Welcome to the /r/piano FAQ where we try to answer a lot of common questions that come up about pianos! Last updated: 04Dec2016

1. Suzuki Digital Piano Reviews

Choosing a Keyboard

The task of choosing a keyboard can be quite daunting. We've compiled a few tips and discussions that might make your job easier. Remember that the most important part of the purchasing process is to go play the thing! Take it for a test drive and figure out if it's going to work for you.

Kawai USB MIDI Driver Package for Windows (v2.1) Required for the VPC Editor and software instruments to be used simultaneously. Designed to comply with USB2.0. Windows XP/Vista 32-bit; Windows XP/Vista 64-bit; VPC Editor for Windows (32-bit/64-bit) Editor software for the VPC1 Virtual Piano Controller. The front SD slot allows users to insert a card and record songs, create a personal media library or listen to the 80 included tunes. The piano has even a built-in Bluetooth accessory to connect the MDG-200 to your mobile device, and a USB port that transforms the Suzuki digital piano into an Audio/MIDI interface.

Brands

The most common brand suggestions in /r/piano are Yamaha, Roland, Kawai, Korg, Nord, and Casio.

Features

Here are some features to look at while considering a keyboard.

• 88 keys --- It's a good idea to have the largest range possible. Many beginners start with smaller keyboards and quickly run into problems with repertoire demanding larger ranges.

• Weighted Keys --- Many people buy keyboards because buying an acoustic piano isn't viable. Weighted keys help make a keyboard 'feel' more like an acoustic piano.

• Included Voices --- What kind of sounds do you want from your keyboard? Do you need organs/synths/strings/etc or just a good piano sound?

• On-board Speakers --- It's often nice to have a pair of speakers built into the keyboard itself, but it's not necessary. Try to think about what your practice habits are. Are you always going to be playing with headphones? Do you have some nicer speakers or an amp that you want to hook your keyboard up to?

• MIDI --- MIDI shows up on a large majority of keyboards. It lets you interface with your computer which is useful for composing, working with digital audio workstations (DAWs) and using programs like Synthesia and PianoCheetah.

Cost

There is a temptation for beginners to spend the smallest amount of money possible to get a keyboard to 'see if they like it.' Unfortunately, the choice of instrument has a large impact on how enjoyable and rewarding the process of learning the piano is. Try to set aside the largest budget possible. A keyboard isn't like a computer or an Xbox that's going to be obsolete in 2-5 years. You're likely to be playing on it 5, 10, 20 years down the line, so consider that when setting your purchase price. Also keep in mind that most keyboards don't even come close to the cost of an acoustic piano.

Rough price range:

• $0-500 if you want to get your feet wet. Please look for USED instruments from our specific suggestions in this price range.

• $500-1000 if you're interested in playing

• $1000-2000 if you're serious about playing

• $2000+ if you're a professional musician --- High End Keyboard Discussion 1 High End Keyboard Discussion 2

Types

Keyboards are built with different sets of features to appeal to different types of users (e.g. home pianists, gigging musicians, composers). Thus, keyboards are often categorized and marketed as different types, such as 'Digital Piano' or 'Stage Piano' or 'Workstation'. The following list shows the common categorizations and the features often emphasized in each one. Of course, the marketing terminology isn't consistent from one company to the next, and you have to look at each keyboard individually to see exactly what features it includes.

• Midi Controller:

  • Doesn't generate any sound, no speakers. Must connect to your computer and use software sound libraries.
  • Usually < 88 keys, unweighted
  • Useful for composing on your computer at home, or live settings with computer.
  • Why? Cheap since it's just the keybed + midi output. No extra fluff you don't need. Lots of customizable knobs and sliders not found on other keyboards, so you can control dozens of effects or trigger actions at a touch without buying extra pedals/controllers.
  • Note: All of the other keyboard types below also act as midi controllers in addition to all their other features. Keyboards labelled as 'midi controllers' only have midi-controlling functionality.

• Portable Keyboard:

  • This terminology is usually reserved for cheaper, lower quality portable keyboards
  • Unweighted keys and usually less than 88 keys (this makes it cheap, light, and portable). Built-in speakers for home use.
  • Lots of sounds and gimmicky features to appeal to average consumer.
  • Why? fun, cheap toy to play around with in your bedroom.
  • Note: More expensive / higher quality portable keyboards are marketed as 'Synthesizers/Workstations' or 'Stage Pianos' (see below)

• Synthesizer/Workstation:

  • Focus is on having hundreds or thousands of built-in samples to choose from, as well as sound synthesis capabilities & sound customization (oscillators, filters, effects, EQ, arpeggiators).
  • Traditionally called a workstation if it also has built-in sequencing/arranging and other DAW capabilities so that you don't need a computer.
  • Traditionally unweighted keys, but some do have full 88-key weighted keybeds.
  • Why? You want access to a huge number and wide variety of sounds and/or create & customize your own sounds, all done on the keyboard itself without relying on a computer and software.

• Digital Piano:

  • Geared towards home users who are pianists.
  • Designed to feel and sound like a real piano. It will have an 88-key weighted keybed, high-quality piano sounds, built-in speakers, and often a nice stand/cabinet to make it more appealing as furniture (but not very portable). Some digital pianos don't require big stands and may be quite portable.
  • Cheaper DPs often have more sounds and gimmicky features. More expensive ones usually strip down features but have better quality sounds & speakers.
  • Why? You want to learn to play the piano but don't want to buy an acoustic (real) piano. i.e. You want realistic piano key action, good-sounding piano samples, want it to look nice, have built-in speakers, and don't need customizability and lots of extra features.
  • Note: If portable and geared towards stage use, will usually be marketed as a 'Stage Piano' (see below)

• Stage Piano:

  • a Digital Piano geared towards professional gigging musicians for both stage and home use.
  • Similarities to a DP: primary focus is on having both realistic piano key action and high-quality piano and/or electric-piano sounds (often better than digital pianos meant for home users). Usually stripped down on number of sounds and features.
  • Differences from a DP: rugged and portable, extra inputs/outputs for stage use, usually no built-in speakers (but sometimes present).
  • Stage pianos also often incorporate midi controller and synthesizer features (assignable/customizable knobs & sliders, more filters and effects, sound synthesis).
  • Why? You want the best sounding piano, keyboard, or organ sounds with realistic piano action, and you play in live settings.

Also see:

• Digital Piano versus Stage Piano Comparison Chart.

Since /r/piano is geared towards pianists, we generally only discuss Digital Pianos and Stage Pianos. Discussions about Midi Controllers, Portable Keyboards, Synthesizers/Workstations, or other instruments with keys are better suited to other subreddits such as /r/wearethemusicmakers, /r/keys, /r/synthesizers, or /r/organ.

