Whether for yourself or your child, should you buy a digital piano or an acoustic one ? Should you choose a new or used instrument? Rent or buy? An upright or a grand?
Digital vs Acoustic Piano?
A digital piano is an instrument where the strings and hammers of a traditional acoustic piano are replaced by sound samples. An electronic system reproduces these samples when the keys are played.
The Advantages of a Digital Piano
- The price of a digital instrument is significantly lower than that of a quality acoustic upright piano.
- Even the heaviest models are far lighter and more compact than a traditional piano. Portable models can weigh as little as 30-35 lbs.
- You can plug in headphones and play at any hour without disturbing your neighbors. In fact, many professional pianists buy a digital instrument as a second piano for this very reason.
- The MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) allows you to connect the digital piano to a computer to record your playing, compose music for piano or other instruments, improvise, and more.
- It does not require regular tuning (at least once a year) from a piano tuner.
- Digital instruments usually include several sound banks, allowing them to simulate various types of pianos, as well as organs, harpsichords, and electric pianos.
The Disadvantages of a Digital Piano
- The richness of its sound colors, due to its production method (recorded sounds played through speakers), still cannot compete with that of a quality acoustic piano.
- Its lightness can become a drawback when the instrument starts to shake or move. This happens when the pianist needs to play chords, octaves, or other passages forte. Some digital pianos weighing over 200 lbs do not have this issue.
- The single pedal included with portable digital pianos is connected by a simple wire. As a result, it constantly moves around and can even slide away on slippery surfaces.
- For a child, learning to play the piano exclusively on a digital instrument is not ideal.
- If the power goes out, so does the sound!
Can I Learn to Play Piano with a Digital One
The digital piano has made incredible progress in recent years, both in sound quality and key action (some models now faithfully replicate the touch of an acoustic piano).
Considering a digital piano to learn on is no longer taboo.
Much cheaper and lighter than an acoustic piano—with some portable models weighing less than 35 pounds—the digital piano allows you to play and learn with headphones at any time of day or night.
While it’s possible to install silent systems on acoustic pianos, they are expensive and can sometimes alter the feel of the keyboard.
Furthermore, a digital piano doesn’t require the annual, costly visit from a piano tuner.
How does an acoustic upright piano work?
When choosing between a good digital piano and a very cheap acoustic piano, the digital is often the better choice.
However, it is strongly advised not to learn to play exclusively on a digital piano. It’s essential to also have regular access to an acoustic piano to develop a proper feel for its sound quality and touch.
Buying a low-end digital piano, or worse, a synthesizer, should be avoided at all costs. The poor sound quality and keyboard feel have nothing in common with a real piano.
If you later purchase an acoustic piano, the digital can always be kept as a second instrument for practicing without disturbing others.
Digital Piano Prices (US Market)
Entry-Level (Beginners / Casual Use): $500 to $900
- 88-key keyboard with weighted action (heavy touch).
- Decent piano sounds, basic built-in amplification, often includes a single “switch” type pedal.
- Examples: Yamaha P-145 (~$500), Roland FP-10 (~$500), Kawai ES-120 (~$900).
Mid-Range (Serious Hobbyists / Enhanced Playing Experience): $900 to $2,000
- More realistic hammer-action keyboard (3 sensors, escapement simulation).
- Better amplification and richer piano sounds. A furniture-style stand with 3 pedals is often optional or included.
- Examples: Roland FP-30X (~$750), Yamaha DGX-670 (~$850), Kawai KDP-120 (~$1,500).
High-End (Discerning Pianists / Acoustic Alternative): $2,000 to $4,000+
- Highly realistic keyboard (wooden keys, counterweights, etc.), powerful and immersive amplification.
- Sampling from prestigious concert grand pianos, physical modeling of resonance.
- Examples: Kawai CA401 (~$3,100), Yamaha CLP-835 (~$3,500), Roland LX-5 (~$3,600).
The Acoustic Piano
The acoustic piano is a musical instrument with struck strings.
When you press a key, a small, felt-covered hammer strikes one or more strings that are stretched under high tension on a cast-iron frame—a massive metal structure designed to withstand several tons of pressure.
These strings vibrate and transmit the sound wave through a wooden piece called the bridge to the soundboard. The soundboard is a large, thin wooden membrane (usually spruce) located behind or beneath the strings. It acts as a natural amplifier: by vibrating, it sets a large volume of air in motion and projects the powerful, rich sound of the acoustic piano.
