Pianos are expensive!
With this in mind, many of you may be purchasing or considering keyboards or electronic pianos.
In this article, we will introduce the advantages and disadvantages of each based on their characteristics.
Choose the one that suits your environment and purpose.
*By the way, we will not separate grand pianos and upright pianos this time, but will refer to them as the same “piano.
目次
Piano Features
As the name implies, the piano is a keyboard instrument that uses a keyboard to move hammers and pluck strings to produce sound.
sound
The tone can be changed to an unauthorized scale depending on the touch, from the loudness of the sound to the way it is extended.
The piano is probably the best way to hear the live sound.
Size
It is also very large in size, given the presence of strings and hammers.
Grand pianos, in particular, require a depth of nearly 2 meters.
Touch (keyboard weight)
Pianos are characterized by their keys being somewhat heavier ( more forceful) than electronic pianos or keyboards in order to move the hammers that pluck the strings.
Once you get used to it, it becomes easier to manipulate that touch freely to produce your own unique tone.
You can also enjoy the difference in tone quality.
Inevitably, young children may have difficulty playing up-tempo songs because their muscles are not yet developed.
cost
The price of a new grand piano will exceed 1,000,000 yen at the lowest, and an upright piano will be about 500,000 yen at the lowest.
In addition, pianos are live instruments and require regular maintenance (tuning).
In addition, maintenance is required once a year, and the price is inexpensive, ranging from 10,000 yen to 20,000 yen per visit.
This high cost is probably the biggest obstacle to many people buying a piano.
Features of Electronic Pianos
The electronic piano is switched on when a key is pressed, and the electronic sound corresponding to that switch is emitted from the speaker.
The basic structure of a keyboard, described below, is the same, but the electronic piano is characterized by its electronic sound and touch that are as close to a real piano as possible.
sound
Although the touch of the fine keys is not comparable to that of a real piano, it can produce tones close to those of the real thing.
Especially these days, the soundintensity can be made stronger and the quality of sound is more realistic.
In addition, many of them can switch to non-piano sounds, such as organ and electronic piano.
In addition, the volume can be freely adjusted due to the electronic sound, and can be played without worrying about time or place using headphones or other devices.
Of course, it can also be connected directly to a recording device, which is very convenient when you want to play back your songs later or post them on Youtube, etc.
Size
Most are smaller in height and depth than upright pianos.
In many cases, it will fit in your child’s room or living room without a problem.
In fact, when I was a student, I had a 7-mat studio room with an electronic piano along with a bed and TV.
Touch (keyboard weight)
Many modern electronic pianos have keyboard weights that are as close to real pianos as possible.
I feel that there is a big difference between manufacturers, so I think it would be better to try the actual instruments at a music store.
cost
The price of the unit is around 30,000 yen for the cheapest and nearly 1,000,000 yen for the most expensive.
There is a big difference in price, but there is a good reason for the high prices.
When making a purchase, be sure to properly check the difference in touch and strength of the product before making a purchase.
By the way, tuning is not required, so the only maintenance cost is electricity.
Keyboard Features
Like the electronic piano, the keyboard is switched on when a key is pressed, and an electronic sound is emitted from the speaker in response to that switch.
sound
It is a little far from a piano, and has a “purely electronic” tone.
Also, most of them are not able to make the sound stronger or weaker.
However, there are a great variety of instruments that can be played, and many of them have interesting features such as percussion in the background.
As with the electronic piano, the volume can be freely adjusted, and headphones can be used to play without concern for time or location.
Of course, it can also be connected directly to recording equipment.
The variety of tones it can produce and the ease with which it can be arranged make it a good choice for those who want to enjoy music rather than piano.
Size
Most are quite compact in size.
Many of them have fewer keys, take up less width, and do not require as much depth.
After all, it is much lighter than the other two and can be stored.
Touch (keyboard weight)
Unfortunately, almost all keyboards do not take this into account.
Therefore, even if you make progress on the keyboard, it is often too heavy to play at all when you pull out a real piano.
Conversely, if you ask an intermediate piano player or higher to play the keyboard, it may be too light and slip out of their hands, and they may not be able to play this at all either.
cost
The price of the unit is very reasonable, with inexpensive ones available for around several thousand yen.
(Synthesizers, which can synthesize sounds, cost several hundred thousand yen or more.)
By the way, this one does not need to be tuned either, so the only maintenance cost is the electricity bill.
summary
Here is a summary of what has been done so far.
| piano | digital piano | keyboard | |
| sound | ‘good work’ (equiv. of silver star awarded to children at school) | symbol used as a placeholder (either because a number of other words could be used in that position or because of censorship) | weak |
| Size | ✕ | weak | ‘good work’ (equiv. of silver star awarded to children at school) |
| touch | ‘good work’ (equiv. of silver star awarded to children at school) | symbol used as a placeholder (either because a number of other words could be used in that position or because of censorship) | ✕ |
| cost | ✕ | weak | symbol used as a placeholder (either because a number of other words could be used in that position or because of censorship) |
Piano: For serious players who enjoy fine differences in touch, etc.
Electronic piano: For piano practice or for those who need volume settings, such as in apartments.
Keyboard: For those who want to keep the cost low and do not have space for a stationary keyboard.
Based on the above, we recommend the electronic piano for beginners.
The actual purchase can be made online, but it is better to go to a store and touch a variety of actual products before doing so.
Differences in touch and sound vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
We hope you find the right thing for you.
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