Learning to play the piano is a gratifying experience. So before you bring one home, look out for five mistakes to avoid when buying a digital piano.
The sound of the piano is one of the most soothing and beautiful sounds known to man. It is one of the most popular instruments people learn to play and can be an expensive hobby. The grand piano is, at least. But digital pianos or keyboards are affordable, making it easy for everyone to play this beautiful instrument.
Buying a digital piano is your best bet if you want to learn from scratch or refresh old skills. But there are some things you need to keep in mind when you’re at the store to spend your money wisely. So here are five mistakes to avoid when buying a digital piano.
Origins Of The Piano
Musical instruments can be categorized into three types: wind, percussion, and string. The piano falls under the string instrument category.
A traditional piano has strings inside of it. Its complex mechanism vibrates the strings to produce a beautiful resonant sound. However, it can also be a percussion instrument because of hammers hitting the strings. So it’s the best of both worlds.
A digital piano is very different from its traditional counterpart. However, the mechanism is simple enough. Generally, they use a synthesized imitation of piano sounds or recorded samples of them. The electric tone is enhanced by the speakers inside. The result is an identical sound to the traditional piano.
The digital piano also has different features that can mimic the sounds of other instruments such as guitar, drums, percussion, violin, harp, flute, and others. Nowadays, you can also record your own music, play it back and edit on digital pianos. Musicians use the digital piano as mini makeshift recording studios.
Types of Digital Piano
There are four different types of the digital piano,
- Digital Portable Piano: It’s in the name! The digital portable piano is also called a slab piano. This is because it’s easy to carry around and saves space. In addition, the portable has more features than its peers and has a crisp and distinct sound. There are many great beginner-friendly keyboard brands and digital piano models at all prices.
- Digital Upright Piano: The digital upright is aesthetically most similar to a traditional upright piano. It combines the look of an acoustic piano and the technology of the portable piano, making it a fantastic instrument.
- Digital Console Piano: The digital console piano has a furniture-style design with pedals, giving it that traditional piano look. It has the features and sound quality of other digital pianos without the portability. Unfortunately, it is also quite an expensive instrument.
- Digital Grand Piano: The digital grand piano is equipped with all the goodness of digital pianos in its traditional elegant exterior. It provides an exceptional playing experience for musicians. The size of this instrument contributes to the powerful and grand sound emitted by the huge speakers installed in this big boy. Unsurprisingly, it is the most expensive type of digital piano, with prices starting from $1000!
Differences Between Traditional/Acoustic and Digital Piano
There are major differences between the old-school piano and the hip, new digital ones today. Check them out,
- Their different mechanisms. Acoustic uses tiny hammers hitting the strings to vibrate and produce the sound. Digital uses synthesized imitation and recordings of piano sounds.
- The acoustic piano keys may feel stiff when pressed, while the digital piano is more seamless and smooth while playing.
- The dynamic range is unlimited in an acoustic piano and limited in a digital piano.
- Acoustic pianos are not very beginner friendly, while digital pianos are very beginner friendly and easier to operate and learn with.
- Acoustic piano requires more maintenance with tuning and storage, while digital pianos have minimal maintenance, save space, and are portable.
- Acoustic pianos come with different attachments, like pedals, while digital pianos don’t.
- Acoustic pianos are expensive and digital pianos are more affordable. Although, it depends on the features and model.
- Acoustic pianos, with proper care, last years, while digital pianos can last long without issues but become outdated after a few years.
- Acoustic pianos produce a single sound while digital pianos have many features and produce many different sounds.
- Acoustic pianos are objects of passion and can also be a stunning decor piece. On the other hand, digital pianos are cute, but not exactly decor-worthy.
Mistakes to Avoid When Buying A Digital Piano
If you’re a beginner, someone who is brushing up on their skills, or buying as a gift, you know now that digital pianos are your best bet. So before you spend your money, take a look at some mistakes to avoid.
- You’re Confused: The biggest mistake you can make while buying a piano is not knowing what you want. So it’s important to research, list pros and cons, and settle on the brand and model.
- You’re Overlooking: Another mistake you can make while buying a digital piano is overlooking the variety that is out there. It is a pricey investment, so scour through every option available.
- You Did Not Choose A Trusted Brand: You should choose a trusted and coveted brand. Yamaha, Casio, Steinway & Sons, Kawai, Bechstein are some of the leading brands of pianos.
- You Don’t Test it Out: Another aspect of being careless about is testing. Play the instrument in the store, and determine your angles and posture. Do you feel more comfortable playing standing up or sitting down? Do you prefer the piano to be on a base or just on itself? Do your fingers cramp at a certain point? Consider asking yourself all these questions and testing the piano out.
- You Overspent: This is a regret you don’t want to have. That’s why research and diligent testing of the product at the store will help you make the best decision without spending too much money.
Some More To Look Out For…
- Don’t pick something too complicated. If you’re a beginner, pick a digital piano that is not loaded with features you probably will never need. Look up beginner-friendly brands and models in your budget and go for those.
- Spending too little is also a mistake you must avoid. A good quality digital piano will cost you a good amount of money. But choosing trusted brands and popular models will get you your money’s worth even if they cost a little extra.
- Commit. If you want to learn how to play the piano, commit to playing it daily. Don’t let this brilliant instrument sit unloved and unused.
How to Take Care of Your Digital Piano
Now that you have your hands on your digital piano, here’s how to take care of it.
- Use a stable and working power outlet to plug in the piano.
- Make sure to turn off the power after using the piano.
- Set it up in a cool and dry spot, and keep it away from windows.
- Gently wipe with a dry cloth to remove dust, dirt, or sand.
- Play regularly. The worst thing you can do is neglect this incredible instrument.
Conclusion
The piano is a fantastic instrument, acoustic or digital. So it is crucial that when you invest in one, it is worth your cash. Learning how to play it will enrich your skillset, ease stress, and make you feel more calm and relaxed. We hope you enjoyed this article and will share it with your family and friends.
FAQs
- Is Renting A Digital Piano A Good Idea?
Ans: Renting musical instruments can be a good idea, depending on your playing needs. But sometimes, it may not be the best thing to do.
Let’s look at some pros and cons of renting a digital piano,
Pros: You only need it briefly, so renting, in that case, works best.
You don’t want to invest in a piano right now. So renting saves you cash.
You don’t want to commit and only play for fun, so renting is the best option.
Cons: Rental pianos may not always be in the best shape.
If you want to learn to play, renting a piano is not a good idea as it may need to be tuned properly or have proper playability.
Rentals can be expensive considering additional charges such as tuning, moving or delivery.
- Which is Better For Beginners, Digital Pianos or Keyboards?
Ans: Digital pianos and keyboards are often mistaken for each other. Digital pianos are designed to imitate the sound of a traditional or acoustic piano.
The keyboard has more keys than the digital piano and offers more features, affordability, and portability than the digital piano. For beginners, a digital piano is a more ideal option. This is because the sound, quality, and feel of pressing the keys are unbeatable. However, if you want to play for leisure or buy for a child, opting for the keyboard is best. It is more affordable, is relatively smaller than most digital pianos and is portable.