Digital or Acoustic Pianos for Young Beginners?
Links to the digital pianos I recommend are not affiliate links and I do not receive any compensation if you make a purchase.
“Can you recommend a digital piano for my child?”
Digital Piano technology has soared in recent years. I’ve been teaching students on acoustics and digitals for over 20 years, and I’m awed by the strides that have been made in digital piano technology. Even so, I still recommend well-maintained acoustics as the first choice for children.
Acoustic pianos are ideal for young musicians.
For an adult student, the distinction between acoustic and digital may be mostly aesthetic.
For a child’s developing brain, the distinction between an acoustic piano and a digital is fundamental.
A child will likely be more sensitive to the complexity of sound than most adults. Your child has a precious window of time during which they can engage with an expansive auditory landscape. A memorable, if decidedly un-musical example of this, is the ringtone that only people under 25 (or so) could hear.
Acoustic pianos cultivate a child's developing senses because the physical and aural feedback a child receives through the process of striking, sustaining, and releasing a key is richer. The way soundwaves emerge from the strings of a wooden acoustic instrument and interact with media is distinct from the samples on a mostly-plastic keyboard emerging from small built-in speakers.
The auditory and physical experience of an acoustic piano during the formative early years may help a child to develop their perception of harmony, connect gesture and touch to sound and phrasing, and generally hone their ability to express themselves artistically and achieve greater mastery of their instrument.
Digital Pianos Are Still a Great Alternative
While the acoustic piano is a marvelous instrument, it may not be the right first choice for everyone’s circumstances, and that’s okay! Never let “perfect” be the enemy of “great.” Many children have begun their musical journey on a digital piano and had a wonderful time.
For the ambitious piano student who has started playing on a digital instrument, I recommend upgrading to an acoustic piano after about 1-2 years of study.
Here for the digital piano recommendations?
If you’re looking for a digital piano that strikes a balance with quality and budget and that has some breathing room under $1,000, I think you’ll love my recommendations below. I’ve also linked to a keyboard bundle that includes a stand, bench, and music rest.
Please don't use an X-shaped keyboard stand or bench for young children. These can be very dangerous. All of the bundles below have a more stable base for the keyboard and a bench with 4 legs.
Best first Digital Piano: Roland FP-10 (great upgrade model: FP-30x)
Kraft Music Roland FP-10 Bundle (includes a pedal and headphones too!)
Alternate Digital Piano: Yamaha p-125 (budget pick: P-71; upgraded model: P-225)
The P-125 is discontinued, but you can still find it on FB Marketplace and some online stores.
Musicians Friend Yamaha P-125 Bundle
Note 8/22/24
I’ll share the booster seats, benches, footstools, and lighting that have worked for my studio at a later date!
If an acoustic piano becomes an option for you, I can recommend chatting with Justin at Portland Piano Company or Taylor at Classic Pianos. They offer a great warranty, rentals, 0% or low-interest financing promotions, and trade-up programs. The Steinway Store in Lake Oswego and Pianos Now in Beaverton are two other spots worth checking out!