Have you been thinking about playing piano for a while? Do you have a child who has expressed interest in playing piano, but you’re not sure if they’ll stick with it? 

Getting started the right way is very important. Not only will it determine how much you enjoy playing the piano, with the right guidance, you will discover just how capable you are of learning an instrument. 

Whether you dream of taking to the stage or are just playing for fun, here are three things to avoid when getting started on your musical journey:

1. Investing in lessons without buying an instrument

This is exactly like booking in a 30 minute weekly session with a personal trainer and then not doing any exercise during the week.   

By the time you buy an instrument, you or your child won’t be in the habit of practicing, so setting up a practice schedule will potentially be a challenge. Getting better at anything requires consistent practice, and piano is no exception!

2. Buying an instrument with no plan on how to learn

Taking regular piano lessons is always the best option to maximise your learning potential.

Ideal scenario: You see a teacher at least once a week. You enjoy your lessons with the teacher so you leave feeling inspired, and you know exactly what you need to practice at home. 

Potential for failure: You buy a piano because a friend said they could teach you. You don’t see them regularly, so you don’t have any structure, and don’t feel motivated to practice. Because this isn’t a strong plan, you eventually stop playing.

Potential for failure: You decide to buy a keyboard because you’ve seen some courses online which have made self study look achievable. Having never played music before, you struggle with some of the music theory and come to a dead end. 

While online courses are great, and absolutely suitable for some learners (particularly people who have previously studied music), there is no substitute for having a teacher. I am not discouraging having a look at online lessons, but if you find you aren’t progressing as fast as you’d like, or are getting stuck on certain concepts, it may be time to look for a teacher, rather than thinking ‘I’m not good at this’. 

3. Overspeculating   

Concerns such as ‘will I be good at piano?’, and, ‘I don’t know if my kid will get bored of playing the piano soon’ are common considerations, but ultimately, with the right guidance and instrument, I believe anyone can learn the piano. If kids like their teacher, and therefore enjoy their piano lessons, they will want to keep playing.

Let’s say, for example, you don’t know how much time your child will have to focus on the piano once they reach their senior high school years. That’s ok! Perhaps piano will be something they do to relax after studying. Playing the piano is meant to be enjoyable, challenging, and satisfying, so if the goal is to play piano just for fun, it’s not the end of the world if they miss a day of practice.  

What do you think of these points? Do you have any more of your own to add? Let us know in the comments.

To discuss getting started on the piano, feel free to get in touch with our friendly live chat specialists. Alternatively, for expert piano advice, call 1300 888 279 to reach your nearest store.

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Wanting a digital instrument that feels and sounds like a piano? It may cost less than you think. While digital piano technology has advanced significantly over the past few years, prices are lower than ever before. 

Our customers often say that they don’t care about the ‘bells and whistles’, or they don’t need it to be ‘fancy’.

Some models contain a large variety of sounds and rhythms, but the ‘bells and whistles’ are generally not what make a digital piano more expensive – it is the technology behind both:

• The piano feel
• The sound

Rather than using strings, hammers, and a wooden soundboard like a real piano, a digital instrument uses speakers, and technology to create a piano playing experience. (With the exception of the Kawai CA99 – a digital model that features incredibly advanced technology, including a wooden soundboard).

Now that I know what I am paying for, how much do I need to spend?

It’s so important to have an instrument with weighted keys so you can develop the muscles and dexterity in your fingers. 

This means that at minimum you will be looking for something with 88 keys and weighted action between the 700-800 price range* such as Portable entry level models like the Casio CDP135, Yamaha P45, Roland FP10 or Kawai ES110.

Next models up from there include options like the Yamaha P125 or Roland FP30. These come within the 980-1050 price range*. These models are a step up in sound quality compared to the entry models. They also have better controllability, and in some cases, the option to add a fixed 3 pedal unit which is advantageous for those studying piano. 

These models will take you further in your piano playing journey without needing to upgrade. 

Next, let’s take a look at cabinet style models. 

If you’ll primarily be playing your piano at home, cabinet style models are a great choice:

• They look like a piano, only smaller 
• They’re cased in either a slimline design, or a traditional style piano cabinet
• Often include a matching bench

The Kawai KDP110 boasts an impressive 40W speaker system and premium wood like finish, making it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced players alike.

The Kawai KDP70, includes a matching stool, and features Kawai’s expressive EX concert sampled piano sounds. This model was designed to be an affordable addition to the KDP range. Both models include a matching stool. 

Other models worth considering under the $2099 mark are the Casio AP270, Casio PX770, Roland F140, Yamaha YDP164, and Yamaha YDPS54. Whilst each model has very similar features, they each use their own unique technology and thus feel, and sound, slightly different from one another. 

Let’s jump into premium cabinet models.

Why buy a premium model? 

