What Digital Piano / Keyboard Should I Get?

One of the greatest obstacles of learning the piano is purchasing the instrument itself. While some other instruments may have a lower starting price point, pianos aren’t known to be the most affordable piece of equipment. Digital keyboards are a great introductory substitute if the few-thousand-dollar price tag is out of your price range, or if you aren’t sure about the commitment. Not all digital keyboards are equal; while technology brings the distance between digital and acoustic pianos closer each year, there are still key features that you should look out for when purchasing your first digital keyboard.

Number of Keys is one of the main features when selecting the right digital keyboard for you. Yes, we know it’s tempting to jump at the cheaper and more portable options of 61 or 76 keys, but we highly recommend getting a full-sized 88-key keyboard. Even though beginners usually don’t use the full keyboard, we don’t want to limit the future options of what songs and pieces you can and cannot play due to not having enough keys. Weighted and/or Graded Keys is another important feature. Having weighted keys mimics the feel of a real piano and is vital to developing the correct technique and appropriate muscles for beginners! Unweighted keys may also make it difficult to transition into an acoustic piano in the future should they continue to play at a higher level. We want students to acquire the finger dexterity and muscle memory to get the same response as you would from a regular piano. We want to aim to purchase fully weighted keys as opposed to semi-weighted keys. The best option would be to get one with a graded-hammer-action (heavier on the lower end, lighter on the higher end of the keyboard) which resembles a traditional acoustic piano more accurately. ​ Here are some of our recommendations for beginner keyboards:

1. Casio CDP-S100 $519.99 (Costco)

2. Korg B2 $649.99 (BestBuy)

3. Yamaha P-45 $699.99 (Cosmo Music Store)

4. Roland FP-10 $779.99 (Long & McQuade)

Many of these are the entry level digital keyboards for these manufacturers. If budget allows, you can always consider getting the next model up with additional features and better sound quality.