is a synthesizer/digital piano a good substitute?

Question

i played the piano when i was little for about 4 years, and then when i moved to the USA, i stopped playing, now it's been like 7 years and i want to start playing again.

i'm wondering if a keyboard is a ok substitute for a piano since a piano costs a lot more and is a lot harder to maintain.

if possible can you put the pros and cons of using a electronic keyboard instead of a piano (for practice)

Also, if you have specific recommendations of the model and brand of the keyboard that would be helpful too.

Answer 1

Yes and no, depending on your reasons for playing. If you are looking to play in a band or with other instruments, an electronic keyboard can be a great substitute. Depending on the make and model of the keyboard, you can get a great reproduction of the sound you get from a real piano. I'll give you a quick list of pros and cons before I talk more about the models.

Pros:
-An electronic keyboard is usually portable. Meaning you can bring it to a friends house or even on trips if you want to keep up with your practice.

-Keyboards are much easier to maintain, being that they don't need annual or semi-annual tuning like a real piano. Which saves you time/money.

-Many keyboards have different voices(sounds) they can produce, which can make playing more entertaining and creative.

-If you are pressed for space, a keyboard is also nice because it can be put away, its not a permanent fixture like a real piano.

-You have full ability to control the sound levels with an electronic keyboard.

Cons:

-Regardless of how much you pay for an electronic keyboard or digital piano, you will never be able to reproduce the resonance and sound quality of a real piano.

-It's difficult to match the hammer action of a real piano when it is digitally reproduced. The weight of digital keys won't have the same feel as a real piano.

-You need a power source.

Those are basically the quick pros and cons of a digital piano sound compared to a real piano sound. On the plus side, there are things you can do to reproduce the resonance and quality of a real piano. If you play through an amp, you can add reverb to your signal to give it more of a resonance. The downside to this is if you want to play clearer notes, they will slur together a little bit. Also, regardless of the make of your keyboard, you need to get a decent sustain pedal. A good sustain pedal can make a cheap keyboard sound better than an expensive keyboard.

There are also different types of keyboards and digital pianos out there.

Keyboards are used mostly by people who want a large variety of voices, and are less concerned by true piano sound/action. They are also more portable.

Digital pianos will give you a better piano sound, and the most realistic piano action, but usually weigh much more and are harder to transport. They also use less voices then most keyboards or synthesizers.

Synthesizers are more for people who are interested in creating simple patterns and expressions in conjunction with other instruments. They are highly customizable to the user and can produce sounds and patterns and pitch bends that keyboards and digital pianos just cant do. These usually lack in real piano sounds, unless you get into priceier models.

Casio makes decent keyboards.

Yamaha makes excellent keyboards and digital pianos.

Williams also makes a good digital piano.

If you're looking into a synthesizer, Korg is by far the best option for a good synth.

Hopefully thats all you need. I'm a pianist/keyboardist myself and spend alot of time with my music and have a bunch of different keyboards/pianos/synths.

Answer 2

A keyboard has a very different sound than a piano but it can be a good substitute for practicing purposes. A keyboard does cost a lot less to buy and maintain. A piano gives a much fuller sound though. There's more life to a piano if that makes sense. It's a lot easier to feel the music when you use a real piano. Other than that, a keyboard and a piano are basically the same.

Answer 3

While keyboards can be more convenient based on price, options, availability, they wtill do not give the suthentic sound such as a piano. Yes, they will do the job. Yes, they will be easier to take around to places for use in traveling bands, wedding players, etc. The only setback is that a keyboard does not sound exactly like a real piano. On the other hand, there are quiet a few keyboards that sound extremely close. Generally, the higher the price of a keyboard, the better quality and sound.

Answer 4

Even a top of the line keyboard/digital piano would be expensive (though easier to maintain)

It depends on whether you are ready to compromise on the sound quality and the type of keys. If yes, go in for a keyboard. The DGX series from Yamaha has more than 5 octaves plus built-in rhythms.

Answer 5

There's nothing wrong with going with an elec. piano or keyboard. I would however suggest that you get one with weighted keys and is touch sensitive. You could get a Kurzweill for around $600 or get a used or factory reconditioned keyboard for less. Check out Musician's Friend's Clearance section.

Answer 6

Unless you're playing something that requires it... classical and some jazz... I fail to see the point of the real thing. Even if you are playing something that requires it... you're still going to be dependent on your recording system to publish yourself... {$1000+ mics, pickups, etc... high end electronic equipment... pricey hardware... an engineer or two...}

Given the other functionality available with a synth/computer and the tons of available sample pianos, it's a simple choice to me. I suppose it depends on how you intend to use it...

http://www.sweetwater.com/
http://www.dmoz.org/Shopping/Music/Equipment/