| A digital piano is a modernized version of the | | | | with other groups, that ability is a very attractive |
| electronic piano that was manufactured and sold | | | | feature, especially when a lot of music is written |
| from the 1950's through the 1980's. Electronic | | | | for sopranos and the person who wants to sing a |
| pianos were based upon synthesized sound as | | | | solo may be an alto or a bass. |
| opposed to the mechanical sounds carried by the | | | | Many of the newest digital pianos have the ability |
| electric pianos which were sold for awhile in the | | | | to link to a computer or they have a place for a |
| 1960's and 70's. | | | | disk on which the keyboardist can record the |
| When the digital piano appeared on the scene in | | | | music for later use. With the advent of digital |
| the 1980's, they began to take the place of the | | | | music players such as Ipods, Zunes, mp3's, and |
| acoustic piano because they were less expensive | | | | other equipment, this can be seen as very |
| than acoustic pianos. Comparing a digital piano and | | | | advantageous for the person who wants to |
| an acoustic piano of the same size, the digital | | | | record his or her own playing so that it can be |
| piano generally costs much less. Today, the cost | | | | used later at a different venue. |
| savings also continue to add up because the digital | | | | The most important feature is the timbre of the |
| piano has no strings; this, in turn, means that it | | | | instrument. Timbre has to do with the quality of |
| does not have to be tuned. Since the cost of | | | | sound that comes from an instrument. New digital |
| tuning an acoustic piano can run between $75.00 | | | | pianos do not have the "tinny" sound that came |
| to 175.00 each time the piano is tuned, usually at | | | | with early electric and electronic pianos. The |
| least once a year, obtaining a digital piano as | | | | timbre of the instruments synthesized into the |
| opposed to an acoustic piano may also be | | | | piano gives a beautiful tone that can even |
| desirable because of the savings in its continued | | | | sometimes be deepened or lightened according to |
| upkeep. | | | | the whims of the keyboardist. This is very easily |
| The digital pianos were and are also a bit smaller | | | | done at the touch of a control wheel or slider on |
| than their acoustic counterparts making them | | | | the digital piano. |
| easy to put into tight places. The feel of the key | | | | While most concert halls still used highly crafted |
| on the modern digital pianos compares favorably | | | | acoustic grand pianos, the advent of the digital |
| with the acoustic piano, as well. For a pianist, the | | | | piano is a great help to people who desire to have |
| touch of the keyboard is very important in how | | | | pianos in their homes so that their children can |
| that musician plays the instrument. The digital | | | | learn to play the piano. Since learning to play the |
| pianos available now are able to simulate the | | | | piano on an old upright piano of indiscriminate age, |
| weight of the keys on the acoustic keyboard | | | | having a digital piano has been a delight. It |
| making them an attractive alternative to the | | | | provides for creativity and enjoyment in my |
| serious musician. | | | | home for the listener and the keyboardist. Having |
| There are other features which make digital | | | | access to a piano in the home is one of the |
| pianos very attractive to keyboardists as well. | | | | greatest joys of my life. I wish that joy for |
| The ability to transpose is available at the touch | | | | children and adults everywhere. |
| of a button. For those who sing solos or who sing | | | | |