Traditional vs. Digital Pianos – Which One Should I Choose?

If you’re looking to invest in a beautiful piano, deciding between the digital and traditional versions is perhaps the starting point and the biggest decision to make.

Advancements in technology means digital pianos can be a prized possession as much as an acoustic grand piano is, and the choice will come down to personal preference and usage.

Here’s our handy guide of pros and cons to help you choose between a digital and traditional piano:

The Pros of Traditional Pianos

Traditional (otherwise known as acoustic) pianos have a few pros that keep them on top of the game when it comes to their sound. Some of these include:

• They sound better: it’s hard to beat the sound of a good quality acoustic piano.
• They look amazing: acoustic pianos fill the room and create a classic environment that’s hard to be matched by a digital piano.
• They feel good to play: sitting down to a beautiful, traditional piano can be truly inspiring and motivating.

The Cons of Traditional Pianos

Many people think that traditional pianos are ‘always better’ but that is simply not the case, and you should consider these cons of traditional pianos before making your final choice on what type of piano to purchase:

• They can be cumbersome: traditional pianos are extremely difficult to move and require a professional to re-locate.
• They require maintenance: traditional pianos need to be tuned at least twice a year.
• They are expensive: it goes without saying that good quality traditional pianos can be costly.

Pros of Digital Pianos

While it’s often considered that digital pianos are the ‘lesser than’ in the world of pianos, that’s not always the case and depending on the purpose of your piano, a digital piano can be a fine choice.

Some of the advantages of a digital piano include:

• They are portable: easy to transport, you can take a digital piano with you on stage, or pop it any room of the house you please.
• They don’t require as much maintenance: digital pianos don’t require tuning.
• They come at a better price point: while you need to invest a little to ensure your digital piano is of high quality, they are still generally considered cheaper than a traditional piano.

Cons of Digital Pianos

There are some negative points of digital pianos, and if you’re considering purchasing one, it’s important to take this into consideration and do your research carefully to find the right brand for you.

Digital pianos:

• Provide less atmosphere: they certainly don’t have the breathtaking effect that a beautiful acoustic piano has for its mere presence in a home or on a stage.
• Can have a sound that is of less quality: while good quality digital pianos can get very close, it’s hard to match the sound of a traditional acoustic piano.
• Can feel a bit different than an acoustic piano: the keys and lack of pedal can often make it feel a little less lovely to play. 

Let a Professional Help You Decide

Now you’ve done your research on digital vs traditional pianos, you can confirm your final decision with a professional who will help you decide on the make and model of your next piano. At Pianoforte, we help find the perfect piano for you. Visit a showroom in Sydney or contact us to find out more.