Should I buy an acoustic piano or an electronic piano? RSS
Electronic or Acoustic?
The answer depends on your budget, the space available in your home, whether you want to be able to transport your piano, for instance to play in concerts, and what level of pianistic skill you hope to achieve. I am sometimes asked by parents how much pianos cost but this is a 'how long is a piece of string' question!
Electronic pianos are immeasurably better than they used to be and, at the top end of the market, they sound good. An advantage of an electronic piano is that it stays in tune, whereas an acoustic piano needs to be tuned by a qualified piano tuner at least once a year. If you have a limited budget, it may be better to buy a good electronic instrument than a poor acoustic one since low-budget, acoustic pianos can be uneven in touch, poor in sound and difficult to keep in tune.
If the purpose of buying an electronic instrument is for piano practice, the most essential thing is to buy one with a full-sized keyboard and weighted keys - these details should be included in the manufacturer's description of the instrument. The instrument in the picture below has lots of functions that you do not need in a piano, but that you might find entertaining!
Electronic pianos take up less space, they are easy to move and can live anywhere in the home as long as there is a power socket. An acoustic piano may be positioned anywhere you choose in the home, except for against a radiator. They are rather more difficult to move, however! An electronic piano can be used with headphones if you need to practise when the neighbours might be disturbed or when another member of the family is trying to sleep. Some makes of acoustic piano have a practice pedal that muffles the sound to make it quieter.
An electronic instrument is, in reality, an electronic substitute for a traditional piano and, in terms of physical touch and feel, it does not measure up to the real thing. It feels less stable when playing loud or energetic passages, and the volume control prevents a true reflection of how much armweight is needed to play loudly or quietly.
The deal-breaker, in my opinion, is that an acoustic piano produces overtones because the sound is made using string vibration. People (and also other animals!) like overtones. All acoustic pianos, whether upright or grand, create overtones. The video below demonstrates overtones on a grand piano:
An electronic piano cannot do this, so the sound, however pleasant, can never really match up to the subtleties and delights of an acoustic piano. The sustaining pedal of a mainstream electronic instrument merely makes the notes last longer, whereas the pedal on an acoustic piano also enhances the tone. An electronic piano feels soul-less to a sensitive musician, but every acoustic piano is slightly different and has its own 'character'.
Choosing which make of piano to buy can be difficult, particularly for non-musician parents buying for a child. Generally speaking, if buying a brand-new piano, you tend to get what you pay for in terms of quality. Yamaha and Kawai are at the top of my list of preferred upright pianos for students. If you are in the market for buying a grand piano, this is a considerable outlay so do seek professional advice and consider buying from a recommended dealer.
Where to buy a piano
Because all electronic pianos of the same specification and make are essentially identical, choosing is a matter of identifying a suitable instrument for the kind of playing you enjoy. Once you have decided, shop around for the best price!
If you want an acoustic piano and you're lucky enough to know someone who is re-homing one at a good price, do inspect it and play it before deciding to buy. If you are a beginner, I suggest you ask your teacher to play it for you. Also, have it checked out by a qualified piano technician because defects due to age, use, and storage are difficult to spot even by a good pianist, and you could risk buying a piano that will never hold its tuning.
A reputable dealer will be able to give you advice on the suitability of a range of instruments. I recommend Mark Goodwin Pianos, based in Manchester, Battersea and Aberdeen UK, where you will be welcome to try out as many pianos as you wish, either new or reconditioned, and you can even watch videos of individual pianos if you live too far away to visit.
Even better - you can get £500 OFF the price of any piano at Mark Goodwin Pianos with the special discount code: E-MUSICMAESTRO ... plus a free matching stool - and free delivery - and free first tuning - and lifetime warranty. You can buy online or in-store.
Sandy Holland