Need some new keys?
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Whatever happened to the good old-fashioned piano? As it turns out, technology happened – and that means you have more instrument options than ever before. Whether it’s looking for a simpler approach to learning piano, or figuring out what on earth you’re going to practice on, there’s something out there for everyone and I’ll explain it all in this piano buyer’s guide.
In my Ultimate Piano Buying Guide video, I took you through your four main options. Let’s review!
Acoustic Pianos
This is the first thing you thought of when you read the word “piano,” right? That’s because the acoustic piano has been around the longest. Acoustic pianos are a popular and traditional option for piano buyers, for some very good reasons:
- Acoustic pianos can be beautiful, with a variety of finishes and styles to match your personal aesthetic.
- Acoustic pianos can be a focal point for your home, serving as a piece of furniture in their own right.
- Acoustic pianos have really nice key feel, plus a certain richness in their tone that is hard to replicate with other options.
But as you’ve probably guessed, there are some downsides to owning an acoustic piano.
- Professional tuning is inconvenient and expensive, and it really shows if you wait too long between tunings. My ears are unhappy just thinking about it.
- Acoustic piano players sometimes have to manually transpose songs. This is an advanced topic, but trust me when I say it matters once you start learning to play!
- The bulk and weight of acoustic pianos is something you have to be ready to contend with. Moving one is not for the faint of heart.
Digital Pianos
What’s a digital piano? Simply put, it’s a streamlined and souped-up version of an acoustic piano. Digital pianos bear a pretty close resemblance to acoustic versions, but they need to be plugged in to produce sound. They’re cool because:
- No need for manual tuning makes digital piano maintenance a breeze.
- The ability to transpose adds versatility without requiring a lot of extra skill.
- Having a headphone option means you can tune out the world around you and focus on your playing. Plus, those around you won’t be able to listen in unless you want them to.
There are, of course, some negatives as well:
- While slimmer than their acoustic cousins, digital pianos are still pretty heavy. You’re not going to be able to pop it in the trunk of your car and head to a local open-mic night.
- The feel of digital piano keys simply doesn’t provide the same experience that acoustic piano keys do. (However, with weighted key options you can get pretty close.)
Next up, we have …
Keyboards
You may very well have one of these tucked in your closet or basement! That’s because keyboards have become pretty common over the years. There are a couple of features keyboards offer that can make them a good choice:
- Portability is the name of the game here. You can pack up your keyboard and set it up just about anywhere.
- There are a huge range of accessories out there for keyboards, letting you choose individual options and features that you want. You can even opt for a petite size if you’re really tight on space.
That said, keyboards have some drawbacks, too:
- Key feel is the number one area where keyboards often lack. So if you want a more authentic feel, you’ll need to spend a bit more on weighted key options.
- I mentioned this already as a positive, but it could be a negative, too: You have to choose the accessories you want. If you want to just plug in and play, it can feel like an extra hassle to figure out what bench, stand, and sustain pedals are best for you.
MIDI Controllers
Last but not least, we have the fourth option in my guide to purchasing a piano: MIDI controllers. I’m willing to bet that most of you never even considered these! That’s because MIDI controllers have some niche-oriented uses and setup requirements.
Here’s what some people love about MIDI controllers:
- They are ultra-portable, even compared to standard keyboards. The slim profile and lightweight body make them very easy to move around.
- Even higher-quality MIDI controllers are still relatively inexpensive compared to some of the other instrument options.
- Musicians can incorporate MIDI controllers directly into their recording setups. That’s much simpler than trying to mic an acoustic piano or use special interfaces for keyboards/digital pianos.
What are some of the less desirable aspects of MIDI controllers?
- They don’t have built-in speakers. That’s right, if you want to hear what you’re playing, you need to hook them up to a computer with speakers.
- MIDI controllers simply don’t have good key feel, although you can get semi-weighted ones that are a bit better these days.
- You’ll need some specific accessories and software to get your MIDI controller integrated with your computer.
- Setup isn’t foolproof with this option. You may need some help to get your system set up the first time around.
Taking My Own Advice from My Piano Buying Guide
I’ve set up two different options in two different areas of my home – one for play and one for work.
My living room is where I chose to put our digital piano, simply because that’s where I can play for my family and let my kids join in, too. As you could see in the buying guide video, my girls enjoy piano time.
In my home office, I’ve got a MIDI controller set up near my computer and camera. This lets me record videos and show exactly how I play in each lesson for my Piano in 21 Days course.
What I’ve set up in my home may not be what’s best for you. Different people have different needs. Consider your space requirements, whether portability is important to you, and how technical or simple you want to get with your setup. Then you can shop!
My Specific Recommendations With Links
Acoustic Piano:
In this piano guide, I suggest looking online at Craigslist and similar local listing sites. You can often find cheap or even free acoustic pianos this way. Just keep in mind that you’ll probably need a tuner to come tweak some things once you get the piano to your house.
Digital Piano:
In this buying guide for piano/keyboard, I recommend this Yamaha P45 set. It includes the stand, bench and pedal that you’ll need. That means there’s no guesswork involved in setup. I love the weighted keys on this model.
Keyboard:
The Alesis Recital 88-key model is something I highly recommend in this buying guide for anyone in the market for a keyboard. I got my first Alesis over 15 years ago!
MIDI Controller:
I love my M-Audio Keystation 88-key MIDI controller. The keys are semi-weighted. This gives it fairly good key feel, especially compared to non-weighted models.
In Canada? Use this link.
Wrapping Up My
Piano Buyer’s Guide
Ultimately, the most important thing isn’t which piano option you choose – it’s all about starting to play. Just make sure that you have 49+ keys and a sustain pedal, and you can begin.
Take some time to get comfortable playing. See how much you can accomplish with my chord-based approach. Then, once you’re playing songs you love and having fun, you can reward yourself with an instrument upgrade.
So… what are you currently playing on? And are you planning on getting a newer instrument in the future? Drop me a line and let me know!
