The Curious Pianist

Please note that this is information is a guideline only and not meant to replace your own research. 

 

Although one can easily start a young child or beginning player on a relatively inexpensive keyboard, eventually a piano student needs a good instrument.

 

If you have an instrument already, your student probably has already spent some time playing or just playing around on the keys.  If you do not yet have an instrument or have inherited one, you want to ensure that your beginning piano student has a good experience while learning to play, but you may not be ready for the purchase of a quality piano.  That’s perfectly fine. To help you decide what will be best for your child and budget and space considerations, there are several options for the beginner.

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A Keyboard Instrument for Your Home

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There are three basic categories of keyboard instruments available.

 

The largest and most expensive, and also the best when it comes to developing piano skills, are the acoustic pianos.

 

There are also many good digital pianos, which are smaller, less expensive, and do a decent job of emulating the sound and feel of an acoustic instrument.

 

In the third category are the electronic keyboards, which come in a wide price range and quality, but may not have the right touch to develop hand strength for a beginning pianist, or enough keys to play a wide range of music including even beginning music (which aims to familiarize the student with the whole of the keyboard, not just the notes around middle C).  Some keyboards are no more than toys which have non-weighted keys that merely connect to a sound and don't provide the ability to develop a touch to generate a dynamic range, something that even the youngest students are taught.

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Acoustic Pianos

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In general, the sooner a piano student has the opportunity to practice on an acoustic piano, the better.  However, as with all things, there is a wide variety of quality and capability amongst acoustic pianos.

 

A quality acoustic instrument that produces sound from real strings and real wood offers a level of responsiveness and a range of dynamics and tone color that even the nicest digital piano cannot match.  Acoustic pianos, however, are expensive. A typical price range for a quality acoustic upright (also called “vertical”) piano can start from $4,000 to $8,000.  The different sizes of vertical pianos (spinet, console, studio, and upright) manifest in their different sound volume and tone quality created by the larger soundboard and longer strings, which also manifest in the different touch and strength required to engage the keys.  

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If you want a grand or baby grand piano, new models may cost up to $6,000 to $10,000 or more.  The Yamaha U series are a favorite upright piano choice for many students, but there are other fine brands such as Kawai, Boston, and Schimmel.  Please keep in mind that well-known brands such as Steinway and others may have undergone changes in company ownership and manufacturing over the years and depending on their year of manufacture, may no longer be a "best" choice for a student and family. 

 

It is best to do your own research and even consult with piano turners/repair professionals who are familiar with the qualities and issues of current brands and former models. 

 

Many piano stores have affordable acoustic piano rental programs which allow you to easily obtain a piano without the pressure of a purchase decision.

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There are also many used and refurbished instruments that may also be a good choice.  If you find a used instrument that you are interested in, or are inheriting a piano, it is a very good idea to engage the services of a piano tuner/repair professional to inspect the instrument (especially for antique pianos) and give you their assessment.  Pianos that have been subjected to environmental damage, extremes of temperature, or been used in public venues where they may have been mistreated need careful examination and may be hard to tune or be in need of extensive repair.

 

If you already have a piano, or plan to purchase or rent a used instrument, be sure it is in tune and the keys are in good working order. An acoustic piano in poor condition will cause frustration and hinder the progress a beginning student as well as hamper ear-training.

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Digital Pianos

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While it’s impossible to entirely simulate the experience of playing on an acoustic piano, a digital piano is a good option.  In fact, a quality digital piano may be much better than an old out-of-tune acoustic piano with sticky or broken keys!

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Digital pianos are designed to sound and feel as much like an acoustic piano as possible. Keys are weighted to provide the right resistance to touch, and are sensitive to speed and pressure to give a range of dynamics (loud and soft). They come installed in a cabinet-style console, and are smaller and less expensive than an upright piano, usually $1,000 - $2,000.

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One popular digital piano is the Yamaha Arius series, which are Yamaha digital pianos with model numbers beginning with ‘YDP’.  

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The Casio Privia series, which are Casio digital pianos with model numbers beginning with ‘PX’ won't come as close to matching the feel and sound of an acoustic piano as the Arius series does, but are more affordable and a great place to start.

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Digital pianos are lighter, smaller, and easier to transport, but of course, as with all electronics, need to be treated carefully.

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Electronic Keyboards

 

Electronic keyboards are the most affordable way to get started, but learning piano on a non-weighted non-full-size keyboard is less than ideal. One should plan on upgrading to at least a digital piano as soon as possible.

 

Electronic keyboards come in many sizes and prices and quality. Rather than trying to mimic the experience of playing on a real piano, they are designed to be mini synthesizers, and many come with lots of different instrument sounds and even pre-recorded rhythm tracks.  What’s most important for a new piano student will be the number of keys and whether or not the keys are weighted.  All the bells and whistles on electronic keyboards are fun and interesting, but are generally a distraction for younger students.

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Remember that learning on a keyboard with 88 weighted keys gives a student a big advantage. The weighted keys build hand strength and respond more like the keys of an acoustic piano, making it easier for an advancing student to move on. Most electronic keyboards do not have weighted keys.

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It is recommended that a keyboard have at least 61 keys in order to be able to proceed and play the majority of beginning music.  A full size keyboard is preferable.

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When buying an electronic keyboard make sure to also purchase a bench and a keyboard stand. A keyboard set on a table will probably not be at the correct height for a young student seated in a chair. Ideally, the keyboard and bench should be set at the right height so that the player’s arm from wrist to elbow is parallel to the floor. 

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Whatever your starting choice, it is a good idea to revisit your student's needs and progress with the teacher at least once a year.