Specific Suggestions

r/piano strongly recommends a baseline price of $500 (for new instruments). This is based on our feeling that sub-$500 keyboards often lack necessary features (fully-weighted keys, less than 88 keys, inferior actions, polyphony limits, physically smaller keys, etc.) for beginners to develop good habits at the piano. Also, many beginners will get frustrated with the limitations of cheaper instruments. The USED keyboard market is very healthy in many areas (check Craigslist/Kijiji/etc) and we suggest buying used for budgets less than $500.

Useful discussions about the $500 price point suggestion:Recommendations and options for college students Weighted vs non-weighted Feeling helpless after reading the FAQ

See the 'But I don't have $500' section below for a couple of cheaper options in the $300-$500 range.

Specific Suggestions by Price Range

Note: Price estimates for new instruments as of July 2019.

$500-600 USD:

• Roland FP-10 - Released Jan 2019. Same PHA-4 keyboard and sound engine as the Roland FP-30. Main caveat is quite weak speakers. Fp-10 vs Fp-30 differences video. Discussion.

• Yamaha P125 - Released May 2018, replacing P115, which replaced Yamaha P-105. Key noise: Yamaha P-115 vs Casio PX-150. P125 vs P115?: P125 has the same sound engine (CF), key action (GHS), and speakers (7Wx2) as the P115. The only changes/upgrades are physical design, speaker positioning/housing, and a few more sounds: 24 vs 14 voices, and 20 vs 14 rhythms.

• Casio Privia PX-S1000 - Released Jan 2019. Replaces older PX-160 (completely redesigned with brand new action, sound engine / samples, features).

• Korg B2 / B2SP - Released June 2019. B2 improves on the B1 model from 2 years earlier (which notably had no USB/MIDI support! Korg B2 now has this). Note: Don't confuse B2SP model with the B2NP model -- B2NP is not actually a fully-weighted keyboard, hence why it's cheaper. The Korg B2 & B1 can be seen as successors to the older Korg SP170S previously recommended. Korg SP170 vs Casio Privia PX-130.

$700-800 USD:

• Roland FP-30 - released 2016.

• Kawai ES110 - released Jan 2017, replacing ES100 with newer action and sound.

• Casio Privia PX-S3000 - Released Jan 2019. Replaces older Casio Privia PX-350.

$1000-2000 USD Digital Pianos:

• Yamaha P-515 (~$1500) - replaces Yamaha P-255, which replaced the P-155

• Korg ES8 (~$1600)

• Roland FP-90 (~$1900) or FP-60 (~$1500). Fp90 vs Fp60.

• Yamaha YDP series, Clavinova series

$2000+ USD Digital Pianos, Hybrid Pianos:

• TO DO

Stage Pianos - $1000-$5000

• Casio PX-5S

• Roland RD Series Roland RD-700NX discussion

• Yamaha CP Series

• Korg SV-1

• Kawai MP Series

• Nord Electro 4, Nord Stage 3Old Nord Stage/Electro/Piano Comparison Chart Nord vs Korg SV-1 Nord keyboard durability discussion whgoss' story of 'Big Red'

Workstations

• TO DO - e.g. Korg Kronos

Comparison Table for Keyboards between $500 and $1000

TO DO - update with newer models above.

But I Don't have $500

If you don't have (or don't want to spend) $500 on a new keyboard, it is usually a better idea to buy a better USED keyboard than go cheaper in the NEW keyboard market. However, if you must buy new and really want to try something cheaper, there are a couple of keyboards that do have 88 full-sized, fully-weighted keys that are in the $300-$400 range:

Yamaha P45

The Yamaha P45 (or the equivalent Amazon-exclusive P71) costs $400 and comes up frequently in discussions about beginner keyboards. It's similar to Yamaha's entry-level P125 / P115 ($600), but with these notable limitations:

• Fewer voices on the P45
• Older style of piano samples that don't sound quite as good
• 64 note polyphony on the P45 versus 192 note polyphony on the P125/P115
• No on-board recording ability on the P45
• Speakers are a little lower quality on the P45
• No built-in backing tracks on the P45

Please view this comparison video between the P45 and P115.

Bottom line: If you have an absolute budget of $400 and need to purchase a NEW instrument, then consider the P45. If you can stretch your budget, then the P125 (or P115) is a better option in the long run.

Casio CDP-130

The Casio CDP-130 typically costs $300-400 and also frequently comes up in discussions about entry-level digital pianos. It does have 88 full-sized, fully-weighted keys and is currently the lowest-priced keyboard that has those minimum-recommend features for those wanting to learn to play the piano.

That being said, opinions are divided on this keyboard: Some people on /r/piano feel it is a perfectly acceptable digital piano for a beginner with limited funds, while others feel its limitations are too great and that to avoid potential disappointment, it shouldn't be recommended to beginners looking to buy. The limitations are similar to those of the Yamaha P45 mentioned above, as well as the additional notable common complaints:

• Keys have more prominent 'clicking' sound (also see Casio PX-150 video)
• Keys feel a little heavy/sticky to some
• Only 48 note polyphony
• Sustain of notes is very short

CDP-130 discussions: CDP-130 vs P-45, CDP-130 worth it?, CDP-130 vs others,CDP-130 should be an option,CDP-120,Amazon reviews

Bottom line: If you have an absolute budget of $300-400 and want to purchase a NEW instrument, and you are not able to wait to save up a little more, then before resorting to cheaper 'semi-weighted' keyboards, consider taking a look at the CASIO CDP-130 along with the Yamaha P-45.

Brands to Avoid

Many beginning pianists looking for an instrument start their search in the sub-$500 range. Two of the most common brands in this price range are the Williams brand and the M-Audio brand.

Williams consistently receives negative feedback on r/piano and other piano forums. They make cheap instruments and it shows.

M-Audio focuses more on MIDI controllers than keyboards and many of their inexpensive instruments aren't suitable for beginners who hope to move to fully-weighted keyboards or acoustic pianos when they are able.

Notable Past Discussions

External Resources

Guide to Recording from a Digital Keyboard into a Computer

Recording from your digital keyboard into your computer doesn't have to be hard! Throw your mics/cell phones in the trash and learn about some easy recording techniques. Check out this helpful video on the topic.

What's this 'MIDI' I keep hearing about?

Most keyboards within the last 30 years are going to be MIDI-capable. MIDI allows for musical data to be sent back and forth between your keyboard and your computer.

MIDI Advantages:

• Record directly into notation programs and digital audio workstations (DAWs)

• Ability to edit out mistakes, change rhythms, clean up your recording, etc. because you are working with very flexible data.

