Digital Piano – Frequently Asked Questions

Becoming a musician can feel like a giant leap and we’re sure you’ll have many questions before you want to get started. Maybe you’re convinced that learning piano will be too hard or concerned that you’re too old (or too young), or that you’ll be bewildered by music theory, bamboozled by scales and stuck playing Three Blind Mice with one finger for all eternity. Consider this your pep talk. Learning piano isn’t beyond anyone – and that includes you.

Here we’ve rounded up some of the most frequently asked questions to banish those fears and get you up and running before you know it.

Index
Is it hard to learn piano?
How much does a Roland digital piano cost?
What’s the best piano for beginners?
What’s the best digital piano for small space?
Do I need a piano with weighted keys?
Understanding digital piano terms and phrases

Is it hard to learn piano?

Like any instrument, playing piano requires practice and in today’s world of instant gratification, having to invest time and effort into something can be surprisingly difficult, but with a little motivation, the sense of gratification and fulfilment that comes when you’ve learned a new piece or played in public for the first time more than makes up for it.

Mindset is important too. Many people love the idea of playing the piano, but they subconsciously think it’s not for them. The good news is that there are thousands of pianists who used to think the same way who have gone on to become proficient players.

People learn in a variety of different ways, which means that some methods will be better suited than others. Some prefer having a tutor, others prefer learning by themselves, and some prefer a mix of both! How you learn is up to you, but there are hundreds of different lessons and tutors out there to help you. Ultimately, musical aptitude is more common than you think; we just end up feeling that it’s something that other people do. Remember, you can do it too!

The bottom line is, people usually give up their musical journey because they find it too hard to keep practicing, or the results aren’t coming quickly enough. When times get tough, it’s useful to think about what’s going on with your body when you’re learning to play piano. You’re trying to figure out a new action, while trying to get your fingers to do things they’ve not done before. It feels hard at first because you’ve not done it before, but if you can stay motivated and keep practicing, the gains will come, the brain will build a muscle memory, and bit by bit, your skills level and confidence will grow.

Let’s break down the learning process. You could, for example, give yourself three months to learn to play a favourite song. Most modern pop music is fairly simple, and even if it’s more complex, you can just focus on playing the melody with your right hand.

Once you have this goal in place, find a ‘how to play’ lesson online (there are millions to choose from) and start watching and playing along. As you repeat the song, you’ll start to become familiar with the keys you press and the notes you hear. Supplement this by watching a video that explains the notes on the piano keyboard too and before you know it, you’ll have made the first steps in learning to play a famous song

How much does a Roland digital piano cost?

Hit the search engines and you’ll notice that the smaller cabinets and lack of moving parts make digital pianos far more economical than their acoustic siblings (to give you an idea, traditional upright acoustic models start at around £2000, while many Roland pianos are out there for under £700). The best news is that going digital cuts expenses across the board beyond the initial price too!

With a digital piano, you’ll save more with onboard tuition features, digital sheet music and maintenance-free operation (your piano’s digital processor will never need tune-ups or maintenance saving about £55 a year).

Still, it’s confusing to know what you need to budget for, so let’s simplify things a little. At Roland, we make it our mission to offer instruments for every budget, and the best news is that even if you choose our entry-level pianos, you’ll get many of the pro features shared across from our flagship ranges. Let’s look closer at three different price-points.

Entry level digital pianos (£400+)

With prices as low as £470 from online dealers, the ultra-portable Roland FP-10 couldn’t be easier to bring home. It’s a great choice for a busy family home, easily finding a permanent spot in a packed playroom or packing away after each practice session. Don’t let the price and compact dimensions fool you into thinking the FP-10 is a toy though. Just like on our more expensive digital pianos, you’ll get the responsive 88-note PHA-4 Standard keyboard and SuperNATURAL sound engine, making everything you play feel alive under your fingers. Even at this price-point, there’s Bluetooth wireless connectivity that lets you access free tuition apps and download sheet music from PiaScore, Sheet Music Direct and more.

Mid Range digital pianos (£1,200+)

For around this price range you could invest in the Roland HP700 range – digital pianos that represents the next step up for dedicated players. Why spend more? Well, the extra outlay is reflected in a more authentic performance, with the progressive damper action pedal allowing techniques like half-pedalling, and the keyboard feeling utterly natural thanks to its progressive hammer action and escapement. There’s heavy technology built into this model, too, with the Onboard Piano Designer letting you customise your tone, and 350 songs on-hand to sharpen your accompaniment skills. You also get the benefits of online tuition, with Bluetooth wireless connectivity that lets you hook up with apps like Piano every day or learn from video lessons on YouTube.

