I have had a Kawai Digital piano for about 4 years (in the $4,000 price range) and have loved it because I can get many different sounds (Grand, studio, jazz, vibes, etc...). It also has a setting for 'touch' which I alway keep on HEAVY. Even at that, it doesn't come close to an acoustic piano and at times when I've played at my lesson or at school, I've gotten 'thrown off' because the touch is so much heavier on acoustic. So, I've been saving my pennies, dreaming of getting a small baby or studio grand, or just a really great acoustic piano. To make a long story short, my teacher just got Two new pianos (baby and upright grand) and I've notice that they have to be tuned every few weeks. There is no way I will be able to afford all the tunings an acoustic would require--I've never had to worry about a tuning with a digital!...Now I'm re-thinking: are there digitals that have a heavy, more realistic touch? Any help would be appreciated!

-- Rose (babenpansyrose@aol.com), June 20, 2003

Answers

A couple of things come into play here. First, your teacher's piano gets much heavier use than your home piano likely will.

Also, when you purchase a piano, at least the first tuning is usually free. You need to allow the piano to adjust to your home environment for about 4-6 weeks before you tune. Also take into account the humidity level of your environment as that will have an effect.

We live in an arid area, so we invested in a piano humidifier (about $500 for the one we have at church). We spent the extra money for this model since it is only used one day a week (this model will shut off if the reservoir runs out of water). You can get a less expensive model for your home instrument since you are there every day. The humidifier keeps the moisture level more constant, therefore reducing the number of tunings needs (since the wood doesn't shrink, leading to loose tuning pins in the pin block).

There is also an issue of the quality of the instrument you purchase and the skill level of your technician. I have a fine technician and I have mine tuned 3 times/year. I am a performing teacher, so my instrument gets heavy use between my practice, my son's practice and all of the lessons I teach.

Go to your library and take a look at The Piano Book by Larry Fine. You will learn a great deal about pianos and purchasing here.

-- Arlene Steffen (asteffen@fresno.edu), June 26, 2003.