Posted on 3rd Dec 2011

A choice of 87 different models of pianos and digital pianos is bewildering, especially as that doesn't include dozens of variations in furniture styles and colours!  So here's a quick guide to speed up the process.  Our advice is to browse one or two of these galleries, then give us a call on (01752) 313330.  Our Advisory team won't blind you with science, or browbeat you by hardsell tactics.  We've been doing this for over 20 years, and our main advertising is through recommendations from past happy customers!

Option 1 - Portable Pianos

1a - Portable Digital Pianos  - This starts from 5-octave superlightweight models at £160 to the full-size weighted (but movable) models chosen by people who practice at home, but ocasionally need to transport the instrument to friends, choir, school, church, youth clubs etc.  Principally, their aim to to produce a good piano sound, and the other features are incidental to this aim.  All have amp & speakers built in.

1b - Stage Pianos - These are designed for professional performers, who DON'T need amps or speakers built in, because they will be plugging in to a PA or amplification system on stage or in the studio.  These are the ones which are also built with daily transportation in mind. 

Option 2 - Classical Digital Pianos

2a - Digital Pianos Level 1 - Not really robust enough to be called portable, these are designed to be used as a Practice Piano at home or in a teaching environment.  All have weighted keys (some a more authentic feel than others), all have 88-notes (full-size) and for classical study they are an appropriate choice for doing Grade 1-5 piano exams.

2b - Digital Pianos Level 2 - Much better quality - better quality sound sample, better quality amplification/speakers, more sensitive action, better quality cabinet.  These are absolutely appropriate for use as a family piano for all ability players, school halls, town halls, churches, and music students studying up to Grade 8 and beyond.   If this includes you, call us for the finer details and to help you make the right choice.

2c - Digital Pianos Level 3  - The gift of a lifetime for a musical family.  We can't describe these digital pianos without going overboard with superlatives!

Option 3 - Harpsichords  - very specialist, and there's only one quality instrument available at the moment.

Option 4 - Pianos with Orchestration

4a - Entertainment Pianos - These are all similar to the "Digital Pianos Level 2" models described above, but they have an important extra level of functions.  Although they "default" to a standard piano voice when you switch on, there's a wealth of features for the composer or orchestrator, enabling the instrument by itself to produce complete orchestral arrangements with other voices, rhythms and vocal mixes. 

Option 5 - Acoustic Pianos

Through our 3-year old partnership arrangement with one of the top pianos showrooms in the UK, we can advise and guide you if you are considering buying a "real" piano, whether it's an upright piano, a baby grand or concert grand model, or one of the "hybrid" models which are real pianos with a headphone option built in (known as Silent Pianos).  Just a few examples are shown in these galleries, but much more advice is available over the phone.