Is Yamaha piano good for beginners?

Yamaha makes excellent products for beginners, and the YPG-235 is a keyboard I like to recommend. The YPG technically is a keyboard and not a digital piano because it comes with 500 different sounds—it's primary function isn't emulating an acoustic piano.

keyboardkraze.com - Best Digital Piano For Beginners 2022 - Pro Picks - Keyboard Kraze

Can piano lessons be done online?

Online learning allows you to learn more in less time. For one thing, when you take piano lessons online you don't have to spend time driving to...

Last updated Aug 2, 2021

What is the difference between a Sunni and a Shia?

After the death of Muhammad in 632, a group of Muslims, who would come to be known as the Sunnis, believed that Muhammad's successor should be Abu...

Last updated Sep 19, 2018

Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Promotion

Finding the best digital piano for beginners can be challenging, which is exactly why I created this guide for you. Playing the piano can be a fun and exciting experience, no matter your age. As a beginner, it can be daunting trying to pick a suitable option (one that’s both worth your money and will last). Most websites covering digital pianos for beginners usually only recommend the best sellers on Amazon, with no justification other than specs. In my guide, I’ll give you the top options based on my experience as a professional touring musician. Note: You might have read that the Yamaha P-45 is the best option for beginners. I no longer believe this is the case. Read on to see what I recommend over it, and why.

Why Learn on a Digital Piano as a Beginner?

Learning how to play on a digital piano as a beginner is smart, as you save money while still playing a quality instrument. You will get a lot more value than most cheap keyboards offer. Watch out for snake oil—as stated before, many other websites highlight regular keyboards as digital pianos in their guides. There’s a big difference. Let me explain…

The Difference Between Keyboards & Digital Pianos

Keyboards typically have more sounds, cheap plastic keys, and usually start at a more budget-friendly price. Digital pianos, on the other hand, generally have weighted keys, which help tremendously while learning how to play the piano properly. Both keyboards and digital pianos can be portable, but I highly suggest starting on a digital piano as a beginner. If you’re a beginner but can’t afford the following options, check out my roundup of the best digital pianos for under $300.

Quick Look At Our Top Picks For Beginners

The Best Digital Pianos for Beginners of 2022

Below I have listed eight different options for beginners and first-time players. As of December 2021, I still believe the Roland FP-30X is by far the best digital piano for beginners, which is why I have listed it first.

1) Roland FP-30X – Overall Best For Beginners

Best Digital Piano For Beginners Roland FP-30 X 4.5 The FP-30X is the new improved version of one of my favorite mid-level digital pianos, the FP-30. Built with a solid key-bed and impressive piano sounds, the FP-30X provides pianists with everything they need for an affordable price. View Price At Sweetwater View Price At Guitar Center We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. The Roland FP-30X is hands down the best digital piano for beginners. It’s relatively new, and it’s an excellent instrument. While this is the most expensive option on this list, I believe it is entirely worth it as you won’t grow it out of it. In terms of keys, they feel better than anything near their price-point and the action is really great. I recently did a full product review on the Roland FP-10 which has been discontinued, so don’t miss that if you want a more in-depth read. The exceptional features to note here are the Bluetooth technology and key-bed. With the key-bed, you will be surprised by how it feels since the keyboard is so affordable. The keys genuinely feel like some of the better ones I have played.

Overall Thoughts

For beginners on a budget looking for a digital piano, the FP-30X is a no-brainer. Roland knocks it out of the park once again.

2) Korg B 2

Korg B2 4.0 The Korg B2 is a great choice for beginners as it offers a great price with solid key-action and sounds. View Price At Sweetwater View Price At Guitar Center We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. The B2 is Korg’s entry-level beginner digital piano. Many private lesson instructors often recommend the B2 for beginners, as it boasts serious quality for a reasonable price. I love the built-in speakers on this keyboard. They’re loud but crisp-sounding. For those who need to keep the noise down for family or live in an apartment, there’s a headphone jack in the back. The more expensive Korg B2SP comes with a stand along with three attached pedals.

Overall Thoughts

The Korg B2 is a fantastic digital piano for beginners, especially for the price. The speakers and the keys put this a step above most of its competition.

