Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum Informal Poll - Digital Vs Acoustic

Thanks, Bob, for this post. It's good
to hear about someone keeping acoustic
pianos in the forefront.

I also think it would beneficial to take
these kids to a concert hall and have them
play their BEST piece on a concert grand.

I always had digital growing up (no money,
no room). When I got to college and played
the Mason & Hamlin in the Choir room I was
blown away.... then I got to play the
Steinway concert grand in the concert hall.

It was then I made it my life's mission to get
an acoustic grand of some kind as soon as I
had the space and money.

Let them hear and feel what they are missing.

Digital has two advantages: Portability, and silent practice using headphones. Or maybe two and a half, you don't have to get it tuned.

As for the neuromotor aspects of learning to play, I've found from experience that the critical thing is to get some practice time on a variety of different keyboard instruments. I started learning with just one acoustic piano. When the pinblock went bad and I had to replace it, I found that I had become dependent on its action. I couldn't play at all well on any other piano, even much better ones. So, now I have two keyboard instruments, as different as they could possibly be.

Plinky, I like the idea of kids playing a concert grand, in fact, I could easily organize something like that on the Steinway D's at the University. Though I can hear it now, "no funding for the school bus to get the kids there" Still, It's worth looking into - and any funding issues can be overcome. Great idea!