| Digital pianos are electronic instruments that reproduce | | | | For the beginner or someone who wishes to perhaps |
| piano sounds. Unlike traditional upright pianos, they have | | | | "try" piano without spending a huge amount of money, |
| no hammers, no strings and no soundboard to produce | | | | the Casio CDP-100 is the perfect one to go for. Our |
| the sound you hear. Instead they have electronic | | | | entry-level upright piano is the modern compact |
| sound chips and speakers. | | | | Schaeffer finished in Mahogany High Gloss. |
| Investing in a new piano can be a somewhat | | | | Digital pianos in general are usually less expensive than |
| overwhelming experience with so many brands, | | | | upright pianos. Having said that, both Yamaha and |
| models, styles and finishes available. Your first decision | | | | Roland offer higher end digitals, which can cost several |
| may well be whether to buy a traditional acoustic | | | | thousand pounds. These often have a huge amount of |
| upright or a digital piano. The following unbiased | | | | features, for example the Yamaha CVP-509 has over |
| information will help you to decide and hopefully make | | | | one thousand tones (sounds) and a 7.5 inch display |
| the process clearer for you. | | | | screen. The Yamaha CLP-370 and CLP-380 both |
| Even with today's sampling technology individual notes | | | | have real wooden keys and synthetic ivory key tops |
| may be quite accurately reproduced, but the tone of | | | | giving them almost an identical feel to the real thing. |
| notes sounding together, as in an acoustic piano - with | | | | Yamaha produce many different styles of digital |
| complex harmonics resonating against a flexible | | | | pianos from their entry level "Arius" to the |
| wooden soundboard - cannot be 100% matched. | | | | contemporary and stylish "Modus" through to the |
| Many people also prefer the appearance of a | | | | Clavinova. |
| traditional piano, which too is an important factor to | | | | A very popular brand of upright piano is the Waldstein |
| consider. A good upright piano will hold its value much | | | | range. Models begin at the modern 108 which is the |
| better than a digital. They can last anything up to 100 | | | | smallest of their range, up to the 130 being the tallest. |
| years, while digital models are constantly being | | | | All of these are available in different wood finishes |
| upgraded and would not hold their original value. | | | | with matching accessories being available, i.e. piano |
| Digital pianos usually have a variety of features that | | | | stools etc. |
| make them an attractive alternative to an acoustic | | | | Roland offer a superb alternative to those who would |
| piano, whilst still having 88 piano style "weighted keys" | | | | love a grand piano but perhaps do not have the space |
| (these mimic the feel of an upright piano). Some of | | | | or budget for one. Their RG series offers the "digital |
| these features are as follows: | | | | mini-grand piano" (RG-1), which is a smaller type of |
| Many different tones (sounds) other than just piano | | | | digital grand piano. |
| Built-in rhythms and accompaniments to differentiate | | | | Plan to spend plenty of time browsing, and do not |
| your playing The ability to record your performance | | | | make a decision before you see as many pianos as |
| MIDI compatibility Low maintenance - no tuning ever | | | | possible. Try them all out to get an idea of the |
| required Headphones can be plugged in to allow | | | | differences in touch and tone. Hopefully the piano that |
| private practicing and also to prevent disturbing anyone | | | | you do decide on will be in your home for a long time, |
| Easier portability and less space required Volume | | | | so it is essential that you buy something that you are |
| control Less expensive | | | | completely happy with. |