Keyboard or Piano for Beginners: What Should You Buy?

You do not need a grand piano to start piano lessons. But the instrument at home makes a real difference in how fast a student progresses, so here is what to look for.

The three options

• Keyboard (61 keys or more). The cheapest way to start. Fine for the first months, especially for young kids.
• Digital piano (88 weighted keys). The best choice for most families. It feels like a real piano, never needs tuning, and has a headphone jack for quiet practice.
• Acoustic piano. Beautiful, but it needs tuning, space, and care. A used one in bad shape can be harder to play than a good digital piano.

What matters most

1. Full-size keys. Mini keys make it hard to learn correct hand position.
2. Touch sensitivity. The sound should get louder when you press harder. Almost every keyboard has this now, but check.
3. Weighted or hammer-action keys (on digital pianos). They build finger strength for real pianos.
4. A sustain pedal. A simple pedal is enough at first.
5. A stand and a bench at the right height, so the forearms are level with the keys.

How many keys do you need?

61 keys is enough for the first year for most kids. Plan on 88 keys once pieces start using the full range, or start there if you can.

When to upgrade

Upgrade when lessons are a steady habit, usually after six months to a year, or when the pieces need more keys or a better touch. Read more about piano lessons and what age to start piano.