DIGITAL PIANOS : Your choices 
We don't Buy or Sell pianos - and people seeking good advice often ask for an opinion.
OzPianoman says ...
The Piano Advisory is now in its 9th year online... and an ever increasing number of piano buyers* want to know which is "the Best" digital piano.
Whilst I do own one, I'm not what you'd call a Digital Piano "enthusiast".
Let me explain why. . .
Digital Pianos are often SOLD to those considerate souls keen to avoid disturbing the neighbors - and who figure they'll be happy playing through headphones.
Sorry. But - you'll Hate that !
Try them on for ten minutes at the shop... Not much of a player ? No matter.
(Just Pretend : No one will hear what you're playing. It's just a test...)
Regardless of price, using 'phones soon becomes an unpleasant experience - the sound registering unnaturally, somewhere between your ears. And tell me, whose Ears can stand the discomfort & heat build up ?
Once my own go red, they stay that way for quite a while. Not My favorite look I can tell you !
Even today's hi-tech earpieces don't do it for me. You please yourself - they're just not my idea of Ideal.
What's more, concerning piano playing vs Digitals; On many of them, it's like listening to someone banging away on an old typewriter. There's the unavoidable clunk and clatter of Keyboard noise, which not only penetrates the "phones" - but invades everybody else's space as well !!!
Take a discrete peek, others on the premises (shop or at home) may indeed be glaring at you.
MORE "COMPACT"
But then, for some buyers, digital pianos are seen as solving a problem of lack of Floor area.
On the down side however, main difference here is only cabinet height (not a dimension which really concerns you).
How many, in any real sense, are "portable" ... have you checked the model's weight specs?
* Don't be misled : It'll hardly match a Real piano for pure "piano sound" regardless of how cleverly it plays, or how much you spend...
 | Whilst we don't sell Pianos, or Keyboards - or Digitals, the Piano Advisory gets its share of enquiries regarding digital piano brands, often from people convinced that they're the "ideal alternative" to a real piano. I'm a stickler for tradition and personally, I don't agree with that! We own the typical Digital console A $3000 Kawai CA550 bought some years ago (...still works fine). Well regarded at the time as an intermediate level, good quality unit - it serves only 1/. To show people what digital pianos do... 2/. To create basic songs for some piano students . . . and . . . 3/. To make the occasional midi file for our website. |
To be fair, I must say that in my nine years online, nobody has ever complained about digital pianos breaking down (suggests that most brands will function for years without much servicing).
So, no disgruntled owner reports - and like them, we're suitably impressed with ours also.
No crackles from it when we crank up the volume.
You'll know what I mean - like slider and volume controls on most older hifi equipment ... emitting hisses, buzzes and popping sounds when adjusted (a good time to call in an electronics technician)
My stock in trade however is Real pianos!
I play PIANO. Christine's a pianist... She plays THE piano.
Occasionally we might USE the Digital - for the purposes mentioned.
And that's about all. IT'S NOT A PIANO . . .
The point here, is that Musicianship demands that a student get involved, do the work, become immersed in the pursuit of excellence - and to have a real fondness for the instrument upon which they play. (Ask any Piano Teacher...)
Forgive me - but I see ownership of a digital piano akin to a tour de france cyclist prefering to ride a moped, because it'll get you to Paris and you won't have to exert yourself !
Well. . . Truth is, for the most part our own digital piano is left switched off - because to any dedicated piano player, a digital is about as lovable as is a computer to a clerk working full time in an office.(or a Moped to a Biker...)
You'll be sold/told that such electronic devices can make the job easier for music students.
Yeah, Sure ! And if they'd each had one, Elton and Billy would have been much better players I suppose ?
But look - unlike acoustic guitars, pianos, other caressed and cherished Musical Instruments - digitals have no warmth, no LIFE, no Personality ...they're simply not something with which you can have a Love Affair.
And that is precisely why your Piano man has little interest in attending trade shows, music expos and piano shop special previews, to see the latest from Yamaha, Kawai, Roland or whomever...
Buy one, by all means ... but in my opinion, you should get yourself a Real piano FIRST.
Later, a Digital Piano - when you want something to assist in your development,
another instrument (make that "device"?) to add to your collection !
Having said all that however, you might be wishing to compare prices?
See
And if Digital it must be, then do check out these online "specials"...
FREE ADVICE ? Ol' Pianoman expresses his views at the Piano Advisory (no charges, no fees, no subscriptions, no registration required). I do trust that pages like this one are enlightening, useful in helping you to locate suppliers for musical instruments, from very affordable to more elaborate models - and from which you can choose the best deals.
