Are you all excited about your first piano lessons? Any music school will tell you how important it is to have a piano at home for practice. We know how costly buying a new piano can be, but without one, you will have a tough time retaining further instructions and meeting the requisite hours of practice. You should always consider the price and type of piano before you make a purchasing decision, but you should also remember that the right kind of piano can make a world of difference in the life of a musician.

Practicing, lessons, making music and growing as a musician takes effort, and it definitely requires a piano at home. Most city dwellers don’t have the option of buying the real deal since most apartments don’t have space for a grand piano. Others don’t have the money it takes to bring a grand piano home. When you search for piano lessons, it brings forth other questions including “how will I fit a piano into the apartment” and “how much will it cost”.

Which piano should you get for your home?

There are several options for any musicians, but beginners need to make the right choice to boost their careers. Many of us are of the belief that keyboards don’t help much in terms of piano practice, but that is a misconception. A keyboard can become a lifesaver, space saver and money saver. It can become an excellent investment for the many starting their piano lessons.

Choosing the right piano keyboard

Here are a few criteria that your keyboard should meet if you want to succeed as a professional pianist –

  • Full-sized keyboard

Keyboards for kids and other cheaper models don’t usually have the full set of keys. Without the full range of keys, it is easy to outgrow smaller keywords. It can be demoralizing for any new musician, and it will restrict his or her growth as a pianist. The real piano has 88 keys, and you should ensure that your keyboard offers the full range.

  • Weighted keys

A real piano has heavy keys. Practicing on a keyboard with light keys does not give the student the real feel of a piano. Neither does it help with fingering techniques on the heavier keys. It is imperative for the beginners to start on the right kind of keys for getting the proper feel. Not practicing on weighted keys can interfere with the rhythm and playing style that might take months to correct. Weighted keys will help you advance your playing technique and articulation.

  • The cost of the equipment

The cost of a piano or keyboard should never be the sole deciding factor. As long as your chosen keyboard has the two conditions we have mentioned above, it should be able to meet your practice requirements. Most keyboards come with a stand, chair, speakers and headphones. That should make it convenient for you to practice at home. Even when it does not provide you with add-ons, you can choose one as long as it has quality sound, a full set of weighted keys and customizability.

Choosing the perfect digital piano

Digital pianos are the closest kin of the real piano. Some will say that it is entirely impossible to simulate the feeling of playing an acoustic piano on a digital one, but the latter can help you master the necessary skillset at home. Digital pianos sound and feel like an acoustic piano as much as possible. They are sensitive to touch, speed and pressure just like a real one.

You can choose between a cabinet-style console and a smaller upright one as long as they fit your budget. The typical digital pianos cost between $1000 and $2000 in brand new condition. Since beginners are yet to explore and discover their playing styles, it is advisable for them to find brand new pianos for home practice.

Most piano stores allow the buyer to try different models before purchasing. If you are not sure about which make or model to get, you should spend considerable time with each one before making the down-payment. Conducting a study online on the different models and their features can also help you make the right decision. Nonetheless, it is safe to say that a brand-new digital piano will any day sound better and perform better than an old out-of-tune acoustic piano.

Every professional pianist in Long Island has his or her own piano at home. They have always relied upon smaller keyboards or digital pianos during practice to sharpen their music skills for performance. Practicing an hour with your instructor is not enough for anyone. If you harbor grandiose dreams of performing for the masses in future, then buying a full-range keyboard or a digital piano is just another investment towards a successful musical career.