If you or your kid want to play the piano, there are few important things you need to consider. First, a good instrument is required, even for a beginner piano student. For example, if you want your child to play soccer, you should not send them out on the field in cheap flip-flops. In this case, you will make sure that your child has a good pair of shoes. Even if good shoes are okay for now, will your child also require professional quality soccer cleats worth $100? Maybe not in the beginning.
All parents want to ensure that their little beginner has a good experience when he or she is learning to play. But most parents are not in a position to purchase a baby grand piano. That is okay. In order to decide what will be suitable for your child and also your budget-friendly, there are certain options available, which we are going to discuss.
A Keyboard Instrument For Your Home
There are three basic categories of keyboard instruments available on the market. The largest and also the most expensive, as well as the best in terms of developing piano skills, are the acoustic pianos. At the same time, there are several good digital pianos available that are not only smaller but are also less expensive. They also do a decent job of mimicking the sound and feel of an acoustic piano.
There is also the option of an electric keyboard. It is also the least expensive option. However, the electric keyboard may not have the right touch that is required for developing right-hand strength in the case of a beginning pianist or it may not have sufficient keys for playing a wide range of music.
Ultimately, the sooner a student can practice on an acoustic piano, the better.
A quality acoustic instrument that produces the sound of real strings and real wood provides a level of responsiveness and a range of dynamics and tone that cannot be matched by even the nicest digital piano.
Practicing on an acoustic instrument to gain an understanding of nuanced musical responsiveness is ideal. But it is also true that acoustic pianos are expensive. Generally, the price range for a good quality acoustic upright piano (which is also known as the vertical) is between $4000 and $8000.
If you’re looking for a grand or a baby grand piano, you may expect to pay anything between $6000 and $80,000, or even more. However, several more affordable options are also available.
Not Sure About Buying...
There are a number of piano stores that provide affordable rental programs for acoustic pianos. If you already have a piano or if you’re planning to purchase or rent a used instrument, you should make sure that the instrument is in tune and all the keys are in good working condition. Any acoustic piano that is in poor condition will result in frustration and can also hinder the learning progress.
Digital Pianos
Even if it is nearly impossible to simulate the experience of playing an acoustic piano, there’s nothing wrong if a beginning student starts playing on a digital piano. These pianos aim to create a similar sound and feel as that of an acoustic piano. The keys are weighted so to provide light resistance to touch. They are also sensitive to speed and pressure in order to provide a range of dynamics (loud and soft). Compared to an upright piano, these pianos are smaller and also less expensive. Generally, they cost between $1000 and $2000.
One favorite digital piano of beginners is the Yamaha Arius series. These are Yamaha digital pianos and the model numbers start with ‘YDP’. The cost of these models can be between $1000 and $2000.
Although it is not possible to completely simulate the experience of playing on an acoustic piano, there is nothing wrong if a beginner starts on a digital piano. In fact, a good quality digital piano will be much better compared to an old, out-of-tune acoustic piano that has sticky or broken keys.
Electronic Keyboards
Electronic keyboards can prove to be the most affordable way of getting started. However, learning the piano on a non-weighted, non-full-size keyboard is not recommended, and it may even prove to be discouraging. As such, it is recommended that you upgrade to at least a digital piano as soon as possible.
If you are not willing to spend a few thousand dollars or even several hundred dollars on a good instrument, you may start with an electronic keyboard. These keyboards are available in different sizes and prices. Instead of trying to mimic the experience of playing the real piano, these keyboards have been designed to act as synthesizers.
Several keyboards have come up with a number of different instrumental sounds. They may even have recorded rhythm tracks. However, what is most significant for a beginning pianist is the number of keys and if the keys are weighted or not.
Learning on a keyboard that has 88 weighted keys will give you a significant advantage. Weighted keys create hand strength and they also respond more like the keys of an acoustic piano. It is easy to play on a keyboard once you have learned to play on a piano, rather than vice versa. This makes it easier for the advancing student to move on. However, most electronic keyboards do not have weighted keys.
If an electronic keyboard with 88 weighted keys is still beyond your price range, you should use a keyboard that has at least 61 keys (not for very long). This will allow a student to do all the exercises in the practice lessons.
Certain advantages are available for those who have a digital piano or an electronic keyboard, compared to having an acoustic piano, like the ability to plug in headphones, which allows a student to practice without disturbing other people.
There are several digital or electronic instruments that are capable of being connected to a computer. They can also be used with different types of educational and music production software. Similarly, these instruments are more portable, and digital pianos and electronic keyboards do not need to be tuned, which saves you trouble and money. A beginning student may get off to a good start by learning to play the piano on one of these instruments.
Conclusion
However, it also needs to be mentioned that nothing compares to playing an acoustic piano. If your family has the space in the house and also the budget for an acoustic piano, it is recommended that you go with this option.
