Piano students come from various home environments and goals, and are able to spend different price ranges for pianos.
I recommend you read the pros and cons of acoustic and digital pianos to consider which option is best. Perhaps one day you may even own both types! This website is a wonderful source for those looking for more information on the pros/cons of digital pianos, as well as suggestions on what to buy.
| Acoustic | Digital | |
| How sound is produced | By the action of the hammers hitting the piano strings.The tone of the acoustic, plus the ability of the pedals to allow “sympathetic vibrations” result in an incomparable sound. | By a recorded sound of the piano.Although technology has advanced so that the digital sound is very realistic, you will never be able to change the tone, only the volume (louder or quieter) |
| Cost (new) | ~3,000 to 50,000 | ~200 to 10,000 |
| Cost (used) | ~300 to 50,000 | ~50 to 8,000 |
| Depreciation | Generally depreciates slower, so your resell value is higher. | Technology advances at a quick rate, so older models depreciate faster and are less desirable. |
| Location | Must be placed in an area of the home that does not receive direct sunlight or drastic changes in temperature (ex. heater).Preferably placed in a quiet area of the home
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May be placed anywhere in the home because it is not affected by temperature and you can increase/decrease volume, or use headphones. |
| Size | Upright pianos (42-45” tall) to grand pianos (between 5-10 feet). | Digital keyboards tend to have less than 88 keys or do not operate by weighted keys. Digital pianos can resemble upright or grand pianos. |
| Tuning | Recommended tuning twice a year. | Never requires tuning. |
| Action | “Real” action, which requires finger strength. | Some digitals simulate the action of the piano by using “weighted keys”, although it will never quite feel like an acoustic piano. |
| Technological Advantages | None, but does not require electricity to play. | Many, including the ability to hook up to a computer to transcribe your playing in sheet music form, connect to your iPad, record your music, add various sound effects, turn the volume up or down, and listen via headphones. |
| Pedals | Usually 3 pedals, with different functions depending on if you have an upright or grand piano. Damper, una corda, and sostenuto (sometimes replaced by a muting pedal) | Only one (the sustain pedal) is required, and is usually purchased separately. |
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