Digital Pianos

What is a digital piano?

A digital piano is different from an acoustic piano. In acoustic pianos, sound comes from a hammer hitting a string and causing it to vibrate; a digital piano mimics that sound electronically.

A digital piano is also different from the keyboards you might find in a big-box store. Digital pianos are also relatively lightweight, but they have 88 weighted keys, like an acoustic piano, while cheap keyboards often have fewer keys that don't respond to touch the same way piano keys do. (For that reason, many piano teachers strongly discourage the use of keyboards, even for practice-- only weighted keys like those on a digital or acoustic piano build up the necessary finger strength.)

What are the advantages of digital pianos?

Never need tuning

Headphones can be used for silent practice

Music can be transposed at the touch of a button

Interactive teaching software aids in music education

Computer-based software allows for quick music notation along with many play-along floppy disc programs for lessons and games

Josh Stevens Digital Department Manager	This question is difficult to answer. While both digital and acoustic pianos have their strong points, often one is a better fit. First, "digital piano" doesn't mean a 61-note electronic keyboard; a real "digital piano" is a replication of an acoustic piano that offers a similar touch, tone, and sometimes, the look of an acoustic piano. Quality digital pianos have 88 weighted keys and piano sounds recorded from top-level acoustic grand pianos; they require no tuning, have numerous additional sounds, have volume control, headphone jacks, recording capability and can be easily moved.

Josh Stevens

Digital Department Manager

This question is difficult to answer. While both digital and acoustic pianos have their strong points, often one is a better fit.

First, "digital piano" doesn't mean a 61-note electronic keyboard; a real "digital piano" is a replication of an acoustic piano that offers a similar touch, tone, and sometimes, the look of an acoustic piano. Quality digital pianos have 88 weighted keys and piano sounds recorded from top-level acoustic grand pianos; they require no tuning, have numerous additional sounds, have volume control, headphone jacks, recording capability and can be easily moved.

Acoustic pianos have real strings inside a wooden frame, andneed to be tuned a couple of times a year to sound their best. On many new upright pianos, manufacturers have altered the middle pedal to slide a piece offelt between the hammers and strings to reduce the volume. Although digitalpianos are getting better, they cannot duplicate the expression anddynamics of an acoustic piano.

One thing that is incomparable between the twois investment value. Quality acousticpianos are famous for holding their value, while digital pianosfollow a depreciation path similar to televisions and computers. While digital piano technology changes every year, acoustic pianos have had few changes in the last 300years.

If you are considering a used acoustic piano that is older and hasn’t been properly maintained, or if you live in an apartment or noise isan issue, a digital is probably the best choice. If you want a great investment, authenticpiano characteristics, a nice piece of furniture, and an instrument that shouldlast another 50 to 100 years, buy an acoustic piano.

Purists say, no digital piano can offer the feel or soundof a “real piano.” Digital pianomanufacturers say, if you close your eyes and listen, it is too close to tellthe difference. The real truth is in the ear of the beholder.