High End digital pianos (£1,800+)

For players who want the very best piano from the start, it could make sense to invest in your dream instrument now, to save upgrading later. Roland’s LX700 series is where you’ll find the high-end models to satisfy even the most demanding player. There are three price-points to jump aboard, but many key features are common across the range, including our PureAcoustic Piano Modelling and PureAcoustic Ambience technology, the room-filling Acoustic Projection System, plus the choice between European and American-style tones. Still costing less than most acoustic pianos, the entry-point LX705 has the range’s most compact cabinet and a punchy four-speaker system. Step up to the LX706 and you’ll enjoy the upgraded Hybrid Grand keyboard and six-speaker system, while the luxurious LX708 offers a more commanding cabinet and ultimate eight-speaker layout.

A young child playing a Roland digital piano and reading sheet music off of a tablet

And don’t forget the accessories…

It doesn’t take much to get up and running with your Roland digital piano, but a few key accessories will help you get the best from your new instrument. For quiet practice, headphones are essential, but good ones needn’t break the bank, with Roland RH-5 headphones cost around £25, while the top-of-the-line RH-300 model is available for approximately £150. You’ll also need a piano stool that gives you comfort and support for long practice sessions, and all the stools in our RPB range tick those boxes, whether you choose the standard 100BK or the adjustable D500PE

What’s the best piano for beginners?

With so many digital pianos available, finding the right one for you can be overwhelming. Try not to get hung up on the word ‘best’ however, it’s a subjective term, which can mean the most popular, the most sophisticated or the best value. Instead, let’s drill a little deeper into the key criteria that beginners should keep in mind, and meet the Roland models that tick those boxes.

Affordability

It’s important to consider value as well as price when looking at pianos. You can buy very cheap digital pianos, but they’re often uninspiring to play and frequently go wrong. For something as personal as a piano (an instrument you’ll spend lots of time with) spending a little more can make a real difference and give you an investment that you won’t be in a hurry to upgrade.

Mother and daughter playing a Roland HP700 piano together

Great sound

If you like the tone of a piano, you’re more likely to play it. Manufacturers use a range of different methods to create their piano sounds – which means not all digital pianos are equal. Some entry-level models from lesser brands use technology that’s barely changed in decades – and it shows in the sound. But other firms’ entry-level pianos sound amazing, because they feature the same modelling technology as the high-end digital instruments used by the most demanding players. You don’t need to understand how your piano is making the sound, just listen to several models from different brands and trust your ears. You’ll be surprised at how different they sound.

Good quality keyboard action

A good-quality piano keyboard is a must, especially for beginners. Keyboards with weighted action mimic the feel of the keys on a high-end acoustic grand piano, reinforcing the proper techniques and strength needed as you develop. On the flipside, a poorly-built keyboard will feel uninspiring to play and encourage bad habits. When you’re trying to stick to a budget, key quality is often the first thing to be compromised, but don’t fall into this trap. As the one part of the piano that you actually touch, the keys are the tactile interface between you and the music. The better they feel, the better you’ll ultimately play.

Tuition tools

Roland digital pianos include features designed to make practice more effective and fun. Depending on the model, these might include a built-in metronome, a recorder for capturing and sharing performances, computer connectivity via USB, and a Twin Piano mode that splits the keyboard so that two people can play side-by-side in the same ranges. Add the ability to hook up your smartphone and play the audio through the piano’s speakers and you have everything you need to kick-start your learning.

Build quality

If price is the only important factor, there’s a danger that you’ll end up with a piano that holds you back once you improve. You’ll quickly come up against the limitations of an inferior model. It doesn’t matter how cheap an instrument is, if you don’t want to use it, then it’s a false economy.

A child practises on a Roland HP700 digital piano

Simplicity

If you’ve found an affordable piano that sounds good and feels great to play, you’re well on the way. With digital pianos, there are plenty of additional features and tools that’ll support you, so take a moment to home in on what you really need. Like most things, keeping it simple will help you stay focused, so be wary of gimmicks and unnecessary features that will distract you from your goal of learning to play piano.

What’s the best digital piano for small space?

Fitting a full-size piano into your living space can be a headache. With more of us living in cities, and students increasingly studying away from home, apartments are becoming the norm and nobody has enough space.

A key factor is that digital pianos are generally smaller and can be quieter than acoustic (they’re lighter and easier to move too). Even so, some digital pianos are bigger than others, you probably won’t be considering a mini-grand or a full-size upright model if you’re reading this. So let’s look at three Roland models that are well-suited to smaller spaces, without sacrificing keyboard feel or sound quality.

