when to buy a digital piano and drop the keyboard

[kapiciosman]

Hi,

I'm a piano student for half a year and playing the piano as a hobby.
I have a Casio CTK-3200 keyboard but I'd like to know your suggestion on when to buy a digital piano. Will I have a problem in my playing technique if I dont switch to piano or keyboard will do just fine for years?

https://www.casio.co.uk/products/musical-instruments/full-size-keyboards/Product/CTK-3200K5/

[pianist1976]

If you want to learn to play piano, not keyboards, there's a quick answer: buy a digital piano as soon as possible. Piano repertoire requires to be played on weighted keys. I'd prefer to buy an acoustic piano (a nice upright for example) but I understand this isn't always feasible so a digital piano may be an alternative, not keyboards.

[kapiciosman]

Thanks for the quick answer. My keyboard has weighted keys but of course they're quite light compared to digital pianos.

[timothy42b]

When my daughter took piano lessons, we upgraded to the digital piano.

The difference in her playing was apparent immediately.

I recommend not waiting.

[kapiciosman]

Thank you for your replies.
I'll buy a digital piano if I can manage to choose one

[richard black]

A digital piano is only a keyboard, just, typically, an upmarket one. There's no fundamental difference and no hard and fast dividing line.

[jimbo320]

For sure you should get a digital piano asap. The difference in your playing will be immediately noticed and flow much smoother.
May I suggest a Yamaha CP5 stage piano. Not only because I'm a Yammie nut, but because that's what I play on gigs and know from experience that the action, sound and looks are all equally impressive.
Which ever model and brand you choose. Do it quickly...

[zerozero]

I have had many digital keyboards in my home studio. Many just sit there and then leave. I was a sax player you see and used the keyboards to input into sequencers, I could not really play. I did try and play, but somehow, the instruments never 'gave back' to me, they did not feel like a living thing. It was not until I bought a Roberts Digital Piano (budget end - £600) that things started to respond to me, I learned a bit of Bach.
I decided to take the plunge and bought a high end digital stage piano, the Roland 700NX.
It took me a good few months to get used to it. I found that my fingers were too weak for the action, but gradually over time, I found this instrument to be FAR more responsive.

Its at this point that it pays off in the playing because your instrument gives back to you, you advance quicker, and sound better, your playing becomes more nuanced and dynamic.

I now understand what a good action is all about, and the Roland certainly delivers, it feels like the action could be on a Steinway in the Festival Hall.

I realise that your on a budget, and you are maybe talking a piece of furniture, but why not try  researching a few high end digitals that have recently been replaced by their newer models.