What should you take into consideration when you are thinking about buying a piano?
Many generations of piano students spent countless hours in front of a genuine (and heavy) wood and metal acoustic piano. These days, players young and old, novice and experienced, are choosing to invest in a digital piano. But what is the difference? We’re here to help!
Acoustic pianos can sound great, but they can also sound no so great. It all depends on the original quality of the design, materials, and workmanship, as well as on how well the piano has been maintained. In any case, if you play an acoustic piano and you like the sound and feel and look, and you don’t mind the downsides (more on those in a moment), then by all means go for it! An acoustic piano can be a very nice looking and great sounding addition to any home. However, there are some downsides to investing in an acoustic piano. For starters, the sound that you get is the only sound that you will get. Also, you will need to budget for periodic maintenance, like tuning. Furthermore, you’ll need to think carefully about where you want to put it, because acoustic pianos are heavy and not easily moved.
What makes a digital piano an increasingly attractive alternative to an acoustic piano? Oh, let us count the ways! For starters, not only do digital pianos play and sound like acoustic pianos (because they have weighted, lever action keys just like acoustic pianos), they are typically programmed with a variety of piano and other sounds. For example, the popular Casio Privia PX-160 (selling at The Magic Flute for $399) has 18 Built-in sounds: Grand Piano (Concert, Modern, Classic, Mellow, Bright), Electric Piano 1, Electric Piano 2, FM Electric Piano, 60’s Electric Piano, Harpsichord, Vibraphone, Strings 1, Strings 2, Pipe Organ, Jazz Organ, Electric Organ 1, Electric Organ 2, and Bass. Also, digital pianos require virtually no maintenance, and they weigh very little as compared to an acoustic piano (the Casio PX-160 weighs 26lbs, whereas a typical upright piano weighs 300-500lbs! You can also practice a digital piano at any time of the day without disturbing anybody by plugging in headphones.