Using Digital Pianos for Piano Lessons – Should you?

Using Digital Pianos for Piano Lessons – Should you?

[caption id="attachment_178" align="alignleft" width="310"] digital pianos

Many piano teachers use acoustic pianos for lessons. However, they are very expensive. As digital pianos are an affordable alternative, many piano schools use them to teach beginners. Before, using digital pianos for lessons was out of question. That’s because their sound and feel wasn’t comparable to acoustic pianos. But over the past few years, that has completely changed.

The digital pianos today feature excellent sound quality. The feel of the keys is very similar. No wonder they’re becoming more popular. And best of all, they require no tuning. So no more hefty bills. As a result of their affordability, many schools are purchasing digital pianos to teach aspiring pianists.

Also, independent teachers are beginning to use them to teach their students. What’s also great is the headphone outputs that come with pretty much every digital piano. Another great features for learners include metronome, and duet mode – in which two people can play simultaneously. This makes the learning experience better for both the instructor and the student.

While the 88-keys are standard, some teachers even use 76-key models. However, it’s better to stick to 88-keys. If you’ll be providing your instrument for the lessons, it’s a good idea to invest in a digital piano for the new learner in your home. This saves you a lot of money as you get excellent features for a reasonable price. The ideal price range for entry and mid-level models is $500-$1,000.

However when the student becomes more advanced, it’s better to switch to an acoustic piano. That doesn’t mean that digital pianos can’t be used by professionals. Many high-end models by Yamaha and Roland cater to advanced pianists. With technology continuously advancing, there will be time when it will be difficult to tell the difference between digital pianos and acoustic pianos.

Download article as PDF

Using Digital Pianos for Piano Lessons – Should you?

Digital Piano Reviews 2014 : What actually is a digital piano?

Digital Piano Reviews 2014 : What actually is a digital piano?

Digital Piano Reviews 2014: All About “True” Digital Piano Experience. There is a huge difference between the sounds of a digital piano today to what it sounded like three or five years ago. If you are certain that nothing will match the sound of an acoustic or a traditional piano then think again. New digital pianos especially high end digital piano brands offer better digital sounds, improved amplifier systems and overall better key action to mimic the action of a real piano.

A digital piano is a musical instrument that duplicates the sound of a general piano. It looks like a standard piano with all the 88 keys present as well as designs that allow the instrument to be used just like an ordinary piano. But what makes it very different from an actual piano is that it has no strings that hammers need to strike to produce sounds; instead it has amplifiers and sampled sounds that are activated when the right keys are pressed. Keys of an acoustic piano use a weighted key action that allows users to play it like the original instrument.

A digital piano has more than just the keys, modern and updated digital pianos have more features to offer like volume controls, tempo controls, tone controls, different rhythms to select, LCD displays, a recording system and headphone or ear phone jacks. Digital pianos are known to provide the closest sound to a real piano and these are mostly used to create digital tracks and accompaniment to digitally produced music. Additional features to allow your piano to connect to a computer are thus handy like SD card slots, USB and MIDI connections, larger memory storage and multiple speaker outputs.

Digital Piano Reviews 2014: Digital piano versus an acoustic piano

Nothing is better than playing a real acoustic piano according to digital piano reviews; its sound reverberates through the instrument with every strike of its keys. The sound created is pure and incomparable however there are several advantages that digital instruments have as opposed to using acoustic ones:

1. Digital instruments are portable. Updated digital piano models weigh just less than 150 to 200 pounds. Musicians and artists can bring their digital piano anywhere they want to go.



2. A digital piano does not require heavy maintenance. It does not need tuning and expert care.



3. You can store or save music with a digital piano with its own memory functions or you may connect it to a computer to save large amounts of files.



4. Sounds of digital pianos have improved over the years and are beginning to sound more like their acoustic counterparts. Digital sound from digital instruments may be readily used to mix audio samples for various uses like commercials, movie sound effects, game sounds, etc.



