Are you learning keys and looking for your own to practice at home?
The best piano for beginners may be an acoustic or digital instrument, with the specific model depending on your budget, space and transportation needs. A hybrid digital-acoustic combines the features of both, so will suit most musicians.
Click here if you are looking to book a Piano Lesson in Southampton near you or read on for brand and model recommendations as well as a full breakdown of the exact differences between the various options.
The best piano for beginners
If you want to play as a soloist or self-accompany as a singer, then guitar and keys are your two best options. And the latter provides a greater degree of versatility. Particularly if you want to write and arrange your own songs. This is why piano and keyboard lessons are so popular.
The piano is an acoustic, stringed musical instrument. It was invented in Italy by Bartolomeo Cristofori around the year 1700 (the exact year is uncertain). The oldest piano in the world (The Metropolitan’s Cristofori) dates back to the 1700s, but can still be played. Sound is created when strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material. Modern hammers are covered with dense wool felt, but some early pianos used leather. Digital pianos may be designed to look very similar or have a sleek contemporary finish. But they don’t have strings.
The best piano for beginner adults
There are differences between the sound of an acoustic piano and that of a digital piano. An acoustic piano produces sound with felt-covered hammers hitting steel-wire strings. A digital piano doesn’t use hammers; instead, it features electronic speakers to playback high-quality recordings taken from the very best acoustic pianos.
But a good digital piano can, to a degree, ape the sound of a ‘real’ piano. Although it can’t provide the kind of vibration and sonics that come with a hammer effect. When a piano is played vigorously, you can feel it through the floor and your seat. The sound quality of a digital piano is more versatile than an acoustic because they typically have built-in speakers.
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These days, digital pianos come with a whole host of tech as standard – Bluetooth, MP3 functionality, USB ports, inbuilt sounds, tutorials, recording and playback capabilities and auto transposition. And when it comes to recording your tracks for the first time, they can be plugged in. This can be a huge advantage in the studio. Be aware that lessons taken specifically for the keyboard may include the additional functionality available on a digital device.
Which piano is best for beginners?
You may have access to one already, or acquire one for free (Gumtree, Freecycle and Facebook Marketplace sometimes have adverts from people giving pianos away for free). But bear in mind, if you’re responsible for the upkeep, it’s not cheap. A piano needs tuning around twice a year, at a minimum cost of £60 (it may be much more depending on your location and the model). And a full service will set you back somewhere in the region of £700.
In a short time, your piano could cost you considerably more than a high-quality digital version, which won’t need any maintenance at all – and will come with a warranty to give you peace of mind.
For a full-sized intermediate level upright digital piano, expect to pay somewhere in the region of £300 to £700. A decent keyboard can start from as little as £100. A digital grand will cost around £2000 to £7000.
The best acoustic piano for beginners
An acoustic piano is as old-school as it gets. It has hammers and steel strings that are enclosed by a wooden exterior. The keys are connected to the hammers. When a key is pressed, the hammer moves and strikes the strings, causing them to vibrate and produce the sound. But there’s a significant downside to this; you can do nothing to muffle the noise. Which is a problem when you want to practise at midnight and your neighbours are complaining.
There isn’t just one type of acoustic piano. The upright is the standard you might find in a pub or church hall. Whereas a grand, or baby grand is the elaborate, larger-scale version. It’s not just the aesthetic that makes the difference here. The grand’s long shape houses strings stretch backwards on a bed from the rear of the keys. On a standard piano, these strings reach directly down. This enables the grand to create a richer tone and be much louder. Unless you’re already an experienced and successful artist, an upright piano is all you need.
If you do decide to go down the old school route, you can buy a second-hand instrument – your local music store will also be able to point you in the right direction and may have some in stock. But if you’d prefer a new take on the classic, take a look at Steinway’s website. The company has been making fine instruments since the 1800s, and some of their creations take up to a year to craft.
If you want to control your volume on a traditional piano, you’ll need to learn how to do it with your fingers. Whereas, a digital version has volume control – which is super useful if you’re trying to blend in with other instrumentalists or singers.
