Is practicing on a digital piano harmful to an experienced piano player?












10















I am thinking about getting a digital piano in my apartment for convenience of practicing (and playing fun stuff), so I don't need to go to practice rooms all the time. Though I would like to get a piano that has great touch (Kawai ES8 etc.) I am worried that practicing on the digital piano regularly would do harm to my piano skills. Thus, I wonder if you could share your experience in digital pianos?










share|improve this question




















  • 7





    The high end digital pianos sound and feel so much like the real thing that I doubt you would be doing yourself any harm. Of course you will still be experiencing real pianos, right? I think you will be fine.

    – Jomiddnz
    Feb 23 at 7:22






  • 1





    what is really harmful is not playing at all.

    – Jean-François Fabre
    Feb 24 at 14:21






  • 1





    Uh, aren't all pianos "digital"?

    – Hot Licks
    Feb 24 at 20:07






  • 2





    @Quintec - How do you play it? With your toes? Your elbows?

    – Hot Licks
    Feb 24 at 20:52






  • 1





    @HotLicks facepalm, ah, that needed more explaining.

    – Quintec
    Feb 24 at 22:35
















10















I am thinking about getting a digital piano in my apartment for convenience of practicing (and playing fun stuff), so I don't need to go to practice rooms all the time. Though I would like to get a piano that has great touch (Kawai ES8 etc.) I am worried that practicing on the digital piano regularly would do harm to my piano skills. Thus, I wonder if you could share your experience in digital pianos?










share|improve this question




















  • 7





    The high end digital pianos sound and feel so much like the real thing that I doubt you would be doing yourself any harm. Of course you will still be experiencing real pianos, right? I think you will be fine.

    – Jomiddnz
    Feb 23 at 7:22






  • 1





    what is really harmful is not playing at all.

    – Jean-François Fabre
    Feb 24 at 14:21






  • 1





    Uh, aren't all pianos "digital"?

    – Hot Licks
    Feb 24 at 20:07






  • 2





    @Quintec - How do you play it? With your toes? Your elbows?

    – Hot Licks
    Feb 24 at 20:52






  • 1





    @HotLicks facepalm, ah, that needed more explaining.

    – Quintec
    Feb 24 at 22:35














10












10








10


2






I am thinking about getting a digital piano in my apartment for convenience of practicing (and playing fun stuff), so I don't need to go to practice rooms all the time. Though I would like to get a piano that has great touch (Kawai ES8 etc.) I am worried that practicing on the digital piano regularly would do harm to my piano skills. Thus, I wonder if you could share your experience in digital pianos?










share|improve this question
















I am thinking about getting a digital piano in my apartment for convenience of practicing (and playing fun stuff), so I don't need to go to practice rooms all the time. Though I would like to get a piano that has great touch (Kawai ES8 etc.) I am worried that practicing on the digital piano regularly would do harm to my piano skills. Thus, I wonder if you could share your experience in digital pianos?







piano digital-piano






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Feb 23 at 7:41









topo morto

25.3k244101




25.3k244101










asked Feb 23 at 6:06









Alvis NordkovichAlvis Nordkovich

514




514








  • 7





    The high end digital pianos sound and feel so much like the real thing that I doubt you would be doing yourself any harm. Of course you will still be experiencing real pianos, right? I think you will be fine.

    – Jomiddnz
    Feb 23 at 7:22






  • 1





    what is really harmful is not playing at all.

    – Jean-François Fabre
    Feb 24 at 14:21






  • 1





    Uh, aren't all pianos "digital"?

    – Hot Licks
    Feb 24 at 20:07






  • 2





    @Quintec - How do you play it? With your toes? Your elbows?

    – Hot Licks
    Feb 24 at 20:52






  • 1





    @HotLicks facepalm, ah, that needed more explaining.

    – Quintec
    Feb 24 at 22:35














  • 7





    The high end digital pianos sound and feel so much like the real thing that I doubt you would be doing yourself any harm. Of course you will still be experiencing real pianos, right? I think you will be fine.

    – Jomiddnz
    Feb 23 at 7:22






  • 1





    what is really harmful is not playing at all.

    – Jean-François Fabre
    Feb 24 at 14:21






  • 1





    Uh, aren't all pianos "digital"?

    – Hot Licks
    Feb 24 at 20:07






  • 2





    @Quintec - How do you play it? With your toes? Your elbows?

    – Hot Licks
    Feb 24 at 20:52






  • 1





    @HotLicks facepalm, ah, that needed more explaining.

    – Quintec
    Feb 24 at 22:35








7




7





The high end digital pianos sound and feel so much like the real thing that I doubt you would be doing yourself any harm. Of course you will still be experiencing real pianos, right? I think you will be fine.

– Jomiddnz
Feb 23 at 7:22





The high end digital pianos sound and feel so much like the real thing that I doubt you would be doing yourself any harm. Of course you will still be experiencing real pianos, right? I think you will be fine.

– Jomiddnz
Feb 23 at 7:22




1




1





what is really harmful is not playing at all.

– Jean-François Fabre
Feb 24 at 14:21





what is really harmful is not playing at all.

– Jean-François Fabre
Feb 24 at 14:21




1




1





Uh, aren't all pianos "digital"?

– Hot Licks
Feb 24 at 20:07





Uh, aren't all pianos "digital"?

– Hot Licks
Feb 24 at 20:07




2




2





@Quintec - How do you play it? With your toes? Your elbows?

– Hot Licks
Feb 24 at 20:52





@Quintec - How do you play it? With your toes? Your elbows?

– Hot Licks
Feb 24 at 20:52




1




1





@HotLicks facepalm, ah, that needed more explaining.

– Quintec
Feb 24 at 22:35





@HotLicks facepalm, ah, that needed more explaining.

