Do I need to upgrade to an acoustic piano?

Hi Della, 

Good on you for learning by yourself and for persisting! And yes, do it! :-) 

I played on a (Kawai) digital piano for a while after moving to Australia, and they have certainly come a very long way - plus the convenience of being able to put on headphones...

Earlier this year, I was able to upgrade to a beautiful small acustic grand piano and that has been the best decision. It simply allows for so much more nuance in touch and technique, and the satisfaction of creating sound on an acustic instrument simply is something else. There are very excellent uprights out there as well. 

So yes, I'd encourage you if you have the chance! Just make sure the instrument is new, or in good shape. Check out the Merriam Music Youtube channel for some excellent advice and instrument comparisons.

Best wishes!

M. 

Well, sure. It’s a lot more fun to play my Steinway than my Kawai weighted keyboard. But, honestly, I’ve learned some pretty big pieces on the Kawai while the family slept. 
 

if money and space are no object, go for it. If you have are limited to a few thousand dollars to spend, find a good teacher and go to their studio. 

Good answers so far! I started learning almost seven years ago on a Yamaha digital piano. I eventually got an acoustic piano that I love. But the biggest difference came from finding a teacher who could show me how to play the music I like, how to improve my technique, and how to move forward with music. Plus, we have such a great time together! 

It depends on space, money and your interest. If you think you will keep learning and playing for long time, it is worth to have an acoustic piano because the weight of keys , the touching and the tone quality are different. if you want to master your technique, buying acoustic piano is the only way and the best way to work on it.

Hope you enjoy playing music.

I last played an acoustic when I was 15 years old and have played a weighted 88 note digital ever since. Two years ago for my 70th birthday I bought an upright Kawai K800 acoustic upright grand with a millennium 3 action. The difference has been dramatic as the instrument has superb tone and unbelievably responsive action. My lessons with Carmen Morin and Tonebase have demonstrated that there is no doubt about the benefits of investing in a fine instrument. My advice is to research what you need and can afford and try out your chosen piano at the dealership. I have absolutely no regrets but you do need to listen to tone and be aware of the environment in which you will be playing as there is a lot to consider before you purchase. I wish you well with your choice and happy years of playing. 

Hi Della, it depends on how far you want to go with your piano playing.  If you want to reach at least the early advanced level, I would recommend either 52" acoustic or hybrid upright piano.  If you can afford a grand piano, it'll be even better.  To train in the technique, it is crucial to feel the response of the key. Not to mention the wider range of dynamics and colors.  Smaller upright pianos have narrower dynamic ranges, and you will get frustrated after the intermediate level. 

I hope this helps.

Yes. Don’t think twice. The piano is a mechanical acoustic instrument. The most elaborate digital instrument won’t match even a modest console upright in giving you the feedback necessary to develop a fine ear and sensitive touch

Della,

Even if you are not planning on becoming a more advanced player, or if you aren’t sure you will continue, you should still upgrade to an acoustic instrument if you can afford it. Acoustic instruments have an incredible way of affecting our ears, eyes, and fingers that I find unmatched by digital instruments (I own both digital and acoustic pianos). As it seems you appreciate music on a more than casual level- as evidenced by your presence here- I can virtually guarantee you will NOT regret the purchase of an acoustic instrument. Will it improve your playing? Maybe. However, it will definitely improve your enjoyment. As a word of advice, don’t take the cheapest option. Stretch your budget as much as is financially responsible. I used to work at a piano dealership (not in sales), children exploring the various models on the showroom floor would always unwittingly gravitate to the most expensive instruments, and with good reason! It doesn’t take an expert to hear and feel the advantages of an excellent instrument. My other piece of advice would be to take your time with the decision and enjoy the process! Try out as many different instruments as you can, even ones well beyond your price range. You learn more about your preferences and options that way. I wish you good luck in finding your next piano!

Hi Della,

there has been some excellent advise given here already. I agree with those who strongly recommend going acoustic! I don’t know what’s the state of the art regarding electric pianos, but I guess, that there is a substantial pricetag on the really good ones as well… So a good second (or third) hand acoustic instrument may be available for the same amount of money. My advise would be: find someone with experience and musical as well as technical knowledge to help you find a good instrument. You might come across excellent instruments that are just out of tune or need a little care from a technician, so you might need someone who can separate firewood from quality:) Also reach out in the analog world, like local newspapers. Great instruments sometimes stand in peoples houses, who might give them to you for very little money, when they feel that you have a true love for music. Especially older people, whose partner, who played the instrument, passed away. 

Yes upgrade to acoustic piano; There's a big difference. It's more expensive (i.e. twice a year tuning) but its worth it.  It's also more enjoyable

Hi Della,

There are many ways to reduce volume. The silent system is perhaps the most expensive. Some ways of lowering volume depend on what kind of instrument you bought. Is it a grand or upright?

The cheapest solutions are things like placement in the room you have the instrument. If the piano is near a wall, sound can easily reverberate back into your face/ears. Moving it away a bit can sometimes make a big difference. High ceilings can also create more echo, so you might think of a space with lower (8 feet or so) ceilings. Another thing to consider are your furnishings. If you have hard floors, consider buying a deep-pile area rug to go under the piano. If there are windows in the room, I would recommend purchasing thick drapes that are either blackout material, or velvet. Hanging them so that they create a fluted/pleat affect can soak up a lot of sound. If your walls are bare, try hanging carpets or tapestries. Think also of furnishing around the piano with throw pillows, thick blankets, soft-upholstered chairs/couches. The softer the surface, the less echo you will experience. The less echo you have, the less loud the piano will seem.  You can also experiment with heavy, “moving” blankets placed over the whole instrument minus the piano keys. If you have an upright, be sure the back is covered as well. Finally, a good piano technician can lower the volume a bit by voicing your hammers and making them softer.