Can a Digital Piano Replace an Acoustic Piano?

Can a Digital Piano Replace an Acoustic Piano?

Some musicians will tell you playing an acoustic piano is the only way to go. Others will say that a digital piano can be a great learning tool. 

Which way should you go? Can a digital piano replace an acoustic piano? Can you learn on either one? 

The two types of pianos can both bring music to your life. If you’re trying to decide between the two, the first step is to take a few minutes to evaluate your needs. 

A teenager looking to recreate their favorite pop songs is different from an empty nester wanting to take up a new hobby. Both have a desire to learn the piano. But both can approach it in entirely different ways. 

Start with a few questions.

  • Do you have room for a piano in your home?
  • Will you be playing with others?
  • Is this for personal enjoyment, or do you want to form a band?
  • Will you be sharing your music online?
  • Will others be using the piano within your family?

An acoustic piano comes in two formats: vertical and grand. Uprights most often sit against a wall, taking up a small amount of space. Grand pianos are often put on display, becoming the center of your decor. 

Digital pianos have been adapted to modern technology. You can find them in all shapes and sizes. They come in three different types: a grand piano, an upright, and a portable. Like its acoustic counterpart, a high-quality digital piano will provide the same touch and action. If you’re going digital, pay particular attention to the sound. 

Sound will always be better when using an acoustic piano. Sound is produced when the hammer strikes a string. Depending on the instrument, it has a rich, warm tone with better articulation and expression. Because a digital piano records the sound, it can only mimic the tonal quality. It will never have the same nuances as an acoustic piano. 

What the digital piano may lack in sound, it makes up for with additional features. It has the ability to create a wide variety of sounds, from drum beats to almost any instrument. Digital pianos can record and create a digital file you can share. Plugin headphones, and you can practice just about anywhere. And if you select a portable version, you can take it with you no matter where you roam. 

While a digital piano will never fully replace an acoustic piano, it can provide different resources that may be perfect to suit your needs. 

Need help deciding which is suitable for you? Stop by today and see our entire line of acoustic and digital pianos. 

Digital or Acoustic, What’s The Best Piano For Your Child To Learn On?

Digital or Acoustic, What’s The Best Piano For Your Child To Learn On?

Digital pianos are turning up everywhere. You’ll find them at your big box store. And you’ll find them to be more affordable than the standard acoustic piano. But does that mean they are the right choice for your child to learn on?

One of the main advantages of a digital piano is that they are significantly less expensive than an acoustic piano. For many people, that’s a significant advantage, especially if you aren’t sure if your child will enjoy it. Digital or Acoustic, What’s The Best Piano For Your Child To Learn On?

Digital pianos are also more compact than acoustic pianos, and can be used in a home of any size. While traditional instruments have to find a corner to tuck into, or in the case of a grand piano, be prominent in a large living space, digital pianos can be folded up after every practice and stowed away. They can also be transported with ease for lessons or to play in a band. 

Unlike acoustic pianos, digital pianos don’t require the regular maintenance schedule. Digital pianos never require tuning, and can also be played in more extreme conditions, unaffected by heat or humidity. 

And if you live in close proximity to others, such as in a dorm or apartment, digital pianos also offer the convenience of working with headphones, meaning you can practice in silence anytime you choose. That can be convenient for roommates, or in family situations where other kids are doing homework or sleeping. 

Despite all the conveniences of digital, there are a few drawbacks as well. 

A digital piano will never sound or feel like the real things. Moreover, only the most sophisticated digital instruments are able to mimic the key dynamics of a real piano. In other words, digital pianos may play the same way, but they rarely sound or feel the same. 

That means the less expensive instrument you buy may not be benefiting the player in the same way as if they were playing on an acoustic. And if they aren’t practicing with the real thing, they are missing the opportunity to “hear” what they play. 

Part of the pleasure of learning to play the piano is to “feel” the music. If the notes are all wrong, the sound isn’t quite right, and you can’t “feel” the notes, some budding pianists lose interest. 

It’s like playing soccer with a flat ball. 

If you’re in the market for a piano – digital or acoustic – it’s important that you purchase the right piano for your needs. We can help. 

Is It Time For A Silent Piano?

Is It Time For A Silent Piano?

“I’ve played piano for years. But I’ve moved recently, and with neighbors above and below and all around me, I can’t play it as much as I used to. Six in the morning used to be my practice time; I’d love waking up to beautiful music. Needless to say, my neighbors don’t agree. The thought of having to convert to a digital piano just to be able to silence my piano and play whenever I choose doesn’t work for me. But I’m not sure what my options are. Is there anything else I can do?”

Is It Time For A Silent Piano

Thankfully, there is.

A silent piano is an acoustic piano where there is an option to silence the strings by stopping the hammers from striking them. In silent mode, sensors in the piano pick up key movement and convert it to MIDI Signal that is sent to an electronic sound module.

This gives the player the opportunity to silence the music to the rest of the world, while bringing it into headphones he or she can use at any time. And because it has MIDI capability, the music can be sent to any computer for download and use.

In a silent piano system, engaging the silent function causes a bar to fall into place that intercepts the hammer movement before it hits the strings.

With an older model, it detects key movement by using mechanical sensors; the mechanical process sometimes produced a clicking sound that could be heard under the music.

With today’s models, optical sensors do the job seamlessly, never affecting the feel or sound of the piano.

You can find silent pianos available from many different manufacturers, including Yamaha, Bosendorfer, and Kawai.

Differences Between an Acoustic Piano and a Digital Piano

Differences Between an Acoustic Piano and a Digital Piano

Thinking of buying a piano? You’ve probably come across one of the very first questions a piano dealer will ask you – would you like an acoustic piano or a digital piano? And if you’re new to the piano world, that very first question may leave you confused. What’s the difference?

Differences Between an Acoustic Piano and a Digital Piano

  • Acoustic pianos work by felt-covered mallets hitting strings within their insides. Digital pianos work through a sound chip and speakers, so when their keys are struck, they replicate what a piano sounds like. Some digital piano models have features that will allow you to change the instrument sounds like (for instance, an organ or drums instead of a piano). Because the technology used to make digital pianos can be made smaller without sacrificing the sound of the instrument like an acoustic piano, digital pianos are smaller and lighter.

  • Digital pianos may be able to better serve the needs of a select number of people. For one, their size may be a better match for those who enjoy playing but are either short on space or move around a lot. Also, digital pianos are useful if you want to record music on the computer or plug in headphones to play privately.

  • Acoustic pianos have significantly more range of tone than digital pianos, as you are interacting with actual strings rather than something emulating the sound of strings. Therefore, you will be able to put in a lot more emotion and depth into your music on an acoustic piano. Because of this, more advanced piano players may find digital pianos limiting after a while.

  • Digital pianos don’t function exactly like an acoustic piano, and making a transition later on from digital to acoustic may be difficult, especially for beginning players. For one, some less expensive digital pianos don’t have the same weighted key feel as an acoustic piano would, instead feeling light and plastic. For another, some digital pianos lack the full eight octaves that acoustic pianos have, which can limit the range of music that you can play.

  • Acoustic pianos have a longer-lasting value. Anything electronic, whether it’s a computer, phone, or piano, has a time limit on it; it will one day become outdated and overshadowed by better technology. This will also make it difficult to sell if you want to get a new piano later on. Acoustic pianos that are well-maintained keep their value and won’t become obsolete.