• Allows you to control millions of virtual instruments and samples with your keyboard.

MIDI Disadvantages:

• Without good virtual instruments and samples (sometimes costing thousands of dollars), your final product may not sound very realistic at all.

• Getting your initial setup right and getting all of your devices talking to each other can take a bit of tinkering and many people give up before getting past this step.

• Some MIDI devices may have excess amounts of latency preventing you from playing in real time. There are a number of software options that will often help alleviate this latency, but it can depend on the device.

• People have the misconception that you can play a Bach Fugue through your MIDI keyboard and it will show up perfectly notated and ready to print in your notation program on your computer. MIDI data can get you close to what you want, but it will always take a lot of tweaking and manipulation to make things right.

Recording MIDI

Here are some tips for using MIDI.

You Will Need:

• Some sort of MIDI to USB adapter. Many modern keyboards have something like this built in, so check your keyboard's manual before buying anything. If your keyboard doesn't have a built-in interface, you will need something like this.

• Low-latency sound card drivers if you wish to record in real time. ASIO4ALL is a free driver that will allow you to lower the latency between your keyboard and your computer.

Procedure

• Connect all cables

• Make sure you've switched to using ASIO drivers if you're concerned about latency

• Install a DAW like Reaper or a Midi-notation program like MuseScore depending on what you want to do.

• Select your MIDI device from the preferences of your chosen program.

Midi troubleshooting

How Can I Record Without Using MIDI?

Recording straight audio is often easier to setup provided you have some basic equipment.

Dirt cheap easy way:

Connect a cable from your keyboard's audio output to your computer's LINE IN port. (Not all computers have a LINE IN audio port, but many of them do. They are 1/8' and usually next to the MIC-IN and HEADPHONE-OUT ports.

You Will Need:

• A standard 1/4' instrument cable (TS or TRS will both work)

• A 1/4' to 1/8' adapter (try to get a STEREO adapter)

• Software to record into. Try Audacity which is a great free/open-source program.

Procedure:

• Connect all cables.

• Open your computer's 'Recording Device Settings' and select the input source as LINE-IN.

• Open Audacity's preferences (or whatever DAW you're using) and make sure that LINE-IN is selected as your recording device. Screenshot

• Press record (big red circle) and play a few notes on your keyboard. You should see the recorded waveform changing as you play.

• Play a sample of what you want to record and try to set rough levels. You're going to be controlling this mainly with your keyboard's volume slider/dial. Depending on your computer's sound card, you may have some software control over the gain.

• Continue tweaking gain levels a little bit every time. The goal is to have enough overhead in your levels so you never cause the waveform to hit the edges and peak. Turn down the gain until you can play the loudest parts of your song without causing any peaks.

Better Way:

Purchase an audio interface (essentially an external sound card that connects to your computer via USB or Firewire). The audio interface acts as an intermediary between your keyboard and your computer. It helps you set levels better, can feed studio monitors/headphones, allows you to input from multiple sources, and often allows you to run MIDI through it at low latency. I personally recommend a USB audio interface between $150 to $350+ that has MIDI and at least two inputs (useful for recording your keyboard in Stereo).

To MIDI or not to MIDI?

Here are some general guidelines for helping you figure out if you should use MIDI or record straight audio.

Use MIDI If:

• You're going to be producing music requiring a lot of editing/tinkering

• You want access to virtual instruments

• You're using your computer to compose/notate something

• You're using your keyboard for games like Synthesia and PianoCheetah.

Use Straight Audio If:

• You want to make a no-fuss quick recording using the native sounds of your keyboard.

• You want to record straight to a wav file that won't require any other software to interpret it.

• You want to take advantage of your keyboard's features such as reverb/chorus/phaser/etc.

Virtual pianos (sampled/synthesized/etc)

Acoustic Pianos

Buying an acoustic piano often represents a significant investment of time and money. Do your research and play on as many pianos as you can to get a feel for what's out there.

Buying a used piano

• Get a piano technician to look at the piano Pianos are complicated machines which get old and break down. Hiring a piano technician to look at a piano before you purchase it will save you time and money in the long run. They can point out any problems or areas of concern and keep you from buying a money pit.

• Find a copy of Larry Fine's 'The Piano Book' at your library. He will walk you through the whole process. He also maintains a very helpful website which is updated regularly.

• Yes, there are cheap pianos on Craigslist, but most of them are average or well below average. Call a technician!

Caring for your piano

• Getting your piano tuned is part of owning a piano, just like getting your oil changed is part of owning a car. In most climates, having your piano tuned every six months is a good idea.

• Try to keep the piano away from exterior windows and doors. The goal is to give the piano as stable of an environment as possible.

• Keep the piano out of direct sunlight. Sunlight will not only harm the finish of the piano, it will also cause the piano to go out of tune faster.

• Try to keep hot or cold air from blowing directly on the piano. Close or redirect air vents that are behind or underneath the piano and keep it away from fireplaces that would radiate dry heat on the piano.

• Ideal humidity for pianos is about 40-45%. Keeping the whole room at that humidity level is generally the best option, but there are also small humidifier systems that can be installed directly inside or under a piano like the Piano Life Saver System. Here's a humidity discussion with chart

What to look for in a piano technician

Piano tuning and repair (piano technology) is an unregulated industry in the US (and many other countries). This means that there are no requirements to be licensed or demonstrate aptitude. As a result, anybody can hang out a sign and start tuning pianos. Within the industry, there is a distinction between the 'piano technician' and the 'piano tuner.' A 'technician' implies a working knowledge of how the piano functions and means they can fix mechanical problems. A 'tuner' implies that they can tune the piano and probably do some minor repair work, but not much else.

Some ways to spot less experienced piano tuners:

• They tend to advertise more. Inexperienced tuners are often found advertising on Craigslist, in the Yellowpages, and in odd places online. While experienced technicians may advertise as well, they tend to rely more on a network of word-of-mouth referrals and have less of a need to advertise.

• Inexperienced tuners often charge the least amount in town. Most experienced technicians are going to be within $10 to $30 of each other. If you call around in your area and most people are charging $90 to $110 and then you find one person charging $65, that's often going to be a red flag.

• Inexperienced tuners have an odd fee structure or they say things like 'I charge more to tune grand pianos than I do to tune uprights.' Most experienced technicians will have a set tuning fee, an additional charge for pitch correction, and an hourly repair/regulation fee.

• Inexperienced tuners may say that they tune a piano in 30 to 45 minutes. While it's entirely possible to get a good start on a tuning in 30 to 45 minutes, it's generally a 60 to 90 minute process which may include time spent making mechanical adjustments to the action. This depends on the piano and the technician, but if you hire a piano tuner and it seems like they are done very quickly, they may not have spent enough time with your piano.