The best keyboard for beginners
A keyboard is a common entry instrument. It differs from the acoustic and digital piano, in that its keys are not weighted at all. It has a much more electronic sound, as well as a library of beats and effects. Some pianists complain that playing a keyboard is far less satisfying though. And for ballads or classical pieces, it doesn’t quite look, or sound, the part either. Be aware that you’ll need an electricity supply. Although some smaller electric versions can run off batteries.
If you’re just starting lessons, you may not want to spend a fortune. And you certainly won’t need a 7k grand. Here are some of the keyboards you might like to consider.
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Donner Digital Piano Keyboard
The Donner Digital Piano Keyboard is fully weighted for that piano feel, yet light and portable at 133 x 29.5 x 18.5cm and a weight of 11.6kg. Its 88 keys can come fully or semi-weighted and it comes with the following tones: Acoustic Grand Piano, Bright Acoustic Piano, Electric Grand Piano, Chorus Piano, Harpsichord, Vibrating Harp, Church Organ and Strings Ensemble. The Donner instrument brand was founded in 2012 and has its headquarters in Tennessee, USA
Yamaha YPT-260
If you’re seeking a good all-rounder to start your journey on the keys, check this one out. Affordable, portable and easy to operate, this is a good choice for beginner players of all ages and sizes. It can also run off batteries, making it perfect for busking or outdoor events. Features include:
400 instrument sounds
130 auto-accompaniment styles
112 songs
61 Keys
If buying a full-size keyboard online, don’t forget to check whether you’ll be able to carry it (if you plan on taking it to lessons and gigs). Dimensions aren’t too obvious when viewing isolated pictures. So grab a tape measure to see if it’ll fit in your car and lift something of a similar weight to ensure you have the bicep power to cope with it! In addition to the brands we’ve already mentioned, check out Roland’s state of the art full-size digital pianos.
What’s the best hybrid piano?
If you can’t choose between the two, we recommend the hybrid digital – acoustic, that combines the features of both.
Kawai Anytime
This brand and model comes in a variety of sizes. The Kawai Anytime range. In 1971 Kawai began introducing ABS action parts with the fine workings of the real piano action. This provides the player with speed, control and power.
Yamaha Disklavier
One of the most respected names in the industry, Yamahas are played by everyone from amateurs to famous stars. Yamaha Disklavier Enspire allows its users to record and playback, as the piano’s keys, pedals and hammers recreating every detail. Built-in recordings come from the likes of Jamie Cullum and Sarah McLachlan, while software and apps complementing Disklavier’s tech, are available for score-writing, music production and rehearsing.
Kawai Novus NV10 Hybrid Piano Concert Package
If money is no object and you’re looking for the most elegant hybrid option, this is the one for you. Designed in line with a classic ebony grand, it combines innovative Japanese technology and Millennium III Hybrid action, used in Kawai’s concert GX acoustic grand pianos. The Kawai Novus NV10 is one of the best digital models you can buy – if you have a spare 7k to splash out.
These kinds of instruments are a significant investment, so it’s worth taking some time over your purchase. Popping into a store and chatting with the staff there is an excellent way to proceed. They are invariably knowledgeable and passionate about their stock. And you can try a few out and see how they feel to play, as well as receiving a demo of the various features. If you’re local and considering purchasing your first piano or keyboard, you can check out these best places to buy and repair instruments in Southampton.
Related Questions
Do I need 88 keys to learn piano?
No. 88 keys equate to a full-sized keyboard, which not everyone has access to. As a beginner, you’ll find the 66 keys of a smaller version are more than ample. Unless you want to play very elaborate classical pieces.
Is it OK to learn piano on a keyboard?
You’ll learn the same musical theory on an acoustic piano, digital piano or keyboard. But for many, a digital version is more practical. If you are interested in playing modern music at a variety of locations, then a keyboard might be the better choice in any case.
What is the lifespan of a piano?
Around 30 to 50 years is the average life for modern versions. But with care, they can continue on for centuries. A digital piano may be obsolete in 5 years. Your choice will depend on your circumstances. It won’t be worth the cost of an upright if you can’t take it to gigs, or with you when you move home.
To book piano lessons in Southampton, check our online availability below;
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We also offer singing lessons for beginners, music production lessons & drum lessons at River Studios.