Digital piano vs regular old school piano

[killer_carlson]

Looking at getting a piano for the kids. They are young.

Ive been looking online at used pianos but have found that many of them are either really expensive; or have been left in a garage for years; or both.

Ive also been reluctant to look at digital pianos because all i can think of is an organ, and some idiot playing along to the bassanova beats.

Ive started to come aroud to the digital piano though, but would like to hear some cp thoughts. Im looking at the price (say $800) and the thought i wont have to tune it. Also, i wont be concerned with it being moved in and out of the house. I think i could get a good used piano for $1,000 and would not be opposed to it. Id prefer the look and the fact that i dont have to worry about some ass-hat coming over and turning on the bassanova beat.

I am going back and forth, but also know that if i am looking at digital, that boxing day would be a good time to do it. Looking at this one in particular
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...2e60ecefbcen02

[STeeLy]

Is it likely something that they would want to continue to do as they get older is the real question, which is a tough question to answer.

If it's something they would do when they get older, I would say get an actual piano. The feel of a digital piano doesn't even come close to a real piano, and it has a more genuine acoustic sound...

The digital ones are more fun to play around with though, with the different sounds they have on it.

[killer_carlson]

My 5 year old has taken to music very well and loves singing and playing. The 3 year old seems to be leaning that way as well.

The 5 year old really wants violin lessons ( oh my €^#}~>¥£## will that be a crappy noise to hear while she is learning) but i want them to learn on a piano first.

[photon]

There are cheaper digital pianos, even full 88 key ones with touch response (i.e. softer/louder depending on how hard you press).

Costco usually has an ok selection:

http://www.costco.ca/CatalogSearch?s...&keyword=piano

Unless they've expressed an interest in learning piano might be better to start cheaper (not super cheap, full sized with touch sensitive and weighted keys is still a good idea, too cheap and they won't like it at all), and also easier to get rid of if they don't catch interest than an actual massive piano.

Plus the electronic one is better if they decide later to play keyboard rather than piano, they'll likely be able to either use the extra sounds or plug in boxes to get whatever sounds they want.

[Daradon]

I took piano when I was young. I would suggest a digital piano might keep a child's interest more through the tough times (and there will be some, there always is) than a regular one. As well, if it's cheaper, then that's a bonus.

The fancy ones can do quite a bit, course I think I'm thinking of a $5000 one, which is more than you are thinking of for either digital or regular. But the cheaper ones would be good to learn on.

The only thing I would be careful with an electric/digital piano is if it's a full size keyboard or not. I would think you'd want to make sure it's the full 88 keys. Many are not.

[You Need a Thneed]

A piano won't depreciate too much. Anything electronic will.

My reccomendation would be to get a piano if you have room. Keyboards/ digital pianos can be good too. I'd recommend going to get one at an actual music store rather than best buy or Costco. Talk to someone who can answer your questions.


There are other advantages and disadvantages of each.

[MonsieurFish]

I will also put a vote in for a real piano over the digital. If this is something that they will ideally be using for years, not worth the big sound sacrifice. Acoustic piano's sound far better than digital piano's imo, no comparison. I have a digital piano at my apartment right now, and I hardly ever play it... but when i go back to my parents place, I go on the acoustic piano almost every time. Far more enjoyable to play.

[photon]

Getting rid of a big piano can be difficult though, I've been offered full sized pianos for free at least a dozen times . And make sure the house can handle it, they're heavy. Just something to weigh as part of the decision.

EDIT: And nothing stopping from getting rid of the cheaper digital piano and getting a real piano if they show a big interest, where going full piano when you don't even know if the interest is there is harder.

[V]

If you think it's something your kids will learn to love for a long time I would strongly suggest a real piano. I would also suggest you check out the Foothills Piano Shop. I thought it was a great experience, and you won't get fleeced.

I had a pretty high quality electronic piano when I lived in an apartment and it just wasn't the same. I loved getting the chance to play a real piano when I went back home.

Also, my two oldest have been playing violin since they were 4, and it hasn't been bad. Now my oldest is 8 and she's really nice to listen to. I also think it's easier for a violinist to go to the piano than the other way around. Violin is one of the hardest instruments I've ever played.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by V

Also, my two oldest have been playing violin since they were 4, and it hasn't been bad. Now my oldest is 8 and she's really nice to listen to. I also think it's easier for a violinist to go to the piano than the other way around. Violin is one of the hardest instruments I've ever played.

I think a piano is a good way to begin learning music. I didn't think the violin was all that difficult when I learned how to play, especially compared to my experience with brass instruments.

Piano is probably a good way to start to learn to read music and hear the notes.

[Hack&Lube]

I learned on traditional piano as a kid. Didn't like it as much because I quickly got bored and wanted to create new sounds and I ended up quitting.

Took up piano again as an adult and went with digital.

Unless you buy a baby grand for your house, the mid-higher end digital pianos sound better than actual upright acoustics in your house and some of the higher end digitals sound as good as grands that cost thousands more and take up much more space.