Hiring a Registered Piano Technician from the Piano Technician's Guild means the technician:

• Has passed a written test on the history and functioning of the piano
• Has passed a tuning test which tests all areas of piano tuning and is scored by industry professionals.
• Has passed a repair/regulation test which tests common repair and regulation procedures and is scored by industry professionals.
• Is a member of the Piano Technicians Guild which is a self-regulating professional organization dedicated to fostering education about the piano.

What's my piano worth?

• In general, most older pianos (older than 15 or 20 years) are not worth very much.

• Pianos have an effective life of about 40 to 60 years. At that point, major rebuilding work (new strings, bridge work, soundboard work, pinblock work, replace worn parts, etc) is generally necessary to keep touch and tone consistent across the piano. The problem is that pianos will continue to play long after their effective life while developing more quirks and inconsistencies as they age.

• In many used markets (in the US), old upright pianos tend to go for $0 to $500 and old grand pianos go for $500 to $1500.

• Pianos with well known manufactures (like Steinway) can exist outside these normal price ranges and go for a lot more. This is based on brand recognition. The physical condition of the piano may be equal to (or worse) than an equivalent off-brand piano, but the name itself commands a higher value.

• Many pianos have great sentimental value. Maybe they've been handed down from generation to generation or they have an interesting story attached to them. Unfortunately, sentimental value does not translate into monetary value.

• Check out Pianoworld's deprecation chart to get an idea of value.

Recording acoustic pianos

Getting Started as a Beginner

The most common advice you will see (repeated over and over on r/piano) is to study with a piano teacher! Especially in the beginning stages, teachers help you get started out on the right foot and give you the best chance for developing quickly and efficiently.

Finding a Teacher

Self-Teaching

Am I too old to start learning the piano?

What to Practice

Effective practice is what sets excellent players apart from average ones.

Warmup Exercises

Scales

• Visual chart of scales and circle of 5ths by u/mercureii

General Practice Tips

• Great Overview of Practicing the Piano --- ** Start Here! **

• A formatted version of the above book to make it easier to read (downloadable as PDF, HTML, or ePub -- click 'Read the Docs' in the sidebar) -- put together by a redditor (see here).

• Odd Quartet's Guide to Practicing --- Print this one out.

Technique

Hand Independence

Polyrhythms

Sight Reading

Music Theory

• MusicTheory.net - ** Start Here! **

Dealing with Performance Anxiety

Coming from another instrument

College and Conservatory Audition Question and Discussions

• What college music programs teach you that you can't learn at home
• Finding the right professor
• Financing

Repertoire and Sheet Music

Sheet Music

Classical

• imslp.org IMSLP is a fantastic resource for finding classical music in the public domain.

• bestsheetmusiceditions.com - a blog by u/liplylie with recommendations for the best editions of classical piano sheet music, as well as other useful information such as 'What makes an edition a good edition?'

Video Game / Anime

• ninsheetmusic.org/ - Video game sheet music.

• ichigos.com - Anime and video game sheet music.

Christmas

Other

• musescore.com MuseScore is not just awesome free music notation software -- it is a whole community with loads of sheet music created and uploaded by amateurs all over the world.

• /r/SheetMusic and /r/Musicnotes are communities devoted to finding and sharing sheet music.

Sharing Sheet Music

• musecore.com - a large community of amateurs sharing their musical creations with the world.

Finding Sheet Music

Repertoire

Lists of Classical Pieces Organized By Difficulty

• Another database with 15000 pieces (with a horrible UI).

Syllabus Links

Organizations like RCM (in Canada) and ABRSM (from the UK but operates worldwide) offer structured learning paths, teacher certifications, and graded examinations, and they produce Syllabi containing the lists of graded pieces that they allow in their exams. These are great resources to get an idea of the learning path of the typical classical piano student and piece difficulties. Grade ranges vary between organizations, e.g. 1 - 8 or 1 - 10, and usually the highest grade level is just the starting point (i.e. the easiest) of the advanced repertoire that you would expect to play at a 'diploma' level (e.g. entering a conservatory or getting your Master's in Music at a university).

• ABRSM Diploma/LRSM/FRSM Syllabus (advanced pieces) (Page 36-41)

Note: Some piece grades may be surprising to people, because the organizations look at what it takes to play a piece well. For example, Für Elise, which is often one of the first pieces tackled by beginner pianists learning on their own, is actually grade 5 of 8 in ABRSM and grade 7 of 10 in RCM. While it is easy to plunk out the notes, it is actually quite difficult to play well. Most people play it really poorly and/or skip the more difficult middle section.

Repertoire Discussions

Is there a piano equivalent to Ultimate Guitar Tabs?

• * Discussion and good links about a piano equivalent
• * Other suggestions
• * A few more

Genres

The piano is a versatile instrument and allows pianists to cross into many different genres.

Pop/Rock

Jazz/Improvisation

/r/Piano Events

We try to host events from time to time to encourage community involvement and get everybody practicing.

Piano Jams

• See Latest Piano Jams Here

Old Piano Jams:

• Piano Jam #22 (July 2014) Results

• Piano Jam #21 (June 2014) Results

• Piano Jam #20 (May 2014) Results

• Piano Jam #19 (April 2014) Results

• Piano Jam #18 (March 2014) Results

////

• Piano Jam #17 (June 2013) Results

• Piano Jam #16 (April 2013) Results

• Piano Jam #15 (March 2013) Results

• Piano Jam #14 (February 2013) Results

• Piano Jam #13 (January 2013) Results

• Piano Jam #12 (December 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #11 (November 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #10 (October 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #9 (September 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #8 (August 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #7 (July 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #6 (June 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #5 (May 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #4 (April 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #3 (March 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #2 (February 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #1 (January 2012) Results

Weekly Discussions

Surveys

Piano Technology

Here's some information relating to the tuning, regulation, and repair of pianos.

Finding a piano technician

Useful Discussions

Teaching Piano

Other Resources

There are thousands of places outside of /r/piano to learn about the piano and music. See what you can find and bring all of the good information back to us :).

Related Sub-Reddits

• /r/Musictheory - Great place to learn more about music theory and ask questions.

• /r/Musicnotes - Tabs and sheet music for various instruments.

• /r/Composer - A place to share your compositions and get feedback.

• /r/Keys - Keyboards and Synths.

• /r/NewGearDay - New gear you've acquired.

• /r/Pianocovers - Hear covers played on piano.

• /r/MusicEd - For Music Educators.

