The exception to the rule tends to be modern uprights, especially the cheaper end of Yamaha, Kemble, Kurzweil, Kawai and Broadway pianos where the key weight is almost identical to a digital piano. So, it really depends on which type of piano you are comparing with.
As far as the Roland goes, the touch is on the light side, but much heavier than a keyboard. I would say that the Roland’s key touch is not far away from a brand new Yamaha upright piano with the exception of their Indonesian model B1 which has a stiff, heavy touch.
Here’s a list of the best digital pianos in order of key weight. I have listed the heaviest touch first:
1) Classenti
2) Yamaha
3) Kurzweil
4) Gewa
5) Kawai
6) Roland
7) Broadway
8) Korg
9) Hadley
10) Casio
My recommendation is to go for either the Roland, Yamaha, Kurzweil or Gewa.
Graham Howard
“Thanks for your guidance”
Graham
Thank you for all the help and guidance you have sent me regarding buying a digital piano which has been very useful as there are so many options out there.
Phil
“You are generous with your knowledge”
Thank you for your generosity in sharing your knowledge. It has been a great help to me.
Regards Betty
“You clearly know this market inside out”
Dear Graham,
I greatly appreciated this article about choosing a digital piano. You clearly know this market inside out.
Alex
“Such an informative site”
Hi Graham,
Thanks for pulling together such an informative site – I’ve spent many hours reading through the reviews, the “7 things you must know” book and piano forum.
Rob
“God bless you”
Am so greatful for what you are doing and it is my prayer that God bless you so much.
Best regards to you.
Samual
“A great help, thanks!”
Hi Graham
Thank you so much for the links you have mailed myself.
I am in the process of getting my daughter a digital piano for christmas.
This has helped me loads.
Very much appreciated.
Thank you again, Mich Carter
“Your book has been invaluable”
Hi Graham,
Thank you for your invaluable advice through the book. It has helped me a lot in understanding the terms used for the specifications and what I need to look out for when deciding on a digital piano.
Pauline, Malaysian residing in Indonesia.
“I wouldn’t know where to start if it wasn’t for your advice”
Hi Graham,
Thank you very much for all the very helpful advice in your book and email. I wouldn’t have known where to start without your help!
Myanah
“You’ve saved me loads of time and effort”
Thank you so much for your help.
I am going to have to save up a bit first, but as I had no idea about digital pianos, you’ve already saved me loads of time and effort, so thank you very much for that. When I do decide to get one, I’ll just read your recommendations again.
Thanx again, Monique
“Graham is always there and replies me”
I find Graham is a very professional pianist, on anoustic piano and on digital ones as well! Each time I need advise from him, he is always there and replies me in a responsible way.
Yasong from Canada
Customer comments…
“Just wanted to say thank you”
Graham,
Just wanted to say thank you. I purchased a Yamaha digital piano after reading an article you wrote re the quality of digital pianos currently on the market. In the past I’ve rented acoustic baby grand pianos but currently do not have the space in my home. I ended up purchasing the YDP223 for around $1500 and couldnt be happier. Thank you for the information in your article (I almost bought a suzuki).
David Leask
“It does come across as an unbiased opinion”
This article was 99% of the reason I bought a Yamaha CLP625 so was an invaluable read. It does come across as an unbiased opinion especially as I believe that you sell Classenti and only put that company 4th in terms of overall score. I also found out about the Rocket Piano courses from your site and I’m currently making good progress with that course. So basically ukpianos.co.uk was by far the most influential site I visited.
Thanks, Chris
“I liked the article. I thought it was very honest”
Hi Graham,
I liked the article. I thought it was very honest. You obviously know your stuff, so an honest approach will always be preferred by readers, controversial or not.
I don’t intend to buy a digital piano at the moment, but I’m sure your article would be something I’d look at seriously if I did decide to. I’d rather go to buy one armed with a good idea of what I’m looking at than going in completely blind and having to play all the rubbish ones to find out !!
I’m sure for most people, the important factors would be the price, how realistic the sound and how it feels. For me the feel would have to be just right for me to consider a digital piano over a real one.
I only started playing a few months ago, on a pretty cheap keyboard (Yamaha PSRE303.. great beginners keyboard!!). As soon as I could play a little I bought an upright piano and now hardly ever touch the keyboard at all.
There’s something wonderful about the feel of a real piano. It almost feels alive. It’s something I’m not sure you could truly reproduce digitally. Playing my keyboard is now a very detached experience in comparison to playing my piano.
I have played on a Clavinova and thought it was very good indeed. I was impressed by the weight of the keys and sound quality was excellent. I didn’t spend much time on it though and as a beginner don’t really feel qualified to comment too deeply.
Mat H
“Thanks once again. We need more people like you in this world.”
Hi Graham:
Thank you very much for sharing your opinion on the best piano brand to buy. I wish I knew you a long time ago before I bought mine. After looking at the different brands, I ended up choosing Casio. I thought it was better than Yamaha because it had a screen that beginners can see which finger is being placed on each note as a song is played from the song bank.
Although I have not chosen the better brand, I think that I have made a wise choice (for a beginner). However, I must assure you that if I happen to migrate I will have to buy another piano because this one is a bit too big to travel with. Then, I will choose Yamaha.
Thanks once again. We need more people like you in this world.
Patricia
“I studied your ‘which digital piano article’ and set my heart on a Yamaha DGX 660”
Graham, thank you for your piano information. I studied your “which digital piano” & set my heart on a Yamaha DGX 660, Clavinovas are out of my price range. I tried that & Casio Privia at Cookes of Norwich but when shown a Kawai CL37, which you didn’t think too highly of, I fell in love with it’s sound, very light touch , silent but weighted action & only 11 inches deep.
I may try rocket piano when I get more used to playing. ”
Les Reilly
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