All About Choosing and Buying Pianos
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My 3 yo also plays with curved fingers most of the time. His 6yo brother struggles. I think partly to do with teacher, partly to do with the individual child.
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Serendipity:
Hi all,
When would be the best time to switch from keyboard to piano?
I suppose most beginners switch to digital piano first? Up to what ABRSM grade can the digital piano last? Or is there a difference between models as well?
We bought a piano immediately after dd converted to individual piano lessons. Prior to that, while attending group lessons, she practised on our existing yamaha keyboard at home. -
phankao:
Dunno! Teacher just highlighted to him, but never insisted. Just kept reminding. I also didn't bother much about it at home bc he's so young. But one day, just 5 weeks after starting lessons, he could do it.
That's great! Very important to start right.
My dd's first few teachers never bother to correct her. When she's with her 4th teacher, that teacher kept hapring on her to play 'fingers up high' till she felt so :frustrated: :stompfeet:
Her 5th teacher is less obsessive with curve fingers although she would remind my dd from time to time. Fortunately my dd finally got the hang of it -
sleepy:
Did she find it difficult to switch between piano and keyboard? My DD has trouble playing the piano keys with sufficient strength, possibly because we use the keyboard for practice at home. Wonder if i shld change to piano...Serendipity:
Hi all,
When would be the best time to switch from keyboard to piano?
I suppose most beginners switch to digital piano first? Up to what ABRSM grade can the digital piano last? Or is there a difference between models as well?
We bought a piano immediately after dd converted to individual piano lessons. Prior to that, while attending group lessons, she practised on our existing yamaha keyboard at home. -
Serendipity:
Did she find it difficult to switch between piano and keyboard?
No problem at all
She doesn't practise on keyboard after we bought the piano. -
Hoping for the more enlightened ones to give some advice here...
For a young 4+yo beginner (but hopefullylong-term learner), what is the wisest option?
1) a brand new Clavinova (in the range of $2k+)
2) a brand new Hailun125 (which seems to be value for money at $3k+ right? Would the keys be too hard for a young beginner though?)
3) a brand new Yamaha JU109 (maybe <$3.5k if during sale? But it doesn't seem to be an exam model, i.e. < 121cm tall)
4) any other suggestions?
I'm a little worried about getting a 2nd hand upright, cos it seems like a risky gamble.
If we get a digital piano,
- is it true that we can save the $$ we'd have to spend on tuning and electricity for the heater?
- am i right to say that height of the piano doesn't matter because it's relevant only for acoustic pianos?
- what other pros and cons are there as compared to acoustic pianos?
Thanks in advance!! -
Serendipity,
My son has been taking piano lessons since 3+ yrs old and will take his ABRSM grade 1 exam early next yr (after learning for more than 3 yrs). I’ve also taken piano lessons in my adulthood for 2+ yrs and this is from my personal experience.
DS started on a jap acoustic piano before moving on to a german one with even heavier keys. He never had any problems with the weight of the keys. In fact, T used to complain that ds bangs the keys too hard.
The argument for acoustic vs digital pianos can be debated till the cows come home. But I feel that the litmus test is to go to any Yamaha shop and play the digital & acoustic pianos side-by-side. Even if you can’t play, just hit the keys fast and hard, then soft and slow and see the diff for yourself, in terms of the ability to control the sound and touch. From there, trust your own judgement and you’ll be in a better position to decide.
The extra utility bill for the heater bar is really negligible (at most a few dollars a month?), but you do save on the half-yearly tuning which usually cost minimal $50 at current market rate. -
Thanks very much for the advice, markfch!
Seems like I need to start my search at the shops then.
Maybe my DD is gentler, hahah... she has difficulty pressing the keys with sufficient strength at times, esp with the fourth finger or the pinkie. -
markfch:
DS started on a jap acoustic piano before moving on to a german one with even heavier keys.
Which german brand ? -
sleepy:
A relatively unknown brand - Sauter.
Which german brand ?
The sound produced is either mellow nor sharp, just very unique.
The touch is fantastic even under my unlearned hands.