This purely mechanical system produces a rich and vibrant tone that is impossible to fully replicate with a digital instrument. This is why many musicians prefer to buy an acoustic piano.
How an Acoustic Piano Works
Each key on the keyboard is connected to a complex mechanism. Depending on how hard you press the key, the sound will be louder or softer, more or less expressive. This allows the pianist to play with a wide range of dynamics, from the softest touch to the most powerful.
This sensitivity to touch is one of the greatest advantages of an acoustic piano, offering immense freedom of interpretation.
Maintenance and Authenticity
Choosing an acoustic piano over a digital one means having it tuned at least once a year, which is a significant expense. You also need to monitor the room’s humidity, as fluctuations can damage the wood or cause the instrument to go out of tune.
In return, you get a natural sound, a precise touch, and a real physical connection between the pianist and the instrument. This is what makes the acoustic piano the preferred choice for an authentic and expressive musical practice.
Buying a good quality acoustic upright is a significant investment. But if your budget—and your neighbors!—allow it, it is preferable to a digital piano.
Upright and Grand Pianos
Unlike its majestic cousin, the grand piano, the upright piano is characterized by its vertical structure. The strings and soundboard—the large wooden panel that amplifies the sound—are positioned perpendicular to the floor. This ingenious design allows it to take up much less space, making it ideal for apartments and modern living areas.
The upright piano, sometimes called a vertical piano, comes in various heights, but the differences between a small model and a tall one are not nearly as pronounced as they are among grand pianos.
A young student playing Bach on an upright piano
The grand piano’s horizontal layout allows for longer strings and a more responsive action (the hammers’ return is aided by gravity), resulting in greater sound power, better dynamics, and superior tonal richness.
This is why it is favored in concert halls, for professional use, and even in many music conservatories.
A tour of the Steinway & Sons factory in Hamburg. The second factory is located in New York City.
Buying an expensive and bulky grand piano is rarely a consideration for a beginner. However, if price is no object and you have the necessary space, there is no downside to starting your piano studies on a grand piano—quite the contrary.
Acoustic Upright Piano Prices (US Suggested Maximum Price – SMP)
Entry-Level (Student or Compact Piano): $5,000 to $9,000
- Models made in Asia (China, Indonesia), offering good quality for beginners.
- Smaller size, limited but sufficient tone for the first few years of study.
- Standard brand-proprietary action.
- Examples: Pearl River EU110 (~$5,495), Feurich 115 (~$7,160), Yamaha B1 (~$5,699)
Mid-Range (Family / Intermediate Player): $9,000 to $18,000
- Refined finish, more precise action, better sound projection.
- Suited for regular practice, often made in Japan, Indonesia (higher-end models), or Europe (Poland, Czech Republic).
- Quality proprietary or standard Renner action.
- Examples: Yamaha B3 (~$8,099), Kawai K-300 (~$12,095), Wilhelm Schimmel W114 (~$15,142)
High-End (Intensive Study or Semi-Professional Use): $15,000 to $35,000
- Excellent tone, balance, and power, with a very precise touch.
- Japanese or German manufacturing with high-quality components.
- High-end actions (Renner or top-tier proprietary).
- Examples: Kawai K-500 (~$16,995), Yamaha U1 (~$14,499), Schimmel C121 Tradition (~$27,100)
Prestige (Concert-Level or Highest Demands): $40,000 to $80,000+
- Tone comparable to a grand piano, exceptional tuning stability, and tonal finesse.
- Handcrafted in Germany or Austria without compromise (often customizable).
- Ultra-high-precision actions, often custom or modified (Renner Premium, specific Steingraeber actions, etc.).
- Examples: C. Bechstein Residence R118 (~$40,200), C. Bechstein Concert 8 (~$77,900), Steingraeber & Söhne 130 (~$66,610)
Acoustic Grand Piano Prices (US Suggested Maximum Price – SMP)
Baby Grands & Small Grands (Up to 5′ 8″)
Entry-Level: $15,000 to $25,000
- Length: 4’11” – 5’4″. Often called “baby grands.”
- Indonesian or Chinese manufacturing. Good sound quality for home use and for starting on a grand piano.
- Examples: Yamaha GB1K (5’0″, ~$15,499), Kawai GL-10 (5’0″, ~$16,895), Feurich 162 “Dynamic I” (5’4″, ~$18,780)
Mid-Range: $25,000 to $50,000
- Length: 5’3″ – 5’9″.
- Japanese or European manufacturing (entry-level German/Czech). Significantly superior sound and action.
