Even with all the electronic components we have obtainable to us today a conventional acoustic piano cannot, in reality, have its sound replicated even by a high priced, latest technology, digital instrument. Although it is played similar to a standard piano, a digital piano lacks the steel strings, felt hammers or soundboard that typically create the sounds of a traditional piano. Even so there are many reasons why countless pianists have a preference for a digital one. One of the main disadvantages of an acoustic piano is that it requires regular tuning to maintain it's stunning sound at an optimum level.

At least annually is the minimum recommended frequency that a piano should be tuned. A digital piano, on the other hand, never needs tuning and once purchased you will have the correct sound playing, with no decline in quality, as soon as you have it set up. The fact that digital pianos are relatively lightweight and transportable, compared to a standard acoustic piano, means you are not restricted to venues and practise areas. Moving the considerable weight of an average upright piano, any time you feel like playing at a friend's home is certainly not practicable. A grand piano is even more unmanageable.

If economics are a factor then a digital piano is certainly the favored option with choices varying between a couple of hundred dollars to a couple of thousand dollars depending on your level of expertise and suitability. An upright, however, would have an initial price of two to three thousand dollars and increase much higher dependent on the quality. Most people enjoy listening to an accomplished pianist exhibiting his expertise, but a novice who is practising scales or generally just practising can produce an annoying noise. Neighbours and even your own family have their limits, which can be reached surprisingly easy, especially if your practise sessions are in the evenings. With a digital piano, however, this problem is resolved with the ability to plug in headphones reducing your audience to one. Just you.

This is not possible with an upright or grand. All you will ever hear from an acoustic piano is piano music. A digital piano doesn't have this limitation. There are few boundaries to the range of sounds that you are able to play with a digital keyboard and the limits depends on what influences you when you make your initial purchase. Strings, guitar, drums, organ music or any combinations are possible with an electronic keyboard.

It will even allow you to have your own accompaniment to any piece you might want to play, which can be a very practical tool. Interacting with computers through a MIDI interface is also possible with most models of digital pianos. This can be a very useful facility, which allows you to record your progress, your own compositions and much more. The one main shortcoming of a digital piano, no matter how good or how expensive the equipment is, it will always have a digital sound to the ears of fellow musicians, although to the layman it may go unobserved. At the moment they still cannot replicate the unmistakable sound of an acoustic piano, but who knows what the future holds.

Learn more about Digital Pianos or any instrument of your choice at http://www.learn-and-play.info a popular website full of tips and advice.