Digital piano for 8-year-old

Zaichik

My son started piano lessons in September and we are looking for a piano to replace his current keyboard, which doesn't have the full range of keys on it.

We have been looking at the Yamaha Clavinova range but are unsure which one to get. We obviously want one which will last him as he gets better at playing but is there really any benefit in shelling out for the more expensive ones, or would one of the lower in the range be sufficient?

Are there any other brands that are recommended?

Thanks for your advice.

TrevB

Depends on your budget really.  Definately aim for a piano with weighted hammer action keys so it will have a similar feel to the piano he will use on his lessons.  I have a Yamaha digital piano but this seems to be a cheaper version with similar features

Yamaha P-45 Digital Piano: Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments

duncfunk

Yamaha Clavinovas are good quality and will last, ours is over 10 years old now and only needed a couple of keys replacing recently. I much prefer it to some other brands that I've played such as Korg and Roland.

With regards to which model, they will all have fully weighted action and a good keyboard instrument sound bank. My general advice would to be go up one from the base model and go from there. I found this article which might help you decide:

How to Pick the Best Yamaha Arius Digital Piano? | Digital Piano Review Guide

mikeybabes2

If you are budget conscious (and who isn't), then also look at some of the new Casios. They are very good value indeed.

Yamaha, Roland, Korg are all good brands, but look for one with the best keybed action - one that feels most like a real acoustic piano. Real pianos tend to have a heavier action the most digitals, which can come as a shock when you first play one after only using a digital one.

Your son will be building and developing his muscle memory and technique. Bad technique is devilishly difficult to unlearn (which you will know all about if you ever hear me play), and a soft digital action can cause difficulty if a real acoustic piano is used in lessons, and practice done on a digital one.

Kawai do highly regarded digital pianos too and some have wooden keypads !

A useful resource is the piano world forms, who have a specific forum for digital pianos. you can find it Here. Though be warned, asking them wha the best digital piano is like asking what the best football team is !!!

The best keybed action I ever played was on a Roland (on the latest generation of stage pianos - Ivory feel keys with escapement). However I now mainly use a Nord as it is easier to cart around.

Don't forget to get an electric cattle prod too as a teaching aid... It helps make practicing fun !

Best of luck

Zaichik

Thanks, guys for all the advice. Gonna check out the suggestions and go and lurk on the piano world forums and see what I can find out.

richardb70

I'm in a similar boat, and I think I've settled on the YDP 162. It's a bit of a step up from the bestselling 142, price-wise, but apparently well worth it. Around £700 at the moment.

suniil

You took me back 6 years! I started searching exactly like you here and piano world forum for my 8 year old daughter. First piano was Casio Celviano and upgraded as she progressed through her studies / grades. Currently she owns Roland RD-800 (roland sponsored) and Yamaha Conservatory Grand CM3.

If your son is learning Classical piano, you should get a weighted 88 key piano. These days almost all digital pianos have good action, but I'd think Yamaha has heavier actions. If you are with tight budget, look out for portable piano range from any manufacturer (It will have the same action, sound etc but less features). Eg. Kawai ES series, Roland FP series.

richardb70

Just to let you know, Yamaha are refreshing their line-up at the moment, so the YDP162 has been superseded by the YDP163 etc. Some bargains to be had on the old stock.

Zaichik

Hi. Thank you all for your advice. I ended up going for the Clavinova CLP585, and it's being delivered next week. Even though I don't play, I am quite excited (new gadget feeling!).