Premium models have the most superior sound and feel. This means that features such as wooden keys, superior speaker systems, and the most advanced technology all come together to create a piano playing experience. 

Premium models are not just for advanced players. If you want to begin your piano playing journey on a digital instrument that is as close to a piano as possible, kick start your journey with a model from Roland’s HP700 or LX700 series, Yamaha’s Clavinova series, or Kawai’s CA series**.   

If you have been wanting to play piano for some time and you’ve reached a point where you are ready to buy an instrument and make piano playing a part of your life, it’s always better to buy an instrument that:

• Will carry you through your playing without needing to upgrade
• You love the sound and feel of 

We have a large range of digital and acoustic pianos to suit a variety of goals and budgets***. For any specific enquiries, feel free to reach out to one of our friendly piano specialists in store, our live chat, or on 1300 888 279 

*All prices current at time of posting on December 2020

** Specifications vary between models.

*** Our range of digital pianos extends beyond this article

There’s never been a better time to learn

Many people ask ‘can I learn the piano as an adult?’. Absolutely!

At the moment, more and more adults are flocking to learn the piano – and with good reason! Learning the piano is relaxing, enjoyable, and good for the mind. Whether you choose to see a piano teacher, learn through online tutorials, or pick up a music book, here are some helpful hints to get you going:

1. Think about your goals 

What do you want to have learned on piano once covid is over and life has returned to normal?

Here are some examples:

• To be able to play my favorite song with confidence.
• To master Hanon exercises
• To be able to sing and play piano at the same time
• To learn how to improvise/get better at improvising
• To play piano in front of my family

Why do I want to be able to do this?

• ‘I want to do something that is relaxing and enjoyable’
• ‘I want to be able to play the songs I love’
• ‘I want to have improved my technique’
• ‘I want to start performing’
• ‘I love the sound of piano and I’ve always wanted to play’

2. Find the right learning tools to suit your goals

Let’s take a look at what is available online

If you want to learn jazz, why not learn from Herbie Hancock? He has created an in depth lesson series on Masterclass.

https://www.masterclass.com/classes/herbie-hancock-teaches-jazz/chapters/piano-basics#

Playground sessions was co-created by music legend, and producer of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Quincy Jones

The lessons have been created by a team of instructors, including Harry Connick, Jr.

https://www.playgroundsessions.com/

Music learning app ‘Flowkey’ gives you everything you need to get playing piano right away. It was created in cooperation with Yamaha music, and gets you playing your favorite songs right away. For beginners, you can begin with a Beginners Course which covers the basics. Check it out here: https://app.flowkey.com/intro

If you are a beginner and prefer heading straight to YouTube, the channel ‘Easy Piano’ has a wide range of pop songs to learn.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPfDF8O9GllZ-79F76Q7LXA

Already know how to read music? Musicnotes contains over 400,000 song arrangements available to purchase and download on the spot. https://www.musicnotes.com/

These are just some of the tools that can have you starting, or continuing, your journey as a piano player.

3. Find a teacher.

Nothing beats sitting down with a teacher, especially if you want to speed up your learning process. Ideally, you’ll be getting lessons, and using online materials as supplementary learning.

A good teacher will quickly identify your strengths and see where you need to improve. You are bound to have a lot of ‘aha!’ moments as the teacher tells you exactly what to work on.

If you’re feeling unmotivated, not progressing past a certain point, or experiencing ‘information overload’ from looking at a variety of different online tutorials without finding the best one for your needs, getting a teacher is the best thing you can do.

4. Structure your practice

Break down your practice into meaningful chunks to ensure you are developing technique, building new skills, and strengthening existing skills.

For example, you might spend 20 minutes playing exercises from a book or app, 20 minutes on a new concept you have just learned – either in your lesson, or from an online tutorial, and 20 minutes playing whatever you like for fun.

We have a large variety of keyboards and pianos available for shipping across Australia. Feel free to get in touch with one of our friendly, experienced piano specialists on 1300 888 279, or simply connect to our live chat operator to find the best instrument for your needs. 

Now that you’ve got the right instrument for your child and they’ve started lessons with a great teacher, the real journey begins!

‘Just practice what the teacher told you to practice!’ – this is a common sentiment, and not bad advice in and of itself – your child should always be practicing the material set for them by the teacher however, aside from teaching your child new skills and technique, a big part of the music teacher’s role is to guide their students through their practice.

You see, knowing HOW to practice, is just as important as knowing WHAT to practice. This is where you can also help at home.

Unlike needing to understand complicated equations to help your kids with their math homework, you will be able to help with their piano practice without ever needing to play a single note.

Here are a three issues to be aware of:

#1: Playing too fast

Playing fast is cool and fun, so a lot of students can’t resist the temptation to play at a high speed. The problem is, they often haven’t mastered the song they’re learning at a slower tempo. It’s common to hear a younger student fumble their way through excitedly. They’re playing fast – but they’re not playing well.

