Category: Instruments

The Advantages Of Digital Pianos Vs Acoustic Pianos

Published by UnderInstruments on

If you’re interested in taking up the piano, you’re eventually going to have to make a very big decision: do you go all out with an acoustic piano or merely stick to a smaller digital model? There are a couple of pros and cons to each, but many traditionalists will lead you to believe that acoustic is the only way to go. If you think of it in purely practical terms however, the arguments for going the digital route just might win you over. Consider the following:

1 – Price Range

First and foremost, digital pianos are significantly more affordable than traditional models. Pianos are also like any other instrument where the quality is greatly dependent upon how much you pay in most cases. Fortunately, the difference between lower and higher end electric models are much less severe.

It’s also easy to find smaller digital keyboards for even lower prices. This allows new players to develop a feel for the instrument without too much of an investment. Far too many people have gone all in with an acoustic piano, only to seldom use them after the fact.

2 – Space

Of course, acoustic pianos also take up quite a lot of space. It’s simply more convenient to have a digital model that can easily be stored away in a closet or case when not in use. Traditional pianos are not only an investment from the financial end; they are incredibly demanding of you room as well.

3 – Maintenance

It’s obviously also quite a bit easier to take care of digital pianos than acoustic models. There’s no need to change or tune wires. In fact, the need for any replacement components of any kind is incredibly rare. With an electric keyboard, you simply plug the AC adapter or USB cable in and play. Keeping an acoustic piano going through the years is quite a bit of work in comparison.

Of course, there are several other advantages at play. Since it’s easier to take care of digital pianos and they’re also vastly more affordable, the barrier for entry is much lower in general. Practice will be easier since the instrument will be so much accessible. The downsides such as overall audio quality and feel are certainly present, but many professional musicians have made fantastic careers for themselves by focusing on keyboards in place of traditional pianos. If you’re on a budget and you’re just getting into music for the first time, the choice to go digital should be clear.

Choosing Piano Vs Guitar For Beginners

Published by UnderInstruments on

Everyone loves the idea of being a musician. Only a few people actually take the steps to do it. Sometimes it’s due to being too busy. Other times it’s fear. Sometimes it’s a simple matter of not knowing what instrument they want to learn.

There are two incredibly popular instruments for beginners; the guitar and the piano. They each have their difficulties and their rewards. They also both have a different image associated with them. So here are some tips on choosing which instrument to play, piano or guitar.

Ease of Use

The first thing to consider is how often you’ll get to play. Guitars are much easier to carry, which means you’ll have more opportunities to practice. When you go out to the park, or over to a friend’s house, you can bust out the guitar and play a few songs.

If a person can play the piano then they can also play a synthesizer. This means the piano is somewhat portable. However, it’s not nearly as portable as the guitar.

That said, some people have different ways to play and practice. They may be part of an organization that already has a music group and therefore a practice room with a piano. Or they may have Grandma’s old upright piano in their living room and often have guests over. If this describes you, then choosing the piano may be a good idea.

Hand Size and Finger Strength

The next thing to look at when deciding piano vs guitar is your hands. Playing the guitar requires keeping your hands in a claw-like shape. You then must apply pressure to the strings, which can scratch and break the skin. Your fingers will grow tougher over time, but in the early days, this can hurt.

For the piano, bigger hands can help but aren’t vital. In addition, you don’t need to apply as much strength to the keys. This means the piano is easier for younger people or people with small hands. It can also be easier for people with arthritis, or other disabilities that hinder hand strength while still leaving limited functionality.

Which One Do You Enjoy Most?

This is perhaps the most important question in deciding to play the beginner piano or the beginner guitar. It takes years of practice to gain true mastery of any skill, and this is especially true of musical skills. An instrument you don’t enjoy is an instrument you’ll put down and never touch again.

In addition, if you truly enjoy playing an instrument then you’ll be practicing all the time! So don’t feel like you should force yourself to enjoy music practice. If you’re dreading the idea of playing one instrument, even if you otherwise think it’s a good idea, that’s a sign to move on.

At the end of the day, no two beginner musicians are the same. Everyone has their own abilities and weaknesses, and the piano and guitar are two incredibly different instruments. All you can do is consider what you want and what you can do, and choose based on that.