Digital Pianos vs. Keyboards

[Don Claybrook]

My kids are beginning to learn to play piano, and they're just now beginning.

I have a keyboard. It doesn't have the requisite 88 keys, it just has 60-someodd, and I need to get something with the full octave range. Aside from the key shortage, there are a couple of other problems.

1. There's no differentiation between striking a key softly or with great force (p, mf, etc). I can buy my way out of this quandry. I've read about keyboards that measure the velocity of the key as it is struck and play the sampled piano sound accordingly.

2. There's very little resistance when a key is struck, as there would be with an acoustic piano lifting the hammer and hitting the string. I've read that proper finger strengthening and nuance is not learned without this resistance in place. It seems to cost a great deal to buy one's way out of this shortcoming.

So here's my question for the pianists. If I were to get a keyboard with all 88 keys, one that would allow playing at various levels of softness, but one that did not have the expensive weighted key option, would my kids be able to learn piano in an acceptable fashion and be able to go back later and pick up some of the finer points inherent in the resistance offered by the keys on an acoustic piano? Or do you suppose that they'd learn so many bad habits that they'd be ruined by cheap electronics?

Thank you.

[mike6640]

1. digital vs real

I played as a child thru my teens. It was my parent's idea really. I took the lessons and rarely practiced at home. I have rediscovered my passion for learning, which is the key to excell, regardless of the piano you buy.

I have a real piano now, a full size studio upright, and a 61 key Yamaha with digital everything and touch sensitivity. I don't use the studio piano for practice, as it shakes the house and disturbs the animals during repetitious practice sessions. I love the feel, and play it to give "progress" performances for my family. I practice exclusively on the digital using headphones.

In my opinion, digital is great. It does not have the hammered feel of a real piano, but far superior sound (Yamaha does some excellent sampling of their grand piano and a cornucopia of very real sounding instruments).

If you can, look into the 88 key version of the yamaha with weighted keys. Professional models can get pricey, but you can find consumer models around these days for under $1000. My parents got a Technics recently at costco with all those features for around $500.

M

[trotsky]

3. Agreed.

We have a Technics digital piano. Bought it several years ago for about $1000. Weighted keys, built-in metronome, 4 different instruments, multiple acoustic settings. I honestly don't know why the non-professional pianist would ever need anything more than this. It feels AND plays just like a "real" piano.

Plus the HUGE benefits:

1) It never needs tuning! Always perfect pitch.

2) You can plug in headphones and not disturb anyone!

3) You can move it yourself!

We are very happy with our purchase.

[lilymidnite]

2. digital pianos vs. keyboards

What I've found with music (any part of the skill) is that the younger a person learns, the better. It becomes internalized. This goes for 'bad' habits as well as 'good'. Example: As a child I learned to play music on a flute, treble clef only (obviously). In my early 20's I finally had access to a piano and began studying that. To learn bass clef was immensly more difficult. To this day (25 years later) I still feel a difference when I read treble clef vs. bass clef -- like I have to make another thought step to read the bass notes.

That being said, I'd say go for teaching them on 'cheap electronics' (if that is what is within reach right now). Your kids may end up more interested in vocal music, or guitar, or math -- but piano is the ultimate foundation for all of those. On the other hand, your kids may end up not being interested in music whatsoever. Better to learn that on a less-expensive keyboard of any kind than to have spend $5k on a piano. In the future, if music sparks their interest, you could rent an acoustic piano or buy a 2nd hand one.

Cheers,
E.Noel

[onebigbadwulf]

4. Which can play more keys at the same time?

Keyboards tend to lock up after a certain amount of keys are played.


Don't settle for anything that plays less than 10 keys at the same time.

[grannylib]

5. Kurzweil makes a great digital, full 88 and weighted action...

for less than $1000...IMHO the weighted action is important, if one plans on playing a 'real' piano as well as a keyboard, but that is just me...

[Karmadillo]

6. Here's a good deal

on a digital piano.

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemID=26778&TempID=1&Method=2&CategoryID=0&BrandID=0&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=0&DepartmentID=0&DepartmentKeeper=&pagesize=15&SortMethod=0&Word1=roland+f90&Contains=%22%2Aroland%2A%22+AND+%22%2Af90%2A%22&Search_Type=SEARCH&GroupCode=nonetodaythanks

Roland's F90 has gotten good reviews (all this stuff is pretty subjective, though) and mine has held OK for the six months since I bought it. And $699 is really cheap for what you get. It has weighted keys, too.

All that said, if your kids show interest/talent, I wouldn't wait all that long to get the real thing. Ebay and places like Rick Jones in DC have used pianos in good condition at good prices. I don't think I've read anything anywhere that claims a digital piano matches an acoustic for expressiveness.

Of course, I'm not much of a player and several light years from being an expert on this subject. You might want to talk to local teachers to see what they think.

Good luck.

[Don Claybrook]

7. Thanks for the advice, all

It seems like the consensus is that I can get what I'm looking for at $1000 or less, even $699. I'm glad to get the input of some musicians because strangely enough, all the marketing material I've read isn't very helpful. Such is the nature of marketing.

Thanks again.