Finding the perfect upright piano for a beginner can seem like a huge task. I encountered this myself, which inspired me to put together this practical guide on top upright pianos for newcomers.
Buying an upright piano can raise many questions. Do you need a professional-grade model? Is it just for practice? Would you prefer one with onboard effects? Considering these factors can help you choose the right piano.
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The Best Upright Pianos for Beginners
Let’s look at the full list.
As a parent wanting to buy your kid an upright piano, picking the right brand and model can be confusing. With so many options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To simplify your decision, I’ve listed the top recommended upright pianos for beginners:
If you want an excellent digital piano for beginners, the Yamaha Arius YDP162R Traditional Console Style Digital Piano is your best bet. Its keys are weighted like an acoustic piano, feeling lighter at the high end and heavier at the low end. This offers great key stability, repetition, and response. The keys are topped with synthetic ivory, providing a firm grip.
The Yamaha Arius YDP162R provides excellent acoustic sound and a realistic feel. Its Graded Hammer Standard keyboard is weighted, mimicking an acoustic piano. This ensures your hands develop proper strength and technique, making the transition to an acoustic piano effortless.
This digital piano stands 33 inches tall, offering an upright piano look. With an Acoustic Optimizer, it adjusts acoustic flow for rich sound resonance. The included two-track recorder helps with practice and learning songs. Overall, it’s a great choice.
If you want a smart console keyboard, consider the ONE Smart Piano. This intelligent piano helps you learn to play like a child. You can connect it to your smartphone or tablet through its USB port to access an app with around 4,000 songs.
Learning a wide range of songs is simple. With the ONE Smart Piano, you can use its different learning modes in the app to master new pieces. Follow the intelligent Blue LEDs to know which key to press next. Plus, access over 100 tutorials and videos to enhance your skills with this digital piano.
The hammer-action keys excellently replicate an acoustic piano’s feel. It features 3 foot-pedals at the base, offering optimal sound control. A built-in metronome and volume control are also included.
This digital piano boasts a modern design and offers impressive features. It’s equipped with over 128 instrument sounds and has weighted keys, letting you easily switch from digital to acoustic piano.
As a beginner, you’ll find this digital piano a great way to start learning. Piano teachers will see it as a useful tool for training students. With this piano, the learning process becomes fun and exciting.
The PX-860 stands out in the Privia series. It boasts an innovative AIR sound set that enhances realism. With a grand piano-like lid and excellent sympathetic resonance, it offers an authentic piano experience.
The Casio PX860 has full-sized keys and excellent hammer actions, giving a realistic feel. Playing it mimics the experience of an acoustic piano. The scaled hammer action matches the resistance and weight of the grand piano’s 88 keys.
The keys, set in simulated ebony and ivory, offer a grand piano-like feel and texture. With three sensors, it captures the dynamics of every performance precisely. Its hammer response closely mimics a grand piano, giving you an authentic playing experience.
The sound of this piano is impressive. It replicates the 9-foot concert piano’s sound, which is a noteworthy achievement for a digital piano. It also has three pedals that mirror a grand piano’s pedals. If you’re starting your piano journey, this instrument offers an excellent way to begin. You can even lift its lid to enhance its fullness and volume.
If you’re after a high-end piano for beginners, check out this top-rated upright piano. The Kurzweil CUP2A has 88 fully weighted keys with graded hammer action and sensitive keys. With its 10 levels of selectable response, you get plenty of options. Plus, you’ll experience a realism rarely found in many digital pianos.
The Kurzweil CUP2A has a stylish design you’ll love. Its compact upright cabinet looks modern and sleek. The fallboard closes slowly and has a prop-up lid.
The Kurzweil CUP2A gives you access to a wide range of musical pieces for practice. It boasts an awesome three-way, six-speaker stereo sound system. The sliding control panel provides perfect functionality control. It also includes a built-in metronome and standard sustain and soft pedal options.
Another great choice for beginners is the Lagrima Brand New 88. It offers a very stable sound source and very vivid expression. It also comes with many functions and features, allowing you to learn the piano with ease. It features 88 full-weighted keys that mimic its acoustic counterpart. It also comes with useful educational features to facilitate the learning of the piano.
This piano offers volume adjustment, sound recording control, and multi-tone selection. It also features split/touch control, playback function, teaching mode, and a metronome.
Compared to others, this upright piano lets you adjust sound volume and choose from multiple tones. You can also record practice sessions for playback. It comes in two types with similar specs. If you’re after a budget-friendly option with great features, the Lagrima Brand New 88 is a solid choice.
Things to Consider When Selecting an Upright Piano
If you want to make a smart purchase, you need to consider key factors when buying an upright piano. Here are the important points to keep in mind:
Storage Space for the Piano
Before buying a piano, first look at the available space in your home. If your house is cramped, a large piano might not be a good choice. Check if there’s enough room for the piano you want. Then, shop for one that fits.
If you’re storing the piano in your living room, first measure the available space. Ensure your door can fit the piano too. An upright piano is bulky, so take these steps to avoid issues later. The average dimensions are height: 110 to 150 cm, width: 150 cm, and depth: 40 to 60 cm.
Your Budget for the Piano
Pianos are costly, so focus on finding the right piano for your needs before thinking about price. Acoustic pianos range from $3,000 to $10,000, while upright pianos range between $3,000 and $5,000. Expect to spend a significant amount, so it’s crucial to stay within your budget.
There’s a strong link between a piano’s size and its price. In general, the larger the piano, the higher the cost.
Upright pianos come in various finishes and designs. Similar styles may vary greatly in price because one uses better wood.
If budget allows, choose trusted brands and models. Opt for those with better wood and finish, as these elements impact the piano’s resonation and sound quality.
Choose a digital upright piano with good onboard effects. Pick one that fits your playing style, regardless of its price.
Appearance
The design and appearance of an upright piano can significantly influence your choice. Some buyers emphasize the piano’s look, ensuring it makes a statement and adds character to their living or music room. Pianos come in various styles and colors, from mahogany to a black finish.
Digital Upright Piano Vs Acoustic Upright Piano
There’s a big difference in price between a digital piano and an acoustic one. Digital pianos cost less because they don’t have hammers, strings, and other internal parts. That doesn’t mean they’re lower quality. A lot of engineering goes into making digital pianos. So, they’re not less valuable than acoustic pianos.
The digital and acoustic pianos have their own pros and cons. An acoustic piano is sensitive to weather and needs occasional retuning. A digital piano, on the other hand, can be stored anywhere without tuning concerns. However, it’s important to consider the electronic circuits inside a digital piano and avoid neglect.
Experts recommend tuning your acoustic piano up to four times in the first year and twice in the second year. This tuning process does increase costs. However, a digital piano requires no constant tuning and can be moved without going out of tune.
The best part of an acoustic piano is its unmatched sound. You feel the hammer strike the string, producing a unique sound that resonates through the soundboard. Digital pianos have improved significantly, mimicking the feel of an acoustic piano. However, many still prefer the beauty of the acoustic.
Conclusion
You might spend lots of time comparing upright pianos and still feel unsure about which to buy. Knowing key factors and the top recommended models can help you quickly find the perfect piano to improve your skills. Focus on these essentials to make an informed choice.