We're looking to give our young children some exposure to music and are looking at a digital piano (mum had some lessons when she was younger). What are people's experiences with buying one; any advice?
Some questions:
PS: We're not looking for a keyboard.
We have a cheap keyboard. We're looking for a more permanent one.
We got an entry level Yamaha from https://www.australianpianowarehouse.com.au/ and I would recommend one from a walk in store rather than online. Ours comes with one pedal only, can buy more. A good stool and foot rest makes a big difference too, depends on the kids and how tall/big they are, so again best to try instore.
EDIT: My son also made a lot of progress with piano apps like Simply Piano. Surely a teacher is good but the gamification of learning by these apps really made a difference.
Depends how serious you/your kids want to take it. Hand posture is pretty important in piano, not sure if apps can't teach/monitor that. Easier to develop new habits than to fix old bad habits.
Agreed. We have a teacher for our son as well but the app really kickstarted his interest. Wasn’t recommending just the app, that would not be ideal long term but I see how my post sounded like choosing an app over a teacher
Absolutely agree about simply piano
The gamification really helps kids engage
Sure a teacher is helpful for technique etc but SP gets them playing a tune and makes it more interactive
The other thing we found handy was just piano tutorial videos on YouTube with synthesia (ie the falling coloured notes that show you which keys to play)
We started with cheap keyboard from jbhifi and once the kids were taking to it got a kawai ca79
+1 for Simply Piano, my kid used it for a few months before getting bored of it, but at least can read/play basic music now
How old is your kid? Do you think a kindergarten kid would be able to learn from the app? (we are on the waiting list for a teacher our friends recommended)
8, doubt a kindergarten kid would go for it, but try if there are any free lessons on the app
I would suggest either the Kawai es110 or Yamaha p125. Kawai has a nicer action I think but the Yamaha has nicer software.
I haven't bought one from them myself but many people on this website have fallen prey to Donner music before. Definitely stay away from that for anything you want to last.
I purchased a second hand stage piano (Roland Rd-300SX) about 17 years ago and have absolutely abused it in travel cases, spilled beers on it etc, and it's working perfectly. I'd be looking for fully weighted keys if you can, but-semi weighted keys are perfect for anyone who knows how to play piano already.
My other keyboard is a Roland DS61, purchased secondhand about 6 years ago for $600. Amazingly portable digital synthesizer with impressive acoustic piano patches and incredibly deep bank of tones. More of a live performance style keyboard similar to the Nord range.
Both of these secondhand purchases had absolutely no warranty so I highly recommend testing it before purchase - eg playing each note, shaking to hear for any rattles, checking each output.
IMO Roland has the best key action. But Roland availability is not as good in Australia and so prices are quite sky high for the equivalent Yamaha.
+1 I tried a few at Australian piano warehouse. The Rolands felt the most natural compared to a 'real' paino, and that's for a rookie like myself.
The yamahas had the best sound out of the lot and the rolands were a bit undercooked. Sales person literally said he won't sell me a kawaii unless I specifically insisted as he was tired of processing warranty replacements (might just be a batch issue). The only other were casios which were god but felt like budget solutions compared to yamaha/roland.
Personally I prefer the feel over everything else mainly because I play with headphones when the kids are sleeping so sound quality is not such a big deal for me. Also you can output sound as well but not sure how effective this would be plus the extra costs wouldmake it more feasible to go the next model up.
If it's not obvious, I went with a Roland, RP102 to be specific.
What else was in your shortlist, and what did you pay in the end IYDMMA
Also does the bluetooth connection allow wireless headphone use? or can it only do wired 'phones?
Roland FP10 is a great starting option for kids. The Merriam Music review on YouTube comparing the FP10 and the Yamaha P45 illustrates just how much of a cracker it is.
My advice would be to rent - we are doing that and it works out at about $250/6 months including the stand, seat and pedal. Good for seeing if your kids enjoy playing before you drop $1k on buying one.
Pretty absurd idea to rent when you can buy it outright for $600. Are you sure you don't work for a rental company?
You could just get a midi keyboard/controller keyboard, and connect it to iPad/computer.
