Digital pianos are a very similar playing experience to an acoustic piano. Although a digital piano uses digitally recorded, or sampled, sounds, rather than a combination of hammers and strings, it can still offer a highly realistic playing feel.

The main component of a digital piano is a keyboard with a weighted key action that contains sensors that detect the velocity with which you hit the keys. When you strike piano keys, the loudness of the sound produced is effected by how hard you hit the keys. As the piano is based on samples, a wider range of sounds, such as organs and harpsichords, can be realistically recreated within the piano.

What are the benefits of a digital piano?

Digital Pianos are greater value than an acoustic piano with prices starting from £315 for a PDP220 Digital Piano by Gear4music, with professional quality pianos costing well into the thousands. Roland produce a range of advanced digital pianos including the RG-3 Digital Grand Piano with Moving Keys at £8919.

Digital pianos are portable. A typical digital piano weighs approximately 50 kilos, whereas an acoustic piano will weigh around 200 kilos. It is possible to disassemble some of the main parts of a digital piano (for example the stand) in order that it may fit in a car more easily. Tuning is not a problem with a digital piano as it is based around playback of recorded samples. An acoustic piano usually needs tuning once or twice a year. The vast majority of digital pianos have a headphone output, meaning that a digital piano can be played at any volume, at any time without any noise, other than the low level pressing of keys, being produced. This is ideal for home practice environments. Many digital pianos feature Musical Instrument Digital Interfaces. MIDI allows the piano to interface with another electronic musical device, such as computer software or a synthesizer, to expand the realms of what your piano can do. At the press of a button the sound of the piano can be changed dramatically. Restricted only by the samples within your piano, you can select the sound that you are playing. The range and quality of these sounds increases alongside the price of the piano. With specific audio outputs, digital pianos can be recorded or modulated with effects very easily, without the need for microphones that is had with acoustic pianos.

Features to consider

It is important to consider carefully what your needs are before buying a digital piano. Below is a checklist of things to watch out for when shopping for a digital piano.

A digital piano with a fully weighted and graded action will have the most realistic piano feel when played. . The polyphony of notes may be important if you intend on taking your playing seriously. Check that the number of notes that can be heard at once is enough to meet your needs. If you sustain multiple notes or playing larger chords, twelve to sixteen note polyphony will not be enough. A digital piano should be designed ergonomically to the player’s needs. As a result the control panel should be straightforward and easy to understand. Importantly, the controls should not interfere with the playing of the piano. Some people may have very specific ‘extra’ features they need on their digital piano. For example, it may be considered necessary to have a built in cover for the keys. SImilarly, check what onboard effects are available, and whether these are what you need. Many pianos com with various levels of reverb available. For those who want a realistic piano playing experience, check whether the piano includes pedals and if so, that they meet your requirements. The power of the amplifier or speaker dictates the volume of the piano. Although you may not turn the piano up to full, the extra power of the speaker can make the sound more balanced overall.

Other things to think about

Using your digital piano for practice in the home makes it worth investing in headphones. Also consider where you will use the piano, and check if it comes with a stool.