Acoustic Pianos, Digital Pianos, and Keyboards
Acoustic Pianos
When it comes to learning the piano, the best option is always going to be a high-quality acoustic piano in good working condition. A real piano, though, is also the least practical option. They’re expensive, require regular maintenance and tuning, and have associated moving costs.
It’s also best practice to climate control your piano space. If you live in an area where it’s dry in the winter like it is in New York and the northeastern US, it’s good practice to at least humidify your piano in the winter. Humidifying will prevent the sound board from cracking and keep the wooden parts in good condition. Many people choose to install an in-piano humidity control system (a Dampp-Chaser Piano Life Saver system) for this purpose.
Pianos can be divided into two categories – verticals and grands. Generally speaking, grand pianos are the better option, but are more expensive, take up more space, and tend to be a bit louder than verticals. Smaller grand pianos are called baby grands.
Grand Pianos and Baby Grand Pianos
Larger grand pianos are longer horizontally, take up more space, and tend to be a bit louder. All other things being equal (such as quality of manufacture, design, and materials), larger grands usually perform better and are more expensive than smaller ones.
Vertical Pianos – Upright Pianos, Console Pianos, and Spinets
Larger vertical pianos are taller. The tallest vertical pianos are called uprights (45”+ tall), the middle range are called console pianos (40-44” tall), and the smallest are called spinets (under 40” in height). As with grands, larger vertical pianos, all other things being equal, tend to perform better and are more expensive than smaller ones. I recommend avoiding spinets altogether, as they are generally not worth owning. Consoles can sometimes be worth it. If you are considering a vertical piano, however, I would recommend looking for an upright.
Digital Pianos & Hybrid Pianos
Digital Pianos
When a real piano is not possible for one reason or another, I would usually recommend a good-quality “Digital Piano” with the below features. An instrument like this is really the minimum requirement for serious piano study.
- 2-3 pedals
- a sturdy stand with attached pedals
- 88 velocity-sensitive and weighted keys (escapement action is preferable)
- a music stand for books and sheet music
- an adjustable-height bench
- a reputable brand like Kawai, Yamaha, Casio, or Roland
Hybrid Pianos
Hybrids are generally a step above purely digital pianos in terms of performance and price. They incorporate aspects of both digital and acoustic pianos.
Pricing for Digital and Hybrid Pianos
I generally advise against cheaper digital pianos in the $200-750 range as they are generally not good quality or lack the features necessary to approximate the experience of playing a real piano. It is possible to find something in this lower range by looking at used instruments, but then you run the risk of potential issues due to damage or lack of care.
Digital Keyboards
In some situations, such as when children are very young or are just starting out, a keyboard can be a good choice. A keyboard can be good for kids who are not taking lessons or are just starting out with lessons. Keyboards can provide a chance for kids to experiment and learn some of the basics of music, but they lack many of the features needed for serious piano study.