What Is The Best Digital Piano for Classical Pianists?

If you are a classical pianist looking to purchase a digital piano with a sound quality close to acoustic pianos, the information below will help you. Sometimes you need a portable digital piano to take to lessons or performances. Unlike acoustic pianos, digital pianos are lightweight.

In this article, we will look at the best digital pianos, their characteristics, pros, and cons, and at the end, you will get a buying guide to help you choose the best digital piano for classical pianists. In our opinion, Casio PX-770 digital piano has the best characteristics, sound quality, and affordable price. Let’s look into the details.

1. Casio PX-770 – Best overall

Product details:

• A powerful stereo amplification system
• The AiR engine
• The Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action

This is one of the best stage pianos in the digital piano market. The air engine and the hammer action keyboard result in excellent sound quality close to an acoustic piano. It is perfect for classical pianists. The stereo system is powerful, hence the exceptional listening experience.

The keys are full-size and along with three pedals make this a perfect digital piano for classical pianists. The concert option allows you to perform for your friends using up to ten recordings of the orchestral music.

Even if you are a beginner, this digital piano will suit you as it can split into 2 rangers for the teacher to participate in during lessons. The compact design will look stylish in any room. Easy connection to Windows and Mac devices without having to install the drivers. The Chordana Play app is free and is used for connecting to smart devices.

2. YAMAHA DGX-670 digital piano – Runner-up

Product details:

• CFX Stereo Sampling
• Smart Chord function
• Unison and Accent function

Yamaha is always on top with its quality and performance. The GHS keyboard comes with weighted action. The hammer action is just like in an acoustic piano. It is ideal for a student who is planning to transition to an acoustic grand piano. It helps to practice the right technique, including the strength.

Furthermore, it includes a large variety of different voices, including synthesized sounds. Create your own band with an automatic accompaniment function. A powerful speaker system allows you to enjoy clear sounds.

It comes with a microphone, so you can enjoy singing while playing music. The lyrics will be shown on the display to help you. It is possible to add different effects to your performance, such as a chorus. You can also remove the singing part of your favorite song and try yourself as a singer as well.

3. Casio PX-870

Product details:

• Sound Projection 4-speaker system
• Comes with accessories
• 88 fully weighted keys

Casio PX-870 is one of the best digital pianos on the market at the moment. Known for its quality, the sound of this instrument is also great. The texture of the hammer action keys is ivory and ebony. The playing experience is quite close to an acoustic instrument.

With 256-note polyphony, you can be plating classical music and any other type of music you like, and it all will have a natural sound. Powerful speaker systems include 4 speakers that can perform surround sound just like the grand piano. Two pairs of headphones can be connected to this digital piano.

That way you can play classical music, or any other type of music, whenever you want without disturbing your family or your neighbors. Dual split and layer modes are also present. You can practice playing the instrument with your teacher. Another benefit is the package included. It comes with a bench, educational book and DVD, and a polishing cloth.

4. Roland F-140R

Product details:

• Supernatural sound engine
• Includes headphones with 3D effect
• Three months of free piano lessons

This digital piano is just what classical pianists need. It comes with a sound engine that produces clear sounds and rich tones close to a grand piano. Playing classical music will be one of the best experiences with this instrument. The keyboard comes with hammer action and an ivory touch, giving the great digital piano experience.

A smart accompaniment system allows creating your band and playing your own music, adding different effects to it. Choose different styles, rhymes, and instrument sounds to create a masterpiece.

Roland’s electric piano is quite compact. You can decide between two colors: black and white. The look is elegant and will fit into your design just fine. Bluetooth connectivity is also present. You can connect to smart devices to get sheet music. Another helpful feature is turning the pages just by pressing the pedal.

5. Roland RP-102

Product details:

• Superior quality keyboard
• Supernatural piano technology
• Includes accessories

Another best digital piano that has made it into our top-10 list is Roland RP-102. This upright piano has a realistic keyboard which is one of the best among other competitors. Weighted hammer system replicates grand pianos. This instrument will suit a beginner and a concert pianist. The supernatural sound engine gives rich realistic tones.

Two speakers are producing enough sound for a standard room. If you have to play piano in a larger space, you will have to look into getting external speakers. There are about 200 preinstalled songs of different genres. The set includes a bench, educational materials, and a polishing cloth.

Dual mode allows one to layer two sounds together and play them back at the same time. The duet play is also available, which is great for learning purposes when you have to practice playing piano with your teacher.

6. Yamaha YDP-165

Product details:

• Graded Hammer 3 keyboard
• CFX Stereo Sampling
• Virtual Resonance Modeling Technology

Another gem among portable digital pianos. The graded hammer 3 system keyboard provides an exceptional feel of a classical piano. Virtual resonance modeling technology results in clear acoustic sound. Using keys along with a sustain pedal creates various of different tones.

There are ten built-in voices and over 350 built-in songs, including classical music. This piano can be connected to any smart device. You get access to a free app and all the voice functions of the piano. It is easy to assemble, anyone will cope.

The stereo system provides a surround sound even if you are using headphones. The instrument sound is close to a grand piano. All the standard features will be a great help for beginners and a nice addition to professionals. The design and colors are beautiful. A compact design makes this a portable piano that will fit in any room.

7. Yamaha YDP184 Arius 

Product details:

• Premium Grand Piano Voice
• Virtual Resonance Modeling
• Includes accessories

This is one of the most popular digital pianos for classical pianists. The onboard sound system includes 24 instrument voices, and 128-note polyphony, and offers a grand piano tone. Elegant style and design will be a great addition to your room. Weighted keys give you a feel of playing an acoustic piano. The LCD is easy to use, navigating through the features and functions.

