Piano and Keyboard Recommendations
I often get asked about what type of piano I recommend for beginners. The info below is to help guide new students and families in purchasing their first instrument.
Watch Video first.
Acoustic Pianos
A lot of families think that they need to purchase an acoustic piano. What they don't realize is that an acoustic piano (upright or grand) is a lot like purchasing a car - and it's often close to the same price! Even if you purchase one used, you should get it from an authorized retailer.
Please, please...DO NOT go on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or some other online market and purchase a used piano. While there are certainly deals out there, you need to know quite a bit about the engineering of an instrument in order to know if what you are paying is what it's actually worth.
If you can afford an almost new piano, and are willing to keep up with tuning and maintaining it, then, by all means, go for it.
Digital Pianos & Keyboards
Especially for beginners, I highly recommend purchasing a digital piano or keyboard, rather than an acoustic piano. Digital pianos quite often are more affordable, more portable, and have tons of extra features for making music (like the ability to play along with rhythms and change the sound). They may also be connected to a computer, adding even more useful features. Plus, you can control the volume and practice with headphones - which means students are able to concentrate more easily in a distracting environment (and not drive parents and siblings crazy with repetitive practicing).
If you're interested in a digital piano, here are the main features to look for:
61+ Keys (no less)
Full size/Standard size keys
Touch sensitivity
Built-in speakers (or bundle with an amplifier)
Another good feature is weighted or semi-weighted keys, but this often adds to both the expense and the overall weight of the keyboard.
Be prepared to also purchase accessories such as a stand, headphones, sustain pedal, and a bench or stool.
For a much more in-depth and detailed buying guide, please see the link below:
Otherwise, keep scrolling to see my recommendations for Online Purchase…
Online Purchase Recommendations
I keep an updated list of recommended online purchase deals on Kit.co. Clicking the picture or link will open a new page for that website, where you can browse the deals from recognized online shopping partners (Amazon, B&H, etc.).
The keyboards I list all follow the recommendations I stated above, and range in price from ~$200 to ~$1,500.
Some of the keyboards listed are already bundled with a stand and headphones, but you may find these for slightly cheaper if you wish to purchase the accessories separately, or already have them.
Depending on what online vendor you choose, you can customize the package before you add to your cart.
Buy from a Music Store
Now you can buy in-person or online!
If you'd prefer some expert support to guide you in purchasing your instrument, and you live in Southern California, I recommend visiting Keyboard Concepts in Fountain Valley. They have an excellent selection of both digital and acoustic pianos for almost every budget, and both their physical location and their online store are easy to navigate.
Keyboard Concepts is located at:
18285 Euclid Ave., Fountain Valley, CA 92708