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(This is a post I have avoided writing since the day I started this blog, because of the controversy it holds for many people in the piano field. I have decided, though, that the time has come for me to state my case and let the chips fall where they may. Keep in mind, as you read this that, although it is my opinion based on decades of experience, if a piano teacher, technician, or sales person tells you something different I am not saying that, in their particular case, they are wrong. Just ask them to read this article and leave a comment explaining their opinion. )
One of the hardest decisions facing many first-time piano buyers (especially those with young children starting piano lessons), is the choice between digital and electronic pianos. Most of these people have, at best, limited knowledge about pianos, what makes the differences between different kinds of pianos, and what is involved in maintaining a piano, and have to look to various sources for that information. (Hopefully, that is why many of you are here!) Let’s take a look at some of the concerns raised about digital pianos over the years and see how they stack up:
- Disclaimer – If you can afford, and have space for, a high-end grand (such as Steinway, Bosendorfer, Bechstein, etc.) at least 6 feet in length, go ahead and get the acoustic piano. There is no digital equivalent, to the best of my knowledge for these jewels of the pianomaker’s art. Just be sure that you include cost of maintenance in your consideration. Since these pianos are so resonant, even minor deviations in tuning will be more obvious than in lesser instruments, so you should plan on having a tuning at least three times per year. That would be a minimum of $3000 over a ten year period. (I don’t know of anywhere where a tuning still goes for under $100.)
- Digital pianos don’t sound like real pianos. Until just a few years ago, I would have agreed with this for all but the very top-end digitals. Since then, with advancements in computer (the basis of a digital piano is after all a type of computer) and sampling technology, it is now possible to get an instrument in the <$3000 range that does a good impression of the sound of a >$100,000 concert grand. While not an exact match for sound, if you compare the <$3000 digital to a comparably priced acoustic, in most cases the digital will have a superior sound. Added advantage – you can plug headphones into the digital and rehearse while a baby is sleeping or Dad is watching the football game in the next room.
- Digital pianos are expensive to repair and maintain. Maybe so – but nothing like an acoustic piano over the long haul. Digitals are by definition more stable and don’t require routine maintenance like the 2-3 tunings needed annually for an acoustic piano. This is an added benefit if you live in a small town or rural area where a tuner has to travel from the next city over, adding $50 or more in travel charges to each tuning visit.
- Digital piano keyboards play like organs – and they’re short. This used to be true. Now, though, you can purchase an 88-key “hammer-action” keyboard(such as the Casio Privia
or M-Audio ProKeys88) that plays as well as any spinet and most consoles manufactured in the last 20 years and sounds better than most of them. No, it will neither play as well as or sound as well as a Steinway grand, but as I said earlier, if you can afford a Steinway (or better) you should get it.
There are pros and cons for both digital and acoustic pianos. Do your homework, then buy the best piano (digital or acoustic) you can afford for your situation and enjoy it for years to come.
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