Choosing Your Child's First Piano
Digital Piano vs. Keyboard: A Practical Guide for Families

One of the first questions many families ask is:
"Do we need a piano, or will a keyboard work?"

​It's an important question, and choosing the right instrument can make your child's first musical experiences much more enjoyable.
The good news is that you don't need to spend a fortune to get started. A quality beginner instrument can provide everything your child needs to build a strong musical foundation.

Choosing Between a Digital Piano and a Keyboard
Whenever possible, we recommend choosing an instrument labeled as a digital piano rather than a keyboard.

Although the names are sometimes used interchangeably, they're usually very different instruments.

A beginner digital piano will typically include:

• 88 full-sized keys
• Weighted keys (be aware, "touch sensitive" is not the same as "weighted")
• A realistic piano sound
• Proper spacing between the keys
• A foot pedal (some come with built-in pedal; others offer it as a plug-in attachment)

These features help students develop good technique and make the transition to an acoustic piano seamless in the future. 
We recommend pianos with weighted keys for an authentic piano feel. "Touch sensitive" does not provide the same response and feels more toy-like.
We've found that attached foot pedals tend to work better and last longer, and plug-in type pedals are difficult to keep in place.
If purchasing through Amazon, be sure to check what's included, particularly with "bundles". Not all digital pianos come with the bench, pedal, and music stand.

Why Not Just Buy a Keyboard?
Portable keyboards certainly have their place, especially for travel or casual playing.

However, many entry-level keyboards have:

• Fewer than 88 keys
• Smaller keys
• Little or no key resistance
• Sounds and features that can distract from learning

​Children certainly can begin on a keyboard, but if your budget allows, a digital piano provides a much better long-term learning experience.

You Don't Need the Most Expensive Piano
One of the biggest misconceptions is that beginning music lessons requires an expensive instrument.

Fortunately, that's simply not true.
A well-made beginner digital piano can provide years of successful learning.

​Our advice is always to purchase the best instrument that comfortably fits your family's budget, rather than feeling pressure to buy the most expensive model available.

Brands We've Had Good Success With
Over the years, we've used many different digital pianos throughout our studios.

The brands we've found to be consistently reliable include:

• Yamaha
• Korg
• Roland
• Casio

Some of the specific beginner models we've had good experiences with include:

• Korg Digital Piano
• Yamaha P-45
• Yamaha Arius

​We've also had good experiences with certain Donner digital pianos, particularly as budget-friendly options.
The difference in price often comes down to cabinet style, speaker quality, and additional features—not necessarily whether a child can successfully learn on the instrument.
For example, the Yamaha Arius has a beautiful furniture-style cabinet, while portable models like the Yamaha P-45 offer excellent performance in a smaller footprint.

​A Quick Tip
If you can, avoid buying the least expensive instrument you can find online simply because it's inexpensive.

A reliable beginner digital piano will usually last for years, while an unreliable instrument can create frustration long before your child outgrows it.
Think of it as an investment in your child's enjoyment of music rather than simply another purchase.

Brands We'd Recommend Avoiding
Not every digital piano is created equal.

We've seen several lower-priced brands arrive with electronic issues, poor sound quality, or mechanical problems right out of the box.
Based on our experience, we'd generally avoid brands such as:

• Eastar
• Hamzer
• Alesis
• Souidmy
• Artesia

​While these instruments may appear to be a bargain and look pretty, they often become frustrating for both students and parents.

Don't Overlook Costco
If you're shopping for a digital piano, it's worth checking Costco from time to time.

They occasionally carry excellent values on quality brands like:

• Roland
• Yamaha
• Casio

​These can be wonderful options when available.

Thinking About an Acoustic Piano?
If you're interested in purchasing an acoustic piano, we've had wonderful experiences with Parker Piano Outlet in Williamsburg over many years.

​They offer both new and used pianos, and we've purchased several instruments from them for our own studios.
If you're considering an acoustic piano, we'd be happy to point you in the right direction.

Not Sure What to Buy?
Choosing your child's first instrument can feel overwhelming.

There are hundreds of models available, and online reviews don't always tell the whole story.

If you're considering a purchase, feel free to ask us.
We're always happy to help families select an instrument that fits their home, goals, and budget.

​Our goal isn't to sell you a piano.
It's simply to help your child begin learning on an instrument that will encourage success from day one.