I know it’s only September and the kids have only just gone back to school, but before you know it there will be talk of Christmas!
So, bookmark this guide and share it with anyone you know who is looking for some good piano & keyboard options for the big day. I’ve suggested options for most budgets and hopefully, it’ll give you a head start on choosing the right one. Here we go…
Budget £100 – £300
With this type of budget, you’re able to get a keyboard that is good quality and sounds, to the untrained ear, just like the real thing. It’s plenty for say, a child under 10, who is showing an interest in playing to get started on to see if they might take it further. Don’t expect to be ‘buying once’ at this type of price though because although the sound may be convincing the touch of the keys will not have that authentic piano feel to them. We call this ‘weighted keys’, and pianos/keyboards of this budget will not have weighted keys.
Most piano teachers will eventually recommend that beginners shift onto weighted keys so they can develop the appropriate muscle memory in their fingers and they become accustomed to how a ‘real’ piano feels. Here are our recommendations for this budget range:
Yamaha Remie PSS-E30
Ideal for children aged under 8
£70
Budget £300 – £600
With this budget range, you will start to see models that have those all-important weighted keys. There is also a noticeable improvement in the richness of the sounds because the amplifier and speaker combinations are of higher quality. These types of pianos are ideal for ages 10+ who might be aiming at beginning formal lessons and grades within the next few years. See our recommendations below:
Budget £600 – £1000
We start to see some premium features as we move into this range. This means hi-definition sound sampling and heavy attention paid to the authenticity of the key mechanisms. These two things, in particular, give the player the ability to express themselves more. Think of a budding painter being given access to more shades of a colour. They suddenly have improved ability to use light and shade for effect. It works in a similar way with the improved sound in these pianos.
Budget £1000+
For the mums and dads out there: This is the type of price range where you will most likely ‘buy once’. That’s to say your child will have (hopefully) moved out and become financially self-sufficient before they need to upgrade to a better piano! For adults who are buying for themselves, you can expect this type of piano to be with you for many years to come and you shouldn’t feel the need to upgrade. (Unless you really, REALLY practice a lot).
Yamaha Clavinova CSP-170
Superb blending of traditional pianos with modern technology like tablets/smartphones
£2449
Yamaha Clavinova CVP-805
World-leading technology in touch and sound with unlimited creative possibilities. (I want one)
£4789
Planning on buying a piano for Christmas? Here is some early advice.