- Examples: Yamaha C1X (5’3″, ~$32,999), Kawai GX-1 (5’5″, ~$33,895), W. Hoffmann T 161 (5’3″, ~$37,900)
High-End: $50,000 to $90,000
- Length: 5’3″ – 5’9″.
- High-quality German manufacturing, offering harmonic richness and a very precise action.
- Examples: Schimmel C169 Tradition (5’7″, ~$64,900), Bechstein Academy A 175 (5’9″, ~$73,900), Sauter Alpha 160 (5’3″, ~$74,380)
Prestige: $90,000 to $130,000+
- Length: 5’1″ – 5’7″.
- Exceptional models, handcrafted without compromise. Concert-level sound and touch in a compact size.
- Examples: Bösendorfer 170VC (5’7″, ~$129,999), Steinway & Sons S-155 (5’1″, ~$96,500), C. Bechstein C 167 (5’6″, ~$117,100)
Parlor & Living Room Grands (approx. 5’9″ to 6’6″)
Mid-Range: $35,000 to $60,000
- Length: 5’8″ – 6’2″.
- The standard for conservatories and discerning amateurs, offering an excellent balance of size and power. Mostly Japanese manufacturing.
- Examples: Yamaha C2X (5’8″, ~$37,499), Kawai GX-2 (5’11”, ~$40,495), Yamaha C3X (6’1″, ~$48,999)
High-End: $65,000 to $120,000
- Length: 6’1″ – 6’7″.
- Pianos from German and Austrian brands, used by professionals for their richness and reliability.
- Examples: Schimmel K189 Tradition (6’2″, ~$88,900), Bechstein Academy A 192 (6’4″, ~$79,900), Bösendorfer 185VC (6’1″, ~$149,999)
Prestige: $120,000 to $160,000+
- Length: 5’11” – 6’7″.
- Absolute excellence for soloists and recording studios. Handcrafted by the greatest manufacturers.
- Examples: Steinway & Sons O-180 (5’11”, ~$110,600), Bösendorfer 200VC (6’7″, ~$177,999), Fazioli F183 (6’0″, price upon request)
Semi-Concert Grands (approx. 6’10” to 7’6″)
High-End: $60,000 to $130,000
- Length: 6’10” – 7’2″.
- More powerful than parlor grands. Primarily high-end Japanese and German brands.
- Examples: Yamaha C6X (7’0″, ~$68,999), Kawai GX-6 (7’0″, ~$64,395), Schimmel K219 Tradition (7’2″, ~$110,900)
Prestige: $140,000 to $200,000+
- Length: 6’11” – 7’5″.
- World-class instruments from top-tier German and Austrian makers.
- Examples: C. Bechstein Concert B 212 (7’0″, ~$178,800), Steinway & Sons B-211 (6’11”, ~$137,300), Bösendorfer 225VC (7’4″, ~$229,999)
Concert Grands (9′ and up)
Prestige: $190,000 to $250,000+
- Length: 9’0″ – 10’2″.
- The pinnacle of piano manufacturing. These instruments are reserved for the world’s greatest concert halls and international competitions.
- Examples: Yamaha CFX (9’0″, ~$199,999), Steinway & Sons D-274 (9’0″, ~$217,300), Bösendorfer 280VC (9’2″, ~$269,999), Fazioli F278 (9’2″, price upon request)
Acoustic Piano Manufacturers (Selective List):
- Steinway & Sons
- Bösendorfer
- C. Bechstein
- Schimmel
- Yamaha
- Kawai
- Young Chang
- Samick
- Fazioli
- Pleyel
- Érard
- Baldwin
- Blüthner
- Feurich
- Grotrian-Steinweg
Buying a New or Used Acoustic Piano
The purchase price of a new acoustic upright piano depends on its size and, even more so, its brand. The price of an upright from a prestige brand like Steinway & Sons, Bösendorfer, or C. Bechstein can sometimes exceed that of grand pianos from less renowned brands.
Because of this, the used piano market is very active, for both uprights and grands.
You can buy and sell a used piano privately between individuals, but there are also piano dealers who specialize in pre-owned instruments.
If you decide to sell it later, a well-maintained and regularly tuned used piano will depreciate less than a new one.
However, choosing a good used piano can be very tricky. Some pianos that have been refurbished and appear to be in good condition can deteriorate quickly after a few months.
Reading Piano Notes: Videos and Color Notes
Do you want to learn how to read right-hand notes in the Treble Clef and left-hand notes in the Bass Clef? Follow the links for each hand !