How and why to chose an electronic piano

to play classical piano

 

Classical piano students often consider electronic pianos second-class:

This is not completely fair for beginners and even sometimes for advanced students. In fact, an electronic instrument provides a number of significant benefits and you must know what to look for when choosing this kind of device.

The major advantages are:

  • Low cost
  • Smaller size (compared to acoustic one)
  • Factory integrated silencer system, as well as a recorder and metronome
  • Large variety of new and used electronic pianos on the market

 

To help you make the right choice if you buy digital piano:

  1. Define precisely your selection criteria for an electronic piano: small size, small budget, and silencer system.
  2. Choose a reputable brand: Yamaha, Roland. You have more chance to get a quality instrument.
  3. Buy a used instrument only if your budget is limited. Pay attention to the warranty, because it’s still an electronic device.
  4. Don’t choose an instrument with costly advanced features. You are learning classical piano, so you will only work in piano mode.
  5. Don’t buy unstable models (the kind on stands), as you can never practice correctly because of this instability.
  6. Be sure to check the feel of the piano keys. Avoid devices with a heavy touch, as they will hinder you when practicing.
  7. Be sure that each key produces sound and doesn’t stick.

Note that there will come a time when you will need to sell your electronic piano, once your playing level has progressed. In general, a digital instrument will suffice until piano level 2-3, and then it becomes your backup piano. From this point on, if you wish to continue to progress, you will need to play on an acoustic piano. When reselling, you will quickly find a buyer for a well-known brand. A black piano will resell more easily than a light-colored one.

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