Have you ever heard a very skilled piano player? The way they glide their fingers up and down the keys so effortlessly with perfect timing and precision – that comes from years of slow, measured practice. You can’t run until you can walk.

How you can help:

Make sure you know how to use and access the metronome – encourage your child to practice at an appropriate tempo as set by the teacher. Roland’s HP and LX range have their metronome buttons easily accessible. Many Yamaha digital models have a user friendly interactive app called ‘Smart Pianist’ to control the metronome, amongst many other features.

#2 – ‘Practice is Boring’.

Learning an instrument should be challenging,rewarding, and enjoyable. Whilst learning any skill that requires practice and concentration isn’t going to be fun 100% of the time – it is important that there are moments set aside just for fun and creativity.

How you can help:

Once the material set by the teacher has been practiced for the day, there is no reason to discourage your child from exploring their creativity.

The Roland FP10 has an inbuilt jazz singing voice which a lot of kids find enjoyable. Both the Yamaha P125 and Roland F140 have built in rhythms which often provide a lot of fun.

#3 – There’s no time to practice

Life is busy. Between homework, family commitments, and extracurricular activities, it’s easy to let piano practice slip.

Fifteen minutes of practice five times a week is better than two hours once a week. Like anything that requires concentration, getting started is always the hardest part.

How you can help:

Make sure the piano is set up in a nice tidy area of the house where it looks inviting. If you have a portable model, never pack it down at night.

Keyboards are designed slimmer than ever so if space is an issue, Casio’s PXS1000 is a good option – it gained an award at the world’s largest trade show (NAMM) in 2012 for its sleek design.

In a cabinet model, the Yamaha YDPS54 and YDPS34 have a multi purpose design – they can be used as a desk when the lid is down. The Roland F140 features a slimline design that is aesthetically pleasing.

For a more traditional design, the Kawai CA59, Roland LX706, and Yamaha CLP745 are just some of the models that offer a superior playing experience at the fraction of the size of an acoustic piano.

More information on products mentioned, including videos, can be accessed by clicking the product links

Has anyone encountered these issues? Do you have any suggestions of your own? Let us know in the comments!

You may wish to start by reading Part 1 – click here

Now that you’ve decided on the right teacher, or even if you’re still in the stages of looking, it’s time to find a piano to practice on at home.

Whilst your child will be spending 30 minutes with the teacher each week, they will be spending time with the piano almost every day, so it’s important to get the one that will best help them meet their goals as they begin the journey of learning the piano.

How do I choose between two pianos of a similar price range that are different brands? 

Each brand sounds and feels a little different from one another. You don’t have to be an expert in music to have an opinion on the sound that you like, and kids often form an opinion quite quickly – even when they have only just started. There also may be certain functions that you prefer, such as the layout of the buttons or visual design.

At the Australian Piano Warehouse, we have a wide range of acoustic and digital pianos, and our piano specialists can guide you through the various options on offer to find the best one for you.

There are a few directions you can take when purchasing

1. Acoustic Piano

If you have the space, beginning to learn on an acoustic piano from the get go is a fantastic option.

We have an impressive range of upright and grand pianos, both new and used, for you to look at in our showroom.

2. Cabinet Style Digital

A popular choice for those who want something that looks and feels more like an acoustic piano while saving space in the home. Cabinet style digitals are available in sleek designs, and allow for the convenience of using headphones. Many models emulate the piano playing experience with features that you can find on an acoustic piano such as wooden keys and graded hammer action – this is where the keys are heavier at the bottom on the low notes and gradually get lighter as you play up the keyboard.

3. Portable Digital

If you plan to take your keyboard out of the house, for example, when visiting family or performing, a portable digital will be the best option for you. These also work great when space in the home is extremely limited, however it’s best to always keep it set up rather than packing it down each night – it’s easier to practice when all you have to do is press the ‘on’ button! These also offer the option of using headphones, and are available in sleek, slimline designs, as well as eye popping colours. Portable digitals are also available in 88 keys and graded hammer action for a piano playing experience.

A word of guidance:

Without graded hammer action or weighted keys, (that’s when the keys feel heavy like a piano as opposed to the light feeling keys often found on smaller keyboards), you cannot develop the finger muscles and dexterity that is so vital to becoming a piano player.

I’ll just get something cheap, and if they stick with it, then I’ll upgrade to something a little bit better

If possible, especially if you are investing in lessons, I recommend getting the instrument that is not only going to get your child started, but is going to make them want to keep learning.

It takes tremendous willpower to learn music intended for the piano, on a small, unweighted keyboard.

Having said that, if the goal is to have a play with different tones and rhythms and explore creativity, perhaps something small and lightweight that offers these features is a better choice for your needs.