• /r/playmymusic - Have your piece played by another musician.

• /r/hammondorgan - Hammond organs!

• /r/classicalpianists - For classical pianists

External Links

• Piano-related IRC channel: ##piano on freenode. irc://irc.freenode.net/##piano

Piano-related Movies

FAQ created by OnaZ on 21January2012

Welcome to the /r/piano FAQ where we try to answer a lot of common questions that come up about pianos! Last updated: 04Dec2016

Choosing a Keyboard

The task of choosing a keyboard can be quite daunting. We've compiled a few tips and discussions that might make your job easier. Remember that the most important part of the purchasing process is to go play the thing! Take it for a test drive and figure out if it's going to work for you.

Brands

The most common brand suggestions in /r/piano are Yamaha, Roland, Kawai, Korg, Nord, and Casio.

Features

Here are some features to look at while considering a keyboard.

• 88 keys --- It's a good idea to have the largest range possible. Many beginners start with smaller keyboards and quickly run into problems with repertoire demanding larger ranges.

• Weighted Keys --- Many people buy keyboards because buying an acoustic piano isn't viable. Weighted keys help make a keyboard 'feel' more like an acoustic piano.

• Included Voices --- What kind of sounds do you want from your keyboard? Do you need organs/synths/strings/etc or just a good piano sound?

• On-board Speakers --- It's often nice to have a pair of speakers built into the keyboard itself, but it's not necessary. Try to think about what your practice habits are. Are you always going to be playing with headphones? Do you have some nicer speakers or an amp that you want to hook your keyboard up to?

• MIDI --- MIDI shows up on a large majority of keyboards. It lets you interface with your computer which is useful for composing, working with digital audio workstations (DAWs) and using programs like Synthesia and PianoCheetah.

Cost

There is a temptation for beginners to spend the smallest amount of money possible to get a keyboard to 'see if they like it.' Unfortunately, the choice of instrument has a large impact on how enjoyable and rewarding the process of learning the piano is. Try to set aside the largest budget possible. A keyboard isn't like a computer or an Xbox that's going to be obsolete in 2-5 years. You're likely to be playing on it 5, 10, 20 years down the line, so consider that when setting your purchase price. Also keep in mind that most keyboards don't even come close to the cost of an acoustic piano.

Rough price range:

• $0-500 if you want to get your feet wet. Please look for USED instruments from our specific suggestions in this price range.

• $500-1000 if you're interested in playing

• $1000-2000 if you're serious about playing

• $2000+ if you're a professional musician --- High End Keyboard Discussion 1 High End Keyboard Discussion 2

Types

Keyboards are built with different sets of features to appeal to different types of users (e.g. home pianists, gigging musicians, composers). Thus, keyboards are often categorized and marketed as different types, such as 'Digital Piano' or 'Stage Piano' or 'Workstation'. The following list shows the common categorizations and the features often emphasized in each one. Of course, the marketing terminology isn't consistent from one company to the next, and you have to look at each keyboard individually to see exactly what features it includes.

• Midi Controller:

  • Doesn't generate any sound, no speakers. Must connect to your computer and use software sound libraries.
  • Usually < 88 keys, unweighted
  • Useful for composing on your computer at home, or live settings with computer.
  • Why? Cheap since it's just the keybed + midi output. No extra fluff you don't need. Lots of customizable knobs and sliders not found on other keyboards, so you can control dozens of effects or trigger actions at a touch without buying extra pedals/controllers.
  • Note: All of the other keyboard types below also act as midi controllers in addition to all their other features. Keyboards labelled as 'midi controllers' only have midi-controlling functionality.

• Portable Keyboard:

  • This terminology is usually reserved for cheaper, lower quality portable keyboards
  • Unweighted keys and usually less than 88 keys (this makes it cheap, light, and portable). Built-in speakers for home use.
  • Lots of sounds and gimmicky features to appeal to average consumer.
  • Why? fun, cheap toy to play around with in your bedroom.
  • Note: More expensive / higher quality portable keyboards are marketed as 'Synthesizers/Workstations' or 'Stage Pianos' (see below)

• Synthesizer/Workstation:

  • Focus is on having hundreds or thousands of built-in samples to choose from, as well as sound synthesis capabilities & sound customization (oscillators, filters, effects, EQ, arpeggiators).
  • Traditionally called a workstation if it also has built-in sequencing/arranging and other DAW capabilities so that you don't need a computer.
  • Traditionally unweighted keys, but some do have full 88-key weighted keybeds.
  • Why? You want access to a huge number and wide variety of sounds and/or create & customize your own sounds, all done on the keyboard itself without relying on a computer and software.

• Digital Piano:

  • Geared towards home users who are pianists.
  • Designed to feel and sound like a real piano. It will have an 88-key weighted keybed, high-quality piano sounds, built-in speakers, and often a nice stand/cabinet to make it more appealing as furniture (but not very portable). Some digital pianos don't require big stands and may be quite portable.
  • Cheaper DPs often have more sounds and gimmicky features. More expensive ones usually strip down features but have better quality sounds & speakers.
  • Why? You want to learn to play the piano but don't want to buy an acoustic (real) piano. i.e. You want realistic piano key action, good-sounding piano samples, want it to look nice, have built-in speakers, and don't need customizability and lots of extra features.
  • Note: If portable and geared towards stage use, will usually be marketed as a 'Stage Piano' (see below)

• Stage Piano:

  • a Digital Piano geared towards professional gigging musicians for both stage and home use.
  • Similarities to a DP: primary focus is on having both realistic piano key action and high-quality piano and/or electric-piano sounds (often better than digital pianos meant for home users). Usually stripped down on number of sounds and features.
  • Differences from a DP: rugged and portable, extra inputs/outputs for stage use, usually no built-in speakers (but sometimes present).
  • Stage pianos also often incorporate midi controller and synthesizer features (assignable/customizable knobs & sliders, more filters and effects, sound synthesis).
  • Why? You want the best sounding piano, keyboard, or organ sounds with realistic piano action, and you play in live settings.

Also see:

• Digital Piano versus Stage Piano Comparison Chart.

Since /r/piano is geared towards pianists, we generally only discuss Digital Pianos and Stage Pianos. Discussions about Midi Controllers, Portable Keyboards, Synthesizers/Workstations, or other instruments with keys are better suited to other subreddits such as /r/wearethemusicmakers, /r/keys, /r/synthesizers, or /r/organ.

Specific Suggestions

r/piano strongly recommends a baseline price of $500 (for new instruments). This is based on our feeling that sub-$500 keyboards often lack necessary features (fully-weighted keys, less than 88 keys, inferior actions, polyphony limits, physically smaller keys, etc.) for beginners to develop good habits at the piano. Also, many beginners will get frustrated with the limitations of cheaper instruments. The USED keyboard market is very healthy in many areas (check Craigslist/Kijiji/etc) and we suggest buying used for budgets less than $500.

