The perfect piano start: Which piano suits you as a beginner?
Anyone who has ever dreamed of learning to play the piano knows this question: Which piano should I buy as a beginner? Acoustic piano or digital piano? High or low price range? Or should I rent a piano first?
SHARE:
Gordon November
Gordon November
Navigation
As a beginner, you can quickly feel overwhelmed with all these questions. That’s why I would like to give you a few helpful points of orientation in this blog article that can help you with your decision.
The Beginning of a Musical Journey: why the Piano?
Before we look at the different pianos, let’s pause for a moment and ask ourselves: Why the piano? The piano is a fascinating instrument that can cover a wide range of tones.
It is both a melodic and a harmonic instrument, which means that you can play both melodies and chords.
But the best thing is that with the right choice of piano, you can make your musical journey pleasant and motivating.
A Guide to Acquiring your First Piano
If you are just starting to play the piano, then you are probably also looking for your first keyboard instrument. But pianos can be a costly purchase, and especially as a beginner, you may wonder if this investment is worth it for you.
From my experience, I can say that playing the piano is a source of immeasurable joy and countless unforgettable moments – moments that go far beyond their monetary value. But of course, your personal assessment of the situation is crucial, and as a beginner, it can be difficult to make this assessment.
While I cannot take away the decision of which piano or which model is best for you and how much you should spend on a piano, I would like to share some thoughts and advice on buying a beginner’s piano with you.
Grand Piano or Piano: What is the Better Choice for Beginners?
One of the most common questions beginners ask is: “Do I need a grand piano or is a piano enough?” The answer to this is relatively simple: As a beginner, and even as an advanced player, you do not need a grand piano.
Everything you can play on a grand piano can also be played on a piano of comparable quality. Of course, if you can afford it and have the space, a grand piano can be visually and sonically impressive.
But it is not absolutely necessary, especially not when you are just starting out. The art of playing can also be fully explored on a piano.
Price Differences between Pianos and Grand Pianos
It is important to understand that the prices for pianos and grand pianos can vary greatly. For an acoustic piano, you can spend between €4,000 and several tens of thousands of euros. A grand piano, on the other hand, can cost from around €10,000 and, depending on the quality and size, even rise into the six-figure range.
A mid-range piano usually costs around €13,000, but for most beginners, a used piano is also sufficient. You can even get many for free in the classifieds. Unless you are a professional concert pianist, you will probably find that a good piano can completely satisfy you.
Which Piano for Beginners?
So, you’ve made the decision to learn to play the piano, and now you’re faced with the challenge of dealing with the considerable prices for a piano? Given the four- to five-figure prices, your hesitation is completely understandable.
I’ll tell you right away how you can save a lot of money and even get a piano for free (no joke).
You probably didn’t originally intend to spend more than a few hundred euros on your first instrument. Maybe you think the cheapest model is enough – after all, it’s still a significant investment, and you just want to try it out first.
But does this method provide a suitable platform to discover your love for playing the piano? This is indeed a dilemma that many aspiring pianists find themselves in. And I can absolutely empathize with this feeling.
But you won’t get around buying a piano if you still want to learn to play the piano. There are several options when buying a piano for beginners.
So, which piano should you buy?
The Acoustic Piano: the Classic
Let’s start with the classic, acoustic piano. This type of piano is the most traditional and offers the most authentic playing experience. It has 88 keys and a soundboard that produces a unique, warm sound.
If you want to experience the real, unadulterated piano playing and are willing to make a larger investment, the acoustic piano is a very good choice.
Entry-level models for acoustic pianos are available from around €4,000. Even with an investment of €7,000, you are still in a price category that is not of particularly high quality.
Is it fun to play such an instrument? My experience has not yet convinced me of this price range. Nevertheless, you have to expect costs of several thousand euros.
Is there possibly a more cost-effective alternative?
Yes: go to the classifieds and look for pianos in the “for free” category. You’ll be amazed.