– Quintec
Feb 24 at 22:35










8 Answers
8






active

oldest

votes


















13














The keys of e-pianos today are weighted.



My son is professional pianist. He plays on different grand pianos and keyboards and he never complained about losing skills. I wouldn’t worry about yours especially as you say you play fun stuff.



Mind that also the keys of different pianos haven’t always the same weight and the distance of the hammers to the strings can be manually adjusted. This factor is more important:



I remember when I was about 16 my hands were more stressed on the grand piano at the conservatory and my fingers and muscles became fatigued because the different attack.






share|improve this answer































    6














    tl;dr




    1. Yes it spoils the touch

    2. I prefer electronic (still!) for other reasons most centrally alternate tunings

    3. I believe it also has contributed to spoiling my ears


    Yeah its a tough choice !



    In more detail



    I grew up on an old upright hard steinway and also a schiedmayer boudoir grand.
    (And Bach and Beethoven were the only guys that mattered!)
    I find the sheer physical exercise of driving wood satisfying at a level that an electronic imitation never matches… but this is not a musical aspect of the discussion.



    After some twelve years of having no piano got a Casio celviano with something strange called alternate tunings — Werkmeister Kirnberger Just... and the usual equal.
    And found that even standard western composers sound better:




    • Bach in Werckmeister See for example

    • Beethoven in Kirnberger

    • And eastern music in just intonation sounds utterly different


    Over time my ears have become so sensitised to this that when last I went to a classical concert I left half way because I found the current standard (ET) unbearably out of tune.



    And yes I am growing older… and deafer… I suspect electronic sounds are at least part responsible






    share|improve this answer

































      4














      There are several out there which feel remarkably similar to acoustic pianos. Which themselves will vary quite a lot in their touch. It's almost like asking if I play XYZ upright, will it spoil my technique for when I return to ABC grand.



      I use several electronics, and Roland FP2 (now 12 yrs old) feels fine still, a little light, but that's my preference.



      One big advantage is the facility to use different sounds, which obviously acoustics don't offer.Different tunings can be interesting too.



      Find one that you do like the feel of, and use it - a lot. It may take a few minutes to re-adjust to the acoustic after, but that's not detrimental. Get in another car, and the clutch pedal may feel different - it's no big deal. And, being experienced, you'll compensate more easily, won't you?






      share|improve this answer































        3














        Not if you were trained to play from the arm and with gravity. The brain has amazing capabilities to adapt to different keyboard actions very quickly but, the proper movement has to be there in the first place.



        People who often complain that some pianos are stiffer than others are most likely using the incorrect muscles to play. If you move improperly then sure, the change of action could either harm or hinder.



        I play a tracker organ at my church and many other organists and pianists complain about the weight of the keys. I have no problem and zero fatigue playing it because I don't use my flexors to depress the keys, I use my arm weight which makes the fingers feel effortless.



        You know this. When you were a kid riding a bike uphill, you probably stood up, adjusted your hips and put all your weight on one leg while the other relaxed. The piano is much the same but you have five legs. Actions feel stiff because we are trying to use two muscles at the same time. Likewise, you can't pedal both pedals at the same time. It is impossible. Sadly, we can execute movements with our hands that belie the laws of physics. Some teachers ignorantly teach to practice more or run silly exercise to build strength and endurance but like riding the bike, you don't need more practice or strength to put all your weight into one pedal. Your brain knows to do this or it doesn't. Once you learn it though, it is there forever. Just like improper movement.



        The only negative about a digital piano is that they don't have a tangible point of sound. If you slowly depress an acoustic piano key without making a sound, you will eventually feel a little bump. Push beyond that and it will give way and you will be pressing into the keybed. The secret to acquiring that pearly carrezando tone is learning to play to the point of sound. It is not an issue of practice but knowing how to move properly and accurately.



        Once learned, it is there forever and you don't need to practice it anymore. Like riding a bike, but with five legs, and 88 pedals.






        share|improve this answer































          3














          I have a very good digital stage piano, a Kawai MP11SE. The action, full length keys, escapement, and graded weighting feel like an acoustic grand piano. In fact none of the acoustic uprights and only a few of the practice grands at my school feel as good. Moreover, none of them are ever in tune as well as my digital piano. It's not even close. The performance Steinway Ds they are only used on stage are another story. But! they are tuned and tweaked on the day of a performance. My MP11SE is always in tune. And, if I want its tuning to have some other temperament, I can change it. If I want A4 to equal 432Hz, 448Hz, 388Hz, etc, I can change it and hundreds of other things in an instant... e.g. the hammer hardness or strike-point.






          share|improve this answer








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            1














            Leaving aside the action, there is one thing that I don't think any electronic keyboard simulates and that is sympathetic vibration.



            If you hold the sustain pedal down on an acoustic instrument and strike a note or chord it will spread to other unplayed strings. For certain pieces this makes a difference to the 'atmosphere' of the sound.






            share|improve this answer
























            • Some keyboards certainly do simulate that sympathetic resonance, along with hammer noise, the slight sound of every string vibrating when you press the sustain pedal and the dampers come off, the sounds of the duplex portion of the strings (beyond the bridge), the effect of the lid, and several other aspects of a mechanical piano. (I won't name-check a brand, but I speak from experience of my own 8-year-old keyboard.) It also has an action similar enough to a grand piano that practising on one is perfectly good for the other!