5. Digital pianos play more sound samples than ever before; aside from piano, some updated models can play up to 250 tones, hundreds of rhythm samples and even actual music samples

A short digital piano reviews of three popular models

• 
  
  Casio PX850 BK 88-Key Privia Digital Piano – this beautiful digital piano features tri-sensor scaled hammer action complete with ebony and ivory piano keys. Comes with 18 tone samples with split and layer capabilities, able to provided digital audio recording and connect via your computer via USB storage. Has the capabilities of a digital instrument but the body of a large upright acoustic piano.



• 
  
  Roland F – 120 –SB Digital Piano – has SuperNATURAL piano engine and comes with an Ivory Feel-G full keyboard. Has features that will provide the best digital piano experience like a digital recorder, a metronome, twin piano playing for side-by-side piano playing and auto-off functions. Considered a great piano according to digital piano reviews for a beginner with its features but its price at $1,199.99 online is a major set-back.



• 
  
  Korg SP170s 88-key Digital Piano – has a simple and portable design with features that will improve your piano playing style. It has a piano play button, 10 internal sound buttons, grand piano sounds, key touch controls, headphones and speaker jacks and with available damper pedal and stand.Considered a great piano according to digital piano reviews for a pro but the Korg SP170s is portable and has impressive features but does not come with a stand; you need to pay extra for a stand and foot pedals for a truly authentic music experience.

Image
Title	Casio PX850 BK 88-Key Touch Sensitive Privia Digital Piano with 4 Layer Stereo Grand Piano Samples	Roland F-120-WH Digital Piano	Korg SP170s 88-Key Digital Piano, Black
Brand	Casio	Roland	Korg
EAN	0079767361822	0151000019414	4959112080942
Feature	Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action with Ebony and Ivory Keys 18 Tones with Split / Layer capability 256 note polyphony New 4 Layer Stereo Grand Piano Samples Stereo Digital Audio Recording to USB storage	SuperNATURAL Piano engine onboard. Ivory Feel-G keyboard for true piano feel and touch Metronome, recorder, and Twin Piano features for lessons or side-by-side performance. Environment friendly; low power consumption and Auto Off function Two classy finishes: Satin Black and White	Simple in design, the portable and stylish SP-170s emphasizes the vital piano elements: a comfortable keyboard, and a satisfying sound Convenient Piano Play button instantly recalls the main piano sound The Sound button provides access to each of the ten internal sounds The two skillfully sampled concert grand piano sounds capture all the nuances of the performer"s touch A total of ten sounds are provided, including electric pianos, harpsichord, organs, strings, and more
ListPrice	$1499.99	$1799.00	$599.99
Model	PX850 BK	F-120-WH	SP170SBK
MPN	PX850 BK	F120WH	SP-170SBK
PartNumber	PX850 BK	F120WH	SP-170SBK
Title	Casio PX850 BK 88-Key Touch Sensitive Privia Digital Piano with 4 Layer Stereo Grand Piano Samples	Roland F-120-WH Digital Piano	Korg SP170s 88-Key Digital Piano, Black
UPC	079767361822	761294501559
Warranty	1 year	90 days parts, 1 year labor, five year in home service	1 year
Price	$993.00	$1299.00	$499.99
Rating
Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews	Read Reviews
Link	More Info	More Info	More Info

Product prices and availability are accurate as of Apr 4 9:13:39 UTC but are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the merchant site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

 

Digital Piano Reviews 2014 : What actually is a digital piano?

Best Digital Pianos and Acoustic: A Comparison

Best Digital Pianos and Acoustic: A Comparison

The digital piano is fast taking over despite the fact that the traditional piano produces superior and natural sound that can hold everyone spellbound. And it is not without a reason because digital pianos definitely have certain advantages over traditional (acoustic) pianos. Actually some of the best digital pianos can produce music that is almost similar in quality.

Digital pianos generally cost less than acoustic pianos. While there are larger priced models as well, some basic models such as those of Yamaha digital pianos are considerably lighter and easier to carry around. They do not require tuning because there are no steel strings and no hammers to strike them. Digital pianos have features to assist in learning and the best digital pianos come with musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) implementation.