Note that the digital pianos come with different numbers of keys, is my advice. If you're looking for more of a 'classical piano' experience, then you probably want to go for the 88-key variant which will give you the same number of octaves as a non-digital piano. However, most places will happily sneak 61-key keyboards into their digital piano range as well. Those are typically cheaper, but might not be what you're looking for.
Get a real piano. A digital piano with the same weight and feel as a piano will be more expensive than a real piano. If you get a digital piano without the same weight they won't be able to develop muscle memory and things will always feel wrong when they play the same piece with their teacher. Get a freebie off Marketplace that sounds good. It'll cost maybe $150 to get it transported to your house and maybe another $150 to get it tuned. You'll be spending more than that on the first term of lessons. And if you don't think you'll ever get your kid lessons - whatever you buy it will just be a big wall decoration.
Have they played with a keyboard already? If no then get this first and if they like it get a piano off gumtree.
We were looking at digital pianos as my sister in law has one at her place and found it felt and sounded pretty good. That's a Yamaha Clavinova. In the end we went for a Silent Piano. So it's a proper acoustic piano with a digital underlay, so rather the felt coming down when you press the middle pedal, it makes it so that the keys don't hit the strings and turns it into a digital piano for night time use. We got the Yamaha U1 silent piano and we really love it.
That sounds amazing
My first and second piano were both a Clavinova, I have had current one for 16 years now and it still sounds amazing. You can change how you want the keys to feel anyway to make it more like a "real" piano.
I disagree with a previous commenter advising OP to get a real piano due to the ongoing maintenance costs. A digital piano needs 0 maintenance.
Though I recently came across a KAWAII and love how it sounds as well (bright and clear).
I've tried the silent piano out at a factory and was gorgeous.
I have a Yamaha CSP - looks like a 'normal' piano but all digital features are controlled via an app. Good price point and very happy with the quality.
Watching this topic. Keen to see what is a good beginner digital piano for a child and then scour marketplace for a used one.
As of now, have the Korg B1 and the Yamaha P-45 on the shortlist. Equivalent Rolands (RP-102) seem priced out of range for me.
Looks like Derringers has a great price on the Korg B2 for Black Friday - $479 - https://derringers.com.au/korg-b2-digital-piano-black
Showing$650 for me
Yep, definitely up from this morning - must have been a pricing error or a very limited time deal
Roland. It sounds great, plenty of options and for me anyway, has gone strong for over 10 years. Otherwise kawaii hybrid - upright piano with digital features but obviously more $$$. I think it comes down to how it os used and how often it is and will continue to be used. Go somewhere and play. Test the sound, the feel etc.
Piano teacher here.
I recommend the Yamaha FP45. Cheap and good to start with.
If your kids progress beyond Grade 1 or 2, then come back here for a recommendation for an upgrade.
The most important thing is that they practise regularly, and do what the teacher asks them to do for homework each week. This takes time. Parents need to support and assist their kids in doing this.
I can’t emphasise this highly enough. Without this, the best piano in the world won’t help.
Thanks for this. I've been keeping an eye out for P45s on marketplace and recently missed one for $380 not too far from me because we've been too busy.
Luckily we managed to get a Clavinova CLP-550 for free today. It's an oldish model, but should be okay for beginners; noting your point about the regular practice?
Marketplace prices are bonkers. They are asking near retail price (but including a stand)
Korg B2 is good for beginner.
You can get it from eBay for around $600ish; use coupon code XZIP15 for 15% off.
I got a very nice but simple korg b2 from marketplace for $300. Comes with the 3 pedals.
If my niece likes it and pursues it we will upgrade eventually.
I would just start with something like that instead of putting money in a brand new one without knowing if it will get used.
At least get an entry level e.g. Yamaha P125 or similar. If you can stretch your budget P515 or a similar grade. Or even Kawai CA99.
Do not even consider the junk from Costco.
We have a bosendorfer at home but I'll consider something like P515 as secondary piano.
The P125 and P515 have great reviews but I'm not sure I want to invest that right away for a 6-7 year old beginner.
Would a CLP-550 (free) do - I realise it's an old model?
Find a cheap one on marketplace.
If they actually start enjoying it and look like they'll continue, then upgrade to a more permanent one…