3) Casio Privia PX- S1100

Casio Privia PX-S1100 4.0 The Privia PX S1100 is one of the best Bluetooth choices availble. It's brand new to the market, has incredible speakers and great key action. View Price At Sweetwater View Price At Guitar Center We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. The Privia PX-S1100 is one of the lighter beginner digital pianos coming in at only 24 pounds. I’ve never been the biggest fan of Casio instruments, but lately, they’ve changed my mind. The keys on the PX-S1100 are something to note as they feel heavier on the lower end. I like this, as it yields a playing experience similar to a real piano. The keys should feel lighter in the highs and heavier in the lows. Along with the Privia, you also get two free months of lessons, so beginners get a little more value.

Overall Thoughts

The Casio Privia is one of the better picks for beginners to intermediate players. The key-bed is excellent, and the sound is pretty close to something like the Yamaha P-115.

4) Alesis Recital Pro 88-Key

Incredible For Beginners Alesis Recital Pro 4.0 Alesis brings to the table 88 weighted keys in perhaps the most budget friendly digital piano that is also quality. I've played this for many hours and I'm blown away by the price tag. View Price At Sweetwater View Price At Guitar Center We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. The sound on the Recital Pro is surprising. I think Alesis has been stepping their game up. The Recital Pro is a win in my book. For such an affordable price, it’s hard to find a nice-sounding keyboard. This one makes the cut.

Who has had a number 1 in every decade?

Cher's career as a recording artist spans seven decades and she is the only artist to have a number-one single on a Billboard chart in each of the...

Last updated Jun 5, 2021

What key is this is gospel in?

This Is Gospel is written in the key of D Major.

Last updated Mar 28, 2019

Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Pianoforall is one of the most popular online piano courses online and has helped over 450,000 students around the world achieve their dream of playing beautiful piano for over a decade.

Learn More »

Promotion

The Recital comes with five realistic sounds, including organ and bass.

Overall Thoughts

I think that the Recital is one of a few right choices for beginners learning piano. It’s a step up from the Rhapsody 2—I just prefer Alesis over Williams.

5) Williams Rhapsody 2

This Williams Rhapsody 2 88-key weighted keyboard is the upgrade from the Williams Legato. It comes with 88 fully-weighted hammer-action keys that have a realistic feel, including the feature of aftertouch. Aftertouch controls the pressure sensitivity of held down notes after being struck. This feature is useful for something like a Rhodes piano where you want to add vibrato at the end of the note. The Rhapsody 2 is on the heavier side, which makes it less portable. Like most entry-level digital pianos, you get a headphone jack for quiet practice. The key-action is okay, but I can’t recommend this to an experienced player.

Features of the Rhapsody 2

Fully weighted hammer-action keys

Split and layer mode

12 voices with 64 note polyphony

Velocity-sensitive

Built-in speakers

USB MIDI capable

12 quality sounds to browse

Overall Thoughts

I think this is a decent product. It’s not by any means the best, but it has everything you need in a keyboard.

6) Medeli SP4200

The Hong Kong brand Medeli is relatively unknown to most. I hadn’t heard much about the company prior. Still, I decided to dig into the SP4200 as I read tons of positive reviews. The keys feel nice and heavy for this price range. Finding keyboards that have heavy weighted keys is not a straightforward thing for anything near this price range.

The Sound

I was surprised by the sound of the SP4200, but I don’t think it competes with most others on the list. Still, it seems like a step above the Wiliams Rhapsody 2.

Overall Thoughts

Medeli’s SP4200 can’t compete with higher-end Roland or Yamaha models, but it is a great entry-level option for beginners.

7) Yamaha YPG 235

The Yamaha YPG-235 features 76 keys and nearly 500 built-in sounds, and the highly-acclaimed Yamaha Education Suite. It’s a perfect choice for beginners learning. The Yamaha Education Suite teaches you how to play by breaking down songs into individual components, like pitch and rhythm. Yamaha makes excellent products for beginners, and the YPG-235 is a keyboard I like to recommend. The YPG technically is a keyboard and not a digital piano because it comes with 500 different sounds—it’s primary function isn’t emulating an acoustic piano. The YPG-235 comes with 30 different songs you can play with, as well as a recording mode.