              – gidds
              Feb 24 at 15:28



















            0














            Short answer is likely not. As others have mentioned good technique will come from proper alignment of the body, shoulder, arm, wrist, hands, and fingers. If the good form is there you will be able to adjust to any action or touch on different instruments. For example I have a Yamaha studio upright U series which I practice a majority of the time on at home and I'm using to the action. I also have a Roland E-300 which I use with headphones and for effects like strings. The Roland doesn't have weighted keys so I know the actions is going to be quick, but if I concentrate on using my technique I can still produce a the sound I want. Throughout the years I have not suffered with losing my touch for any piano that I play on.






            share|improve this answer































              0














              I had a very average digital piano (Yamaha Clavinova CLP910 from around year 2000), weighted keys, and all, and I thought it had a nice touch, but then I bought a real piano, and of course it's much better (specially with a "silent" mode which allows me to play with the headphones)



              When I tried to play on that digital piano again (before finally selling it), it really felt like my first non-weighted keyboard from the 1980s: horrible.



              Then I tested some digital pianos for a friend who wanted one and came across a Kawai with exact same mechanism as a real piano, and a "new" Yamaha Clavinova. I thought "how long was I away?".



              My friend chose the Clavinova, and every now and then I play at their house and I really enjoy the touch just after/before playing my piano at home. And I don't feel a great difference.



              The only big difference I see is about the pedal: a real piano pedal lasts like forever, whereas on most digital pianos, the older sustained notes end up fading away more quickly because of the limited polyphony. So on an electronic piano (or on my piano with silent mode on), you can hold the pedal wrongly/too much without making it sound weird, but don't try that stunt on a real piano.



              So (apart from the pedal stuff) what you're stating has been true, but now it's no longer the case thanks to constructors trying hard to recreate the real piano experience truthfully and for a reasonable price.



              Besides, what really harms performance is not to play at all. So if you have a digital piano available at your place, you'll make big progress, and you'll enjoy playing real pianos more.






              share|improve this answer

























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                8 Answers
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                13














                The keys of e-pianos today are weighted.



                My son is professional pianist. He plays on different grand pianos and keyboards and he never complained about losing skills. I wouldn’t worry about yours especially as you say you play fun stuff.



                Mind that also the keys of different pianos haven’t always the same weight and the distance of the hammers to the strings can be manually adjusted. This factor is more important:



                I remember when I was about 16 my hands were more stressed on the grand piano at the conservatory and my fingers and muscles became fatigued because the different attack.






                share|improve this answer




























                  13














                  The keys of e-pianos today are weighted.



                  My son is professional pianist. He plays on different grand pianos and keyboards and he never complained about losing skills. I wouldn’t worry about yours especially as you say you play fun stuff.



                  Mind that also the keys of different pianos haven’t always the same weight and the distance of the hammers to the strings can be manually adjusted. This factor is more important:



                  I remember when I was about 16 my hands were more stressed on the grand piano at the conservatory and my fingers and muscles became fatigued because the different attack.






                  share|improve this answer


























                    13












                    13








                    13







                    The keys of e-pianos today are weighted.



                    My son is professional pianist. He plays on different grand pianos and keyboards and he never complained about losing skills. I wouldn’t worry about yours especially as you say you play fun stuff.



                    Mind that also the keys of different pianos haven’t always the same weight and the distance of the hammers to the strings can be manually adjusted. This factor is more important:



                    I remember when I was about 16 my hands were more stressed on the grand piano at the conservatory and my fingers and muscles became fatigued because the different attack.






                    share|improve this answer













                    The keys of e-pianos today are weighted.



                    My son is professional pianist. He plays on different grand pianos and keyboards and he never complained about losing skills. I wouldn’t worry about yours especially as you say you play fun stuff.



                    Mind that also the keys of different pianos haven’t always the same weight and the distance of the hammers to the strings can be manually adjusted. This factor is more important:



                    I remember when I was about 16 my hands were more stressed on the grand piano at the conservatory and my fingers and muscles became fatigued because the different attack.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Feb 23 at 7:27









                    Albrecht HügliAlbrecht Hügli

                    2,574220




                    2,574220























                        6














                        tl;dr




                        1. Yes it spoils the touch

                        2. I prefer electronic (still!) for other reasons most centrally alternate tunings

                        3. I believe it also has contributed to spoiling my ears


                        Yeah its a tough choice !



                        In more detail



                        I grew up on an old upright hard steinway and also a schiedmayer boudoir grand.
                        (And Bach and Beethoven were the only guys that mattered!)
                        I find the sheer physical exercise of driving wood satisfying at a level that an electronic imitation never matches… but this is not a musical aspect of the discussion.



                        After some twelve years of having no piano got a Casio celviano with something strange called alternate tunings — Werkmeister Kirnberger Just... and the usual equal.
                        And found that even standard western composers sound better:




                        • Bach in Werckmeister See for example

                        • Beethoven in Kirnberger

                        • And eastern music in just intonation sounds utterly different


                        Over time my ears have become so sensitised to this that when last I went to a classical concert I left half way because I found the current standard (ET) unbearably out of tune.



                        And yes I am growing older… and deafer… I suspect electronic sounds are at least part responsible






                        share|improve this answer






























                          6














                          tl;dr




                          1. Yes it spoils the touch

                          2. I prefer electronic (still!) for other reasons most centrally alternate tunings

                          3. I believe it also has contributed to spoiling my ears


                          Yeah its a tough choice !



                          In more detail



                          I grew up on an old upright hard steinway and also a schiedmayer boudoir grand.
                          (And Bach and Beethoven were the only guys that mattered!)
                          I find the sheer physical exercise of driving wood satisfying at a level that an electronic imitation never matches… but this is not a musical aspect of the discussion.



                          After some twelve years of having no piano got a Casio celviano with something strange called alternate tunings — Werkmeister Kirnberger Just... and the usual equal.
                          And found that even standard western composers sound better:




                          • Bach in Werckmeister See for example

                          • Beethoven in Kirnberger

                          • And eastern music in just intonation sounds utterly different


                          Over time my ears have become so sensitised to this that when last I went to a classical concert I left half way because I found the current standard (ET) unbearably out of tune.



