with a music band. In long term, you won’t have to worry about hiring a piano mover if you decide to relocate or simply change the room you practice music.
On top of all the good things you get as mentioned above, the most beneficial aspect to buying digital keyboards is that you can change, mix or create new sounds to your liking. When you get keyboard, you can choose to have organ, harpsichord, guitar, drum, percussion, fluid, or just about any kind of musical instruments you can imagine of playing. There is virtually no limit to it. Whenever you get bored with one sound, it’s as simple as a push of a button to change to a new voice. You can even have both organ and guitar sounds blended at the same time.
Final Advice
As you can see, while acoustic pianos offer a great way to develop your fingers and feel for music, digital counterparts can be really cheap and offer lots of practical options. Most beginners find it really helpful being able to fine tune the instruments to their specific needs and personal tastes. In this case, an electronic keyboard is the way to make the start.