| Humans are innately musical creatures and many | | | | speakers, you can expect to pay up to one |
| of us yearn to express ourselves through playing | | | | thousand dollars or more. But be sure to shop |
| a musical instrument. The digital piano, which has | | | | around before you pull out your credit card. You |
| only come on the market within the past twenty | | | | can often find products on sale at heavily |
| years or so, has already found its way into many | | | | discounted prices. |
| homes. This instrument continues to gain in | | | | Is the instrument for a beginner or an |
| widespread popularity as digital technology (and | | | | experienced musician? Many digital pianos have |
| the resulting sound of the piano) improves. | | | | built-in teaching features. For example, keys on |
| Digital pianos and keyboards are available in a | | | | the keyboard light up to show where to place the |
| staggering range of price and quality. At one end | | | | fingers. An LED screen teaches how to keep time |
| of the scale is a keyboard that is little more than | | | | and read music. A graduated series of lessons |
| a glorified toy for kids to fool around with. At the | | | | teaches the basics of playing. A extensive song |
| other end of the scale is a sophisticated musical | | | | library contains plenty of tunes to learn and |
| instrument that sounds and plays like a real piano | | | | practice. These instruments are great for getting |
| and is perfectly suitable for professional stage | | | | novices up and playing music in a very short time. |
| performances. Somewhere in that range is the | | | | In contrast, more experienced musicians will not |
| perfect digital piano for you. Here are a few | | | | need or want these extras and may even prefer |
| points for you to consider when you go shopping. | | | | a piano without them. For them, the sound of the |
| How much do you want to spend? Price is a big | | | | piano is paramount and it's worth paying a little |
| concern for many, but there is a model to fit just | | | | extra for highly realistic and pleasing piano tones. |
| about every budget. If the keyboard is simply to | | | | They will also be particular about the feel of the |
| introduce your children to music making, you can | | | | keyboard. There are some very good digital |
| get a nice setup for maybe two hundred dollars. | | | | pianos with weighted keys that produce the |
| You can upgrade later to a better keyboard if the | | | | sensation of pressing keys on an acoustic piano. |
| kids show a real interest in playing. | | | | This feature allows the pianist to play more |
| On the other hand, if you want a digital piano with | | | | naturally and expressively. |
| weighted keys, superior sound, and quality | | | | |