I often hear sentences like: "Our apartment is too small for a piano" or "Unfortunately, our room only has space for an electric piano." There are also concerns like: "You don't know whether the child will continue to play the piano in the long term. What if we buy a piano and the child doesn't want to play anymore later?" These arguments are of course understandable and justified. An electric piano can be the more practical solution in such cases.
However, one should be aware that these compromises also have their disadvantages.
The sound of an acoustic piano is produced by a precise mechanism: strings of different lengths inside the instrument are struck by small hammers that are set in motion when the keys are pressed. Each string produces its own tone, which is amplified by the soundboard. This complex acoustic process gives the piano its distinctive, full sound.
With an electric piano, on the other hand, the sound is produced by electrical impulses triggered by the keys. This is a fundamental difference to the mechanics of a classic piano or grand piano. The main differences between an electric piano and an acoustic piano are the feel of the keys and the sound quality. With a piano, you can feel and hear the hammers striking, which gives a completely different playing experience.
I have compared the differences between purchasing a piano and an electric piano in the following table.
Piano | electric piano |
Costs between 3,000 and 6,000 € | Costs between 500 and 1,300 € |
Should be voted once a year | Does not need to be tuned |
Extra transport costs | Low or no transport costs |
Mechanical sound, great variety of timbres, subtle dynamic differences | Electronic sound, limited possibilities in dynamics and attack |
Volume adjustable – your neighbors will be happy 🤗 You can also play during quiet times or late at night. | |
Young children often have difficulty producing a powerful sound because the keys of a piano are heavier than those of an electric piano. | Light keys with little weight (often adjustable) |
Additional sound functions: harpsichord, guitar, flute, organ, synthesizer. |
You don't want to disturb your neighbors?
An acoustic piano does have a middle pedal to reduce the volume a little, but using this pedal and installing a silent system, which also costs extra, makes little sense in my opinion. This significantly limits the finer details that a piano has to offer. In this case, I would recommend purchasing an electric piano.
My tip: Visit a piano store and try out both instruments for yourself. You will clearly notice the difference between an electric piano and a piano.
Do you have a limited budget?
A used piano doesn't cost more than a new electric piano 😉
Conclusion
An electric piano is perfectly adequate for getting started, learning the basics and taking your first steps on the piano. Even if the reasons mentioned above rule out other options, an electric piano offers a good basis - after all, it is hardly possible to start learning without an instrument. However, I recommend an acoustic piano for a deeper and more holistic learning experience and for truly special musical moments.
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