                          And yes I am growing older… and deafer… I suspect electronic sounds are at least part responsible






                          share|improve this answer




























                            6












                            6








                            6







                            tl;dr




                            1. Yes it spoils the touch

                            2. I prefer electronic (still!) for other reasons most centrally alternate tunings

                            3. I believe it also has contributed to spoiling my ears


                            Yeah its a tough choice !



                            In more detail



                            I grew up on an old upright hard steinway and also a schiedmayer boudoir grand.
                            (And Bach and Beethoven were the only guys that mattered!)
                            I find the sheer physical exercise of driving wood satisfying at a level that an electronic imitation never matches… but this is not a musical aspect of the discussion.



                            After some twelve years of having no piano got a Casio celviano with something strange called alternate tunings — Werkmeister Kirnberger Just... and the usual equal.
                            And found that even standard western composers sound better:




                            • Bach in Werckmeister See for example

                            • Beethoven in Kirnberger

                            • And eastern music in just intonation sounds utterly different


                            Over time my ears have become so sensitised to this that when last I went to a classical concert I left half way because I found the current standard (ET) unbearably out of tune.



                            And yes I am growing older… and deafer… I suspect electronic sounds are at least part responsible






                            share|improve this answer















                            tl;dr




                            1. Yes it spoils the touch

                            2. I prefer electronic (still!) for other reasons most centrally alternate tunings

                            3. I believe it also has contributed to spoiling my ears


                            Yeah its a tough choice !



                            In more detail



                            I grew up on an old upright hard steinway and also a schiedmayer boudoir grand.
                            (And Bach and Beethoven were the only guys that mattered!)
                            I find the sheer physical exercise of driving wood satisfying at a level that an electronic imitation never matches… but this is not a musical aspect of the discussion.



                            After some twelve years of having no piano got a Casio celviano with something strange called alternate tunings — Werkmeister Kirnberger Just... and the usual equal.
                            And found that even standard western composers sound better:




                            • Bach in Werckmeister See for example

                            • Beethoven in Kirnberger

                            • And eastern music in just intonation sounds utterly different


                            Over time my ears have become so sensitised to this that when last I went to a classical concert I left half way because I found the current standard (ET) unbearably out of tune.



                            And yes I am growing older… and deafer… I suspect electronic sounds are at least part responsible







                            share|improve this answer














                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer








                            edited Feb 23 at 8:02

























                            answered Feb 23 at 7:43









                            RusiRusi

                            21912




                            21912























                                4














                                There are several out there which feel remarkably similar to acoustic pianos. Which themselves will vary quite a lot in their touch. It's almost like asking if I play XYZ upright, will it spoil my technique for when I return to ABC grand.



                                I use several electronics, and Roland FP2 (now 12 yrs old) feels fine still, a little light, but that's my preference.



                                One big advantage is the facility to use different sounds, which obviously acoustics don't offer.Different tunings can be interesting too.



                                Find one that you do like the feel of, and use it - a lot. It may take a few minutes to re-adjust to the acoustic after, but that's not detrimental. Get in another car, and the clutch pedal may feel different - it's no big deal. And, being experienced, you'll compensate more easily, won't you?






                                share|improve this answer




























                                  4














                                  There are several out there which feel remarkably similar to acoustic pianos. Which themselves will vary quite a lot in their touch. It's almost like asking if I play XYZ upright, will it spoil my technique for when I return to ABC grand.



                                  I use several electronics, and Roland FP2 (now 12 yrs old) feels fine still, a little light, but that's my preference.



                                  One big advantage is the facility to use different sounds, which obviously acoustics don't offer.Different tunings can be interesting too.



                                  Find one that you do like the feel of, and use it - a lot. It may take a few minutes to re-adjust to the acoustic after, but that's not detrimental. Get in another car, and the clutch pedal may feel different - it's no big deal. And, being experienced, you'll compensate more easily, won't you?






                                  share|improve this answer


























                                    4












                                    4








                                    4







                                    There are several out there which feel remarkably similar to acoustic pianos. Which themselves will vary quite a lot in their touch. It's almost like asking if I play XYZ upright, will it spoil my technique for when I return to ABC grand.



                                    I use several electronics, and Roland FP2 (now 12 yrs old) feels fine still, a little light, but that's my preference.



                                    One big advantage is the facility to use different sounds, which obviously acoustics don't offer.Different tunings can be interesting too.



                                    Find one that you do like the feel of, and use it - a lot. It may take a few minutes to re-adjust to the acoustic after, but that's not detrimental. Get in another car, and the clutch pedal may feel different - it's no big deal. And, being experienced, you'll compensate more easily, won't you?






                                    share|improve this answer













                                    There are several out there which feel remarkably similar to acoustic pianos. Which themselves will vary quite a lot in their touch. It's almost like asking if I play XYZ upright, will it spoil my technique for when I return to ABC grand.



                                    I use several electronics, and Roland FP2 (now 12 yrs old) feels fine still, a little light, but that's my preference.



                                    One big advantage is the facility to use different sounds, which obviously acoustics don't offer.Different tunings can be interesting too.



                                    Find one that you do like the feel of, and use it - a lot. It may take a few minutes to re-adjust to the acoustic after, but that's not detrimental. Get in another car, and the clutch pedal may feel different - it's no big deal. And, being experienced, you'll compensate more easily, won't you?







                                    share|improve this answer












                                    share|improve this answer



                                    share|improve this answer










                                    answered Feb 23 at 7:56









                                    TimTim

                                    102k10104258




                                    102k10104258























                                        3














                                        Not if you were trained to play from the arm and with gravity. The brain has amazing capabilities to adapt to different keyboard actions very quickly but, the proper movement has to be there in the first place.



                                        People who often complain that some pianos are stiffer than others are most likely using the incorrect muscles to play. If you move improperly then sure, the change of action could either harm or hinder.