There were times when the purists talked about the superiority of the acoustic pianos and they were correct to a great extent. However, constant improvement with technological innovations has resulted in production of digital pianos with the ability of producing sound as good as traditional pianos. There are certain features of digital pianos that are typical to electronic instruments and cannot be duplicated in acoustic pianos.

Most digital piano models allow you to edit and save what you play on the instrument. You can also attach headphones to practice in private. The best digital pianos produce a variety of tone quality and other sounds as well. Best digital pianos, for example, have settings for a concert grand piano, upright piano, tack piano and various types of electric pianos.

Digital pianos may look like traditional pianos and even produce similar sound quality but they do not feel like the real thing. Traditional pianos require a weighted action of your fingers to produce the note you want to, which is not the same thing as touch sensitivity required while playing on digital pianos. Another thing that is missing in the digital piano experience is the absence of technique and inability to produce a dynamic performance in front of an audience. It is akin to a computer, a CD player or an electronic game station; all said and done the digital piano is actually an alternate and not the ‘real thing’.

However, whenever technology has met with a challenge from a traditional product it has always tried to innovate further and improve. The latest and best digital pianos are hybrid pianos that combine the features of both acoustic and digital pianos. Yamaha digital pianos, particularly models marketed under the Disklavier brand are based on real acoustic pianos with real piano actions and designed in a way that the electromagnetic elements and sensors do not interfere with normal playing. They come with MIDI implementation and if you want to, you can disconnect the digital sound anytime. These new generation digital pianos are the ultimate in piano experience and can play a wide range of pre-recorded music and can be used along with piano instruction software.

Think carefully before you buy. Basic Yamaha or Casio digital piano is fine if you are looking for an easy to carry keyboard that can be connected to a sound system, one that allows you to practice in private with headphones and can be used for recording music using software. If not, then think carefully and choose between acoustic and hybrid Yamaha digital pianos.

Best Digital Pianos and Acoustic: A Comparison

Yamaha P85 Digital Piano review

Yamaha P85 Digital Piano review

Music is the expression of the soul. Agree, music lovers? As I rummage through the internet looking for a new digital piano for myself, I ended up with one of the newest offerings of Yamaha –the P85 Digital Piano. As a music lover myself, I am terribly thrilled to share what I have come up with after my thorough investigation.

I searched all around for the best compromise between an actual stringed piano (which is large and expensive) and the new breed of electronic pianos. Pianists, dating from the early history of men, have the same passion in finding the best of the best musical instruments ever made. Now we have digital pianos but not all digital pianos are worth looking at. If you are a wise consumer you want something that is beautiful yet rugged, versatile and portable. Bottom-line: Know everything about the product before any hasty decisions. Read on to learn about the latest Yamaha P85 contemporary digital piano.

• FEATURES – The P85 Digital Piano is a light-weight digital piano manufactured by one of the leading musically inclined producers – Yamaha. The merchandise offers both the sound and quality of an acoustic piano while it fits in a stylish, attractive and modern design that could present a contemporary appearance to your homes as you play those piano pieces. It has three piano pedals and MIDI connectivity with 64-note polyphony. Introduced at Winter NAMM in 2008, it is an 88-note instrument with Yamaha GHS weighted action. It has 10 different voices, all accessible using the panel buttons and 50 fixed songs for any possible use. It is equipped with amplifiers and two internal speakers for a grand concerto and a headphone jack silent practices. For archives, it offers a recording and playback system.

• SUITABILITY – Durable enough to withstand heavy use of wear and tear, Yamaha P85 digital piano could be for entertainment or educational use. Meaning, it could exist anywhere – school, homes or music laboratories. And since it’s made of light materials, transport this instrument is a piece of cake.

• EXPENSE AND LOCATION – Many of the performers and aspiring performers are on the quest for P85 digital piano. How much would it cost? It should set you back less than $450! That is a great deal for such fine quality. For those willing to get started now, we have provided a link on this page to Amazon where you can find the best bargains.

Summary – I would want you to think over the things that might be as important as the price. The P85 digital piano would be one of the best investments in your musical abilities. For fit, finish, quality and price it is hard to beat this fine Yamaha digital piano.

Yamaha P85 Digital Piano review