There are many options in today's world when choosing the best beginner digital pianos because there is no one size fits all piano. Still, once you know what to look for as a beginner, you can make a perfect decision with its pros and cons. Among things to look for are how many keys you need and the best features you should make sure you look for.
The best digital pianos will have grades keys and weighted action with built-in speakers in the keyboard to feel like a real piano. Below we have compiled some of the best entry-level pianos with their pros and cons and a detailed buying guide to help you make an informed decision.
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1. Casio CDP S100BKC5 Slimline Digital Piano
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Casio CDP S100BKC5 is among the best beginner keyboards in the market today that give you great value for your money. The entry-level compact digital pianos for beginners come with high-quality new samples and key action, which are not present in older keyboard versions. The Casio CDP S100 has back-facing speakers that provide excellent speaker sound quality delivering a clean wide soundscape without distortion without necessarily having a stand.
You can connect the CDP-S100 using a USB type B to your phone to the Chordana app or your PC as a MIDI keyboard, but you may require an adapter to be able to connect to your phone. The beginner keyboard uses an updated version of the AHL sound engine and has ten sounds. They include three grand pianos, three electric pianos, two organs, one string orchestra variation, and one harpsichord.
The CDP S100 digital piano comes with one play mode called the Layer mode. It has three main functions and includes transposing, which is changing the played key. The master tuning was changing the keyboard's central tuning and metronome, pressing the metronome button activating the built-in metronome. Casio CDP S100 has a caveat of shorter pivot length for the keys, and as a beginner, this might not be a problem but might be for any advanced musicians who are used to premium keyboards. Still, it has limited connectivity options because it's suited for home use and cannot be used on the stage.
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2. Yamaha P 45 Digital Piano
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Yamaha P 45 is an affordable digital piano with a realistic piano sound and a full-size hammer action keyboard similar to that on an acoustic piano. The full-size keyboard makes this piano one of the best choices for learning because it helps the player build the right technique needed for playing an acoustic piano while at the same time building finger strength. Yamaha P45 is a compact size that can fit into dorm spaces. It gives you value for your money and uses headphones to practice in private.
Yamaha P45comes with ten instrument sounds two grand pianos, two electric pianos, two pipe organs, two harpsichords, vibraphone, and strings. It is not ideal for musicians looking for various instrument sounds or sound effects to create music as it has a basic set of sounds. On the downside, this P 45 piano keyboard does not come with a MIDI recorder and a lesson mode and accompaniment function, which would be great features for your piano. However, if you are
on a budget looking for a simple digital piano with no frills with fully weighted keys that mimic a real piano's weight, this is a grand piano keyboard to purchase.
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3. Casio LK-S250 Digital Piano
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This digital piano can't miss among the best digital pianos for beginners as it has the best key-lighting keyboard for any learner. With 400 voices that range from acoustic piano to orchestral sound and organs, it has samples that you can trigger through the keys to introduce songwriting to beginners. It also has 77 rhythm styles, 60 onboard songs, and a dance music mode that adds a further 50 rhythm styles.
Casio LK-S250 has an electronic keyboard and 61 velocity-sensitive keys with two touch response lev. The digital piano model is among the best digital pianos created while thinking of students. Also, it comes with a microphone input to boost the songwriter/singer package.
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4. Yamaha PSR-E373
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Yamaha PSR-E373 digital piano is an arranger keyboard with a budget beginner digital piano with a large library of 622 sounds with 61 sensitive keys and a maximum note polyphony of 48. With a grand piano sound from the expensive models, the velocity can be adjusted between hard, medium, and soft depending on your playing le.
Yamaha has an inbuilt track recorder to lock any idea you have and can record 10000 notes or five songs, and if the recording power is insufficient, you can plug it into a DAW using a USB. Yamaha PSR-E373 digital piano has bonus features include the duet mode that a learner can use to split the keyboard equally and the YES Education Suite that offers a range of piano amateur lessons.