                                        I play a tracker organ at my church and many other organists and pianists complain about the weight of the keys. I have no problem and zero fatigue playing it because I don't use my flexors to depress the keys, I use my arm weight which makes the fingers feel effortless.



                                        You know this. When you were a kid riding a bike uphill, you probably stood up, adjusted your hips and put all your weight on one leg while the other relaxed. The piano is much the same but you have five legs. Actions feel stiff because we are trying to use two muscles at the same time. Likewise, you can't pedal both pedals at the same time. It is impossible. Sadly, we can execute movements with our hands that belie the laws of physics. Some teachers ignorantly teach to practice more or run silly exercise to build strength and endurance but like riding the bike, you don't need more practice or strength to put all your weight into one pedal. Your brain knows to do this or it doesn't. Once you learn it though, it is there forever. Just like improper movement.



                                        The only negative about a digital piano is that they don't have a tangible point of sound. If you slowly depress an acoustic piano key without making a sound, you will eventually feel a little bump. Push beyond that and it will give way and you will be pressing into the keybed. The secret to acquiring that pearly carrezando tone is learning to play to the point of sound. It is not an issue of practice but knowing how to move properly and accurately.



                                        Once learned, it is there forever and you don't need to practice it anymore. Like riding a bike, but with five legs, and 88 pedals.






                                        share|improve this answer




























                                          3














                                          Not if you were trained to play from the arm and with gravity. The brain has amazing capabilities to adapt to different keyboard actions very quickly but, the proper movement has to be there in the first place.



                                          People who often complain that some pianos are stiffer than others are most likely using the incorrect muscles to play. If you move improperly then sure, the change of action could either harm or hinder.



                                          I play a tracker organ at my church and many other organists and pianists complain about the weight of the keys. I have no problem and zero fatigue playing it because I don't use my flexors to depress the keys, I use my arm weight which makes the fingers feel effortless.



                                          You know this. When you were a kid riding a bike uphill, you probably stood up, adjusted your hips and put all your weight on one leg while the other relaxed. The piano is much the same but you have five legs. Actions feel stiff because we are trying to use two muscles at the same time. Likewise, you can't pedal both pedals at the same time. It is impossible. Sadly, we can execute movements with our hands that belie the laws of physics. Some teachers ignorantly teach to practice more or run silly exercise to build strength and endurance but like riding the bike, you don't need more practice or strength to put all your weight into one pedal. Your brain knows to do this or it doesn't. Once you learn it though, it is there forever. Just like improper movement.



                                          The only negative about a digital piano is that they don't have a tangible point of sound. If you slowly depress an acoustic piano key without making a sound, you will eventually feel a little bump. Push beyond that and it will give way and you will be pressing into the keybed. The secret to acquiring that pearly carrezando tone is learning to play to the point of sound. It is not an issue of practice but knowing how to move properly and accurately.



                                          Once learned, it is there forever and you don't need to practice it anymore. Like riding a bike, but with five legs, and 88 pedals.






                                          share|improve this answer


























                                            3












                                            3








                                            3







                                            Not if you were trained to play from the arm and with gravity. The brain has amazing capabilities to adapt to different keyboard actions very quickly but, the proper movement has to be there in the first place.



                                            People who often complain that some pianos are stiffer than others are most likely using the incorrect muscles to play. If you move improperly then sure, the change of action could either harm or hinder.



                                            I play a tracker organ at my church and many other organists and pianists complain about the weight of the keys. I have no problem and zero fatigue playing it because I don't use my flexors to depress the keys, I use my arm weight which makes the fingers feel effortless.



                                            You know this. When you were a kid riding a bike uphill, you probably stood up, adjusted your hips and put all your weight on one leg while the other relaxed. The piano is much the same but you have five legs. Actions feel stiff because we are trying to use two muscles at the same time. Likewise, you can't pedal both pedals at the same time. It is impossible. Sadly, we can execute movements with our hands that belie the laws of physics. Some teachers ignorantly teach to practice more or run silly exercise to build strength and endurance but like riding the bike, you don't need more practice or strength to put all your weight into one pedal. Your brain knows to do this or it doesn't. Once you learn it though, it is there forever. Just like improper movement.



                                            The only negative about a digital piano is that they don't have a tangible point of sound. If you slowly depress an acoustic piano key without making a sound, you will eventually feel a little bump. Push beyond that and it will give way and you will be pressing into the keybed. The secret to acquiring that pearly carrezando tone is learning to play to the point of sound. It is not an issue of practice but knowing how to move properly and accurately.



                                            Once learned, it is there forever and you don't need to practice it anymore. Like riding a bike, but with five legs, and 88 pedals.






                                            share|improve this answer













                                            Not if you were trained to play from the arm and with gravity. The brain has amazing capabilities to adapt to different keyboard actions very quickly but, the proper movement has to be there in the first place.



                                            People who often complain that some pianos are stiffer than others are most likely using the incorrect muscles to play. If you move improperly then sure, the change of action could either harm or hinder.



                                            I play a tracker organ at my church and many other organists and pianists complain about the weight of the keys. I have no problem and zero fatigue playing it because I don't use my flexors to depress the keys, I use my arm weight which makes the fingers feel effortless.



                                            You know this. When you were a kid riding a bike uphill, you probably stood up, adjusted your hips and put all your weight on one leg while the other relaxed. The piano is much the same but you have five legs. Actions feel stiff because we are trying to use two muscles at the same time. Likewise, you can't pedal both pedals at the same time. It is impossible. Sadly, we can execute movements with our hands that belie the laws of physics. Some teachers ignorantly teach to practice more or run silly exercise to build strength and endurance but like riding the bike, you don't need more practice or strength to put all your weight into one pedal. Your brain knows to do this or it doesn't. Once you learn it though, it is there forever. Just like improper movement.



