will the quality of piano effect progress?

[tomt1990]

Hi Guys,

I own a Korg SP250 digital piano. I began learning piano 2 years ago and wanted a decent but not too expensive digital piano, so after a bit of research and advice, I went with the Korg (I brought it brand new for just under £600). It has been ideal and really has served me well
however, here is my question. I have just completed my Grade 5 (ABRSM in england) piano exam and I am beginning to find that the pieces I am learning are alot harder to control on my piano. The touch on the korg is very, very light and the sustain pedal does not replicate that of an acoustic piano at all. So my question is, in your opinion, will my piano playing progress be damaged if I do not change my Korg for a better quality digital piano (or an acoustic one if I can convince my parents to have one in the house!)?

Thanks!

[bronnestam]

I believe it is a good thing to try to play on many different kinds of pianos. Learning to quickly adjust to another piano is a skill in itself. Which means that you can keep your old piano and then try to add practicing sessions on other pianos, you will develop as a pianist in that way too.

But if your old piano is not satisfying to you any longer, then I suggest you invest in a better one. I owned my first digital for 20 years and I was pleased with it for very long, but last year I decided it was time to replace it. I haven't regretted that ...

 

[eric0773]

From my experience, a cheap piano can be of some use, but eventually will:

- Make you learn the wrong finger movements (action is often too light vs. an acoustic piano);
- Make you feel that you cannot play well (if there is no way of producing a decent sound);
- Lower your ability to play nuances;
- Harm your motivation in the long run;
- Etc.

I got back to piano about a year ago on a Yahama P85 (same price range as your Korg), and quickly felt it was insufficient. I promptly upgraded to a Roland FP 7-F (the Kawai MP6 was also an option), which allows me to go much more in depth with my pieces. And since playing is much more pleasing/rewarding, I practice more.

In my opinion, an FP 7-F, an MP6 or any of the other models in that range are a minimum to start truly enjoying the pieces, particularly if you do not have access to an acoustic piano otherwise.

[hfmadopter]

Ya, the whole concept of people not wanting an acoustic piano in their house seems to be catching on. Even my own son doesn't want one in his house and he grew up here with us and my grand piano and took lessons for 5 years practicing on my grand.

That said, I think the biggest danger is practicing on your light digital action and then tackling a piano with heavy action. It almost always goes better the other way around. Valid points have already been made, so I won't get into more suggestions from those . Really what needs to happen is parental approval as to which way you will go in your parents house. That needs to be established .

The digital pianos mentioned in another post cost between $1200 and $1800 US, so if that's a consideration ( I'm sure it most likely would be) then discuss that as well. What you don't want to do is have someone or yourself even, shell out that kind of money and be no further ahead than you are right now. I can speak for the Kawai MP6 mentioned though, it's action is not light. In the mid section it actually is slightly heavier than my grand pianos action is in the same mid section, with the rest fairly equal ( the grand has slightly more key depth of travel)..

If your teacher teaches on an acoustic you will be hard pressed to get a digital with an exact duplicate for pedal behavior. Many digitals have variable pedal though ( many have a simple on of switch though). Even so, how the piano resonates with open strings from full pedal applied is different between digital and acoustic in that regard.