Digital piano vs regular old school piano

[Biff]

re: Hack&Lube

The way we define things might explain some of the differences in our perspective.

Average player? Could that mean a bunch of different things?

Can a casual player play on almost anything? Yes!
Are there wonderful musical things that can be explored on almost any instrument? Sure!
Can you get a richness of variety and features using midi / technology enabled digital instruments? No question!

The implication, though, that better instruments don't offer a meaningful difference in performance and capacity for developmental piano, that ongoing skill-improvement side of the equation, isn't accurate. Yes, you can have a perfectly acceptable experience as a casual player on a casual-level instrument. It is harder to develop higher-order playing skills on lesser instruments.

In an analogous sense, you absolutely can drive around a Grand Prix circuit in your domestic automobile. You can enjoy the experience. You can even say "I don't believe that all the cost and specialization of racing vehicles is justified or necessary". A racing enthusiast would have a different perspective.

I think the same could be said for almost any leisure pursuit. Can you do it at a casual level with run-of-the-mill equipment? Probably. Can you do it better and achieve a more satisfying experience, if you wish to, on better equipment? Likely.

I'm not trying to be elitist, exclusionary, or unnecessarily pedantic about why good pianos are better. I am, though, going to reinforce what a couple-hundred years of developmental piano pursuit has learned. At some point, and ideally as early as possible, a better instrument will allow for development and progress as a pianist to an increasingly greater degree than a lesser one.

I have the under $2000 instruments in the store. I sell digitals (lots of them, actually). I don't deny the usefulness of all kinds of different instruments for different purposes. There absolutely is, though, fundamentally better performance in higher cost digitals, and acoustics, compared to value ones. Is that difference necessary and meaningful for everyone and every player? No. Is it something worth knowing and considering if you're looking to be, or raise a kid who is, an ever-better piano player? Yes.

[calumniate]

That's all fine and dandy, but I think there are like 3 decent piano tuners in Calgary these days?

[To Be Quite Honest]

If you are getting a digital keyboard then get weighted keys. My whole family teach or taught music and this is the most important thing when getting a digital keyboard, because they can easily transition to a real piano.

[pylon]

Probably an irrelevant bump, but London Drugs has this unit on sale for $269.99. My mother teaches piano, and bought one of these to accompany her students when they are playing on her Grand. It has 88 weighted keys, and has generally good reviews. Cheapest it seems to be anywhere online is $400. I am trying to relearn myself, so I snagged one to practice. It is quite nice for the money. Plus you get a stand and bench as well.

http://www.londondrugs.com/Casio%208...art=11&q=casio

[Table 5]

Just wanted to bump this thread, as I'm looking for a digital piano (probably in the $750-1250 range). My 5 year old is pretty musical, so I want to encourage her playing piano...but I also want something I can play myself. I used to take lessons as a kid, and have always wanted to get back into.

I know that weighted keys are important, but I also don't have much space in my house for an acoustic piano (unless we stick it in the basement, which I would like to avoid), so a digital piano seems like the best way to go.

Any particular recommendations for models or stores to go to?

[troutman]

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Just wanted to bump this thread, as I'm looking for a digital piano (probably in the $750-1250 range). My 5 year old is pretty musical, so I want to encourage her playing piano...but I also want something I can play myself. I used to take lessons as a kid, and have always wanted to get back into.

I know that weighted keys are important, but I also don't have much space in my house for an acoustic piano (unless we stick it in the basement, which I would like to avoid), so a digital piano seems like the best way to go.

Any particular recommendations for models or stores to go to?

I've been eyeing this one as a gift for someone:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01FYBSX4E?...ahHJytTrV7hL5E

I have a Korg sp-250 and it's great.. the feel of the keys on Korgs is pretty good, and a valued price when compared to good roland boards.

I'd take a gander down to Long and McQuade personally. They do have the model I listed above but not the stand? It is cheaper though, and maybe a generic stand would do just fine.

Unfortunately I don't see these types of things going on sale significantly for black friday!

[edslunch]

We bought a Yamaha P-115 for my daughter for around $800. We have a decent upright piano too and didn’t want to take too much of a step down in playability. We’re very happy with it.

[Traditional_Ale]

P115 is the best deal in digital pianos bar none. I've been gigging with one since they came out. Awesome action, awesome built-in speakers/sound. Stereo outputs, USB outputs, dual headphone jacks, and light enough to be easily bagged and put in the car to take to gigs or practice. I've taken mine on the bus/train with no issues. I've dropped it a few times and its fine.

So much misleading information from salespeople in this thread. I used to sell these things all the time. There is no way I would ethically try to sell a $2500 keyboard to someone for their young children to learn on. That is freaking ridiculous and greedy.

[Table 5]

Funny, I was just browsing the P45 and P125 (looks like the P115 is discontinued) as it looks to be a pretty good piano in a compact package.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Funny, I was just browsing the P45 and P125 (looks like the P115 is discontinued) as it looks to be a pretty good piano in a compact package.

If you can find a P115 I think its better than the P125. The P125 doesn't have as impressive a built-in sound. Some small gigs with a P115 I don't even bother plugging it into the PA.

L&M have lots of P115s in their rental fleet you can buy at a discount. Mine had only been rented once for a measly week and it saved me some $$$. They can tell you exactly how long certain ones have been rented for.

[rotten42]

Get a digital piano (full keys) with weighted keys. Like with any musical instrument, you get what you pay for.

[Table 5]

Trad (or anyone else), any thoughts on the Kawai ES-110 or Roland FP-30?

[V]

I just wanted one in my studio so I could play when the kids are in bed, and maybe use the keyboard for one of my albums. I just bought one at Costco for around 500 bucks, and it works just fine. I don’t understand why someone would pay more than that for a keyboard for their little kid.

[81MC]

Roland makes some excellently regarded digital pianos.

[CaptainYooh]

I'd suggest an 88-key Yamaha P125 with stand and pedal. Great value for money.

Save money. You can pick it up for half-price on kijiji from all those parents that bought it for their 5-yr olds after discovering how musical they are and selling a year later after discovering how difficult it is to be any good at it without practicing for 3 hours a day and spending a fortune on Russian and Chinese tutors.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Picked up a Korg LP-380 at Axe Music on a reverse auction a couple of years ago.

Very pleased, it has great action and top quality sound. Slim profile, 3 pedals.
Not portable though, it weighs about 80 pounds.

https://www.bestdigitalpianoreviews....lp-380-review/

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by 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

What a peculiar thing to be concerned about.

[CaptainYooh]

You're commenting on a 6-yr old post.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Trad (or anyone else), any thoughts on the Kawai ES-110 or Roland FP-30?

I’ve been really happy with my acoustic Kawai piano(s) (started with an upright and the transitioned to a grand). I’m not sure if that translates to their digital offerings. But there is a Kawaii dealer in town and they’ve been around for 25+ years, so worth maybe checking it out and trying some of the digital stuff there if you’re wanting to compare?