We are proud to offer products that suit a range of budgets, lifestyles, and purposes, so feel free to have a chat to one of our friendly specialists on our live chat who will be able to recommend some great products for you to check out.

Alternatively, feel free to give one of our stores a call, or even better, pop in store to experience the pianos and keyboards on offer at one of our showrooms!

1300 888 279 for your local Australian Piano Warehouse store!

By Holly Terrens (Brisbane Store)

These days it’s not just urban dwellers who are opting to go digital. Digital piano technology allows anyone from beginners to professional players to have a realistic piano playing experience with the added bonus of being able to plug in headphones, connect wirelessly to learning apps, and connect to the computer for recording. 

With so many models on offer, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start so we’ve created a no fuss guide to find the right model for you. 

Please note that just like a ‘real’ piano, each model in this guide has 88 keys and a weighted action. In order to develop your finger strength and dexterity, it’s very important to buy something with weighted keys. 

Here we go! 

‘Do you move your piano from one house to another?’ ‘Do you sometimes take it out to perform?’ ‘Do you have it set up in front of your computer?’

If you answered yes to any of these questions, take a look at the Casio PXS3000 or the Casio PXS1000. There’s a reason that these models both took home awards at the 2019 NAMM show: aside from their ivory feel keytops and realistic piano tones, they are incredibly slimline and sleek, making them a popular choice globally.

‘Are you low on space but don’t plan to take the piano outside of the house?’ ‘Do you want something with greater key protection?’ ‘Looking for the next level up in sound quality?’

This model ticks all the boxes. 

Yamaha S54  – With a hard, sturdy piano folding lid to protect the keys and larger speakers, it offers next level sound quality without compromising on the overall size of the piano itself. Light enough to move around the house if you like to redecorate.  

‘I want something that looks more like a piano without blowing the bank’

Check out Casio’s AP270. This model offers a variety of beautiful piano tones cased in a beautiful cabinet style available in black, white and brown. There is also a built in lesson feature, as well as the option to connect to Casio’s Chordana Play App. 

‘I want something that looks, sounds and feels like a piano.’

Look no further than Roland’s LX700 series. 

This series has been recognized as a winner of multiple global design awards. Using Roland’s latest piano technology combined with powerful speakers, the result is an expressive, highly realistic piano playing experience. 

These models are available in store to try. Alternatively, feel free to give us a call or send a message to discuss delivery options. 

1300 888 279 for your local Australian Piano Warehouse store!

Read More – Part 2 – Click Here

By Holly Terrens (Brisbane Store)

Learning the piano as an adult and learning the piano as a child are often two vastly different experiences. Whether you hated lessons as a kid, or you simply didn’t have the opportunity to learn, as an adult, you have a blank slate filled with the clear goal of learning the music you like. Hooray! 

The next two steps to consider are:

Should I get lessons or teach myself?

It’s always a great idea to get lessons to ensure you’re playing with the correct technique and not creating any long term bad habits. Like anything, working alongside an expert whose teaching method resonates with you is a surefire way to stay on track and reach your goals. 

‘Flowkey’ https://www.flowkey.com/ is also a good app to get started with as it gets you playing straight away with built in lessons. It also contains a large number of music scores across a variety of music styles and genres. Flowkey are a subscription based service however, they are currently running a promotion for new Yamaha customers who will get 3 months of premium access for free. 

If you have some experience reading music and want to get into playing all your favorite songs, https://www.musicnotes.com/ contains over 300,000 sheet music arrangements that can be purchased individually. 

What do I need to buy?

We’ve got plenty of different options to suit your budget and lifestyle. 

Feel free to visit one of our stores across Australia to play our large range of electric and acoustic pianos. If you’re a complete beginner – no problem! One of our highly experienced staff members will demonstrate the sound of the piano. Alternatively, feel free to give us a call or send us a message via our website.

To put it simply, a digital piano requires electricity and an acoustic piano does not. A digital piano is not better or worse than an acoustic piano; it just does things an acoustic piano cannot do. A digital piano can take up less space too. So if you live in a smaller space or apartment then the advantages of a digital piano may be practical. These day the digital piano options are many with a variety of finishes and designs. Many piano teachers have come to accept and play digital pianos as a genuine viable alternative to the traditional acoustic piano. In a perfect world I’d have one of each. 🙂 Some of the benefits of a digital piano are: no tuning required ever, the volume can be controlled, one can connect headphones for private listening that does not disturb others, more sounds other than piano can be available, one can record their performance or practice, and it is much easier to transport. If these benefits suit your needs than it’s worth checking out a digital piano. Obviously the quality will depend on the price and some of the top end Roland and Yamaha digital pianos are impressive. If however, you have the space which allows for a beautiful acoustic piano, and the sound of someone playing or practicing doesn’t over-ride someone else’s activity or entertainment, then by all means check out our massive range of acoustic pianos.

See Digital Piano Models

See Acoustic Pianos