Piano Buying Guide
Choosing the right piano is an important decision for every family. A good instrument can support a student’s technique, listening skills, tone production, and long-term musical growth.
At EOS Music Academy, families often ask us what kind of piano they should buy, when they should upgrade, and whether an acoustic or digital piano is the better choice. This guide is based on our teaching experience, personal piano ownership, and years of playing many different types of pianos.
Our General Recommendation: Choose an Acoustic Piano When Possible
For students who are serious about learning piano, we generally recommend choosing an acoustic piano whenever possible.
Piano playing is not only about pressing the correct keys. It is also about touch, tone, weight, resonance, control, and feeling. These qualities are difficult to fully experience on a basic keyboard or even a high-quality digital piano.
An acoustic piano allows students to develop a more natural sense of sound and touch. Students can learn how to control soft and loud dynamics, shape musical phrases, and listen carefully to how the sound changes depending on how they play.
Acoustic Piano vs. Digital Piano
Digital pianos do have practical advantages. They do not require regular tuning, they are easier to move, they usually cost less, and students can use headphones for quiet practice.
However, even a good digital piano does not feel exactly the same as an acoustic piano. The touch, vibration, sound projection, and natural resonance are still different.
Because of this, we do not usually recommend a basic keyboard for serious piano study. A keyboard may be useful for casual music-making, but it is not ideal for developing proper piano technique over the long term.
If a family chooses a digital piano as a temporary option, we recommend selecting one with 88 weighted keys and a proper pedal system.
Our Experience with Different Piano Brands
Over the years, we have played many different types and brands of pianos, including Yamaha, Kawai, Steinway & Sons, and other makers. Each brand has its own character, and different players may naturally prefer different sounds and touches.
Steinway & Sons
Steinway & Sons is an exceptional high-end piano brand with a long-standing reputation among serious musicians. However, the price is often beyond what many families are ready to invest at the beginning.
Yamaha
Yamaha is often considered a strong value choice. Yamaha upright pianos, especially the U Series, are widely known for clarity, consistency, reliability, and resale potential.
Kawai
Kawai is our personal preference. To our ears, Kawai pianos often feel warmer, deeper, and more rounded in tone, with a touch that supports expressive playing.
Why We Personally Prefer Kawai
Both Yamaha and Kawai are respected piano brands, and both have been used by many students, teachers, and music institutions around the world. Yamaha can be a very practical choice, especially when considering reliability, availability, and resale value.
However, based on our personal playing, teaching, and ownership experience, we personally prefer Kawai.
In our own ownership experience, one Yamaha upright piano we previously owned had pitch and tuning-related issues between registers. This was our experience with that specific instrument, not a statement about all Yamaha pianos.
We have also used Kawai pianos for many years, including during our earlier music study and teaching experience in China. The Kawai sound has always felt familiar to us. To our ears, Kawai pianos often sound warmer, more stable, and less sharp, with a rounded quality that matches the musical tone we personally enjoy.
For our teaching style, we especially appreciate the way Kawai supports expressive playing. The tone feels warm, controlled, and musical, making it a strong choice for students who are developing phrasing, tone control, and listening skills.
Our Personal Piano Choices
For our own studio and home use, we chose two Kawai acoustic pianos: a Shigeru Kawai SK-3 grand piano and a Kawai K-800 upright piano.
Shigeru Kawai SK-3
The SK-3 is our grand piano choice. It represents the qualities we value most: warmth, depth, control, resonance, and a beautiful singing tone. It supports advanced playing, serious practice, and refined musical development.
Kawai K-800
The K-800 is our upright piano choice. For families who may not have the space or budget for a grand piano, a high-quality upright piano can still provide a strong acoustic playing experience.
For digital piano use, we have also used an older Yamaha Clavinova. A Yamaha Clavinova can be practical in certain situations, especially when families need a lower-maintenance option, headphone practice, or a more flexible setup. However, for long-term piano study, we still prefer an acoustic piano whenever possible because of the natural touch, resonance, and sound response.
What Type of Piano Should Families Consider?
- Beginner students: A well-maintained acoustic upright piano is usually a strong choice.
- Intermediate students: Families may consider upgrading to a higher-quality upright piano or a baby grand piano.
- Advanced students: A grand piano can provide better control, wider tonal possibilities, and a more rewarding practice experience.