Features of the YPG-235

76 piano-style keys with Graded Soft Touch Technology allowing for expressive performances

Nearly 500 voices, 160 preset styles, and 30 preset songs with a built-in recording feature

USB connectivity and compatibility with music software on your computer

Yamaha Education Suite

Overall Thoughts

The YPG-235 is an excellent option, but the lack of weighted keys makes me hard-pressed to suggest it for beginners. The integrated education software does make it rather convincing, however.

8) Yamaha P71

The Yamaha P71 is very similar to the P45. You’ll get a quality piano at a reasonable price, along with years of life. I tend to recommend the P71 and P45 for beginner 88-key digital pianos because they last for years while you learn. In contrast, some of the other options around this price range are easy to outgrow. The P71 is a full-size piano boasting 88 weighted keys. No matter which option you pick from this list, make sure it has weighted keys. Trust me; you can thank me later. Your finger dexterity will be far greater than your friends learning on cheap keyboards, and you’ll progress much faster. The P71 comes with a dual-mode, allowing you to split the digital piano keys to get different sounds in each hand. Some bundles, depending on where you look, come with a sustain pedal. I suggest checking the latest deals at Sweetwater.

Features of the P71

88 fully weighted piano-style keys simulate the feel of an actual acoustic piano

Dual Mode lets you combine two voices, like strings, organs, or pianos

Sleek design

25 pounds

Includes a sustain pedal

Why Do Instructors Recommend Digital Pianos for Beginners?

Most instructors advocate using digital pianos to learn how to play piano over regular keyboards—they can lead to terrible habits. Most keyboards do not have weighted keys, leading to lousy wrist posture and poor finger dexterity. Building your strength early on is key to progressing quicker. And while you wait for your new digital piano to ship, be sure to bookmark my favorite finger strength exercises for piano.

And probably worst of all—the sounds on most entry-level keyboards are terrible.

Keyboards Can Lead To Poor Dynamics And Technique

Non-weighted keys don’t allow for dynamics—this is a proven fact. Some musical pieces require you to play soft and then to play loud; you can’t do this on a cheaper keyboard. When you play the keys louder, sure they might play louder on a keyboard, however, you’re not getting accustomed to how hard or soft you should be playing. Improper technique will be a crutch while learning if you use a cheaper keyboard. I recommend trying to play a real piano as often as you can, whether at a friend’s house or a local music store, to improve your finger dexterity. The lack of weighted keys causes some students to sag their wrists when playing and learning on keyboards. It’s better to learn correctly at the beginning than correct mistakes and poor technique later down the line.

Quality

What is the point of the movie the piano?

It tells a story of love and fierce pride, and places it on a bleak New Zealand coast where people live rudely in the rain and mud, struggling to...

Last updated Aug 24, 2019

What does the railroad represent in The Piano Lesson?

The value of the railroad to black is a common element in August Wilson's plays, in which iron rails symbolize freedom and a life's journey. He...

Last updated Jun 12, 2019

Promotion

Instructors know that most budget keyboards are of poor quality. If their students are going to buy a keyboard, they want them to purchase something that will last a few years. If you get a cheap keyboard, you will outgrow it as you get better at the piano. With a digital piano, you can use the same thing for your entire journey as long as you get a decent one. I look at it as, “yeah, you can save at first, but in the end, you will lose money when you purchase a nicer product.” That said, if you’re unsure whether or not you will continue with learning piano, a cheaper option may be the way to go. You will lose out if you decide to sell it three months into starting to play.

Continuity

Instructors want to demonstrate to students on a comparable instrument. Switching from keyboard to piano every time you practice is not fun, and it’s not preferred. Practicing frequently on something that has weighted keys furthers your progress, and no one disagrees with that statement.

Do I Need To Spend A Fortune?

