There is lots of debate as to a classical pianist can learn on a digital piano. Many say you really need an acoustic. However, I think this is the wrong question to ask. Rather, we need to ask ‘what piano will actually work for me’.
Anything is better than nothing
I’ve noticed that people are worried that they absolutely need an acoustic piano in order to be able to learn to play ‘properly’ (whatever that means). However, let’s start with the obvious statement that anything is better than nothing. The main thing to consider really is how long will it take before you absolutely need to upgrade for your playing to get any better.
For example, do you just want to be able to play a simple version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star? Do you just want to play along to some of your favourite pop songs? If so, then a basic keyboard of any description, even with semi-weighted keys, will fit the bill adequately. It doesn’t even need to be 88 keys as initially you’ll never use the top or bottom parts of it.
However, beyond anything but the basic mechanics of playing, then this type of keyboard will not take you far. At a minimum, you need something with 88 fully weighted keys and a ‘graded hammer action’.
First choice
I think most people would generally agree that a first choice is always a Grand Piano. With these, size really does matter. The bigger the instrument, the better the sound.
Next comes an upright instrument. However, let’s be clear that Digital Pianos are getting increasingly sophisticated. They are now much better able to replicate the touch and feel of a real piano. Even sound wise, sampling technology is getting better all the time and so the sound has dramatically improved over the years. You might even find that a high end Digital now has an action closer to that of a grand than any acoustic. You might be surprised to find out that depending on where you live, you can also pick up the major brands on Amazon.
Basic considerations
However, before fixating too much on the Digital or Acoustic question, I think you need to ask yourself a few key questions. The answers to these questions will give you the constraints you need to help you decide. I’d consider the following:
- How much space do I have
- What shape is my room
- Where do I live (what type of house and in which country)
- What is my end game on piano
Space – the first frontier?
First, let’s think about space considerations. We all know that digital pianos are smaller than acoustic ones. They have no strings and so the casing needed to house them is much smaller. This on its own might make the choice a no-brainer. If you have a very small space, then quite simply an acoustic piano might not fit into that space.
However, space is important for more than just the physical constraints of the instrument’s casing. The size of the room also has a dramatic impact on sound. Aside the physical aspects of manipulating the piano keys, your ears play an enormous role in your practice and playing. Piano technique is all about being able to generate the expressiveness you need in a piece of music by your brain controlling your fingers. It’s your ears that will tell you whether or not you have succeeded.
Too much sound for a small space
Have you ever rented a practice studios? I’ve done it numerous times over the past few years on holiday. These tend to be fairly small and I can promise you that having an acoustic piano in a small space really does not work for your ears. Even if the walls and floors are treated acoustically, there is just too much noise in the confined space for your ears to pick up the nuances of your playing. If you don’t believe me, try it for yourself.
Therefore, even if the instrument will physically fit, consider the loudness of it. I’m convinced you’ll develop better technique on a digital instrument that allows you to control the volume to fit the space you’re in. You then learn to reproduce the full expressive range you need at a dynamic that your ears will be able to analyse properly
Shape also matters
Next consider the shape of your room. The sound emanating from a piano (especially a grand) will work much less well in a square room than in a more rectangular space. This is simply because of the way sound bounces off the surrounding surfaces when you play. If you combine the shape with the size, then a small, square room is even worse than a small longer room and, again, you might want to rule out any acoustic instrument for that reason.
Where you live
Now let’s think about where we live. There are two main aspects to this. The first, of course, is your proximity to neighbours (and of course the people you live with). You’ll probably find that if you live in an apartment or condominium, then noise will likely be an issue. I remember meeting a music student who had rented a practice room before me and she said that her neighbours had applied for a noise abatement order against her. Now she could no longer practice at home. There is of course little point having a piano that you can’t use.
However, even in less extreme cases, basic consideration means that you can’t play at any time of the day or night if it will be very audible to your neighbours (or housemates/family). So, if you need to practice at only unsociable hours, then an acoustic might not be a good choice in these circumstances.
Climatic considerations
The second aspect that we need to consider is that of climate – specifically temperature and humidity. The action of a grand piano has literally thousands of pieces of wood – many very small and precisely tooled. Wood, as you will know, absorbs water from humid air which causes it to swell. It can also lose moisture when exposed to a dry heat which then makes it contract. This can have a dramatic effect on your piano – creating all types of problems. So, in a perfect world, your acoustic piano needs to be kept at a stable temperature and a stable humidity level.
This is often easier said than done. I live in a humid climate and installed a dehumidifier. Even then, I can’t always keep temperature and humidity exactly within the right range. If you live in a climate with dramatically changing temperatures and humidity levels, then you should definitely consider this.
How good do I want to get
Also, your end game is important. If you want to become a top flight concert pianist, then you want to be practicing lots on an acoustic, and preferably grand, piano. However, in reality you’ll likely be attending a music conservatory and so you’ll have your choice of practice instruments there. You might not even need one of your own. If you do need one, depending on the answers to the preceding questions, a digital might still be the right answer.
I’m a keen follow of Josh Wright on YouTube. He has both a Steinway Model O and a Nord electric piano which he bought following the birth of his daughter. This allows him to practice without disturbing her. So, if such a fine pianist considers digital acceptable for practising, then clearly it can’t be that much of a hurdle.
Can I pass my grades on a Digital?
If you simply want to do your grades, then again, depending on the answers to the preceding questions, a Digital is a perfectly good option. There is nothing in the standard Exam Board repertoire that makes an acoustic or grand piano necessary. If you read for example the ABRSM exam guidelines, you’ll see that you can take your exams on a digital piano provided it has fully weighted keys and passes inspection by the examiner. Clearly, if you couldn’t play well enough to get a distinction on this type of instrument, they would make that clear.
Budget and portability
Naturally, there are other considerations – such as budget and portability which might impose their own constraints. If you need a portable instrument then an acoustic is perhaps only an option for if you’re like Vladimir Horowitz and prepared to go to the trouble of having it moved each time you perform. Budget is perhaps less of a consideration these days. There are options of new and used instruments in all ranges so with a bit of research, you should be able to find a good fit for your needs and your pocket. That said, digital instruments still tend to be cheaper than their acoustic counterparts.
Ultra modern options
There are also acoustic instruments with ‘silent’ or ‘hybrid’ features which give you the best of both worlds in some circumstances. However, these are much more modern instruments and will come at a premium price.
I’m super lucky in that I have a grand piano at home – nothing top of the range but I love playing it. However, until I moved house, I relied on my Yamaha Clavinova – mostly because the size of my old room would have made an acoustic uncomfortable on the ears. Even here, I rarely play with the lid of the piano fully open as then it is much too loud for the room.
In a perfect world, we could all have a Steinway Model D to fuel our passion … however, in the real world we can still have a very fulfilling time on a less glorious instrument. If when considering the ideas in this article it would seem a digital might be a better fit for you – then buy one! Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise!
