Piano & Keyboard Buying Guide

Keyboards

The cheapest and easiest "instrument" to start with, keyboards are relatively inexpensive and easily acquired at big box stores or online. Keyboards make it affordable for students to begin playing without making a big commitment. Most keyboards come with 61 keys, however you can find them with 76 keys. If you are buying a keyboard, expect to spend from $100.00 or more for 61 keys, and $200.00 or more for 76 keys.

Electric Pianos

Unlike keyboards, digital pianos comes with a full size 88 keyboard and have weighted or semi weighted keys. These instruments are recommended over keyboards because they allow students to develop much better technique due to the more realistic feel and weight of the keys. The keys tend to respond much better to subtle touch, training the student to use the hand and finger technique taught by the teacher. The results are a much more expressive and polished sounding player. These instruments are becoming cheaper in price and can be hard for just a little more than a keyboard in many cases. Digital pianos start around $300.00

Acoustic Pianos

Nothing beats playing on the real thing: the touch and sound of a real acoustic instrument is very hard to duplicate and for long term players, a real piano is the best investment. Good used pianos can be had for as little as $300-400 if you are willing to be patient, shop around and weed through the less desirable instruments. Because acoustic pianos are made of wood and hundreds of parts, they are subject to weather and wear and tear, so you really have to go look and listen to a piano before you buy. Pitch can be an issue, and it may take a educated ear to hear if the piano has a less than desirable sound or if it is just out of tune. Keep in mind, that while you can buy a real piano inexpensively, they will require tuning at least every two years, which can cost up to $120.00, but even with this added expense, it is best to learn on a decent piano.