Pianos vs Keyboards: A Buyer’s Guide
If you are just learning to play the piano, or even if you have been playing for a long time, purchasing an instrument presents many questions. This guide answers the first question you should be asking yourself: should I get a keyboard or a piano?
Fifteen years ago, I would have recommended an acoustic, hands down, for the quality and sound. But these days, technology has caught up and digital options present a very viable option for piano students. You can never quite get the sound and the amazing feel of a real grand piano, but even mid-level keyboards do a pretty good job of mimicking the real thing. So how to decide?
Feel
Real pianos just feel more real. The action of a piano is nuanced and delicate, incorporating several moving parts, all made of wood. When we play the piano, the physics involved in depressing and releasing the keys creates a certain feel, which is different for every piano. With a more responsive action, there is more range in the speed and force with which the hammer hits the string. As students of piano, we learn the importance of “touch,” which goes well beyond playing the keys loud or soft. With practice, we can learn to adjust the motions of arm, wrist and hand to create dozens of different sound qualities. Our ability to get this range of sound is highly dependent on the responsiveness of the piano’s action. Great pianos don’t just sound better; they give the pianist a greater range of expressivity and sounds to choose from.
This is one dimension that goes into making pianos, and it’s why people pay the big bucks for higher-quality acoustic pianos, from consoles to concert grands. If you are out to buy a piano, think of it like buying a car. Most manufacturers produce small, medium and large models, and the price range goes up accordingly. And each manufacturer is known not only for a certain look, but also for their sound and feel. When you’re buying a piano, take each one for a “test run.” See how the pianos feel and sound when you play them. And if you don’t feel like you know enough to tell the difference, find a reputable piano dealer where they explain to you the differences. The trusted names (Steinway, Yamaha, Baldwin, Bosendorfer, etc) generally carry a higher price tag, but there is good reason for it.
As I mentioned in the introduction, in years past keyboards and digital pianos did not even come close to mimicking the feel or sound of a real piano. Now the story is different. Manufacturers offer “weighted keys” and “semi-weighted keys,” which strive to mimic the feel of the action of a piano. Some higher-end digital pianos, like the Yamaha P-515 even incorporate wood in the keys, in order to get a more accurate key weight.
The Yamaha P-45, Yamaha P-71 and Casio Privia PX S1000 all offer weighted keys and do a very decent job mimicking a real piano. These keyboards are in the mid-level price range ($480 - $650), and are solid options for any piano student, from beginner to advanced.
Sound
Generally, grand pianos have a far superior sound to uprights or keyboards. Between an upright or a keyboard, it’s a bit of a tossup. Mid-level keyboards use high-quality sound samples from grand pianos which vary realistically according to the register (i.e., the low notes have a different resonance than the high notes). But it is still a digital sound sample, lacking the depth and warmth of an acoustic piano. A higher-end upright would be good option in terms of sound quality.
If you are purchasing an upright piano on a budget, just be careful that the upper register doesn’t sound tinny, and also test the keys for a wide dynamic range (All the keys should be able to play very softly to very loudly). Some uprights aren’t able to create enough sound, especially in the upper register. This can make it more difficult to create an expressive melody using the higher notes.
Beauty vs Practicality
Acoustic pianos are amazing instruments, and they can add a classy touch to your living space, potentially even becoming the living room centerpiece. A piano can be a work of art in itself, lending an air of sophistication and warmth to your home. They certainly beat the look of a keyboard, which can’t help feeling more like a big screen tv than a beautiful piece of furniture.
One downside of an acoustic piano is its size—maybe not the best idea for a small apartment or crowded space. Also, the logistics and cost of moving a piano should be considered. To put it in perspective, the very smallest of pianos weigh in at around 300 pounds, which is about as much as the heaviest of refrigerators. Uprights can weigh as much as 800 pounds, and grands up to 1,500 pounds. At the same time, a piano is a more aesthetic and delicate furnishing than a fridge, so really it is best to call a professional piano mover to safely move a piano. For normal moves across town, you should expect to pay around $100 to move an upright.
Keyboards are much easier to rearrange and transport. For example, the Casio PX S1000 weighs in at only 25 pounds, while incorporating technology to mimic the sound and feel of a grand piano. Of course, it looks more like what you’d associate with a rock stage than your grandparent’s living room, and that could be a tradeoff depending on your style. Although the instructions said not to, I had no problem moving and assembling my 45-pound Yamaha P-515 all by myself. Probably better to do with two people, but the point is that even a rather beefy digital piano is much more manageable to transport and find space for in your home than an acoustic.
Function
Keep in mind how you will be using the piano. Is this solely a practice instrument? Beginner and intermediate students would do well with a normal quality upright or keyboard in most instances. Even a serious high school level performer could practice at their console at home, as long as they have access to a grand to play their pieces on from time to time. Keyboards have the option of headphones, which can be a good option for families if the sound would be disruptive.
Will you be performing on your instrument? For home performances, an acoustic piano wins out over keyboard. The quality of the performance aside, a real piano has a magnetism all its own. On the other hand, if you plan on bringing your instrument around town for gigs, you will need to have a keyboard and invest in a carrying case and keyboard amp.
Will the instrument be used for music composition or music production? In this case, an acoustic piano will certainly give you a higher sound quality. But keyboards have the advantage of linking directly into music software, allowing you to easily record or compose pieces on a laptop.
Lessons
If you are interested in piano study for yourself or a loved one, finding the right teacher is important. You want to find someone who is experienced and knowledgeable, and who also resonates with you.
Harry Luton, instructor at Luton Piano Academy, believes that we all have the potential to find joy in musical expression. Performing should be fun, and learning should be fun too. We gain a tremendous sense of accomplishment from continually working at the edge of our abilities and progressing into new areas. And we gain tremendous benefits for the brain as we learn to master this universal language.
If you are interested in lessons with Harry, be sure to check out our Lessons page, where we offer Online Virtual Lessons as well as Home Visits in St Augustine, FL.
