Factor Need to consider Before buying the Digital Piano - Features for young learners

Parents whose children will be learning the piano will need to obviously get the instrument. Choosing the right one can be a bit difficult. In addition to the cost of music lessons, there is a cost of buying the instrument itself. For some parents it could be tough since this can be a large investment for kids.

Now, you may wonder whether to an acoustic, digital, or electric keyboard will be the best for kids. Each of them has their pros and cons. Digital pianos can be great as an alternative to the acoustic ones. If you’re planning on getting one for your child’s music lessons, the music teacher may require some must-have features.

What features should a digital piano have?

The most important feature has to be the weighted keys. It’s good to have at least 76 keys. But, it’s best to have 88 keys – the standard. Unlike cheap, plastic keys that electric keyboards have, weighted keys provide the feel like that of an acoustic piano.

For practicing and playing, having headphone output can be excellent. Some models come with only, while others come with more headphone jacks. For new learners, it’s best to have at least two. This way, the student and the teacher can both put headphones on without disturbing others. It will also help them focus more since they’ll only be hearing what they’re playing. Even when your kid’s playing alone, it will keep you from getting disturbed. But remember to keep checking to see how they’re doing.

Having a metronome is also great for kids – especially new learners. A metronome is used during practice to maintain the tempo. It’s nice to know that most digital pianos come with this feature. If it doesn’t (that’s unlikely) you can purchase a separate one. Almost all piano teachers use this feature when teaching.

The features mentioned above are all important. There are other features great for young learners, but they’ll do fine without them. For example, some models come with extra features for improving the learning experience. If you are on a budget, then don’t spend extra just to get these optional features. It’s also a good idea to buy used. Read about top 10 digital Piano.

Acoustic Piano Buying Guide – Tips you need to know!

Dear reader, if you are reading this guide you have probably asked yourself questions such as “Which is the right piano for me?”, “How much do I have to spend?”,

“Which brand should I prefer?”, “New or used?” .. .

Well, I will try to give you some useful advice to rearrange your ideas and guide you in choosing an acoustic piano (if you have also assumed the purchase of a digital one, I invite you to read the article “Acoustic and digital comparison”).

1) BUDGET

The available budget is one of the first filters for choosing. Pianos fall into that category of goods in which the more you invest, the more quality and potential you get. The price of the piano is in fact proportional to the cost of the materials that constitute it and of the construction labor.

Given that in the second-hand market, prices are very variable in relation to the age, the condition of the components and the maintenance interventions that have (or have not) been carried out over the years, I can help you guide your purchasing power in right direction.

If your budget is less than $ 2000, I recommend that you opt for a used upright piano, perhaps small in size, but not too dated. Between $ 2000 and $ 4000 you could find used vertical “young” ones, or even excellent regenerated ones of European or Japanese construction. An investment of $ 5000 upwards allows you to buy excellent new verticals, and opens the door to the world of grand pianos.

If you are attracted to vintage pianos (late 19th and early 20th century), you should know that:

they may not keep the tuning with A = 440Hz (ie the current one), or they may not have been designed for this voltage;
leather and felt parts, wood action components, fingerboard covers and strings may not be in good condition due to wear and signs of aging
the mechanics, the weight of the keyboard and other construction characteristics are different from contemporary pianos;
the value of a piano is inversely proportional to its age. You should therefore request an appraisal from a qualified technician, so that he can clearly present the condition of the instrument and any maintenance costs.

The fascinating world of vintage pianos is related to the art of Restoration, so that these instruments can continue to be used correctly. Click here to learn more.

2) SPACE AVAILABLE:

The size and type of room in which you would like to place the piano are as important as the piano itself: have you ever wondered how an extraordinary grand piano would sound if placed in a small room? Without going into the details of Acoustic Physics, I can guarantee you that every piano sounds different when placed in different environments.

Furthermore, you must know that the furnishing of the environment is also important! For the same space, the same piano in a room full of furniture, sofas and objects sounds differently if placed in the same empty room. In this case, the tuner’s intonation work will be essential to define the “voice” of the piano suitable for the environment. Click here to read the article dedicated to the positioning of the piano.

