Ms. Danielle’s Music Studio

The three best digital pianos for a beginner

Tuesday, October 13, 2020 by Danielle Nadkarni | Uncategorized

So, you or your child are ready to start piano lessons!  You want to get started on the right foot (or hand?), which means finding a quality instrument.  As a piano teacher, I find myself making recommendations for beginner digital pianos often, so you can benefit from my research.

While it’s great for a beginner to start out with an acoustic piano, more people gravitate toward digital until they or their child are more advanced. There can be good reasons for choosing digital over acoustic:
  • You don’t want to deal with piano movers or tuning maintenance.
  • You want the ability to put it away when you need extra space, or easily move it between rooms.  
  • You’re looking for a feature like headphones that allow you to practice silently.
  • You don’t want to spend in the thousands for an acoustic. (At least not yet!)
  •  You don’t know how long it’ll get used for.  A beginner could play for half a year or ten years.

What’s the difference between a digital piano and an electronic keyboard?

For studying piano, you should look for a digital piano, not an electronic keyboard. Why?
Digital pianos are built to closely mimic acoustic pianos...the feel, the sound, the number of keys, even the cabinetry.  (Yes, you can even have a digital piano that looks like a grand!).  Keyboards are NOT designed to mimic acoustic at all.  They tend to have fewer keys, the keys have no weight to them, dynamics are controlled by a knob...they’re more focused on sound effects, and are easy to use with software programs.

What features does it need to have and why?

If you’re looking for an authentic piano experience without the 12,000 or so moving parts, then here are the necessary features:  

  • 88 keys (yes, they all get used!)
  • Weighted keys - this is very important for building finger strength, so when the switch to acoustic comes, it’s a smooth transition (whether that happens at home or just at your weekly piano lesson).
  • Ability to play dynamics—loud and soft and everything in between.  This is a big part of what makes music “musical”.  
  • Pedals (either attached to the cabinet, or able to plug in externally).  Even beginners will learn to use the sustain pedal.

New or Used?

Unlike acoustic pianos, which I will happily recommend used, I absolutely recommend buying new for digital.  Why?  Technology improves every year, and so do the digital pianos.  New also means you can get a warranty and tech support.

My top three picks include everything mentioned above, with one extra criteria; a clean interface.  You DO NOT want a digital piano with lots of sound effect buttons.  Trust me, your child will be pressing them instead of practicing!

Recommendations 

To keep things simple, I’ve chosen just three models, one each from Kawai, Yamaha and Casio.  My favorite is the Kawai ES110—the sound is quite amazing!  The Casio and Yamaha models are also excellent choices.  

I strongly recommend making your purchase from Sweetwater.com—I buy all of my digital equipment here.  The customer service and tech support are excellent, and you get a FREE 2-year warranty (really, actually free!) which will save you a good bit of money.

Kawai ES110 Digital Piano:
  • Kawai uses Responsive Hammer Compact Action - the keys are designed to feel and respond like an acoustic grand.  Full 88-key weighted keyboard.
  • Harmonic Imaging Technology - used to meticulously sample all 88 notes on a Kawai concert grand.  This is where that fabulous sound comes from!
  • Weighs just over 26 pounds, so it’s not a big deal to move.
  • Comes with high quality built-in speakers and a sustain pedal. 
  • Optional accessories include a nice, sturdy stand for $115, the HML-1.  I’d recommend it; your average keyboard stands are wobbly.
  • Go to Sweetwater.comto hear and see this piano in action!  $699.00 (financing available).  https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ES110--kawai-es110-88-key-digital-piano-with-speakers-gloss-black

Casio Privia PX-S1100 Digital Piano:
  • Casio uses a Tri-sensor Scaled Hammer Action II Keyboard, which closely mimics the feel and timing of acoustic. Full 88-key weighted keyboard.
  • Casio uses AiR, which stands for Acoustic and Intelligent Resonator, to produce a beautiful sound.  This technology records grand piano sounds at varying dynamic levels in order to capture natural sound decay and expression.
  • Weighs just over 24 pounds, so easily portable.
  • Optional accessories include a high quality piano stand, the CS-67 for $119.00. 
  • Comes with high quality built-in speakers and a sustain pedal.
  • Visit Sweetwater.com to hear and see this piano in action!  $649.00 (financing available).  https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PXS1100BK--casio-privia-px-s1100-digital-piano-black

Yamaha P45 Digital Piano: 
  • Yamaha’s weighted key action is called Graded Hammer Standard.  It mimics the feel of an acoustic pianos’ lighter high range and heavier low range.  Full 88-key keyboard.
  • Uses Advanced Wave Memory to record acoustic grand piano sound in stereo (left and right mics), which creates a deep, rich tone.
  • Weighs just over 25 pounds, so easily portable.
  • Optional accessories include the L85 Piano Stand - just like Kawai’s, this is nice and sturdy.  $99.99.
  • Comes with high quality built-in speakers and a sustain pedal.
  • Visit Sweetwater.com to hear and see it in action!  $549.99 (financing available).  https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/P45BK--yamaha-p-45-digital-piano

I sincerely hope this article has helped you make an informed decision on your first digital piano!  

-Danielle Nadkarni