No, especially not in this day and age. A quality instrument these days can last forever and give you all the features you need from a piano. When buying a digital piano, the best rule of thumb is not to break the bank before you know how serious you are about playing the instrument. I’ve seen many people spend far too much on a keyboard to give up only before giving it a chance. If you are someone who wants to learn the right way and doesn’t want to spend too much, our pick is the Alesis Coda Pro. It’s quality and is still cheap for an 88 key keyboard. If you play on an acoustic piano but are looking for something lighter and more convenient, then yes, spending the extra money will be worth it in the long run.

Do I Need A Sustain Pedal?

If you’re spending the money already on a piano, then the answer is yes. Sustain pedals are very cheap and also really important. Once you play with a pedal, not playing with one is annoying because it’s hard to perform smoothly and connected. You don’t have to spend a ton of money on a sustain pedal (see my favorites here) to get one that will last you a few years. Like anything in audio, typically, the more money you spend, the higher the quality you’re getting to a certain extent. As far as what type of sustain pedal, it’s all preference. Some people love the feel of the traditional piano sustain and want one like that. However, others like the square sustain pedals more. When I perform live, I like to move around, so I take the rubber off the bottom of my sustain pedal so I can push it around. I have always found the traditional piano sustain pedal annoying when playing live—they’re a little too small for my style. My foot always gets caught and doesn’t hit the sustain pedal accurately. With cheaper square sustain pedals, it’s much easier to hit, and the durability isn’t terrible. These will break over time, but you should be able to get at least a year out of them as long as you’re not crushing it when you hit it every time.

Do You Need Lessons?

I believe the answer is no. However, I do think lessons can be beneficial in the beginning. With all of the free content of YouTube and instructional videos, you can take your game pretty far if you have passion and dedication. Getting lessons will only aid in your progress. If you have the budget, I suggest getting a few lessons and seeing how you are improving.

Things To Consider For Beginners

Noise Restrictions?

Do you need to keep down the noise frequently? If so, make sure whatever you pick has a headphone jack (most these days do). If you go this route, look for a decent pair of headphones. You can sacrifice speaker quality if you are going to be using headphones often.

Don’t miss my article on my favorite headphones for digital pianos.

Keys

Weighted keys are great for adults and kids who are motivated. In the end, the extra weight will significantly help your finger dexterity as a pianist. The quality of keys is improving on a lot of the newer keyboards, so this is a big plus. Weighted keys are going to be a vital part of building your finger dexterity in the long run. Still, many players begin to learn on semi-weighted keyboards or even non-weighted. I started on a cheap Casio keyboard when I was 11, and it had 49 keys. The big thing to keep in mind here is figuring out how serious you are about playing the piano.

Stands

Some beginner pianos will come with stands, and others won’t. Make sure you identify this before purchasing as you want to make sure you have one when your instrument arrives. If you don’t have the budget for a stand, you can easily set your keyboard up on a table temporarily. It’s not ideal, however, as the height will not be what you want or need. You can check out our roundup of the best keyboard stands currently available here.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this list of the best digital pianos for beginners. All of these were carefully reviewed and selected for your benefit!

keyboardkraze.com - Best Digital Piano For Beginners 2022 - Pro Picks - Keyboard Kraze

What was Beethoven's disability?

deaf Beethoven first noticed difficulties with his hearing decades earlier, sometime in 1798, when he was about 28. By the time he was 44 or 45, he...

Last updated Jul 4, 2020

What is the only instrument you can play without touching it?

The theremin The theremin is distinguished among musical instruments in that it is played without physical contact. The thereminist stands in front...

Last updated Apr 18, 2020

Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Pianoforall is one of the most popular online piano courses online and has helped over 450,000 students around the world achieve their dream of playing beautiful piano for over a decade.

Learn More »

Promotion

How do I prepare for my first piano lesson?

How to Prepare for Your Child's First Piano Lesson Evaluate Your Child's Goals in Learning Piano. ... Communicate Openly with Your Teacher. ... Ask...

Last updated Jul 2, 2021

Promotion

How many half steps is a tritone?

six half steps A tritone gets its name because it contains three whole steps WWW. The intervals of a diminished fifth and an augmented fourth are...

Last updated Mar 3, 2018