If you have opted for an upright piano, the problem of available space is relative, as the dimensions of this category of pianos can vary by a few tens of centimeters, mainly in height (from 90cm to 130cm approximately). In this case I advise you to buy an instrument that is as high as possible, to obtain the maximum mechanical and acoustic potential.

If you have decided to buy a grand piano, you can imagine that the dimensions are directly proportional to the mechanical and sonic potential. The latter are represented by the developed decibels (the longest queues can reach around 100db), which reach the maximum when playing with the “lid open”. To avoid being forced to “pack” the piano to reduce excessive reverberation, as often happens, I recommend that you request an inspection from a qualified tuner technician, who in addition to evaluating the characteristics of the environment and indicating any solutions for acoustic improvement , can also take care of the indispensable intonation.

I’m sure you are already getting an idea of the right tool for you.

3) VERTICAL OR TAILED:

Why do most pianists want a grand piano? The so-called “double escapement” mechanics, the main feature of the modern grand piano, allows for dynamics of sound and mechanical refinements that on a vertical would be much more difficult, and some impossible, to obtain. If points 1) and 2) do not represent a problem for you, then I recommend that you orient yourself on a grand piano.

In case you have decided to buy a vertical, in the previous paragraph I advised you to opt for a model that is as high as possible: the long strings (proportional to the height), the wide soundboard and the measures of the mechanics of a vertical. of “big size”, on the whole they can offer you potential worthy of a queue.

4) BRAND:

Currently the most sought after, and even more expensive, pianos are those of European construction (Steinway & Sons, C. Bechstein, Bosendorfer, Fazioli) and Japanese (Yamaha, Kawai), for the quality of materials and construction workmanship.

Since each piano has its own characteristics, from the shape of the soundboard, to the type of mechanics and hammers, it is not possible to argue that one brand is better than another, for the same price range: it is personal taste that determines preference. Only by personally testing each piano that attracts you will you be able to identify the one that’s right for you, relying on your feelings and leaving the “brand” in the background. If you are still unable to play, you may want to ask someone to do it for you, and you can still evaluate the sound.

In any case, I recommend that you get accompanied by a qualified tuner, or ask for support from the technician of the acoustic piano shop in which you will find yourself, in order to deepen the mechanical and construction details, and the potential of the instrument you are interested in. It is your right to know the piano as much as possible, to make the best choice!

5) NEW, USED AND TYPE OF USE

The question is similar to that of buying a car: better a new car, a km0 or a used one?

If you are aware that you will have to go a long way with your piano, then it would be better for you to orient yourself on a new one or on an excellent regenerated one; I would not advise you to buy an instrument with worn parts, which in any case you will have to have it replaced / repaired as soon as possible, with the relative costs.

If you don’t have the ability to buy a queue, a good vertical can also be a great choice, perhaps a low-depreciation model, which you could trade in to a seller in the future to switch to a queue.

If you have just started playing, and you don’t want to spend a lot (maybe because you don’t know if you will continue your piano studies in the next few years), you can find an excellent quality / price ratio in the “small” European and Japanese verticals of 100-120cm height. In this case, you could also think about a long-term rental with the possibility of redemption (click here for more details).

If you study at the Conservatory, or in any case use the piano professionally on a daily basis, I definitely recommend that you look for a coda (new, used or reconditioned, of any size) which, thanks to the type of mechanics, will allow you (potentially) to make any your technical and sound intention.

Today a large part of the market is oriented towards used vehicles, mainly for economic reasons. However, buying a used piano without expert advice could prove to be a bad investment, even if the price is attractive. I clarify the concept by exploiting once again the automotive analogy: when you think of buying a used car it is preferable to ask your trusted mechanic for a general check. What would you do if the value of the interventions necessary to restore the car’s ordinary conditions exceeded the purchase price?

An excellent compromise between new and used, which is also good for your wallet, is the regenerated piano, which I mentioned earlier. I invite you to read the article “The regenerated piano” to find out more.

If you need personalized advice, or if you want to know our sales proposals tailored for you, you can contact me!