3 pedals give you the same control as what you would get with an acoustic piano. A dual headphone jack allows connecting two pairs of headphones. You can practice playing piano with your tutor or just perform for your friend without disturbing the neighbors. The package includes a bench, a music stand, a power supply, and a sheet music book.

8. ROLAND FP-90X

Product details:

• 4-speaker audio system
• Dual headphone jacks
• Includes accessories

Modern design makes this one of the most interesting digital pianos for classical pianists. It comes in white or black. Choose the style you like. The control panel is easy to navigate, and the buttons are quite resistant, so you will always make the correct selections.

The keyboard is one of the most advanced on the market, featuring progressive hammer actions. The core of the keys is wooden, coated in plastic. Even though they feel a bit lighter than grand piano ones, it is still nice. The ivory surface provides a better grip.

The sound is excellent, unlike what many other digital pianos offer. This is due to the dual engine system and over 350 tones included. The piano comes with a generous pack that includes a piano stand, a bench, a sustain pedal, an educational DVD, and a polishing cloth.

9. YAMAHA P515 DIGITAL PIANO

Product details:

• The natural wood keyboard action
• 256-note polyphony
• 500+ voices

Unlike most digital pianos that come without accessories, this one includes a sustain pedal and a music rest, which is an advantage. There is an ability to connect the three-pedal unit, but it will have to be purchased separately. The piano can be connected to smart devices through the smart pianist app. You can set up the sounds and effects in there.

The keyboard has full-size keys, and they are weighted as well, resulting in great touch. The sound is rich, which is ideal for playing classical types of music. There are plenty of sounds, tones, styles, and sound effects to help you to get the best experience playing this piano.

The USB audio interface is the option to transmit the audio data through the USB port. This allows you to make recordings and save them straight onto your computer. 256-note polyphony is usually enough for pianists. The speakers are quite loud and clear. Dual mode, split layering and duet mode are present.

10. ROLAND RD 2000 DIGITAL STAGE PIANO

Product details:

• 2 independent sound engines
• Exceptional acoustic sounds
• Includes online lessons with real teachers

This piano has an extended control panel. The buttons are responsive and the layering of them is comfortable. The keys are offering a feel of acoustic piano keys. The ivory texture results in a better grip while playing. The sounds can be personalized with the Piano Designer. This piano doesn’t have built-in speakers.

You will have to purchase them separately if you want to hear what you are playing. This doesn’t affect the sound, though. The sound is excellent. With over 1100 tonnes, you would expect nothing less. The grand piano sound is quite detailed. The piano comes with a lot of jacks and provides full connectivity options. The pack includes a damper pedal, an AC adapter, and a manual book.

128-note polyphony, a few sound effects you can use, creating your music, and the ability to modify the sound of the piano, all of these make this instrument one of the best ones. All the standard features, such as splitting and layering, a USB audio transmission, and the ability to record music and play it back, are present.

A buying guide for the best digital piano for classical pianists

Do you what characteristics are the most important? What to look for in the first place when buying digital pianos? Let’s take a look at what details you should compare.

1. Weighted and non-weighted keys

There are three types of keyboard action digital pianos might have: fully-weighted, semi-weighted, and non-weighted. On top of that, some pianos have a hammer action keyboard that helps to bring the sound of a digital piano as close to an acoustic piano as it can be.

Weighted keys have weights attached to them, so it makes them feel heavier and more resistant, imitating the acoustic piano feel. Electric pianos are ideal for classical pianists who are learning. They will never replace an acoustic piano, though.

The hammer action keyboards add to the feel of a real acoustic piano. The touch of the keys is close to a real piano, which results in realistic sounds as well. We don’t recommend purchasing a digital piano with non-weighted keys if you’re a classical pianist. The sound will differ a lot, and you won’t get the experience you are after.

2. Sound and voices

Some digital piano brands offer numerous styles, rhymes, voices, and songs. You have to check whether the sounds are close to real ones. Many other features will help to achieve great results. For example, the ability to split your keyboard in half, so you can play two different sounds at once. Layering allows you to use more than one sound on every key.

Watch the quality of the sound as this is one of the most important details of the digital pianos. Be prepared, a cheap digital instrument will not have the best sound.

3. Feel and controls

If you are a classical pianist, the digital piano you choose has to be as close to an acoustic piano as possible in terms of feel. The keyboard must have 88 full-size weighted keys with hammer action. Look at the pedals, it is better to have all three. When you are in the shop, you have to try playing the upright piano to determine whether you are happy with it or not.

The weight of the digital piano matters as well. That is one of the main differences between digital and classical pianos. If you intend to travel with a piano a lot, go for a stage piano, otherwise, a console piano should be fine. The heaviest digital pianos are the upright and the grand piano. They are still not as heavy as an acoustic piano.

4. Polyphony

Polyphony is the maximum number of sounds playing all at once. The notes played using a sustain pedal count as separate ones. For classical piano players, you have to purchase a digital piano with more than 64 notes.

FAQ

To summarize

We hope now you know how to choose the best digital piano for classical pianists, and what you have to look for in the first place. Following our guide, you will find the best digital piano that suits your requirements. Based on all the characteristics, at the top of our list is the Casio PX-770. It is a high-quality digital piano and you can play classical music.

If you know of anyone who is in doubt about which digital piano for classical music to select, share this guide with them. If you have any questions left, post them in the comment section below the article.

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