Piano Guidance
Photo by Charles Parker Pexels Logo Photo: Charles Parker

Is acoustic or digital piano better?

THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ACOUSTIC AND DIGITAL Digital pianos don't require tuning. Space: Acoustic pianos are larger than digital pianos and need much more space to get the optimum sound. Portability: digital pianos generally weigh less and can be moved around and transported with little hassle.

Is piano easy to learn by yourself?
Is piano easy to learn by yourself?

Is it hard to learn piano? Certainly, but how hard it is depends on how willing you are to practice! The bulk of advancement in playing is done...

Read More »
Is IQ declining?
Is IQ declining?

The average rate of decline has been around three IQ points a decade, amounting to the loss of about 13.5 percent in average intelligence between...

Read More »

The acoustic piano has changed very little from the instrument of Cristofori’s day – bar some tinkering with key length, hammer felt and aesthetic changes to cabinet making. Digital pianos, however, have undergone a huge transformation thanks to weighted keys, improved timbres and inbuilt technologies to help keep playing interesting, fun and motivational. Whether you’re an advanced player, a complete beginner or a parent investing in a piano for your child, understanding the differences between acoustic and digital can help you make an informed decision.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AN ACOUSTIC PIANO AND 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. The touch of a piano is important to the player. Playing on stiff keys can be frustrating as can keys that are too light with no resistance. Digital pianos are able to simulate the weighted keys of an acoustic with seamless lifelike hammers. There is even the option on some digital pianos to adjust the touch sensitivity of the keys to suit a player’s preference. A low touch sensitivity means the player has to press the keys harder to make them louder. High touch sensitivity means you don’t have to press as hard for the same loud result. Digital pianos have a range of sounds available so you can switch between strings, church organs or harpsichord at the touch of a button. Some digital pianos let you split the keyboard so a certain sound is played at the bottom with a different sound at the top. This can make for a more expressive and varied performance, and learners often have fun experimenting with sounds.

STORING YOUR DIGITAL OR ACOUSTIC PIANO AT HOME

When choosing a piano for your home it’s important to think about where it’s stored. An acoustic piano needs to be in a room where the temperature doesn’t fluctuate as changes in humidity can affect tuning. A digital piano, on the other hand, doesn’t need tuning or maintenance so can be accommodated in any room regardless of temperature. Its portability means you can move or relocate it without too much hassle. Acoustic pianos are usually very heavy so tend to stay put in one place. The space available is also a consideration when choosing between acoustic and digital. Digital pianos can be compact if there isn’t much space available. An acoustic piano is usually much larger and the sound can be compromised if positioned too close to a wall, requiring even more space.

How do I know if I'm a good singer?
How do I know if I'm a good singer?

Here are the 6 most powerful signs. Singing makes you feel euphoric (out-of-body experiences) ... Lessons and practice are really, really fun. ......

Read More »
Can airport scanners detect ivory?
Can airport scanners detect ivory?

It means weapons, explosives, contraband drugs and even illegal trade items such as ivory could be recognised in milliseconds.

Read More »

The headphone connection on a digital piano removes any restrictions when trying to squeeze in some early morning or late night practice sessions. Plugging in a set of headphones provides immediate and direct sound and builds confidence by playing privately. It also keeps family, flatmates and neighbours at peace too. Some digital pianos have two headphone sockets so you can play in private with friends or alongside a tutor to analyse, praise and critique your performance.

KEEP MOTIVATED DURING PRACTICE TIME

Everyone experiences motivational slumps, whether you have been playing for years or just started learning under the guidance of a teacher. This is where a digital piano can really come into its own. Digital pianos have the ability to connect to an iPad/iPhone and use a range of apps to encourage practice. Whether it’s easy to learn note games, digital sheet music or on-screen guides to improve hand and fingering action, there is usually an app to help and improve your performance. The inbuilt metronome on a digital piano is a blessing when learning a new piece or tackling a new time signature. It helps improve rhythmic skills and develops your inner timing. In addition, you can use the record function and listen back to your performance – which is a great way to analyse and improve.

TAKING PLAYING THE PIANO TO ANOTHER LEVEL

Whether you simply fancy a break from practice or want to be the next Andrew Lloyd Webber, the digital piano offers tools for composition and pianos with a USB port let you transport the file back to your computer for instant notation, saving hours in the process.

THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ACOUSTIC AND DIGITAL

What does the name Karen mean?
What does the name Karen mean?

Karen is a pejorative term for a white woman perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is normal. The term is often portrayed in...

Read More »
Should I put something under my piano?
Should I put something under my piano?

Dampen The Sound In The Room While the piano may sound a bit jarring without a rug, especially in a room with hardwood floors that doesn't have...

Read More »
Is it OK to put a piano next to a window?
Is it OK to put a piano next to a window?

Some recommend keeping pianos away from poorly insulated exterior walls. Direct sunlight can damage a piano, but many owners like the inspiration...

Read More »
What is the darkest scale in music?
What is the darkest scale in music?

The darkest scale is the double harmonic major scale which is just a major scale with a flat 2nd and a flat 6th. It features three half-steps in a...

Read More »