Colourful Keys is primarily a blog for music teachers. However, this article is part of a series for PARENTS of music students. If you’re a music parent, read on to learn how to choose a good piano for your child to practise on at home. If you’re a teacher, feel free to pass the link to this article on to parents in your studio.
Ready to start piano lessons? Need to buy a piano, but are overwhelmed by all the options? Don’t fret – we’ve put together the ultimate guide to finding that perfect piano.
There are many reasons why your child needs a quality practice instrument at home from the very beginning. To name just a few, a quality instrument:
- …allows children to develop proper technique.
- …motivates your child to persevere in lessons.
- …is satisfying to practise on because the music sounds good. (Would you enjoy practising on something that doesn’t sound or feel good?)
So let’s talk about how to find an appropriate piano for your child to practise on at home.
2 Common Types of PIanos
A piano is a piano, right? Well…not quite. There are 2 main types of pianos on the market, and each has its pros and cons.
Piano Type No. 1: Acoustic
This is the kind of piano you’re probably used to seeing the most. And if it fits in your budget and your space, choosing a good acoustic piano is probably your best option.
You don’t have to buy a 10-foot grand piano to enjoy the sound and feel of an acoustic piano; a vertical (“upright”) version can be just as good for most students.
Pros of an Acoustic Piano
- A good, well-maintained acoustic piano will last your family a lifetime.
- The quality and feel of a good acoustic piano is unparalleled – it will be fun to play and practise on.
Cons of an Acoustic Piano
- They can be an expensive upfront investment.
- Acoustics are heavy, making them challenging to move.
- They will take up space (especially grand pianos).
- If your neighbours are close, listening to the music might bother them.
Regular maintenance is required, including tunings at least once a year from a good piano technician.
The good news is, you don’t have to invest in a brand new acoustic piano. You can often find a great used piano, whether in a piano store or from an individual seller.
Minimum Criteria for a Used Acoustic Piano
If you’re buying a used acoustic piano, be sure it meets the following criteria:
- It’s been well-maintained – meaning it’s had regular tunings (at least once a year) and it looks clean.
- Every black and white key works without buzzing or muffled sounds, both with and without the right-side pedal held down. (Yes, you need to play every single key twice to test this!)
- It’s no more than 50 years old, or else it will likely require a lot of repair. Check inside the lid for the serial number, which will tell you when it was made.
- There are 88 keys (including both black ones and white ones).
Piano Type No. 2: Digital
Digital pianos are a great alternative to an acoustic piano. These simulate an acoustic piano by using real sound recorded from an acoustic piano.
Digital pianos can be a great option for most families, especially beginner and intermediate students.
Pros of a Digital Piano
- No need for frequent maintenance
- Takes up less space
- Headphones allow for silent practice
- Often the most affordable piano option
Cons of a Digital Piano
- Feels and sounds a bit different than an acoustic piano
- Technique development and practice habits can suffer if the digital piano is of poor quality
Minimum Criteria for a Digital Piano
- 88 full-sized, fully-weighted keys
- A furniture-style stand (not an X-style or Z-style stand)
- At least 2 pedals that are attached to the stand (not free-floating)
And while it wouldn’t necessarily be required for a brand-new student, we strongly encourage sticking to a well-known brand such as Casio, Roland, Yamaha or Kawai.
These higher-quality digital pianos tend to have a feel and sound that mimics acoustics much more closely than a cheaper Amazon brand, for example.
And while they may cost a bit more up front, the quality of a digital piano from a well-known brand more than makes up for that in longevity, in your child’s technique development and in the enjoyment of practising and playing.
Don’t forget the bench!
Believe it or not, a good adjustable bench has almost as much impact on good technique development as the right kind of piano. So be sure to include that in your budget when looking for a piano.
If possible, it’s better to avoid the x-style benches because the adjustments are staggered and can’t be fine tuned as your child grows.
Check out your child’s feet, too. If they aren’t fully planted on the floor, they need a footstool.
The footstool doesn’t have to be fancy, just sturdy. Try a heavy duty box turned upside down, a plastic step stool or anything else you find lying around.
Tips to Guide Your Search
- If you are purchasing a digital piano or a used acoustic piano, consider sending your teacher a picture or a link so they can add their two cents before you buy.
- When possible, have a certified piano technician check out a used piano if you’re buying it from an individual. This may cost a bit, but will be worth the money if it saves you extra repair costs down the road. Your piano teacher can help you find a good technician.
- Once the piano, bench and footstool are in your home, take a picture of your child and send it to their teacher.
Your piano teacher is the best source for helping you figure out your child’s correct “piano posture”. (I.e., the bench is at the right height and distance from the piano, they’re sitting on their “sitting bones” towards the front half of the bench, and their feet are firmly planted)
Do you have a burning piano-buying question?
Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear what you’re thinking, and we will do our best to help.
Check out other articles from our ‘Music Parent Series’:
Practising
- Help Your Child Develop a Solid Music Practice Habit
- How involved should you be in your child’s music practice?
- Is your child’s piano practice “right”?
Other Support at Home
- Why NOT to Teach Your Child Music Staff Mnemonics
- Why does my child have piano listening assignments?
- Music Appreciation for the Family
- How to Find Your Piano-Teacher Soulmate
During Lessons
- Why is my child’s piano teacher playing games in lessons?
- The Value of Improvisation in Piano Lessons
- Why is my child memorising music instead of reading it?
- Is your child ready for a piano exam?
The worst instrument that a parent had purchased for their child’s beginning lessons was a 2 octave ( give or take a few keys) toy keyboard. Purchased on Amazon .The mother showed me the picture and I told her it would not be adequate for piano lessons.. She returned it, borrowed a 76 keyboard from a friend and 3 weeks later soccer season trumped Piano.lessons. . Student never resumed.
The second experience was accepting a student who borrowed a friends 67 key keyboard. It was to be temporary until the new student decided if she REALLY wanted to continue. I emphasized right from the start that 88 Keys would be necessary very soon. After 8 lessons The parent called to say that their child decided she really wasn’t ‘ into it’ and she quit . The student had been doing very well and both parents were pleased. I think if the purchase of a good instrument had been made initially, there would have been no option to quit.
Not to drag out the story, but from now on I will not accept a student unless the parents have already made the initial investment of either acoustic or quality digital. Where there is no investment, there is no commitment.
It’s not just the commitment either, it’s the satisfaction for the student. Would you enjoy practising on something that doesn’t sound or feel good? Of course not, and neither does the student.
Great reminders and lessons learned here as well! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on a weekly basis! You’re a blessing!
Thanks Pam! 🙂
Do you mind sharing where you find the adjustable benches affordably? Do you ever recommend just the x-style (which is much cheaper) or just the traditional bench with 4 legs?
The X style isn’t much cheaper here but as long as it’s wide enough and sturdy enough it might be ok? Hard to know as I’ve never tried it.
I send them to Thomann for benches. The basic ones are around €60.
In think, it is important to consider the price, quality, and features before choosing the right piano for anyone. The price should be reasonable, and the quality should be good. The features should include a metronome, a recording function, and a headphone jack. The digital piano should also be easy to use so that your students can learn how to play it quickly.
Thank you, Jeanette..! For sharing such helpful information.