As a beginner on any instrument, you need to start with the easiest to use to avoid making the learning process dull and difficult. Subsequently, a beginner-friendly piano will go a long way in inspiring you to become a piano guru.
Therefore, this article will provide you the fundamental ins and outs of choosing the best digital piano for beginners. However, to lay some foundation for the much-anticipated reviews, let's first understand what a digital piano is.
What is a Digital Piano?
A digital piano is an electronic type of keyboard instrument meant to replicate the feel and musical effects of the traditional piano. These pianos basically work based on synthesized acoustic samples, which are then amplified through in-built speakers. In some cases, you might confuse the sound of a digital piano with that of a grand piano.
Fundamentally, digital keyboards/pianos are meant to make musical dreams easier to achieve through their easy-to-use nature. Accordingly, the ease of use makes them ideal for beginners hoping to build on their piano playing skills. Having understood what a digital piano is, let's look at the five best products in this category.
1. RockJam 61 Key Keyboard
- The RockJam 561 keyboard piano super kit includes a digital keyboard with 61...
- This RockJam 561 piano keyboard features an LCD display panel that both displays and...
- The RockJam 561 electric piano has record and playback functionality allowing you to...
- This music keyboard super kit package includes a keyboard stand that is sturdy in...
- This electric piano keyboard super kit contains a padded seat that is easily folded...
Our first choice of best digital piano for beginners is the RockJam 61 Key Keyboard. This piano keyboard is ideal for beginners inclined to the extra technology and creativity in a digital piano. Moreover, this portable digital piano offers a ton of digital instrumental goodies, including 100 beats and 50 sample tracks to accommodate musical creativity. However, this compact digital piano doesn't feature any acoustic instrument sample but has a quality sound for beginners to develop, produce and play with sound layers.
With 61 keys, this partial keyboard ranks among the best affordable digital pianos, which offers the extra feel of band production kits. In addition, this RockJam comes with a keyboard stand, foldable stool, music stand, headphones, and damper pedal. Using batteries or an adapter stamps its authority among portable digital pianos since it is ideal for outdoor recreational music performances. Furthermore, you can apply its dance music mode for fun, creatively applying it to DJ.
We recommend this fun and portable keyboard for its aesthetic that lights the fire within beginners of becoming professionals knowing how to play the piano. However, its 61 keys aren't effective for a serious piano student considering it may lack the proportions of the 88-key necessary for learning classical piano.
2. Casio CT-X700 61-Key Portable Keyboard
- 61 full-size touch-responsive keys
- 600 tones, 195 rhythms
- Class-compliant USB-MIDI
- 1/4″ headphone out
- Includes AC adapter (or 6XAA batteries, sold separately)
Another great digital piano is the Casio CT-X700 keyboard piano with 61 keys. It is an ideal piano for all levels, but it is most appropriate for young beginners. It ranks as one of the best among budget digital pianos because it applies a new sound technique that features a wider sound and texture variety for 600 tones powering. The CT-X700 also has various upright, Wurlitzer, grand, and Rhodes piano tunes, placing it among versatile electronic keyboards.
Moreover, this digital piano keyboard will provide you with strong digitally-oriented musical patches for discovering numerous sounds and tones. It also enables creativity through customizable built-in sounds with standard reverb options of halls, plates, stadiums, rooms, and cathedrals.
3. YAMAHA P125 88-Key Weighted Action Digital Piano
- A fully weighted digital piano with 88 full sized piano style keys
- GHS weighted action is heavier in the low keys and lighter in the high keys, just...
- The pure CF sound engine faithfully reproduces the tone of the acclaimed Yamaha 9...
- Split mode lets you play a different voice with each hand; Tuning: 414.8 440.0 to...
- USB to host connectivity with MIDI and audio transfer means you only need 1 cable to...
If you desire a beginner's piano from the Yamaha digital pianos, you can count on the Yamaha P125 with the standard 88 weighted keys. For beginners, this digital piano is built with graded hammer action and additional advanced features for producing quality concert grand piano sounds. Moreover, it has a pure CF sound engine with a maximum of 192 polyphony notes and an incredibly realistic piano tone.
Unlike many other keyboards and electric pianos, this Yamaha digital piano is compatible with Android devices through the free Smart Pianist application. Besides its standard weighted keys, this digital keyboard also comes with 20 installed rhythms in place of a metronome to regulate the damper resonance, tow track recorder, and one song. Additionally, both MIDI and the audio system benefit from the USB-enabled connectivity to easily transfer your created music. Therefore, if you choose this piano, you benefit from the dual-mode of its stereo sound system that can record and produce realistic sound.
4. Donner DDP-100 Digital Piano
- Authentic Key Feel: Experience the precision of an 88-key fully-weighted action...
- Meticulous Sound Engineering: Our experts have adjusted timbre details, providing a...
- Versatile Audio Options: An 88 key weighted keyboard with with input and playback for...
- Elegant Design: A sleek, streamlined piano keyboard with wooden cabinet coupled with...
- Unparalleled Sound Quality: The Donner DDP-100 beginner digital piano boasts pure...
Still, in the context of best digital pianos for beginners, there is the additional alternative of Donner DDP-100. This simple yet outstanding piano is packed with wonderful and advanced features to complement its standard hammer-action keys. However, unlike other best digital pianos, the Donner DDP lacks samples of other instruments, but it is still a quality beginner's piano with a justified price tag.
