Real piano or electric?

Question

I want to learn how to play piano. I've kinda been learning on my own here and there and I know I won't really learn it until I have my own to practice. Should I get one of those nice electric ones that are supposed to be as good as real pianos...or should I get a real piano? Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi there,

An acoustic piano is always your best choice. As the previous poster said, nothing matches the tone and feel of a real piano. But your choice also depends on some other factors:

Where you live. If you're in an apartment, have roommates, or move relatively often, it's not a bad idea to consider a quality digital piano. I use one at home because my husband is a computer programmer and works at home -- and because our house is smallish and open plan, the piano carries everywhere. With a digital, I can turn the volume down or plug in my headphones, and practice whenever!! I have an acoustic piano at my studio.

Your price range. If you have less than $1500 or so to spend, you may be better off either saving longer or getting a digital. I worked and taught in a piano store for a number of years, and even though we had used pianos under that amount, they weren't wise investments of money.

The other thing to keep in mind is whether you might be interested in the fun extras that digitals allow -- connecting to your compuer, recording, different sounds & beats... some even come with piano lessons installed or that you can download. So that could all be fun! (That's another reason I chose a digital for my home.)

Whatever you decide, go to a piano store and play as many instruments as you can! People often make choices by reading reveiws online (especially for digitals) or finding something used in the paper for a good price; but your ear (tone) and your hands (touch) should really tell you which piano to get.

Good luck!

Answer 2

If I had my druthers, I would own both a fantastic acoustic grand and the best high quality keyboard I could afford because I would have different purposes for each. For playing the great music, the acoustic. For playing around with sounds, combining of sounds, playing with other electrified instruments, and quiet playing while the rest of the family is asleep, the electric. As I have aged, if I don't stretch first before doing some hard-hitting acoustic playing, my elbows tend to get tendinitis both below and above the joint. So for those who no longer have the power physically, the electric is a good alternative. Arthritis sufferers also would find the lighter touch of a keyboard (some are touch adjustable) helpful. So if you are young, healthy and wealthy, get both and an electric car! I would like to see some creativity and a break from the status quo of gasoline-powered vehicles, too. Why not a joy stick controller and roller ball wheels for better maneuverability? I don't want to hear about the "impossibilities" of my suggestion; it's just a thought.

Answer 3

Hi.
I have played piano in a restaurant and for fun.
Absolutely nothing beats a real piano, but a good weighted keyboard and decent samples in the electric version with an 88 note keyboard comes close.

Also, if you fancy entering the superb world of music technology, you can use a controller keyboard, i.e. one with no sounds but that just sends midi messages, to a laptop and run a Steinway concert grand from that and amplify it.
you can then orchestrate bits, add strings, print out a score of what you have just played.... possibilities are myriad. You might even score a film one day from your home music room.

dont just take my word for it. look at the reviews in things like "Sound On Sound" magazine, a UK publication, think its www.sospubs.co.uk
they will give you some extra info.

Also, if you join an ensemble or band, its pretty hard work gigging with an upright or grand piano!

To sum up:

If you're staying at home, only ever gonna play solo piano, buy the real deal.

If you think your musical horizons might broaden, or you may make music out of the house, check out "pretend" pianos, and the music technology route.

Hope this was helpful.

If you need any more info, give me an email and I will try and help.

Brendan Mullins

Answer 4

You really really should learn on a real one. Nothing has the same feel. Some electrics can come kinda close- if you MUST learn on an electric keyboard make sure it has 88 keys, weighted keys, is touch sensitive, and is at LEAST 10 note polyphony.