Look for a digital piano with good weighted keys so the keys feel like a traditional piano.

[ripTDR]

Digital pianos have come a long way recently and a good 88 key weighted action one will not break the bank. Best thing is that when you need quiet time headphones work really well.

[photon]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

Piano is probably a good way to start to learn to read music and hear the notes.

Heh, I can't fathom how someone can sight read piano music, I played various saxophones (everything but tenor for some reason) in concert and jazz band and of course you only ever have to deal with one note at a time.

If I sit down at a piano with some music to learn to play it, I have to basically memorize it because I can't read all those notes at the same time, so when we'd go to competitions and have to sight read something and someone would sit at the piano and sight read some complex piece.. well I just can't understand that.

[Table 5]

While a real piano is infinitely better acoustically, personally I would buy a cheap keyboard (for 2-300 bucks) and then if in a year, they are still into it, go for the real deal.

I used to play piano when I was young, and we had a keyboard at home, but a real piano where we took lessons. While I can much better appreciate a real piano now, don't underestimate the hours of fun a child can have dicking around with all the various sounds and beats (yes, even bossanova).

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by photon

Heh, I can't fathom how someone can sight read piano music, I played various saxophones (everything but tenor for some reason) in concert and jazz band and of course you only ever have to deal with one note at a time.

If I sit down at a piano with some music to learn to play it, I have to basically memorize it because I can't read all those notes at the same time, so when we'd go to competitions and have to sight read something and someone would sit at the piano and sight read some complex piece.. well I just can't understand that.

Same problem with guitar and chords - I can read a lead line, but chords notated on a staff kill me. I keep telling myself eventually you end up recognizing the shapes, just like nobody reads the individual letters in words, but I don't know if that's true - it doesn't feel like it'll ever come.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by Table 5

While a real piano is infinitely better acoustically, personally I would buy a cheap keyboard (for 2-300 bucks) and then if in a year, they are still into it, go for the real deal.

Or rent a higher end one for six months or a year and see where you end up.

You could rent this:
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music...31/?mode=model

for $55 a month from Long & McQuade. Not sure how truly high end that is, but it's got the weighted keys at the very least. If you bought one new for $949 (which seems to be the going rate), you'd have a hard time recouping the $660 you'd spend on renting it for a year I bet, if you decided to sell it.

[killer_carlson]

I agree that long term the acoustic is the bettervoption. No doubt.

I think i will go digital to start though. We have a drafty old house (100 years) where temperature and humidity are tough to control. I think i know where they used to have a piano here because the floor is braced in one spot I want to move in a year or two (hopefully back two). If i can find the best buy digital casio deal at the store on boxing day, ill get it. The online special is sold out.

[DownhillGoat]

I'd recommend a digital (for kids at least) for a few reasons (some already mentioned):

- The newer ones can sound pretty good (no, it won't be the same as an acoustic, but still good, and noting like a bossanova organ.)
- Generally easier to press the keys for small hands
- Much, much easier to move in and out of the house, or around in the house itself.
- Easier to sell afterwards if need be.
- Don't have to worry about tuning

If you go the digital route, make sure you get a full 88-key board, and if you want the kids to progress and stick with it, get weighted keys. I learned on a cheap keyboard as a kid and hated it. Used to much prefer the acoustic pianos. The weighted keys make such a huge difference.

I recently picked up a Korg SP-250 off kijiji for around $800, IIRC. I'd highly recommend it.

I'd also say go to Axe, Long & McQuade, or another actual music store vs Costco/Bestbuy/Futureshop and have a chat with them.

[Biff]

I own a piano store. I'd put anything digital in the under $2000 price-point into the same category as an under $2000 acoustic piano. Both will, generally, be modest performance with a fairly low "ceiling" in terms of long-term suitability. Good instruments, like good cars, cost more. Thankfully not the same dollar amounts (okay, sometimes the same). My advice to you would be the same as anyone else who visits us. A good piano, new, is likely a $5000 and up investment. We can do new home-style digital instruments, suitable for five or more years of developmental piano studies, in the $2500 - $6000 space. Anything less than $2500 for new digital is a compromise either in appearance (portable or small form factor can be a bit less costly than furniture style models) or performance.

In the end, good pianos are defined by tone, touch and responsiveness (ability to faithfully perform the body of piano music). Those characteristics aren't often present in particularly strong measure until you're into the $2500 and up area. To begin, a value choice can be an acceptable starting point but expect that you may need an upgrade within a couple years if the players make normal progress.

It is sometimes possible to find that magic used piano that performs well, is in good condition, and is still relatively affordable. A good piano technician can help you determine condition if you're spending an amount that justifies some extra assurance.

An under $2500 piano, acoustic or digital, might be best considered in the same way as an under $5000 car. It'll get you from point A to point B but don't expect too much in terms of performance, finesse or long-term value.

[Titan]

Originally Posted by Biff

I own a piano store.

Ahem...cough substantial CP discount cough, cough?