In comparison to acoustic pianos, this piano has a sample acoustic voice and an in-built amplifier. It also has a 128 polyphony note range that ensures replication of the classical piano with minimal, odd distortions. You can also benefit from the MP3-enabled functionality of the DDP-100, which can enable playing files from an external device. Something else you might like is the fine wood finish that gives it an elegant feel. As far as piano learning is concerned, the Donner DDP-100 is effective for beginners' playing style.
5. Casio, Privia PX-S1000BK
- 88-key Digital Piano with 192-note Polyphony
- Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard
- Onboard Effects - Black
- 18 Sounds
Another interesting inclusion to the category of beginner digital piano is the Casio Privia PX-S1000BK. This piano features a minimalist modern design that fully accommodates the standard hammer-weighted 88 keys and 192 polyphony note range. Additionally, it has a unique glossy body that features button-free touch-sensitive controls that light up when this digital keyboard is turned on.
It is also super lean, lightweight, and portable, making it ideal for use at any time, regardless of where you are. Furthermore, its speaker system directs musical sound towards the pianist as you would wish to enjoy the unbelievable output from the smart Hammer action technology. Also, this keyboard has a playback mode, 18 different voices, MIDI recording, and duet play mode, all of which come in a futuristic package. If you want to connect to external devices, this piano is compatible with Android, PC, and Mac devices through its easy-to-use USB port.
Moreover, this weighted keyboard is interesting because of its educational component of pairing with the Chordana Play application. Finally, you have the optional accessories of a bench, stand, and pedals during purchase to make your beginner experience realistic and comfortable. This is a great choice if you desire to own a beginner's piano with the extra touch of technology and sleek appearance.
Digital vs. Acoustic Piano
These two types of pianos may produce almost similar sound qualities, but they are different. Below are some distinguishing factors that make them different.
- Price
- Sound quality
- Ease of handling
- Automation
The acoustic pianos are a sight to behold because of their elegance, but they are also expensive, loud, and heavy. In addition to their hefty nature, they require regular maintenance and tuning without automation.
On the other hand, digital keyboards are the opposite of the traditional pianos with the traits of cheaper, lighter, smaller, and even technologically advanced with additional automation features. They are also low-maintenance, making them ideal instruments for beginners.
Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Digital Piano for Beginners
1. Piano Keybed, Action, and Weighting
These are common features across all digital pianos and keyboards that revolve around the keys. First, the piano keybed refers to the inner structure of any piano or keyboard that supports the key and action systems. Secondly, action relates to how a digital piano feels as you play it. Not to say the digital pianos for beginners are not real, but it is the action component that makes them feel like a real piano. Specifically, the best digital pianos feature a hammer action and touch-sensitive keys similar to an acoustic piano.
Additionally, the best digital piano for beginners should also have weighted keys to provide the proper notes depending on the pressure from fingers while pressing keys. Accordingly, the best keyboards or pianos should have a left to right weighting for lighter touches as you progress higher in notes.
Fundamentally, the best beginner digital pianos should have weighting, keybed, and action that replicate the authentic original stage piano keys and sounds.
2. Sustain Pedal
Any beginner would desire to advance and be able to play the acoustic grand piano. Therefore, it is best to check for a sustain pedal in the digital piano of your choice. A sustain pedal or damper pedal works to allow notes to ring for longer, even after releasing the keys. In most cases, an acoustic piano can have three-foot sustain pedals, but an excellent piano for a beginner can do with one damper pedal.
Most digital pianos tend to provide an allowance for adding an optional three-damper-pedal board as you find appropriate. In that case, the best digital pianos should have at least one damper pedal plus an allowance for adding an optional damper-pedal board for realistic piano sound.
3. Headphone Output
While learning to play piano, very few beginners would like to face the embarrassment of playing off-key notes. Preferably, it would be best to only listen to your amateur mistakes as you keep practicing being the best. Subsequently, the presence of a headphone jack output should help you practice confidently and discretely as you fine-tune your skills in playing piano.
Besides the headphone output, it should also come with built-in speakers, the main sound output mechanism. Also, some beginner keyboards come with a second headphone socket for a listening parent or teacher.
4. Piano Sound
As a starter or learner, you should be able to enjoy a realistic piano playing experience. Considerably, a great beginner piano should inspire by the authentic grand piano sound. Fortunately, many digital pianos are increasingly being made with a maximum polyphony for note sustenance. Subsequently, there is a high chance that the beginner keyboard you choose will have an indistinguishable sound from the real piano.
Some of the common realistic piano sounds include an electric piano, string, and acoustic piano tunes. Sound quality similar to that of acoustic pianos should be adequate in boosting your confidence as you train. Consequently, it would be best if you get an entry-level digital piano with realistic grand piano tones.
5. Metronome
A metronome is used in many musical instruments to maintain a consistent tempo to prevent high or slow speed during training. In the context of digital pianos for beginners, a metronome helps in timing the piano play of a beginner. Examples of beginner piano metronomes include arpeggios, practicing scales, and drum patterns for basic playback features. Therefore, the best digital piano for beginners should have a metronome for controlled beginner's tempo.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Digital Piano For Beginners
1. Are digital pianos for beginners hard to learn?
Any piano is tough to learn because of the many possible notes that can be played. However, you can improve your piano skills by practicing using simple melodies. Therefore, the aesthetics of a beginner digital piano can help you enjoy your learning process making it manageable but not necessarily a breeze.
2. Can digital piano for beginners replicate an acoustic piano sound?
Yes, a majority of digital pianos can replicate the sound grade of an acoustic piano without odd distortions. Essentially, you can shop for a standard 88 weighted key action for similar sound output as an acoustic piano.