The best piano is not always the most expensive one. The best piano is the one that fits the student’s level, supports daily practice, and encourages the student to enjoy playing.
Things to Check Before Buying a Piano
- Stable tuning condition
- Even tone across low, middle, and high registers
- Responsive keys
- Working pedals
- No major structural issues
- Age, maintenance history, and moving history for used pianos
If possible, families should try the piano in person or ask a piano technician to inspect it before purchasing.
Our Recommendation Summary
Our first recommendation is to choose an acoustic piano whenever possible. A real acoustic piano gives students the touch, sound, resonance, and physical response that are important for proper piano development.
Steinway & Sons is an exceptional high-end piano brand, but the price is often beyond what many families are ready to invest. Yamaha is a strong and reliable choice, especially for families who care about value, consistency, and resale potential.
Our personal preference is Kawai, because we appreciate its warmer tone, stable sound, expressive touch, and overall musical character. After playing many different pianos over the years and owning both Yamaha and Kawai, our own experience has led us to prefer Kawai.
For families who want a high-quality instrument that balances musicality, practicality, and long-term use, we believe Kawai is a brand worth considering. For serious students and advanced players, Shigeru Kawai is an exceptional choice.
Note: Some piano recommendations may include referrals to trusted local piano dealers or partners. Our opinions are based on our own teaching experience, personal piano ownership, and what we believe is most beneficial for students.
钢琴选购指南
选择一台合适的钢琴，对每一个学琴家庭来说都是很重要的决定。一台好的乐器，不只是帮助孩子完成每天的练习，更会影响学生的触键、听觉、音色控制，以及长期的音乐发展。
在 EOS Music Academy，我们经常会被家长问到：应该买什么钢琴？什么时候需要升级？应该选择原声钢琴还是电钢琴？这份指南是根据我们的教学经验、个人购琴经验，以及多年弹奏不同品牌钢琴后的真实感受整理而成。
我们的基本建议：尽可能选择原声钢琴
如果学生是认真学习钢琴，我们通常会建议家庭尽可能选择 原声钢琴。
弹钢琴不只是把音弹对。它还包括触键、重量、音色、共鸣、控制力，以及手指和声音之间的真实反馈。这些感受很难完全通过普通键盘，甚至高质量电钢琴来完全代替。
原声钢琴可以帮助学生建立更自然的声音概念和触键习惯。学生可以学习如何控制强弱、如何塑造乐句、如何聆听同一个音在不同触键下产生的变化。
原声钢琴 vs. 电钢琴
电钢琴当然有它的优点。它不需要定期调音，移动方便，价格通常较低，也可以使用耳机练习，比较适合空间有限或刚开始尝试学习的家庭。
