A few weeks ago we talked about the pros and cons of acoustic guitars versus electric guitars. This week we’re jumping back on that wagon, this time with a focus on pianos. As technology has improved, so too have digital pianos. And while they have better sound reproduction than ever before, many pianists and musicians feel like it will never really compare to the quality of an acoustic piano. So the question is posed: which is better, a traditional acoustic piano, or a digital keyboard or piano? Each have their own advantages and disadvantages, so let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.

Digital Pianos

Probably the biggest advantage of purchasing a digital piano is that they are generally significantly less expensive than acoustic pianos. The differences in price are often so stark that traditional pianos can be prohibitively expensive for many people. For this reason alone digital pianos or keyboards are a fantastic alternative for beginners. Consider starting with a digital piano and perhaps buying an acoustic later if your interest grows.

Another advantage the digital piano has is its comparatively small size. Traditional pianos, especially the baby grand, can really only be utilized in large areas. Even upright pianos are extremely heavy and take up a lot of room. Digital keyboards, on the other hand, take up next to no space at all and are much more portable and easily transported. Even if you prefer a full sized digital piano, they can be significantly smaller and lighter than acoustic pianos.

Digital pianos also have the potentially cost saving advantage of never needing any kind of maintenance. The never require tuning because there is literally nothing to tune, and you never have to worry about moisture and humidity effecting or damaging the instrument. Additionally, digital pianos have a variety of bonus electronic features, including volume control, which is great if you happen to live in an apartment and noise is a concern. Some of the other electronic features are fantastic for beginners. Most models have recording and playback, so you can listen to yourself playing and identify any problem areas. They also feature built in rhythm capabilites to help with practicing and a headphone jack to keep your practicing private. And just for fun, they can usually synthesize sounds of other instruments like strings or flute, or even other types of pianos, like the harpsichord or organ. Lastly, most modern computers can run “software synthesizers” that allows your computer to generate the sounds while you use the digital piano as nothing more than a master keyboard. This can be a relatively inexpensive way to improve a somewhat less convincing sounding digital piano, as well as give you an entire digital recording studio right in your own home.

On the other hand, digital pianos have some disadvantages as well. First and foremost, regardless of all the convenience digital pianos offer, they simply cannot compare with the sound and feel of the real thing. One reason for this is that only the most sophisticated (and expensive) digital pianos can mimic the way a real piano key reacts to your touch. Basically what this means is that on most models the volume of a note is not affected by how hard you press the key. And of course, even though the higher end digital pianos can be very beautiful, very few of them can compare to the beauty and culture of the real thing.

Acoustic Pianos

The traditional acoustic piano has many advantages and disadvantages all of its own. While it is true that acoustic pianos are quite a bit more expensive, they are the “real thing” with all kinds of subtleties that are difficult, if not impossible for digital pianos or keyboards to mimic. Many accomplished pianists will tell you that the experience of playing an acoustic piano is so complex that it cannot be accurately reproduced digitally. Traditional acoustic pianos have distinct characteristics like harmonics, vibrations, touch, aesthetic appeal, the connection between instrument and tradition, and instrument and performer, and even the way they interact with the room. In addition, as long as it is a decent quality piano to begin with, and it is properly maintained, acoustic pianos can continue to serve a family for a much longer time than the guts of an electronic piano will last. In fact, most traditional pianos can last for several generations of musicians. In addition to the long life acoustic pianos enjoy, they are also usually a great investment; most will at least hold their value, and they often appreciate in value over their life.

As discussed earlier, digital pianos can be better for beginners because they are less expensive and more easily transported, but often, as you progress in skill, the tone and action may not be as fun or fulfilling, especially if your goal is to play classical piano literature. Digital pianos may be great as a temporary or quiet practice instrument, but nothing really compares to the first time you play an acoustic piano. As noted before, most digital pianos don’t have real weighted keys like acoustic pianos do. This may seem like a little thing, but it can be a huge game changer. Many would argue that the sound produced by a real piano “stirs the soul.”

Of course, with these advantages comes a few downsides as well. As previously mentioned, the initial cost of an acoustic piano can be considerably higher. And while we’re on the subject of money, tuning and maintenance costs can add several hundreds dollars over the life of the instrument. The weight makes them difficult to move, so once they’re set in place, that’s probably where it’s going to live for a long time. In addition to the weight, higher quality acoustic pianos tend to take up significantly more space, making them less than ideal for apartments or other smaller homes. Lastly, and depending on what your goals with the piano are, possibly the most important disadvantage of the traditional acoustic piano is that it will always only be and sound like a piano.

Choosing between an acoustic or digital piano can be a big decision, both creatively and financially. With all the features and add-ons to think about on the digital side, and the aesthetics, sound and cost on the acoustic side, it is essential that you go into it knowing all your facts and what you want to accomplish with your playing. Happy hunting!