What are the Best Acoustic Pianos for Beginners?

Alesis Melody 61 MKII | 61 Key Portable Keyboard
The piano is a wonderful instrument with a lot to offer. With an ability to play the piano, it opens up many doors such as the ability to compose any part for other instruments or playing piano compositions of your choice. Add in the ability to read music and you can be unstoppable in the music game. When a person is first starting out, whether they are still in childhood or an adult, there are so many different options that exist in the world. This article is to show you some options that are the real deal, acoustic upright pianos. Sure, there are some amazing digital pianos out there. But some of us want the real deal and we don’t blame you! Let’s take a look at the five best options we’ve found.
 
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Yamaha YDP184 Arius Series Console Digital Piano with Bench, Dark Rosewood
 

Yamaha U3 Upright Piano

  •  Features:  
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  • – Powered: No
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  • – Pattern: Acoustic
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  • Range: 20 Feet
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Alesis Melody 61 MKII | 61 Key Portable Keyboard
Suzuki CTP-88
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  • – Powered: Yes
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  • – Range: 25 Feet
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  • – Pattern: Acoustic & Digital
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RockJam RJ761 61 Key Electronic Interactive Teaching Piano Keyboard with Stand, Stool, Sustain Pedal and Headphones (RJ761-SK)
Ernst Kaps S119
  • Features:  
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  • – Powered: No
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  • – Range: 20 Feet
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  • – Pattern: Acoustic
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Roll up piano portable 61 key soft elastic electronic music keyboard piano built-in loudspeaker rechargeable battery for beginners gift
Conrad F9
  • Features:  
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  • – Powered: No
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  • Range: 20 Feet
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  • Pattern: Acoustic
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Ernst Kaps R132
Ernst Kaps R132
  • Features:  
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  • – Powered: Yes
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  • Range: 30 Feet
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  • Pattern: Acoustic & Digital
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The top 5 Acoustic Pianos for Beginners

The options on our list will be upright, acoustic pianos, which are a great place to start for beginners. The Yamaha U3 is a great acoustic option. When it comes to finding great instruments for beginners, Yamaha is never a bad place to start. They provide affordable options while giving musicians an instrument that doesn’t skimp on the sound quality. Some of the options on our list are also refurbished pianos, which is also never a bad option. A refurbished piano gives you gives you the same great sound quality the piano had when it was new while saving some money in the long run.

The U3 provides excellent, full sound by utilizing strings that are the same length as many grand pianos. This gives a fuller, richer tonality that many pianos can lack, especially if they’re a digital option. Having an acoustic upright piano that provides the sound of a grand piano is never going to disappoint.

What We Liked
What We Didn’t Like

This is a special option because, although it’s an upright acoustic piano, it’s also a hybrid option being that it’s also digital. With Bluetooth capabilities and the ability for tons of add-ons, the CTP-88 is an amazing option with many additional features that will leave you excited for this piano. It also has a USB port so you can connect devices to upload songs so you can play along with them while you learn the melodies, harmonies, and baselines. It’s also going to be one of our most affordable options on the list! This piano is excellent for beginners and seasoned pros alike, because it’s a real, acoustic piano (in comparison to a digital) and gives players an opportunity to continuously learn new techniques, along with tons of songs. This is our favorite option on the list because, as an acoustic/digital piano hybrid, there is an innumerable amount of possibilities you can achieve.

What We Liked
What We Didn’t Like

The German-designed S119 is an excellent acoustic piano option. Hand built with the finest materials, this piano sounds amazing and is a nice upright that is perfect for players that are just starting out. A lot of teachers feel it’s important for a student to have a real piano. Yes, many digital piano manufacturers do everything in their power to create a digital option just like the real deal, but nothing compares to a real piano with hammers and strings. The feel of the keys is difficult to replicate and the tone itself is almost impossible to perfectly replicate. Eliminate all those issues by choosing an option such as an Ernst Kaps to give your beginner the true experience.

What We Liked
What We Didn’t Like

Conrad does a wonderful job designing and creating pianos that are quite elegant. The hand-carved look of the wood casing gives a beautiful aesthetic to their pianos. And they don’t just stop there, Conrad makes beautiful sounding instruments that leave pianists excited to play them. The F9 is a great option for beginners because, like our other options, it’s a nice upright piano that can fit in many places around the home. You’ll achieve that real feel that only an acoustic piano can provide and the non-slip coating on the white keys makes it an even more enjoyable experience.

What We Liked
What We Didn’t Like

We head back to the amazing manufacturers over at Ernst Kaps for the final option on our list because it happens to be another option that includes a digital aspect. The R132 has a professional MIDI system that opens all new doors for playing and practicing. You can even use the quiet time feature by coupling headphones with the piano while you play! In case you don’t want to disturb others, this option keeps the piano quiet while you get to hear everything you’re playing. This is considered a professional studio option that’s great for beginners and pros alike.

What We Liked
What We Didn’t Like

4 Components to Look for When Choosing an Acoustic Piano for Beginners

Manufacturing

Be sure to find a piano that is made by a reputable manufacturer. This is not the most difficult thing to accomplish, as most acoustic pianos are well made and reliable. But hand-crafted acoustic pianos are always going to be your best bet. They sound, feel, and look the best compared to other options.

Tone

Be certain you choose a piano with amazing tone. Options that provide qualities such as baby grand or grand piano length strings in an upright will almost always provide superior tone. Add in hand crafted materials and you’re going to have a truly wonderful piano that is going to sound amazing.

Brand

Brand matters when it comes to acoustic pianos for beginners. Yamaha has always been one of the top beginner instrument manufacturers, so they are never going to be a bad choice. Plus, we have included other manufacturers that are very reliable in instrument production for beginners and pros alike. Find a brand that gives you all the features you’re looking for.

Feel

The feel of your keys and pedals is a bigger deal than it may seem from the outside looking in. But you want your foot pedals to have a nice, smooth feel when you press and de-press. Sticky foot pedals can be frustrating. And the feel of the keys under your fingertips will be a subjective characteristic that only you can decide is right for you. So, if possible, always go to check out a piano in person before buying. You can thank us later!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all of the options on this list refurbished?

They are not, some of these options are new. But that doesn’t mean that any option out there won’t have refurbished options as well. A properly refurbished piano can be almost as good as new while saving you money, so don’t be afraid to check out those options.  

Should I choose a hybrid piano over a straight acoustic?

This boils down to personal preference. Some pianists, such as myself, love a straight-up acoustic piano without the additional bells and whistles. But plenty love the possibilities of an acoustic piano that also offers digital characteristics to bring new features into the mix. It’s totally up to you!

Acoustic pianos are expensive! Is there any way around paying such a high price for a piano?

There is another option that can be really great when starting out, and that’s a straight digital piano. This can be a great stepping stone to see if your newbie is going to love the instrument. Then, if all goes well with the digital, stepping up to an acoustic can absolutely be the next step in case our beginning pianist falls in love with the instrument.

Conclusion

The piano is a beautiful instrument. So much can be accomplished while playing a song, because there are so many possibilities. The piano is amazing because you play the melodies, harmonies, and basslines all while keeping the rhythm of the song intact as you play. It is a one of a kind instrument and we want you to fall in love as you begin your journey into playing. Explore some great options and see if you can find the best piano to suit your needs!  

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