Can i use a digital piano to practise for the Grade 8 exam?

[eliza99]

Can i use a digital piano for practising grade 8 practical exam?

if can, which model should i purchase?

thanks

[ilikepie]

You can, however, I would not recommend it. If you must however, purchase one, I would say that a p70/p140/p250/cp300 would be good "moveable(not too heavy, and can be brought around)" choices. However, If you want a Clavinova, any recent model should be fine as long as they have weighted keys. I'm referring to Yamaha digital pianos btw.

[ksnmohan]

Hallo eliza99!

For the PRACTICE? Ofcourse, you can.

Even for the final performance at the exam, Electronic Pianos (my understanding of this is Digital) are permitted by some Institutions as the following Rule specifies in the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music UK & Ireland:

"Schools and teachers who apply to have Practical examinations on their own premises under Regulation 7b must provide, without cost to the Board, a suitable room where the tests will not be overheard and which is quiet, well-lit and warm, containing a good piano properly regulated and in tune (a' = 440), a writing-table and chair for the examiner, and someone to act as steward outside the examination room.

An Electronic piano may be used, provided it has a clearly recognizable piano tone, a touch-sensitive keyboard with full-size weighted keys, and an action, compass and facilities which match those of an ordinary piano, including a sustaining pedal."

But eliza99, since the exams are usually conducted at one location on a common Acoustic Piano - for all candidates - I need not stress the importance of sufficient "hands on" experience on a good Acoustic Piano.

Yamaha, Baldwin, Helpinstill, Kawai, Korg, Roland and Kurzweill have some very good  models of Electronic/Digital Pianos.

But for a 30% to 40% extra you can buy a brand new Korean made Steiner Acoustic - or with persevarance a good second hand Acoustic even at the cost of a new Digital.

Prof K S (Mohan) Narayanan
Musicologist, Composer, Teacher

[ingagroznaya]

You don't have to practice at all, as long as you can pass the exam.
I would say "No". On your level it's a very bad idea if you are serious at all about your future musical plans.

Digital pianos are a wonderful solution in some situations, but not in yours.

[humblemonkey]

I would say "No". On your level it's a very bad idea if you are serious at all about your future musical plans.

last week, I went to a pianoshop to look at pianos. I was looking at digitals, and was told the latest digitals are just as good as acoustic uprights, and to get a better action, you would go to a grand, rather than to an acoustic upright.

I asked if playing on a digital would be detrimental for when (eventually) I get to an advanced level. He said no, but that grands were preferable.

If an upright is the only option available to a student, does it matter whether it is a digital (in regards to the action, not the sound)?

[thaicheow]

All these argumentations seem heading no way. I hope the one who posted this question should realize, as so many has responded, that NO MATTER how good a digital piano can be, it is simply no match of any acoustic piano.

I once came upon a ROlland digital piano, and get a hands on it. It claimed after so many years of research, they have come out with a perfect imitation of an acoustic piano. Yes, the tone, the touch, feel very much like an acoustic. And it comes with a handsome price tag, costing more than $5k.

What's the point?? With that kind of money, I can get one acoustic, even a VERY GOOD 2nd hand piano. I always told my students, even a cheap acoustic is always better than any digital piano. Hope I don't offend anyone.

[desaix]

I'd say yes as long as you pay enough time to practise on the acoustic piano as well. Touch is what matters here. Too much digital keyboard and you end up loosing keys sensibility. At least this is what I feel after focusing too much with my Clavinova.
I wish they could put a volume bar into an acoustic piano though

[tjw.88]

I did, and just missed out on distinction by 2 marks  Oh well...

Tray and get some time in on a real piaon as well unless you are being examined on a digital.

[ihatepop]

You don't have to practice at all, as long as you can pass the exam.

Oh, haha, haha, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....

Very funny, ingagroznaya, how do you pass if you don't practice?!

ihatepop

[pianowelsh]

Im sorry to burst any bubbles but a digital isnt a piano - its fundamentally a different instrument!! The reason we dont have strings - we dont have hammers, therefore no matter how good they are (and some are very very good) they cannot give the same level of control as you get with a halfway decent piano. There isnt the physical controlling of the sound which at early grades isnt so noticeable but at the more advanced end it becomes so apprarent in peoples playing.  Having said that When at conservatory I did have a Roland stage piano - which was excellent. BUT it should be stressed I had already formed my technique before this point and was well beyond grade 8 by this stage. Also I would work on this only for learning new pieces/notes/memory etc, at times when college pianos were too busy or impossible to get hold of. I would always go in late and do the night shift on the really good pianos where I would explore possibilities. SO in balance they are not eveil and damaging as some would say BUT they are limited in their reality to a piano and the only way to really learn piano is to practice on one. Having said that there are many people who 'play piano' that have no idea how to 'play' the piano they just put notes down and might as well have a good digital.  c'est la vie!