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If you are considering buying a piano and have never done so, you might find it a bit daunting, especially considering the various options available in the market and the price of pianos. However, buying the right piano can significantly affect how much you enjoy practicing and playing it. When purchasing one, having a list of things to look out for is a good idea to ensure you get the best digital piano.
Length
The first thing to look at is the piano’s length. A full-length piano has 88 keys, but you can also find some that have 61 or 76 keys. While pianos with 61 or 76 keys are better for beginners because they are easier to learn and play on, they can be hindering once you become an intermediate or advanced piano player.
Think about how much space you have. Also, consider whether you want it to be portable and if you would like to play advanced pieces of music on it.
Sound
You need to pay close attention to how the digital piano sounds for the type of music you want to play. Some of the things that influence how the piano sounds are the speakers and the sound library it comes with.
The speakers are the piano’s main output, and you will find yourself relying on these a lot while playing. They have to be clear and crisp, with excellent sound reproduction so everything you play sounds like you want it to. While you can use headphones while practicing, having a good pair of speakers is great when playing for an audience.
The sound library is typically the types of sounds and instruments the piano can play. Some pianos also have additional sound effects like rain and explosions in their libraries.
Lastly, you want a digital piano that sounds great when you play different types of music. The Clavinova by Yamaha, for example, is suited for playing everything from pop to jazz and has an authentic grand piano feel that many players will love.
MIDI Connectivity
A digital with MIDI connectivity can be coupled with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) so you can record what you play. A DAW also allows you to work with thousands of free and paid plugins.
MIDI connectivity is useful when practicing as you can listen to what you have played in the past multiple times, which can help you improve as you go.
Most modern digital pianos come with MIDI connectivity. However, some entry-level ones do not, so it is a good idea to always check.
Action
Action refers to how piano keys respond to being pressed or touched. Since digital pianos do not have a hammer like acoustic pianos do, manufacturers add resistance to the keys to make them feel weighted.
Pick a digital piano with the right resistance or weight for you, keeping in mind that some digital pianos are not weighted. Playing an acoustic piano first will make knowing what to look for much easier.
Shopping for a digital piano does not have to be daunting if you know what to look for. While there are other considerations, such as portability and additional features, the ones listed above are a great place to start when shopping for one.
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