Which Is Right for You?

If you're deciding between an acoustic and a digital piano, I’ll be happy to help you choose which one is best for you. We’ll take a pretty comprehensive look at the advantages and disadvantages of each so you can make the best decision for your needs.

At the outset, two things can be said. First, there's just no substitute for the real thing. The beauty of tone and powerful sound that a high-quality, hand-built piano can produce can be overwhelming in all the best ways. A digital piano, by contrast, will always remain a mere simulation of an acoustic piano. Forgive the idiom, but digital pianos will forever play second fiddle—but that doesn't mean they don't offer unique advantages of their own.

Second, digital piano technology has reached the point where it's now possible for professional pianists to do "real work" on them. For professionals, a digital piano isn't an alternative to an acoustic piano, but it can be a very useful supplement to one, and in some cases even a lifesaver.

Acoustic Pianos

Let’s first consider acoustic pianos. For centuries, this was the only kind available. Acoustic pianos offer many advantages, some of which may be decisive:

Advantages

Authenticity: Acoustic pianos provide an authentic sound and playing experience that digital pianos strive to emulate. The natural resonance, touch, and feel of an acoustic piano are ultimately only available on an instrument with real strings and hammers.

Expert Craftsmanship: Acoustic pianos are often handcrafted by skilled artisans, resulting in instruments that are not just functional but also beautiful works of art. The quality of materials and craftsmanship can be seen, felt, and heard.

Beautiful, Natural Sound: The sound of an acoustic piano is rich, dynamic, and full of overtones that digital pianos can't fully replicate. The way the sound resonates through the body of the instrument and into the room, the subtle nuances of timbre that can be produced by the fingers and pedals, and the organic quality of the tone are all hallmarks of an acoustic piano.

Dynamic Range: Acoustic pianos offer a wide range of dynamics, from the softest pianissimo to the most powerful fortissimo, giving pianists a full palette of expressive possibilities.

Physical Presence: An acoustic piano is not just an instrument; it's a statement piece. Its presence in a room can add elegance and gravitas, becoming a central focus in any space, from your living room to a concert hall.

Pedal Functionality: The pedals on an acoustic piano, particularly the sustain pedal, provide a level of control and responsiveness that is essential for subtle expression and more advanced playing.

Lasting Value: A well-maintained acoustic piano can last for generations, often increasing in value over time. It can become a cherished family heirloom, passed down from one generation to the next.

Disadvantages

More Expensive: The cost of an acoustic piano is significantly higher than that of a digital piano. A high-end acoustic piano may be ten to fifty times more expensive than a high-end digital piano, making it a substantial investment that’s not accessible to everyone.

Need Regular Maintenance: Acoustic pianos require regular maintenance to stay in top condition. This includes tuning, voicing, and occasional repairs, which add to the overall cost of ownership.

Sensitive to Humidity and Temperature: Acoustic pianos are susceptible to changes in humidity and temperature, which can affect tuning stability and the overall health of the instrument. If your piano is in too dry a room for too long, its soundboard—the heart of the instrument—risks cracking. This can permanently damage your precious instrument or at the very least be extremely costly to repair. (A humidifier such as the ones by Venta can maintain a healthy environment for your piano.)

Louder: Acoustic pianos are naturally loud, which can be a problem in shared living spaces. Extended practice sessions could annoy family members or neighbors, and prolonged exposure to high volumes might even affect your hearing.

Space requirements: Grand pianos, in particular, require a lot of space. A concert grand is nine or more feet in length, making it impractical for smaller living spaces.

Size and Weight: The size and weight of an acoustic piano make it difficult to move. A concert grand can weigh as much as 1200 pounds. A team of professional movers is usually required, even for short distances within your home, and moving costs can be very high.

How do digital pianos compare?

Digital Pianos

Digital piano technology has advanced significantly in recent years. The best digital pianos are now good enough for even professional pianists to work on, at least some of the time. This makes them a viable option for serious practice and even preparation for performances. Let’s consider their advantages.

Advantages

Practice with Headphones: One of the most significant advantages of a digital piano is the ability to practice with headphones. You can play at any time of day or night without disturbing others. This enables you to enjoy much more flexibility in your practice routine.