但是，即使是质量很好的电钢琴，它的触感、震动、声音投射和自然共鸣，仍然与原声钢琴不同。
因此，如果学生是比较认真地学习钢琴，我们通常不建议使用普通 keyboard 作为长期练习乐器。Keyboard 可以用来简单接触音乐，但并不适合帮助学生长期建立正规的钢琴技术。
如果家庭暂时选择电钢琴，我们建议至少选择 88键、配重键盘，并带有正式踏板系统 的型号。
我们弹奏过不同品牌钢琴后的经验
过去多年里，我们弹奏过很多不同品牌和种类的钢琴，包括 Yamaha、Kawai、Steinway & Sons，以及其他品牌。每一个品牌都有自己的声音特点和触键个性，不同的演奏者也会有不同的偏好。
Steinway & Sons
Steinway & Sons 是非常优秀的高端钢琴品牌，在专业音乐家之间有很高的声誉。不过价格通常较高，并不是每一个家庭一开始都容易负担。
Yamaha
Yamaha 通常被认为是很有性价比的选择。Yamaha 立式钢琴，特别是 U Series，以清晰、稳定、可靠和较好的转售价值而受到很多家庭和老师欢迎。
Kawai
Kawai 是我们个人更偏好的品牌。以我们的听感来说，Kawai 的声音通常比较温暖、沉稳、圆润，触键也比较适合发展音乐表现力。
为什么我们个人更偏好 Kawai
Yamaha 和 Kawai 都是很优秀、很受尊重的钢琴品牌，也都被很多学生、老师和音乐机构使用。Yamaha 的优势很明显：清晰、稳定、可靠、市场普及度高，而且转售价值通常也比较强。
但是，如果从我们个人的弹奏、教学和使用经验来看，我们更偏好 Kawai。
在我们自己的购琴经验中，我们以前曾经拥有过一台 Yamaha 立式钢琴，但那一台琴在不同音区之间有一些 pitch 和调音稳定性方面的问题。这个只是我们对那一台琴的个人经验，并不是代表所有 Yamaha 钢琴都有同样问题。
另外，我们过去多年也一直使用 Kawai 钢琴，包括早期在中国学习和教学时的使用经验，所以 Kawai 的声音对我们来说一直很熟悉。以我们的听感来说，Kawai 的音色通常比较温暖、沉稳、厚一点，没有那么 sharp，听起来更圆润，也更符合我们喜欢的音乐质感。
对于我们的教学方式来说，Kawai 很适合帮助学生发展音乐表现力。它的音色比较温暖、有控制感，也适合学生学习乐句、音色变化和细腻的聆听能力。
我们自己的钢琴选择
在我们自己的工作室和家庭使用中，我们选择了两台 Kawai 原声钢琴：一台是 Shigeru Kawai SK-3 三角钢琴，另一台是 Kawai K-800 立式钢琴。
Shigeru Kawai SK-3
SK-3 是我们选择的三角钢琴。它具备我们非常重视的音色温暖度、声音层次、控制力、共鸣，以及歌唱性的声音表现，很适合进阶演奏、教学和认真长期的音乐学习。
Kawai K-800
K-800 是我们选择的立式钢琴。对于很多家庭来说，如果暂时没有空间或预算购买三角钢琴，一台高品质的立式钢琴仍然可以提供非常好的原声钢琴体验。
在电钢琴方面，我们也使用过一台较旧的 Yamaha Clavinova。Yamaha Clavinova 电钢琴在某些情况下是很实用的选择，特别是对于需要较低维护成本、耳机练习，或者空间安排比较灵活的家庭来说。不过，如果是长期认真学习钢琴，我们仍然会尽可能推荐原声钢琴，因为原声钢琴在自然触键、共鸣和声音反馈方面更接近真正的钢琴学习需求。
不同阶段的家庭可以考虑什么钢琴？
- 初学学生：一台保养良好的原声立式钢琴通常已经是很好的选择。
- 中级学生：可以考虑升级到更高品质的立式钢琴，或者小型三角钢琴。
- 高级学生：三角钢琴可以提供更好的控制、更丰富的音色变化，以及更接近演奏级别的练习体验。
最好的钢琴不一定是最贵的钢琴。最好的钢琴，是适合学生程度、能够支持日常练习，并且让学生愿意继续弹下去的钢琴。
购买钢琴前建议检查的重点
- 调音是否稳定
- 低音、中音、高音三个音区是否均衡
- 琴键反应是否灵敏
- 踏板功能是否正常
- 是否有明显结构问题
- 如果是二手琴，需要了解琴龄、保养记录和搬运历史
如果条件允许，我们建议家长亲自试琴，或者请专业钢琴技师在购买前进行检查。
我们的推荐总结
我们的第一建议是：如果条件允许，尽可能选择 原声钢琴。真正的原声钢琴可以给学生提供触键、声音、共鸣和身体反馈，这些对于正规钢琴学习非常重要。
Steinway & Sons 是非常优秀的高端钢琴品牌，但价格往往超出许多家庭一开始愿意投入的范围。Yamaha 是非常稳定、可靠、性价比高的选择，尤其适合重视保值性和实用性的家庭。
而我们个人更偏好 Kawai，因为我们喜欢它比较温暖、沉稳、有表现力的音色和触键。多年弹奏不同品牌钢琴，并且拥有过 Yamaha 和 Kawai 之后，我们自己的经验让我们更倾向于推荐 Kawai。
对于希望找到一台兼顾音乐性、实用性和长期使用价值的钢琴家庭，我们认为 Kawai 是非常值得考虑的品牌。对于认真学习或程度较高的学生，Shigeru Kawai 更是一个非常出色的选择。
说明：部分钢琴推荐可能包含我们信任的本地琴行或合作伙伴推荐。我们的意见主要基于自身教学经验、个人购琴经验，以及我们认为对学生长期学习最有帮助的因素。
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