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Piano Lessons 101: Getting To Know Your Instrument

Updated: May 12, 2022

Music classes are fun, especially if you have a keyboard piano at hand. Purchasing a new piano is a thrilling experience for any musician. However, before you can begin your musical adventure, you must first determine which piano to purchase, which can be a hard process. This article might assist you in deciding what type of keyboard piano to buy and what to look for.



The Two Main Choices: Acoustic and Digital Pianos


The first and most important step is deciding whether you want or need an acoustic or digital piano. Choosing the right tool for your piano classes isn't easy. You've got to consider your budget, the sound, possible maintenance, amongst other things. Here's a quick breakdown of the two.


Acoustic Pianos

In some ways, an acoustic piano is as old-school as it gets. It is made up of hammers and steel strings and has a wooden exterior. The hammers are linked to the keys. The hammer moves and strikes the lines when a key is crossed, causing them to vibrate and produce the music.


The grand piano and the upright piano are the two varieties of acoustic pianos. A grand piano features a horizontally expanded frame and strings. It has a longer body, which means it takes up more room. Gravity resets the keys and returns them to their resting positions once you play the keys and release your fingers.




The strings on an upright piano run vertically, and it's significantly smaller than a grand piano. When you take your fingers off the keys, they are reset by a spring mechanism that wears down with time. The upright piano is a more handy alternative because it can typically fit easily in houses or apartments.


The two main features that set them apart are a distinctive sound and a distinctive rhythm. The degree to which an overtone sounds higher in pitch than its primary pitch is known as inharmonicity. As a result, a sound with less inharmonicity is more accurate.


The grand piano's strings are longer, giving it a fuller tone and less inharmonicity. The upright piano's strings are shorter, resulting in more inharmonicity and less in-tune octaves.

However, don't dismiss the upright piano as a lesser instrument. The sound you want is no problem if you have a quality product. Constant development and craftsmanship are key factors in getting the sound you want.


Digital Pianos

The digital piano is a more modernized version of the acoustic piano. It creates digital sounds (as the name implies). The piano's electronic speakers will playback high-quality recordings made using acoustic pianos when you touch a key.


The grand piano, upright piano, and portable piano are the three varieties of digital pianos. The sound system on the grand piano is better, and the key movements are smoother. It is, however, more expensive and only available from a few producers.



The upright digital piano, like its acoustic version, is widely used in households. The sizes of the digital and acoustic versions are similar; however, the digital version is lighter.

The lightest of the three is the portable piano. Instead of "legs," it comes with a stand. A portable digital piano's keys and casing are usually composed of plastic.



Still Can't Decide? Check Out The Hybrid Piano


The hybrid piano is a fresh addition to the piano family. It's a hybrid of an acoustic and a digital piano. When triggered, it features the action mechanism of an acoustic piano but may emit digital sounds.


The hybrid piano appears to be the best of both worlds, combining the best aspects of both acoustic and digital pianos into one instrument. You may play with a wonderful key motion while listening to the warm acoustic sound, or you can switch to the digital mode and appreciate its capabilities.


The Yamaha NU1 Piano and the Kawai AnyTime Piano are two examples of hybrid pianos. If you wish to acquire one, search for digital piano stores near me. You can also save money when you look for used upright pianos for sale for your next piano classes.


So What were the Best Digital Pianos for Newbies?


You don't need a ton of buttons or extraneous effects to learn new chords, read sheet music, or play your favorite song from the radio – a simple setup and a power supply are all you'll actually need to start playing some melodies or scales. Here are some of the most significant features and accessories to consider while shopping for the best keyboard for newbies.


Keyboard Size

Keyboards come in various sizes, each with a varied number of keys. In general, the most popular keyboards and digital pianos have 49, 61, 73, or 88 keys, similar to a real piano. You should be capable of learning the basics with fewer keys as a beginner, but we recommend starting with more keys so your instrument may grow with you as you develop in your playing. That way, you can play anything, regardless of an octave.


Weight and Portability

Our preferred keyboards and digital pianos feature weighted keys that simulate playing a real piano. Those keyboard pianos will most likely feel heavier than alternatives without weighted keys. Whichever alternative you select, consider how much you'll be moving your keyboard as well as how much you'll need to bring with you.


FAQ's

What type of instrument is a Piano?

The Piano is classified as a chordophone in the classic Hornbostel-Sachs system of musical instrument classification. It has strings strung between two points, similar to a lyre or harp. Sound is produced when the strings vibrate.


Who Invented the Piano?

Padua's first authentic Piano was almost totally developed by one man, Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655–1731). He was sent in 1688 to the Florentine court of Grand Prince Ferdinando de Medici to care for its harpsichords and, later, its whole collection of musical instruments.


How old is the oldest Piano?

The world's oldest Piano is housed at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Piano was one of the first innovations of the Piano's creator, Bartolomeo Cristofori, in 1720.



References:

https://www.flowkey.com/en/piano-guide/choose-piano

https://www.pianodreamers.com/piano-buying-guide/

https://www.pianobuyer.com/article/acoustic-or-digital-whats-best-for-me/

https://www.roland.com/uk/blog/how-to-choose-between-digital-and-acoustic-when-buying-a-piano/?lang=en-GB

https://www.libertyparkmusic.com/digital-piano-vs-acoustic-piano-guide/

https://www.libertyparkmusic.com/how-to-choose-the-right-piano/


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