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This article is from the Digital Pianos FAQ, by Isako Hoshino rmmpfaq@yahoo.com with numerous contributions by others.

3] What are the advantages of buying a digital piano as opposed to an acoustic one?

The biggest advantages of digital pianos are:

(1) Relative portability. Most digital pianos weigh less
than 200 lbs., as opposed to 450--500 lbs. for a typical
upright and much more for grand pianos. You have
the luxury of disassembling the major parts of the
digital piano, stash it in your hatchback, and drive away
with it.

(2) Does not need tuning. If you have a piano, you will
usually have to tune it once or twice a year. The sounds
for a digital piano are recorded and stored "digitally"
within the hardware, so it does not go out of tune.

(3) Option to play silently. By using headphones, you can
play a digital piano as loud as you want whenever you
want without producing any sound which others can hear
(well, except for your fingers hitting the keys and some
low-level noise from the keys moving). If you live in
close-quarters or in an apartment with poor sound
insulation, this silencing ability is very useful.

(4) Relatively low maintenance. Beyond the usual practices
of keeping liquids away, keeping it out of direct
sunlight, and occasional dusting, etc., digital pianos
are virtually maintenance-free.

(5) Electronic interface. Many digital piano models have a
MIDI interface capability, which allows you to connect
the piano to your favorite computer or other MIDI
hardware and enjoy the benefits of digital technology.
As you pay more, the built-in recording and playback
capability available will become more elaborate.

(6) Many voices. Most digital pianos come with several
different types of piano sounds, plus the sounds of other
instruments. For example, with a press of a button you
can make it sound like a harpsichord, a pipe organ or
something else. The variety of sounds you get differs
among models, but generally as you pay more, you get more
voices. Some models come with a full orchestra sound,
allowing you to compose a symphony right on your piano!

Continue to:

• prev: 2] Okay, now that I know the difference between acoustic and digital pianos, tell me more about digital pianos.
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