Useful discussions about the $500 price point suggestion:Recommendations and options for college students Weighted vs non-weighted Feeling helpless after reading the FAQ

See the 'But I don't have $500' section below for a couple of cheaper options in the $300-$500 range.

Specific Suggestions by Price Range

Note: Price estimates for new instruments as of July 2019.

$500-600 USD:

• Roland FP-10 - Released Jan 2019. Same PHA-4 keyboard and sound engine as the Roland FP-30. Main caveat is quite weak speakers. Fp-10 vs Fp-30 differences video. Discussion.

• Yamaha P125 - Released May 2018, replacing P115, which replaced Yamaha P-105. Key noise: Yamaha P-115 vs Casio PX-150. P125 vs P115?: P125 has the same sound engine (CF), key action (GHS), and speakers (7Wx2) as the P115. The only changes/upgrades are physical design, speaker positioning/housing, and a few more sounds: 24 vs 14 voices, and 20 vs 14 rhythms.

• Casio Privia PX-S1000 - Released Jan 2019. Replaces older PX-160 (completely redesigned with brand new action, sound engine / samples, features).

• Korg B2 / B2SP - Released June 2019. B2 improves on the B1 model from 2 years earlier (which notably had no USB/MIDI support! Korg B2 now has this). Note: Don't confuse B2SP model with the B2NP model -- B2NP is not actually a fully-weighted keyboard, hence why it's cheaper. The Korg B2 & B1 can be seen as successors to the older Korg SP170S previously recommended. Korg SP170 vs Casio Privia PX-130.

$700-800 USD:

• Roland FP-30 - released 2016.

• Kawai ES110 - released Jan 2017, replacing ES100 with newer action and sound.

• Casio Privia PX-S3000 - Released Jan 2019. Replaces older Casio Privia PX-350.

$1000-2000 USD Digital Pianos:

• Yamaha P-515 (~$1500) - replaces Yamaha P-255, which replaced the P-155

• Korg ES8 (~$1600)

• Roland FP-90 (~$1900) or FP-60 (~$1500). Fp90 vs Fp60.

• Yamaha YDP series, Clavinova series

$2000+ USD Digital Pianos, Hybrid Pianos:

• TO DO

Stage Pianos - $1000-$5000

• Casio PX-5S

• Roland RD Series Roland RD-700NX discussion

• Yamaha CP Series

• Korg SV-1

• Kawai MP Series

• Nord Electro 4, Nord Stage 3Old Nord Stage/Electro/Piano Comparison Chart Nord vs Korg SV-1 Nord keyboard durability discussion whgoss' story of 'Big Red'

Workstations

• TO DO - e.g. Korg Kronos

Comparison Table for Keyboards between $500 and $1000

TO DO - update with newer models above.

But I Don't have $500

If you don't have (or don't want to spend) $500 on a new keyboard, it is usually a better idea to buy a better USED keyboard than go cheaper in the NEW keyboard market. However, if you must buy new and really want to try something cheaper, there are a couple of keyboards that do have 88 full-sized, fully-weighted keys that are in the $300-$400 range:

Yamaha P45

The Yamaha P45 (or the equivalent Amazon-exclusive P71) costs $400 and comes up frequently in discussions about beginner keyboards. It's similar to Yamaha's entry-level P125 / P115 ($600), but with these notable limitations:

• Fewer voices on the P45
• Older style of piano samples that don't sound quite as good
• 64 note polyphony on the P45 versus 192 note polyphony on the P125/P115
• No on-board recording ability on the P45
• Speakers are a little lower quality on the P45
• No built-in backing tracks on the P45

Please view this comparison video between the P45 and P115.

Bottom line: If you have an absolute budget of $400 and need to purchase a NEW instrument, then consider the P45. If you can stretch your budget, then the P125 (or P115) is a better option in the long run.

Casio CDP-130

The Casio CDP-130 typically costs $300-400 and also frequently comes up in discussions about entry-level digital pianos. It does have 88 full-sized, fully-weighted keys and is currently the lowest-priced keyboard that has those minimum-recommend features for those wanting to learn to play the piano.

That being said, opinions are divided on this keyboard: Some people on /r/piano feel it is a perfectly acceptable digital piano for a beginner with limited funds, while others feel its limitations are too great and that to avoid potential disappointment, it shouldn't be recommended to beginners looking to buy. The limitations are similar to those of the Yamaha P45 mentioned above, as well as the additional notable common complaints:

• Keys have more prominent 'clicking' sound (also see Casio PX-150 video)
• Keys feel a little heavy/sticky to some
• Only 48 note polyphony
• Sustain of notes is very short

CDP-130 discussions: CDP-130 vs P-45, CDP-130 worth it?, CDP-130 vs others,CDP-130 should be an option,CDP-120,Amazon reviews

Bottom line: If you have an absolute budget of $300-400 and want to purchase a NEW instrument, and you are not able to wait to save up a little more, then before resorting to cheaper 'semi-weighted' keyboards, consider taking a look at the CASIO CDP-130 along with the Yamaha P-45.

Brands to Avoid

Many beginning pianists looking for an instrument start their search in the sub-$500 range. Two of the most common brands in this price range are the Williams brand and the M-Audio brand.

Williams consistently receives negative feedback on r/piano and other piano forums. They make cheap instruments and it shows.

M-Audio focuses more on MIDI controllers than keyboards and many of their inexpensive instruments aren't suitable for beginners who hope to move to fully-weighted keyboards or acoustic pianos when they are able.

Notable Past Discussions

External Resources

Guide to Recording from a Digital Keyboard into a Computer

Recording from your digital keyboard into your computer doesn't have to be hard! Throw your mics/cell phones in the trash and learn about some easy recording techniques. Check out this helpful video on the topic.

What's this 'MIDI' I keep hearing about?

Most keyboards within the last 30 years are going to be MIDI-capable. MIDI allows for musical data to be sent back and forth between your keyboard and your computer.

MIDI Advantages:

• Record directly into notation programs and digital audio workstations (DAWs)

• Ability to edit out mistakes, change rhythms, clean up your recording, etc. because you are working with very flexible data.

• Allows you to control millions of virtual instruments and samples with your keyboard.

MIDI Disadvantages:

• Without good virtual instruments and samples (sometimes costing thousands of dollars), your final product may not sound very realistic at all.

• Getting your initial setup right and getting all of your devices talking to each other can take a bit of tinkering and many people give up before getting past this step.

