Consider the following when picking the best starter piano for kids features. This guide takes both, digital pianos and portable keyboards into consideration:
Sometimes, starting on a keyboard with fewer keys is much easier for a child to learn piano. The keyboard is typically less expensive and is therefore a great choice for beginners who want to experiment first. Also, keyboards are smaller and easier to move around. However, be aware of the fact that keyboards are non-weighted!
Related: Read my guide on Piano vs. Keyboard
When choosing a unit, think about the space that it will occupy and its weight. Some units are light enough for kids to carry from one place to another, while other units need someone older to transport them.
Options available under this category include 88, 76, or 61 keys. Pianos with four and a half octaves are generally suitable for beginners, but their keys are usually not weighted. That makes the eventual transition to the traditional piano tougher.
Weighted kid pianos replicate better the feel of traditional pianos. Weighted keys are also good for building up finger strength, while un-weighted keys encourage precise playing. If you want your child to gear toward rhythmic or contemporary music, the best thing to do for such a purpose is to get a piano with un-weighted keys.
If you intend to use a piano for formal lessons for your child, the best age to start is 5 or 6 years old. Around that age, your child has enough motivation to learn to play the piano. Also, your child would be ready with a longer attention span at this age. In addition, it is generally the time when a kid can already press five keys with their five fingers.
Electronic keyboards usually boast of a vast library of sounds so that your child’s play can sound like a traditional piano, strings, or saxophone. The best keyboard brands produce sounds equivalent to those produced by a true piano.
An adjustable stand for the piano allows for height adjustments. The unit can be lowered or raised to suit kids of different heights. If you have many kids you want to teach piano lessons, or you will be the one to teach them, you should consider a unit with an adjustable stand.
Check for headphone capability. Sometimes, there is a need for the users to practice where only the player can hear the sound, with all the rest in the room needing quietness.
Many pianos for kids offer a one-year warranty. Check the manufacturer if they offer only a limited warranty or part warranty.
Related: Interested in buying a piano for your child? Check out my guide for the best piano for kids.
I started Music4Kids with a simple goal in mind: To provide valuable information to guiding parents who want to raise musically inclined kids.
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