                                            The only negative about a digital piano is that they don't have a tangible point of sound. If you slowly depress an acoustic piano key without making a sound, you will eventually feel a little bump. Push beyond that and it will give way and you will be pressing into the keybed. The secret to acquiring that pearly carrezando tone is learning to play to the point of sound. It is not an issue of practice but knowing how to move properly and accurately.



                                            Once learned, it is there forever and you don't need to practice it anymore. Like riding a bike, but with five legs, and 88 pedals.







                                            share|improve this answer












                                            share|improve this answer



                                            share|improve this answer










                                            answered Feb 23 at 14:30









                                            Malcolm KogutMalcolm Kogut

                                            1,56837




                                            1,56837























                                                3














                                                I have a very good digital stage piano, a Kawai MP11SE. The action, full length keys, escapement, and graded weighting feel like an acoustic grand piano. In fact none of the acoustic uprights and only a few of the practice grands at my school feel as good. Moreover, none of them are ever in tune as well as my digital piano. It's not even close. The performance Steinway Ds they are only used on stage are another story. But! they are tuned and tweaked on the day of a performance. My MP11SE is always in tune. And, if I want its tuning to have some other temperament, I can change it. If I want A4 to equal 432Hz, 448Hz, 388Hz, etc, I can change it and hundreds of other things in an instant... e.g. the hammer hardness or strike-point.






                                                share|improve this answer








                                                New contributor




                                                Paul Sterrett RN is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                Check out our Code of Conduct.

























                                                  3














                                                  I have a very good digital stage piano, a Kawai MP11SE. The action, full length keys, escapement, and graded weighting feel like an acoustic grand piano. In fact none of the acoustic uprights and only a few of the practice grands at my school feel as good. Moreover, none of them are ever in tune as well as my digital piano. It's not even close. The performance Steinway Ds they are only used on stage are another story. But! they are tuned and tweaked on the day of a performance. My MP11SE is always in tune. And, if I want its tuning to have some other temperament, I can change it. If I want A4 to equal 432Hz, 448Hz, 388Hz, etc, I can change it and hundreds of other things in an instant... e.g. the hammer hardness or strike-point.






                                                  share|improve this answer








                                                  New contributor




                                                  Paul Sterrett RN is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                  Check out our Code of Conduct.























                                                    3












                                                    3








                                                    3







                                                    I have a very good digital stage piano, a Kawai MP11SE. The action, full length keys, escapement, and graded weighting feel like an acoustic grand piano. In fact none of the acoustic uprights and only a few of the practice grands at my school feel as good. Moreover, none of them are ever in tune as well as my digital piano. It's not even close. The performance Steinway Ds they are only used on stage are another story. But! they are tuned and tweaked on the day of a performance. My MP11SE is always in tune. And, if I want its tuning to have some other temperament, I can change it. If I want A4 to equal 432Hz, 448Hz, 388Hz, etc, I can change it and hundreds of other things in an instant... e.g. the hammer hardness or strike-point.






                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                    New contributor




                                                    Paul Sterrett RN is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.










                                                    I have a very good digital stage piano, a Kawai MP11SE. The action, full length keys, escapement, and graded weighting feel like an acoustic grand piano. In fact none of the acoustic uprights and only a few of the practice grands at my school feel as good. Moreover, none of them are ever in tune as well as my digital piano. It's not even close. The performance Steinway Ds they are only used on stage are another story. But! they are tuned and tweaked on the day of a performance. My MP11SE is always in tune. And, if I want its tuning to have some other temperament, I can change it. If I want A4 to equal 432Hz, 448Hz, 388Hz, etc, I can change it and hundreds of other things in an instant... e.g. the hammer hardness or strike-point.







                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                    New contributor




                                                    Paul Sterrett RN is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                                    share|improve this answer



                                                    share|improve this answer






                                                    New contributor




                                                    Paul Sterrett RN is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                                    answered Feb 24 at 13:43









                                                    Paul Sterrett RNPaul Sterrett RN

                                                    312




                                                    312




                                                    New contributor




                                                    Paul Sterrett RN is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.





                                                    New contributor





                                                    Paul Sterrett RN is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.






                                                    Paul Sterrett RN is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.























                                                        1














                                                        Leaving aside the action, there is one thing that I don't think any electronic keyboard simulates and that is sympathetic vibration.



                                                        If you hold the sustain pedal down on an acoustic instrument and strike a note or chord it will spread to other unplayed strings. For certain pieces this makes a difference to the 'atmosphere' of the sound.






                                                        share|improve this answer
























                                                        • Some keyboards certainly do simulate that sympathetic resonance, along with hammer noise, the slight sound of every string vibrating when you press the sustain pedal and the dampers come off, the sounds of the duplex portion of the strings (beyond the bridge), the effect of the lid, and several other aspects of a mechanical piano. (I won't name-check a brand, but I speak from experience of my own 8-year-old keyboard.) It also has an action similar enough to a grand piano that practising on one is perfectly good for the other!

                                                          – gidds
                                                          Feb 24 at 15:28
















                                                        1














                                                        Leaving aside the action, there is one thing that I don't think any electronic keyboard simulates and that is sympathetic vibration.



                                                        If you hold the sustain pedal down on an acoustic instrument and strike a note or chord it will spread to other unplayed strings. For certain pieces this makes a difference to the 'atmosphere' of the sound.






                                                        share|improve this answer
























                                                        • Some keyboards certainly do simulate that sympathetic resonance, along with hammer noise, the slight sound of every string vibrating when you press the sustain pedal and the dampers come off, the sounds of the duplex portion of the strings (beyond the bridge), the effect of the lid, and several other aspects of a mechanical piano. (I won't name-check a brand, but I speak from experience of my own 8-year-old keyboard.) It also has an action similar enough to a grand piano that practising on one is perfectly good for the other!

