| Whether you have made the decision to learn to play | | | | wearing headphones for that additional privacy. |
| the piano, or you already possess this skill and are | | | | 7. If space is a factor, the digital piano is easier to |
| simply looking for a new instrument, there are many | | | | manoeuvre and takes up less space. |
| factors to consider when purchasing a new instrument. | | | | Acoustic |
| One of the main things to consider is whether to | | | | Advantages of an acoustic piano: - |
| choose a digital or acoustic piano. This article will give | | | | 1. The tone and touch of an acoustic piano is usually |
| you information to help you make an informed choice. | | | | far superior to that of a digital, which can have a rather |
| Digital | | | | sterile sound. |
| A digital piano is an alternative to a traditional piano, | | | | 2. They provide the harmonic tones and reverberation |
| creating a different sound and a different feel when | | | | that can only occur when a combination of notes are |
| playing. Instead of hammers and strings, this uses | | | | playing. |
| electronic chips and speakers to produce the sound. | | | | 3. Many piano teachers will only accept students who |
| You may prefer the look of an acoustic piano, but | | | | have reached a certain level on an acoustic piano as it |
| many digital pianos are designed with the same look | | | | is often felt that skills learned on a digital piano cannot |
| and have the appearance of a low upright piano. | | | | be easily applied to the craft of playing acoustic. |
| If the visual appearance of the instrument is not a | | | | 4. The majority of musicians have the opinion that |
| concern for you, there is a type of digital piano called a | | | | digital takes away from the purity of the acoustic |
| 'stage piano', which looks more like a synthesizer and | | | | piano |
| relies upon a keyboard amplifier instead of internal | | | | Cost |
| speakers. | | | | As a general rule you can pay anything from a |
| There are several advantages to choosing a digital | | | | hundred pounds to a several thousand pounds for |
| piano: - | | | | either type, although acoustic pianos usually hit the top |
| 1. They are often less expensive. | | | | ranges. It should be noted, however, that acoustic |
| 2. They don't need tuning. This may sound trivial but if | | | | pianos value better as they can last for hundreds of |
| you don't have the skill to tune your piano then paying | | | | years if cared for properly. The technology in a digital |
| for a technician to do it can be very costly. | | | | piano usually has a lifespan of only five to ten years |
| 3. They are equipped with a wide range of various | | | | and will be nearly impossible to sell once outdated. |
| sounds including string, percussion and brass | | | | Acoustic pianos can be a bit more difficult to come by |
| instruments as well as different piano settings. | | | | but with a bit of perseverance one can usually find |
| 4. They have inbuilt features such as light associated | | | | some decent pianos for sale. |
| keys, which can assist if you are learning or | | | | Can't decide? |
| composing. | | | | If, even after all this information, you are still undecided |
| 5. Any sounds stored in a digital piano are of a very | | | | as to whether to opt for traditional or modern there is |
| high quality. The fact that microphones are not required | | | | a hybrid digital/acoustic piano available. This is a regular |
| eliminates audio feedback and ensures a professional | | | | acoustic piano with digital sound that can be |
| sound that many find difficult to differentiate from an | | | | disconnected. It has all the advantages of both |
| acoustic piano. | | | | instruments but before you get too excited, the |
| 6. If you don't live alone or can only practice at | | | | downside of this is that they are very expensive and |
| unsociable hours, the digital piano allows to you play | | | | therefore out of the price range of most people. |