Choosing a Piano or Keyboard: A Guide for Beginning Pianists

Selecting the right keyboard instrument can be overwhelming for new students.  Regardless of picking an acoustic piano or electronic keyboard, either can work for both new and advanced pianists.  There are advantages and drawbacks to both, and each of the two main categories have more specific options as well.  With a little research and possibly a visit to a local piano store, finding a piano to fit your needs and budget is possible.

Types of Pianos

There are two main types of acoustic pianos, grand pianos and upright pianos.  Grand pianos are the iconic, elegant-looking instruments often seen in media and concert halls.  Often the center of a room, they are the largest and most expensive version of a keyboard instrument, with prices ranging  from $10,000 to over $100,000.  The piano strings are horizontal, and the instrument has a lid that can be lifted or lowered to control volume.  Grand pianos come in multiple sizes.  Concert grand pianos are the standard in concert halls, but there are smaller versions that might fit a home studio better, such as the baby grand piano.  They are also very challenging to move, often requiring professional help.  Grand pianos have a status symbol element to them and will be an elegant center for a home studio or music room. 

Upright pianos are much more compact.  Its strings are vertical, saving a great deal of space and makes them perfect for smaller spaces.  Upright pianos are much more affordable than grand pianos, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.  Moving upright pianos is much easier but can still be tricky.  The keys have a similar feel to grand pianos, minus the bigger sound. 

Both upright and grand pianos will need to be tuned periodically.  Maintenance costs are higher for acoustic pianos, but the overall sound and feel of the keys is better, especially for classical music.

Types of Keyboards

Electronic keyboards offer a more affordable and portable option for a keyboard instrument.  The price ranges for keyboards range from $100 to a few thousand dollars, depending on size, special features, and quality.  Besides size, there are two main categories for keyboards, those with weighted keys and those without.  Weighted keyboards are usually a bit more expensive, but the keys will have more weight to them which gives a similar feel to an acoustic piano and will allow the player to play with dynamics.  Non-weighted keyboards rely on a volume control for dynamic variety.  Non-weighted keyboards are great to start out with if the student is unsure about lessons, but in the long run, weighted keyboards will be worth the investment.

Pianos Vs. Keyboards

There are pros and cons for both a piano and a keyboard.  Pianos provide the best sound quality and playing experience for those learning traditional or classical music, but are much more expensive and take up the most space.  Keyboards are more budget-friendly and are perfect for small spaces, like apartments.  Keyboards are also great for recording and creating more popular or non-classical music. 

Local recommendations

For new students, I recommend starting with a weighted, full-size keyboard.  These can be found at retail stores like Guitar Center, Amazon, and at most instrument stores.  For those local to Houston, Houston Piano Store and Fort Bend Music Center will have options in their shops to try in person.  For acoustic pianos, local piano stores are a great place to find a new instrument.  Pianos can also be found used at estate sales, Facebook Marketplace, and or other forums online.  Regardless of your choice, I recommend trying it out in person before buying. 

Happy practicing!