                                                          – gidds
                                                          Feb 24 at 15:28














                                                        1












                                                        1








                                                        1







                                                        Leaving aside the action, there is one thing that I don't think any electronic keyboard simulates and that is sympathetic vibration.



                                                        If you hold the sustain pedal down on an acoustic instrument and strike a note or chord it will spread to other unplayed strings. For certain pieces this makes a difference to the 'atmosphere' of the sound.






                                                        share|improve this answer













                                                        Leaving aside the action, there is one thing that I don't think any electronic keyboard simulates and that is sympathetic vibration.



                                                        If you hold the sustain pedal down on an acoustic instrument and strike a note or chord it will spread to other unplayed strings. For certain pieces this makes a difference to the 'atmosphere' of the sound.







                                                        share|improve this answer












                                                        share|improve this answer



                                                        share|improve this answer










                                                        answered Feb 23 at 21:54









                                                        chasly from UKchasly from UK

                                                        32817




                                                        32817













                                                        • Some keyboards certainly do simulate that sympathetic resonance, along with hammer noise, the slight sound of every string vibrating when you press the sustain pedal and the dampers come off, the sounds of the duplex portion of the strings (beyond the bridge), the effect of the lid, and several other aspects of a mechanical piano. (I won't name-check a brand, but I speak from experience of my own 8-year-old keyboard.) It also has an action similar enough to a grand piano that practising on one is perfectly good for the other!

                                                          – gidds
                                                          Feb 24 at 15:28



















                                                        • Some keyboards certainly do simulate that sympathetic resonance, along with hammer noise, the slight sound of every string vibrating when you press the sustain pedal and the dampers come off, the sounds of the duplex portion of the strings (beyond the bridge), the effect of the lid, and several other aspects of a mechanical piano. (I won't name-check a brand, but I speak from experience of my own 8-year-old keyboard.) It also has an action similar enough to a grand piano that practising on one is perfectly good for the other!

                                                          – gidds
                                                          Feb 24 at 15:28

















                                                        Some keyboards certainly do simulate that sympathetic resonance, along with hammer noise, the slight sound of every string vibrating when you press the sustain pedal and the dampers come off, the sounds of the duplex portion of the strings (beyond the bridge), the effect of the lid, and several other aspects of a mechanical piano. (I won't name-check a brand, but I speak from experience of my own 8-year-old keyboard.) It also has an action similar enough to a grand piano that practising on one is perfectly good for the other!

                                                        – gidds
                                                        Feb 24 at 15:28





                                                        Some keyboards certainly do simulate that sympathetic resonance, along with hammer noise, the slight sound of every string vibrating when you press the sustain pedal and the dampers come off, the sounds of the duplex portion of the strings (beyond the bridge), the effect of the lid, and several other aspects of a mechanical piano. (I won't name-check a brand, but I speak from experience of my own 8-year-old keyboard.) It also has an action similar enough to a grand piano that practising on one is perfectly good for the other!

                                                        – gidds
                                                        Feb 24 at 15:28











                                                        0














                                                        Short answer is likely not. As others have mentioned good technique will come from proper alignment of the body, shoulder, arm, wrist, hands, and fingers. If the good form is there you will be able to adjust to any action or touch on different instruments. For example I have a Yamaha studio upright U series which I practice a majority of the time on at home and I'm using to the action. I also have a Roland E-300 which I use with headphones and for effects like strings. The Roland doesn't have weighted keys so I know the actions is going to be quick, but if I concentrate on using my technique I can still produce a the sound I want. Throughout the years I have not suffered with losing my touch for any piano that I play on.






                                                        share|improve this answer




























                                                          0














                                                          Short answer is likely not. As others have mentioned good technique will come from proper alignment of the body, shoulder, arm, wrist, hands, and fingers. If the good form is there you will be able to adjust to any action or touch on different instruments. For example I have a Yamaha studio upright U series which I practice a majority of the time on at home and I'm using to the action. I also have a Roland E-300 which I use with headphones and for effects like strings. The Roland doesn't have weighted keys so I know the actions is going to be quick, but if I concentrate on using my technique I can still produce a the sound I want. Throughout the years I have not suffered with losing my touch for any piano that I play on.






                                                          share|improve this answer


























                                                            0












                                                            0








                                                            0







                                                            Short answer is likely not. As others have mentioned good technique will come from proper alignment of the body, shoulder, arm, wrist, hands, and fingers. If the good form is there you will be able to adjust to any action or touch on different instruments. For example I have a Yamaha studio upright U series which I practice a majority of the time on at home and I'm using to the action. I also have a Roland E-300 which I use with headphones and for effects like strings. The Roland doesn't have weighted keys so I know the actions is going to be quick, but if I concentrate on using my technique I can still produce a the sound I want. Throughout the years I have not suffered with losing my touch for any piano that I play on.






                                                            share|improve this answer













                                                            Short answer is likely not. As others have mentioned good technique will come from proper alignment of the body, shoulder, arm, wrist, hands, and fingers. If the good form is there you will be able to adjust to any action or touch on different instruments. For example I have a Yamaha studio upright U series which I practice a majority of the time on at home and I'm using to the action. I also have a Roland E-300 which I use with headphones and for effects like strings. The Roland doesn't have weighted keys so I know the actions is going to be quick, but if I concentrate on using my technique I can still produce a the sound I want. Throughout the years I have not suffered with losing my touch for any piano that I play on.







                                                            share|improve this answer












                                                            share|improve this answer



                                                            share|improve this answer










                                                            answered Feb 23 at 16:55









                                                            A. A. VerburgA. A. Verburg

                                                            11916




                                                            11916























                                                                0














                                                                I had a very average digital piano (Yamaha Clavinova CLP910 from around year 2000), weighted keys, and all, and I thought it had a nice touch, but then I bought a real piano, and of course it's much better (specially with a "silent" mode which allows me to play with the headphones)



                                                                When I tried to play on that digital piano again (before finally selling it), it really felt like my first non-weighted keyboard from the 1980s: horrible.



