Digital Advantage1

Digital advantages are:

1. No tuning needed�ever!!! The cost of tuning is going up. If you are tuning your piano, as you should, twice a year, the Digital will save you at least $100.00 a year from now on!!

2. No maintenance. All you need to do is put your digital piano on a surge protector as soon as you get home. Allow no food or drinks around the piano. Keep it out of direct sunlight (protect the finish) and dust it once in a while!!

3. Portability. An acoustic piano usually weights 450 to 500 lbs. You bring it into your home and it stays in one place. With a digital you can change places as many times as you change your mind!! The weight is from 100 to 200 lbs.

4. Headphones. From now on you don’t have to worry about the family complaining because they can’t hear the TV because Johnny is practicing the piano. Johnny can play without disturbing anyone else. You will only hear the keys move. This is great for those who live in an apartment or close quarters.

5. Many Voices. Most digital pianos come with several piano sounds, strings, organ and harpsichord. The ability to combine 2 or more sounds makes playing more fun. Rather than telling Johnny he has to practice for 30 minutes, he can practice his piece with the piano, harpsichord, vibes, strings, organ, piano and strings and by that time, he has practiced an hour! He can also record himself and play along with himself. Most digitals have metronomes to help keep the student playing correctly. As you move from the less expensive digitals, you will find more and more ways to make playing fun and encouraging to the student.

6. Electronic Interface. Most digital pianos have a MIDI interface capability which allows you to connect your piano to the computer and enjoy the benefits of digital technology. Download your favorite songs and learn to play!!

Digital Drawbacks

1. If you sit down at an acoustic piano and then sit at a digital piano, there are still differences in sound just like you will find differences in the nuance of an electric guitar and an acoustic guitar.

2. For the very accomplished pianist they will find the digital piano limits their ability to add as much color as they can with a “real” piano.

3. Electronics may fail. By placing your digital piano on a surge protector, you will save yourself from a major cause of problems with the electronics. If you have a surge in your electricity from a storm or “brown out” it may ruin the main CPU board of your piano. The most you will pay is around $700 for this part plus labor. If you figure the money you are saving from no tuning, this isn’t bad. Some of the problems we have seen are the CPU board needing replaced, springs under keys needing replaced. Springs under pedals need replaced. Someone spilt juice in a keyboard and the pet hair may end up under the keys after a few years requiring a cleaning. All of these problems are very few and far between from our experience.

4. The technology of electronics changes constantly. After 4 or 5 years (especially with a digital ensemble) you may find your piano may become obsolete. An acoustic piano can be handed down from parent to child if the piano is maintained correctly. BUT a digital piano can be taken to college, to a new apartment and moved with ease.