Piano buying guide for beginners
What to look for in a first piano for home practice: weighted keys, 88 keys, a stand, a sustain pedal and headphones. Plain advice from the piano teachers at ISM Turramurra.
One of the first questions parents ask us is what to buy for practice at home. The good news is that you don't need to spend a fortune, and you don't need an acoustic piano to start. A good digital piano does the job well for most beginners, and it's easier to fit into a home, never needs tuning and can be played with headphones.
Here's what we look for.
What matters
Weighted keys. This is the big one. Weighted keys feel like the keys on a real piano: heavier to press, and they respond to how hard you play. Practising on them builds proper finger strength and technique, so your child can sit down at any piano, including the one at their exam or concert, and feel at home. Light, springy keyboard keys won't do this.
88 keys. A full size piano has 88 keys. Smaller keyboards run out of notes surprisingly quickly once students move past the first books, so start with the full range.
A stand and a sustain pedal. The piano needs to sit at the right height, with your child seated so their forearms are level with the keys. A sturdy stand, or a model with its own built in stand, makes a real difference to posture. A sustain pedal is needed for most pieces after the early stages, so make sure one is included or buy one with it.
Headphones. A headphone socket means your child can practise any time without disturbing the rest of the house, which usually means more practice gets done.
What doesn't matter much
- Hundreds of built in sounds, rhythms and demo songs. Your child will mostly use the piano sound.
- Bluetooth, apps and recording features. Nice to have, but not needed to learn.
- Fancy cabinets and finishes. Choose what suits your room and budget.
- The newest model. Last year's model from a major brand is usually just as good.
Our honest advice
Any current weighted key digital piano from a major brand is fine to start. Make sure it has 88 keys, add a stand, pedal and headphones, and you're set. If you're comparing a couple of options, try them in store and choose the one that feels most like a real piano.
If your child works towards higher grades, you can look at upgrading later. Your teacher can help you decide when that time comes.
Still not sure? Ask your child's teacher or give us a call on 02 9983 9460. We're always happy to help.
Before lessons start
Bring your questions to your child's free trial lesson and the teacher can talk you through what to look for.
Starting with a group class? In our Junior Course, every child has a digital piano to use in class. For one on one teaching, see our piano lessons in Turramurra, from first notes to AMEB exams.