FP-X series

When space is tight – but your standards are high – the portable FP series could be the answer. With the smallest model weighing just 12.3kg and measuring a practical 1284 x 258mm, it couldn’t be easier to pop one of these scaled-down digital pianos onto a tabletop or optional KSC-90 stand, then pack away at the end of your session. With volume-controllable onboard speakers, headphones output and quiet keyboard action, there’s no danger of disturbing others. And unlike most portable pianos, you won’t compromise on the performance: whether you choose the FP-10, FP-30X, FP-60X or FP-90X, you’ll find the same SuperNATURAL sound engine from our flagship pianos and the flowing 88-note PHA-4 or PHA-50 keyboard that inspires you to play.

A pianist laying on a Roland DP series piano

DP603

Forget the bulky, boxy pianos that swamp your living space. Available in three finishes, the Roland DP603’s cabinet is enviably slim and stylish, with dimensions (783 x 1398 x 311mm) that slip into any room and a 47kg weight that makes it easy to move around. It might make a subtle visual statement, but the DP603 will turn heads when you start playing, thanks to rich and detailed piano tone from the SuperNATURAL sound engine, delivered through a speaker system that makes small rooms feel like a vibrant music space. Stream music and play along on the addictively responsive PHA-50 Progressive Hammer Action keyboard – and keep playing late into the night with Headphones 3D ambience technology.

Kiyola

Think of a Kiyola piano as a stunning piece of artisan furniture in its own right – that also happens to be a world-class digital piano. With five premium finishes that show off the unique wood grain, these instruments are designed to join seamlessly with the décor of your modern living space. But the masterstroke is how the Kiyola brings performance into homes where space is at a premium, thanks to slim legs that blend into your space and an ergonomic all-wood cabinet, hand-crafted by Japanese furniture experts Karimoku. And when you’ve finished enjoying the SuperNATURAL sound engine and dynamic PHA-50 keyboard, simply lower the Kiyola’s lid for a discreet instrument that you’ll hardly notice is there.

Do I need to buy a piano with weighted keys?

Having a high-quality keyboard is essential for developing good piano technique. The action of the keys – otherwise known as their upward and downward motion – is a big part of this, but what feels ‘right’ is largely subjective. It’s a bit like comparing a car with light steering to one with heavy steering: you can drive them both without crashing, but one will feel better to you. Likewise, with pianos, the most important factor is which feels most comfortable to play. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of keyboards and actions – then meet the pianos that could be right for you.

How a piano keyboard works
Let’s start by looking at the feel and response of a piano’s keys. Every time you press a key on an acoustic piano, a hammer strikes a string, causing the string to vibrate and sound a note. The hammer is connected to the key by a series of levers, which gives a natural weight and feeling of resistance each time you play a note.

Spring-loaded, semi-weighted & hammer-action keyboards
So how does a digital piano effectively simulate this weight and resistance? Keyboards and synths use a spring-loaded key action where a spring at the back of the key ensures the key returns to the up position. Entry-level digital pianos use a similar action, but with the addition of a small weight added to each key. This is known as a semi-weighted action and is preferred by some players, particularly those that constantly swap between synths and pianos. Meanwhile, a digital piano with weighted keys (hammer-action keyboard) uses actual hammers that rise when a key is struck, then fall back under their own weight. This offers a much more realistic playing feel. Better still is a progressive hammer action keyboard, where the feel of the keys gets slightly heavier as you move down the keyboard. This recreates the feeling of playing an acoustic grand piano, where the strings are shorter and narrow in the treble section (at the top end of the keyboard) and get progressively thicker and longer in the bass section.

Key length & material
A key’s total length is important – and that includes the part of the keyboard you can’t see. The longer the total length, the further back you can have the pivot point, which makes it easier to play and gives more expression when playing the white keys right up in-between the black ones. This will be vital as your playing becomes more advanced. The surface of the key is also a factor: entry-level pianos have a shiny plastic surface, whereas more upmarket pianos use a synthetic ivory substitute that not only looks more natural but offers better grip. Make sure you try both types and see which is best for you.

Testing the tone
A piano’s touch, of course, is not the total picture. You have to make sure that when you play it, that touch translates into expression. A piano may have a great tone, but if the keyboard action isn’t up to scratch, you won’t play as you should. So check how wide the dynamic range is and how easy it is to control. You should be able to press a key down slowly and not hear anything at all. Equally, you should be able to get a very bright sound when playing fortissimo. Compare this dynamic range on different pianos – the wider, the better. Crucially, all of the shades in-between should be easy to control, which you can check by repeatedly playing the same note from a soft whisper to a bright fortissimo.

Glossary of digital piano terms and phrases

There are a fair number of technical terms and jargon that are banded around in the world of digital pianos. Here are some important ones to get your head around so you aren’t baffled by the sales guy the next time you walk into a piano shop.