When hunting for the perfect gift for your child or grandchild, it can be tough to find something when they already have everything. Instead of just giving up and handing them a gift card or yet another video-game that will eventually be forgotten over time, invest in a lifetime purchase and start creating instant memories with a Yamaha digital piano. I know when I bought my child a digital piano, they were incredibly excited and it is a gift that has many rewards in the long run!

For example, say you buy a digital piano for your child. If they don’t know how to play piano, this will be a great opportunity for them to sign them up for classes with a reputable, professional teacher who can teach them in a private, one-to-one setting (if they feel shy about their playing), or let them join up with a training group with kids close to his or her age and let them make new friends.

Once they have started to learn to play, they can start to branch out and learn music they want to learn–including all of the newest music popular right now! That digital piano has then already paid for itself by being used for practice, performances, and leading your child into the discovery of music.

There are tons of different digital pianos out there and it can feel a bit challenging to find the perfect one. I felt overwhelmed myself when looking for the perfect one, but, piano sales associates can be incredibly helpful and will answer any questions you might have, no matter how simple they may be. Most piano sellers are former professional pianists or even current professional pianists with tons of background knowledge about both traditional and digital pianos. However, most sellers like to praise Yamaha and their pianos.

Why do the piano sellers choose the Yamaha digital piano? I found this run-down extremely helpful:

• Yamaha has excellent warranties for all of its pianos. Most parts or entire pianos will be replaced.

• Being one of the most popular brands, digital pianos made by Yamaha are interchangeable.

• Yamaha’s digital pianos offer weighted keys on the keyboard, making the switch between a traditional piano and digital much smoother and provides authenticity.

• With a digital piano, kids won’t be bored by "older" musical styles and can learn newer mediums of making music with a piano–piano practice doesn’t have to be a chore anymore!

I know it can seem like a lot to take in, especially when there’s so many brands out there to consider, but, Yamaha continues to be a go-to brand for all sorts of musicians. Whether your child or grandchild is just beginning or has a background in music, I think the Yamaha digital piano will be the best bet. They also can be found at pretty much all piano stores with tons of accessories and helpful guides when a salesperson or expert can’t be reached.

For that next special gift for a birthday or the Holidays, consider a Yamaha digital piano for a once in a lifetime investment that will continuously bring entertainment to you and your family.

Do you think a digital piano makes for a great gift for children?  

We live in times of rapid technological progress. It’s shaped the way we do everything – from communicating and sharing information on a personal or professional level to transportation and even the way in which we check out at the grocery store. Over the past few decades, technology has changed music more than ever before. Almost every type of instrument has an electronic counterpart. Although not everyone agrees that electronic options will ever fully replace genuine acoustic instruments, it’s hard to say that they aren’t at least leaving an indelible mark in the music industry. From club basements to high class symphonies, electronics are everywhere.

One of the brands leading the movement in electronic, digital pianos is Kawai Pian – a manufacturer headquartered in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan that is also well known for their top quality acoustic instruments. For nearly 85 years, this company has been producing high end upright pianos, and, eventually entered the market of electronic keyboards and synthesizers. Their instruments are used by professional and amateur musicians all over the world, and this manufacturer is often cited as the best choice in digital pianos.

One of the best contributions by the Kawai piano manufacturer is the electric grand piano. This is different than typical digital pianos because, like traditional piano models, the electric grand uses strings and hammers. However, unlike traditional style pianos, the eclectic grand has a unique method of amplification based on pickups underneath the piano’s strings. In this way, it functions much like an electric guitar and avoids the need for a microphone in settings where the sound must carry further – such as in a concert.

It can be hard to tell the difference between a Kawai piano and pianos made by older, more traditional piano manufacturers such as Steinway by looking at the outside. A Kawai piano has the same rich finish and beautiful detailing. However, what is unique about Kawai is that their pianos are not made out of wood. Instead, the action of the piano is made out of a synthetic polymer. Originally, Kawai used a special styran plastic, but eventually began to use carbon fiber due to its sleeker look. However, whether you invest in an older Kawai made of styran plastic or a new model made with carbon fiber, both options are resistant to humidity – which reduces swelling and lengthens the piano’s lifetime.

All of Kawai’s pianos are specially designed for maximum richness of tone and auditory excellence. Over the last several decades, this manufacturer has put additional time and effort into blending the best benefits of electronic and digital applications with the genuine sound of traditional, acoustic pianos. If you choose to invest in one of these instruments, you will undoubtedly enjoy both the sound and expert workmanship for many years to come.

Whether you are looking for an upright, digital or stage Kawai piano, however, Cooper Piano is the best place to start. Come review our inventory of Kawai products and learn more about the craftsmanship and sustainability of each of these special pianos. You won’t be disappointed.

Now, share with us! Given the wonderful quality of products such as Kawai pianos, do you think electronic and digital pianos will eventually replace acoustic pianos?    

Soon after we started taking these piano lessons, we moved.  Then we moved again and again.  We moved ten or twelve times throughout my childhood and the one item we always moved with us was my mom’s cherished used piano.  Even though it seemed to weigh a ton and took four to six grown men to move it, we always took the piano with us.

Now, as an adult, I am the sole owner of my mom’s piano.  The problem with owning this particular piano, however, is that it is so old and has been jostled so many times that it needs a good restoration.

What can a good piano dealer do to restore used pianos?

Well for starters, he can come out to my house and check the piano out to see what exactly is wrong.  Many piano dealers offer to do the following for older used pianos that need a complete restoration:

• Pick up piano from the residence and take it to the restoration unit of the piano store
• Restore the case which includes refinishing the case and bench, and replacing the screws, pedals, and hinges.
• Restring the piano by replacing the pin block and original soundboard.
• Restore or replace the action as in the keys, felts, bushings, and shanks.
• Deliver it back to the residence where they will custom voice the piano.

When all that work is done, my cherished used piano will be a restored piano I can be proud to showcase in my home.  At the probable price tag of two thousand dollars per section, it will be well worth it to keep a piece of my history intact. After my piano is restored, I will probably want to make sure the piano doesn’t need restoration services again by employing my piano dealer to tune-up and repair the piano on a regular basis.  Having a regular maintenance schedulefor older used pianos can help prevent the need for future repairs on used pianos.