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5.Casio Privia PX-S3000 Digital Piano
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Casio Privia PX-S3000, an improved version of the PX S1000, is among the top keyboards for beginners because it features an inbuilt screen and easy navigation. This Casio model has a 88 key smart, scaled hammer action keyboard that perfectly hones your skills and a built-in piano sound engine that recreates adjustable tones that one can play solo or layered together. They also come with two pedal inputs that connect sustain and expression pedals and, as a result, unleashing your creative potential.
The 192 note polyphony works excellent with the layer and accompaniment modes and makes sure that sounds don't cut off abruptly. It also comes with 200 smart styles that provide a live backing band, which is useful for songwriters and arrangers. It has live control knobs that give you live control over tone manipulation, allowing you to change some elements like pitch control, layer balance, or the effect depth.
The Casio PX S3000 and the PX S1000 share the same sound engine, dimensions, and keyboard, with the PX S 3000 being an upgrade with 700 sounds, unlike the 18 sounds of the Casio PX S1000.
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What to Consider When Buying the Best Piano for Beginners
This answer is solely based on what the goals for the beginner are. That being said, a learner that wants to compose their tunes has different considerations from a learner that plans to transition from a keyboard to a piano. To avoid being overwhelmed, make sure you consider these factors:
1. Quality
The performance of a piano is determined by how well the interior and exterior components are made. Pianos that have high-quality soundboards and strings provide better resonance than the lower quality ones. Also, something that affects the longevity of the piano is the tuning ability and even the exterior. If the cabinet is made poorly, it automatically affects the inner workings of the piano negatively. There are also grades in pianos, grade one being the highest and best grade.
2. Weighted keys
This means that the keys are touch-responsive, and they play loud when pressed hard and soft when pressed softly. It is unnecessary for beginners, but you might need an upgrade if you don't purchase it the first time around. Semi-weighted keys work for players who don't want the full resistance of a weighted action.
3. Quality of the Sound/Range
For the best keyboards and digital pianos, the sound quality depends on your artistic aims and tastes. For any creating of music, or study, the sound is an essential quality, but for replicating other instruments, copying organ sounds, or playing synths, you need more of a range of sounds. The most important thing is to know what type of sound or range you are looking for and then test out the instrument somewhere.
4. Sustain pedal
The sustain pedal is a foot-controlled lever and allows you to play notes and have them while ringing out loud while your hands are somewhere else on the keyboard. The pedal is not a must-have, but it comes in handy for intermediate players, so you may need to upgrade sooner than later.
5.Purpose
This is a significant determinant factor that settles if the student is looking to pursue piano as a long-term interest or as a hobby. If the learner is not sure of whether it will develop into something more than a hobby, in the long run, they should invest in medium quality pianos or full-size keyboards instead of investing in models in the high price range. It is also advisable to bring along an experienced player when buying to get utmost guidance, but if you don't know anyone, consult with the store staff members, and they may help.
6. Size
The bigger the piano, the better the sound quality because long strings often produce a smooth sound. However, you should consider your apartment's size because not all spaces can accommodate a concert grand piano. The size of the room also impacts the acoustics of the piano. The most used pianos by beginners for practicing and learning are the upright and baby grand pianos, but also for the limited space, full-sized keyboards with weighted keys can work.
7. Budget
Pianos' price range is determined by instruments, size, and equipment, where the high-quality ones are more costly because they have been made with durable materials and thus last longer. It is not advisable to purchase a learning piano online as you need to try out several pianos before deciding the one you will buy. When you decide you are buying a used piano because it is a great deal, ensure you thoroughly check for any defects to avoid any unnecessary costs when repairing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What piano should I start with?
Many teachers recommend learners to start with fully-weighted 88 note pianos because most music examination boards set these specifications as minimal requirements to take their exams. Smaller keyboards usually have around 61 notes or 76 notes.
2. How much should I spend on my first piano?
Digital pianos range from as low as $200, with most priced pianos ranging between $500 and $2,000, and some as high as $7,000.
3. Is a digital piano suitable for beginners?
Digital pianos are good choices for beginners as they can practice with headphones, don’t require tuning, are relatively light, and available in portable forms than an acoustic piano.