• Some MIDI devices may have excess amounts of latency preventing you from playing in real time. There are a number of software options that will often help alleviate this latency, but it can depend on the device.

• People have the misconception that you can play a Bach Fugue through your MIDI keyboard and it will show up perfectly notated and ready to print in your notation program on your computer. MIDI data can get you close to what you want, but it will always take a lot of tweaking and manipulation to make things right.

Recording MIDI

Here are some tips for using MIDI.

You Will Need:

• Some sort of MIDI to USB adapter. Many modern keyboards have something like this built in, so check your keyboard's manual before buying anything. If your keyboard doesn't have a built-in interface, you will need something like this.

• Low-latency sound card drivers if you wish to record in real time. ASIO4ALL is a free driver that will allow you to lower the latency between your keyboard and your computer.

Procedure

• Connect all cables

• Make sure you've switched to using ASIO drivers if you're concerned about latency

• Install a DAW like Reaper or a Midi-notation program like MuseScore depending on what you want to do.

• Select your MIDI device from the preferences of your chosen program.

Midi troubleshooting

How Can I Record Without Using MIDI?

Recording straight audio is often easier to setup provided you have some basic equipment.

Dirt cheap easy way:

Connect a cable from your keyboard's audio output to your computer's LINE IN port. (Not all computers have a LINE IN audio port, but many of them do. They are 1/8' and usually next to the MIC-IN and HEADPHONE-OUT ports.

You Will Need:

• A standard 1/4' instrument cable (TS or TRS will both work)

• A 1/4' to 1/8' adapter (try to get a STEREO adapter)

• Software to record into. Try Audacity which is a great free/open-source program.

Procedure:

• Connect all cables.

• Open your computer's 'Recording Device Settings' and select the input source as LINE-IN.

• Open Audacity's preferences (or whatever DAW you're using) and make sure that LINE-IN is selected as your recording device. Screenshot

• Press record (big red circle) and play a few notes on your keyboard. You should see the recorded waveform changing as you play.

• Play a sample of what you want to record and try to set rough levels. You're going to be controlling this mainly with your keyboard's volume slider/dial. Depending on your computer's sound card, you may have some software control over the gain.

• Continue tweaking gain levels a little bit every time. The goal is to have enough overhead in your levels so you never cause the waveform to hit the edges and peak. Turn down the gain until you can play the loudest parts of your song without causing any peaks.

Better Way:

Purchase an audio interface (essentially an external sound card that connects to your computer via USB or Firewire). The audio interface acts as an intermediary between your keyboard and your computer. It helps you set levels better, can feed studio monitors/headphones, allows you to input from multiple sources, and often allows you to run MIDI through it at low latency. I personally recommend a USB audio interface between $150 to $350+ that has MIDI and at least two inputs (useful for recording your keyboard in Stereo).

To MIDI or not to MIDI?

Here are some general guidelines for helping you figure out if you should use MIDI or record straight audio.

Use MIDI If:

• You're going to be producing music requiring a lot of editing/tinkering

• You want access to virtual instruments

• You're using your computer to compose/notate something

• You're using your keyboard for games like Synthesia and PianoCheetah.

Use Straight Audio If:

• You want to make a no-fuss quick recording using the native sounds of your keyboard.

• You want to record straight to a wav file that won't require any other software to interpret it.

• You want to take advantage of your keyboard's features such as reverb/chorus/phaser/etc.

Virtual pianos (sampled/synthesized/etc)

Acoustic Pianos

Buying an acoustic piano often represents a significant investment of time and money. Do your research and play on as many pianos as you can to get a feel for what's out there.

Buying a used piano

• Get a piano technician to look at the piano Pianos are complicated machines which get old and break down. Hiring a piano technician to look at a piano before you purchase it will save you time and money in the long run. They can point out any problems or areas of concern and keep you from buying a money pit.

• Find a copy of Larry Fine's 'The Piano Book' at your library. He will walk you through the whole process. He also maintains a very helpful website which is updated regularly.

• Yes, there are cheap pianos on Craigslist, but most of them are average or well below average. Call a technician!

Caring for your piano

• Getting your piano tuned is part of owning a piano, just like getting your oil changed is part of owning a car. In most climates, having your piano tuned every six months is a good idea.

• Try to keep the piano away from exterior windows and doors. The goal is to give the piano as stable of an environment as possible.

• Keep the piano out of direct sunlight. Sunlight will not only harm the finish of the piano, it will also cause the piano to go out of tune faster.

• Try to keep hot or cold air from blowing directly on the piano. Close or redirect air vents that are behind or underneath the piano and keep it away from fireplaces that would radiate dry heat on the piano.

• Ideal humidity for pianos is about 40-45%. Keeping the whole room at that humidity level is generally the best option, but there are also small humidifier systems that can be installed directly inside or under a piano like the Piano Life Saver System. Here's a humidity discussion with chart

What to look for in a piano technician

Piano tuning and repair (piano technology) is an unregulated industry in the US (and many other countries). This means that there are no requirements to be licensed or demonstrate aptitude. As a result, anybody can hang out a sign and start tuning pianos. Within the industry, there is a distinction between the 'piano technician' and the 'piano tuner.' A 'technician' implies a working knowledge of how the piano functions and means they can fix mechanical problems. A 'tuner' implies that they can tune the piano and probably do some minor repair work, but not much else.

Some ways to spot less experienced piano tuners:

• They tend to advertise more. Inexperienced tuners are often found advertising on Craigslist, in the Yellowpages, and in odd places online. While experienced technicians may advertise as well, they tend to rely more on a network of word-of-mouth referrals and have less of a need to advertise.

• Inexperienced tuners often charge the least amount in town. Most experienced technicians are going to be within $10 to $30 of each other. If you call around in your area and most people are charging $90 to $110 and then you find one person charging $65, that's often going to be a red flag.

• Inexperienced tuners have an odd fee structure or they say things like 'I charge more to tune grand pianos than I do to tune uprights.' Most experienced technicians will have a set tuning fee, an additional charge for pitch correction, and an hourly repair/regulation fee.

• Inexperienced tuners may say that they tune a piano in 30 to 45 minutes. While it's entirely possible to get a good start on a tuning in 30 to 45 minutes, it's generally a 60 to 90 minute process which may include time spent making mechanical adjustments to the action. This depends on the piano and the technician, but if you hire a piano tuner and it seems like they are done very quickly, they may not have spent enough time with your piano.