                                                                Then I tested some digital pianos for a friend who wanted one and came across a Kawai with exact same mechanism as a real piano, and a "new" Yamaha Clavinova. I thought "how long was I away?".



                                                                My friend chose the Clavinova, and every now and then I play at their house and I really enjoy the touch just after/before playing my piano at home. And I don't feel a great difference.



                                                                The only big difference I see is about the pedal: a real piano pedal lasts like forever, whereas on most digital pianos, the older sustained notes end up fading away more quickly because of the limited polyphony. So on an electronic piano (or on my piano with silent mode on), you can hold the pedal wrongly/too much without making it sound weird, but don't try that stunt on a real piano.



                                                                So (apart from the pedal stuff) what you're stating has been true, but now it's no longer the case thanks to constructors trying hard to recreate the real piano experience truthfully and for a reasonable price.



                                                                Besides, what really harms performance is not to play at all. So if you have a digital piano available at your place, you'll make big progress, and you'll enjoy playing real pianos more.






                                                                share|improve this answer






























                                                                  0














                                                                  I had a very average digital piano (Yamaha Clavinova CLP910 from around year 2000), weighted keys, and all, and I thought it had a nice touch, but then I bought a real piano, and of course it's much better (specially with a "silent" mode which allows me to play with the headphones)



                                                                  When I tried to play on that digital piano again (before finally selling it), it really felt like my first non-weighted keyboard from the 1980s: horrible.



                                                                  Then I tested some digital pianos for a friend who wanted one and came across a Kawai with exact same mechanism as a real piano, and a "new" Yamaha Clavinova. I thought "how long was I away?".



                                                                  My friend chose the Clavinova, and every now and then I play at their house and I really enjoy the touch just after/before playing my piano at home. And I don't feel a great difference.



                                                                  The only big difference I see is about the pedal: a real piano pedal lasts like forever, whereas on most digital pianos, the older sustained notes end up fading away more quickly because of the limited polyphony. So on an electronic piano (or on my piano with silent mode on), you can hold the pedal wrongly/too much without making it sound weird, but don't try that stunt on a real piano.



                                                                  So (apart from the pedal stuff) what you're stating has been true, but now it's no longer the case thanks to constructors trying hard to recreate the real piano experience truthfully and for a reasonable price.



                                                                  Besides, what really harms performance is not to play at all. So if you have a digital piano available at your place, you'll make big progress, and you'll enjoy playing real pianos more.






                                                                  share|improve this answer




























                                                                    0












                                                                    0








                                                                    0







                                                                    I had a very average digital piano (Yamaha Clavinova CLP910 from around year 2000), weighted keys, and all, and I thought it had a nice touch, but then I bought a real piano, and of course it's much better (specially with a "silent" mode which allows me to play with the headphones)



                                                                    When I tried to play on that digital piano again (before finally selling it), it really felt like my first non-weighted keyboard from the 1980s: horrible.



                                                                    Then I tested some digital pianos for a friend who wanted one and came across a Kawai with exact same mechanism as a real piano, and a "new" Yamaha Clavinova. I thought "how long was I away?".



                                                                    My friend chose the Clavinova, and every now and then I play at their house and I really enjoy the touch just after/before playing my piano at home. And I don't feel a great difference.



                                                                    The only big difference I see is about the pedal: a real piano pedal lasts like forever, whereas on most digital pianos, the older sustained notes end up fading away more quickly because of the limited polyphony. So on an electronic piano (or on my piano with silent mode on), you can hold the pedal wrongly/too much without making it sound weird, but don't try that stunt on a real piano.



                                                                    So (apart from the pedal stuff) what you're stating has been true, but now it's no longer the case thanks to constructors trying hard to recreate the real piano experience truthfully and for a reasonable price.



                                                                    Besides, what really harms performance is not to play at all. So if you have a digital piano available at your place, you'll make big progress, and you'll enjoy playing real pianos more.






                                                                    share|improve this answer















                                                                    I had a very average digital piano (Yamaha Clavinova CLP910 from around year 2000), weighted keys, and all, and I thought it had a nice touch, but then I bought a real piano, and of course it's much better (specially with a "silent" mode which allows me to play with the headphones)



                                                                    When I tried to play on that digital piano again (before finally selling it), it really felt like my first non-weighted keyboard from the 1980s: horrible.



                                                                    Then I tested some digital pianos for a friend who wanted one and came across a Kawai with exact same mechanism as a real piano, and a "new" Yamaha Clavinova. I thought "how long was I away?".



                                                                    My friend chose the Clavinova, and every now and then I play at their house and I really enjoy the touch just after/before playing my piano at home. And I don't feel a great difference.



                                                                    The only big difference I see is about the pedal: a real piano pedal lasts like forever, whereas on most digital pianos, the older sustained notes end up fading away more quickly because of the limited polyphony. So on an electronic piano (or on my piano with silent mode on), you can hold the pedal wrongly/too much without making it sound weird, but don't try that stunt on a real piano.



                                                                    So (apart from the pedal stuff) what you're stating has been true, but now it's no longer the case thanks to constructors trying hard to recreate the real piano experience truthfully and for a reasonable price.



                                                                    Besides, what really harms performance is not to play at all. So if you have a digital piano available at your place, you'll make big progress, and you'll enjoy playing real pianos more.







                                                                    share|improve this answer














                                                                    share|improve this answer



                                                                    share|improve this answer








                                                                    edited Feb 24 at 22:09

























                                                                    answered Feb 24 at 14:32









                                                                    Jean-François FabreJean-François Fabre

                                                                    1315




                                                                    1315






























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