The Digital Piano: a Modern Alternative
If you are looking for something more flexible and budget-friendly, a digital piano might be the perfect choice for you.
Digital pianos try to replicate the sound and feel of an acoustic piano as accurately as possible, and many do so very successfully.
They are lighter, more compact and require no maintenance or tuning. In addition, they often have additional functions such as a recording function, a variety of sounds and the ability to connect headphones, which makes them ideal for practicing in apartments or late at night.
What Costs Can be Expected with an E-Piano?
In general, e-pianos are less expensive than their acoustic counterparts, but the price can vary greatly depending on the quality of the instrument. Entry-level models that cost only a few hundred euros may seem tempting at first glance.
In fact, however, they offer only limited playing comfort and are usually of inferior quality. Rather, look around in the classifieds and look for a used e-piano. These have good keyboards. And if you want even better sounds, you can also connect the instrument to an iPad via a MIDI interface and get the sounds from a software – for example. Pianoteq from Moddart.
If you are willing to dig a little deeper into your pocket, there are very good options in the middle price segment. With a budget of around 1,700 euros, you can purchase a high-quality digital piano that conveys an authentic piano feel. An additional advantage over acoustic pianos is that digital pianos do not require regular tuning, which saves costs and effort in the long run.
In view of these advantages, a high-quality digital piano could be a serious and worthwhile alternative to an inexpensive but qualitatively inferior acoustic piano.
Renting a Piano – a Flexible Solution?
If you just want to get a taste of the world of piano playing, renting is an option. This allows you to try out the instrument for a certain period of time without immediately committing to a purchase.
Many specialist shops have both acoustic pianos and digital pianos in their rental range. The usual rental period extends from 6 to 12 months for a monthly fee.
The Rent-To-Own Model
If you find that playing the piano is not for you after all, the rented instrument can be easily returned. If, on the other hand, you are enthusiastic and would like to keep the piano, there is the option of rent-to-own.
Here, the previous rental payments are credited towards the purchase price. The exact conditions for rent-to-own offers vary depending on the dealer and should therefore be inquired about in advance.
Rent-to-own as the Optimal Introduction to Playing the Piano
A rent-to-own is an excellent option if you are at the beginning of your musical journey. For a clear price, you have your own instrument at home for a few months and can gain experience undisturbed.
If you want to seriously engage with playing the piano, this is a must. After the rental period has expired, you can then make an informed decision as to whether you want to continue playing the piano or not.
Let’s Summarize
Choosing the right piano can be a challenge, but don’t worry, there is a suitable instrument for everyone. Remember, deciding on a piano is more important than making no decision.
If you are unsure, renting a piano might be a good solution to try out whether playing the piano is something for you.
If you are on a tight budget, used pianos or digital pianos are a sensible option. They can offer a good playing experience and are a real alternative to more expensive acoustic pianos.
Visit a music store, play on different pianos and find out which one suits you best. Every keystroke, every melody you play, helps you find your perfect instrument.
To make learning and playing on your new piano as pleasant as possible, I recommend my 12-week online course on intuitive piano playing. In this course, you will learn the basic tools of intuitive music making on the piano, which you can then use for the rest of your life.
Play Piano by Intuition
If you remain motivated and would like to gain further experience in intuitive piano playing, you have the opportunity to participate in my Masterclass for Intuition.
The piano course will turn you into a free musician and an independent pianist who is able to play any kind of music you like. With the right guidance and your own enthusiasm, you will discover the joy and fulfillment that playing the piano can bring.
Be brave and give the dream of playing the piano a chance.
Master Keys Without Sheet Music
With the new turbo training, you'll be proficient in every musical key within a few weeks.
(no sheet music knowledge required)
Share this post:
More topics for you:
Play Piano by Intuition
Master Keys Without Sheet Music
With the new turbo training, you'll be proficient in every key signature within just a few weeks.
(no knowledge of sheet music required)