Hiring a Registered Piano Technician from the Piano Technician's Guild means the technician:

• Has passed a written test on the history and functioning of the piano
• Has passed a tuning test which tests all areas of piano tuning and is scored by industry professionals.
• Has passed a repair/regulation test which tests common repair and regulation procedures and is scored by industry professionals.
• Is a member of the Piano Technicians Guild which is a self-regulating professional organization dedicated to fostering education about the piano.

What's my piano worth?

• In general, most older pianos (older than 15 or 20 years) are not worth very much.

• Pianos have an effective life of about 40 to 60 years. At that point, major rebuilding work (new strings, bridge work, soundboard work, pinblock work, replace worn parts, etc) is generally necessary to keep touch and tone consistent across the piano. The problem is that pianos will continue to play long after their effective life while developing more quirks and inconsistencies as they age.

• In many used markets (in the US), old upright pianos tend to go for $0 to $500 and old grand pianos go for $500 to $1500.

• Pianos with well known manufactures (like Steinway) can exist outside these normal price ranges and go for a lot more. This is based on brand recognition. The physical condition of the piano may be equal to (or worse) than an equivalent off-brand piano, but the name itself commands a higher value.

• Many pianos have great sentimental value. Maybe they've been handed down from generation to generation or they have an interesting story attached to them. Unfortunately, sentimental value does not translate into monetary value.

• Check out Pianoworld's deprecation chart to get an idea of value.

Recording acoustic pianos

Getting Started as a Beginner

The most common advice you will see (repeated over and over on r/piano) is to study with a piano teacher! Especially in the beginning stages, teachers help you get started out on the right foot and give you the best chance for developing quickly and efficiently.

Finding a Teacher

Self-Teaching

Am I too old to start learning the piano?

What to Practice

Effective practice is what sets excellent players apart from average ones.

Warmup Exercises

Scales

• Visual chart of scales and circle of 5ths by u/mercureii

General Practice Tips

• Great Overview of Practicing the Piano --- ** Start Here! **

• A formatted version of the above book to make it easier to read (downloadable as PDF, HTML, or ePub -- click 'Read the Docs' in the sidebar) -- put together by a redditor (see here).

• Odd Quartet's Guide to Practicing --- Print this one out.

Technique

Hand Independence

Polyrhythms

Sight Reading

Music Theory

• MusicTheory.net - ** Start Here! **

Dealing with Performance Anxiety

Coming from another instrument

College and Conservatory Audition Question and Discussions

• What college music programs teach you that you can't learn at home
• Finding the right professor
• Financing

Repertoire and Sheet Music

Sheet Music

Classical

• imslp.org IMSLP is a fantastic resource for finding classical music in the public domain.

• bestsheetmusiceditions.com - a blog by u/liplylie with recommendations for the best editions of classical piano sheet music, as well as other useful information such as 'What makes an edition a good edition?'

Video Game / Anime

• ninsheetmusic.org/ - Video game sheet music.

• ichigos.com - Anime and video game sheet music.

Christmas

Other

• musescore.com MuseScore is not just awesome free music notation software -- it is a whole community with loads of sheet music created and uploaded by amateurs all over the world.

• /r/SheetMusic and /r/Musicnotes are communities devoted to finding and sharing sheet music.

Sharing Sheet Music

• musecore.com - a large community of amateurs sharing their musical creations with the world.

Finding Sheet Music

Repertoire

Lists of Classical Pieces Organized By Difficulty

• Another database with 15000 pieces (with a horrible UI).

Syllabus Links

Organizations like RCM (in Canada) and ABRSM (from the UK but operates worldwide) offer structured learning paths, teacher certifications, and graded examinations, and they produce Syllabi containing the lists of graded pieces that they allow in their exams. These are great resources to get an idea of the learning path of the typical classical piano student and piece difficulties. Grade ranges vary between organizations, e.g. 1 - 8 or 1 - 10, and usually the highest grade level is just the starting point (i.e. the easiest) of the advanced repertoire that you would expect to play at a 'diploma' level (e.g. entering a conservatory or getting your Master's in Music at a university).

• ABRSM Diploma/LRSM/FRSM Syllabus (advanced pieces) (Page 36-41)

Note: Some piece grades may be surprising to people, because the organizations look at what it takes to play a piece well. For example, Für Elise, which is often one of the first pieces tackled by beginner pianists learning on their own, is actually grade 5 of 8 in ABRSM and grade 7 of 10 in RCM. While it is easy to plunk out the notes, it is actually quite difficult to play well. Most people play it really poorly and/or skip the more difficult middle section.

Repertoire Discussions

Is there a piano equivalent to Ultimate Guitar Tabs?

• * Discussion and good links about a piano equivalent
• * Other suggestions
• * A few more

Genres

The piano is a versatile instrument and allows pianists to cross into many different genres.

Pop/Rock

Jazz/Improvisation

/r/Piano Events

We try to host events from time to time to encourage community involvement and get everybody practicing.

Piano Jams

• See Latest Piano Jams Here

Old Piano Jams:

• Piano Jam #22 (July 2014) Results

• Piano Jam #21 (June 2014) Results

• Piano Jam #20 (May 2014) Results

• Piano Jam #19 (April 2014) Results

• Piano Jam #18 (March 2014) Results

////

• Piano Jam #17 (June 2013) Results

• Piano Jam #16 (April 2013) Results

• Piano Jam #15 (March 2013) Results

• Piano Jam #14 (February 2013) Results

• Piano Jam #13 (January 2013) Results

• Piano Jam #12 (December 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #11 (November 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #10 (October 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #9 (September 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #8 (August 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #7 (July 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #6 (June 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #5 (May 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #4 (April 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #3 (March 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #2 (February 2012) Results

• Piano Jam #1 (January 2012) Results

Weekly Discussions

Surveys

Piano Technology

Here's some information relating to the tuning, regulation, and repair of pianos.

Finding a piano technician

Useful Discussions

Teaching Piano

Suzuki Digital Piano Reviews

Other Resources

There are thousands of places outside of /r/piano to learn about the piano and music. See what you can find and bring all of the good information back to us :).

Related Sub-Reddits

• /r/Musictheory - Great place to learn more about music theory and ask questions.

• /r/Musicnotes - Tabs and sheet music for various instruments.

• /r/Composer - A place to share your compositions and get feedback.

• /r/Keys - Keyboards and Synths.

• /r/NewGearDay - New gear you've acquired.

• /r/Pianocovers - Hear covers played on piano.

• /r/MusicEd - For Music Educators.

• /r/playmymusic - Have your piece played by another musician.

• /r/hammondorgan - Hammond organs!

• /r/classicalpianists - For classical pianists

External Links

• Piano-related IRC channel: ##piano on freenode. irc://irc.freenode.net/##piano

Piano-related Movies

FAQ created by OnaZ on 21January2012