Learn New Pieces in Privacy: Practicing with headphones also offers privacy, which can be beneficial when learning new pieces. You don't have to worry about others hearing your initial efforts, so you can focus on your progress without feeling self-conscious.

Different Sound Sets: Digital pianos offer a variety of sound sets, allowing you to switch between different piano sounds, harpsichords, electronic instruments, and even orchestral instruments. This versatility can spark creativity and experimentation.

No Need to Worry About Wear and Tear: Unlike acoustic pianos, digital pianos don't have strings, hammers, or other components that wear out over time. This makes them a low-maintenance option.

No Tuning: A digital piano stays perfectly in tune, and you can even change the tuning at the push of a button. This flexibility allows you to experiment with different tuning standards, such as A440 (international concert standard), A443 (Vienna Philharmonic), or A415 (Baroque/early music).

Portability: Digital pianos are much lighter and more portable than acoustic pianos. You can relatively easily pack up a digital piano, take it on the road, and even practice in hotel rooms. I’ve done this on numerous occasions with my Kawai VPC1 and it’s been a real lifesaver.

Recording: Many digital pianos come with built-in recording capabilities, making it easy to capture your performances or practice sessions. This can be a valuable tool for self-evaluation and tracking your progress.

Connectivity: Digital pianos can connect to computers and other devices via USB or MIDI, allowing you to use all sorts of music apps and record music in a digital audio workstation (DAW).

Learning Functionality: Features like built-in metronomes, recording functions, and educational software can help beginners develop their skills. However, it's important to note that built-in learning software is very limited and isn’t meant to replace a real course of study with an expert teacher.

May Protect Your Hearing: While acoustic pianos aren't generally loud enough to cause hearing damage, practicing forte for hours can still be taxing on your ears. A digital piano, with adjustable volume, can help protect your hearing during long practice sessions.

Disadvantages

Less Responsive Action: Many digital pianos, especially lower-end to midrange models, lack the responsive key action of a real acoustic piano. Nothing compares to the feel of a genuine wooden grand piano action. Some higher-end digital models do offer a more authentic action, however.

No Double Escapement Mechanism: Many digital pianos lack the double escapement mechanism found in grand pianos. This mechanism allows for quick note repetition and is crucial for advanced playing.

Inauthentic: Digital pianos are, at the end of the day, just simulations. While they continue to improve with each generation, they will always remain a far cry from the real thing. Playing a digital piano is like playing a racing video game instead of driving an actual sports car on a real racetrack.

Unrealistic Dynamics: Digital pianos can sometimes misrepresent the relationship between how hard you press a key and the sound it produces. This can happen in two ways:

1. Velocity Curve: The velocity curve on a digital piano determines how hard you need to press a key in order to produce a certain dynamic level. While you can adjust this curve to mimic a heavier or lighter touch, it remains a mere approximation. On a real piano, the physical weight of the keys varies across the keyboard, something that’s difficult to replicate digitally. That said, the very best digital pianos are much more realistic in this regard.
2. Volume Control: On a digital piano, if you want to play softer, you can simply turn down the volume. This can lead to a less accurate sense of dynamics, which is essential for developing an accurate and refined touch on an acoustic piano.

Limited Lifespan: Digital pianos have a limited lifespan compared to their acoustic counterparts. They can quickly become outdated as new models with better features are released, so their value diminishes fairly quickly over time.

Conclusion

Personally, I think it’s a mistake to dismiss digital pianos. I use both. My Kawai VPC1 has a real wooden grand piano action, so it feels identical to an acoustic grand. This allows me to practice at odd hours and sometimes learn new pieces without putting too much wear and tear on my Bösendorfer. Using both allows me to take advantage of the unique advantages of each depending on the situation.

In conclusion, not even the best digital piano can compare to a midrange acoustic piano when it comes to sound, touch, and the overall experience. If I had to pick just one, there's no question it would be an acoustic piano. That said, digital pianos do offer unique advantages that can make them a useful tool for players ranging from beginners all the way to professionals.