AIBU to buy ds keyboard instead of a piano?

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My youngest son has started piano lessons and he wants a piano. We dont have the space and live in a terrace. Trying to persuade him a keyboard would be just as good but he is adamant. He is only 6 so not like a music genius. AIBU that keyboard is perfect to practise on?

Not sure what a mimic keyboard is but: Will they be the same when he goes to his exam and has to play on the piano? digital pianos have barely perceptible differences to acoustic pianos. The keys are even weighted to feel like an acoustic piano. I have played piano for 30 years and struggle to tell the difference except that acoustic pianos are frequently out of tune and digital is flawless obviously.

My then four year old DS had zero issues performing on an acoustic baby grand after practicing exclusively on a digital piano.

There are lots of options on eBay - we be bought two keyboards with weighted keys over the years and then sold them for about the same as we originally paid.

I have an acoustic piano which can also be used as a digital with headphones. I bought it after a few years of practising on a digital though (a Clavinova). A weighted keyboard/digital piano is fine to start off on. My local music shop bought it back from me when I "upgraded".

I have one of those too (a silent piano) but they cost an absolute fortune. Not the kind of piano you buy for a child beginner unless you have a LOT of spare money

Agree re trumpet/saxophone comparison.

My DS is a pianist. I play the piano. DP is a piano teacher. If a child is learning the piano, they need to practise on a piano. There is absolutely no substitute.

I will also say that there's a huge amount of snobbery in the music world, so anyone who sniffs at cheaper and more convenient options should definitely be treated with suspicion... it's very similar to breastmilk vs formula arguments... it comes down to, if the child wants to learn, spend what you can but dont allow snobbery and "the right way to do it" stand in the way of giving it a try and living within your means.

Acoustic pianos are a massive pain, expensive, awful to move, and noisy... they work well for the wealthy in detached houses and are not worth it for ordinary folk

rvby, the snobbery argument is so, so wrong. I have very, very little. But if a child has an interest and ability, they need the right instrument. You can buy a piano for a fiver at auction. I live in a small terraced house, but have always made sure my musician DC1 has the right instruments - so you could please retract your comment about 'wealthy people in detached houses'. Providing an instrument for a child who needs one - especially when they can be obtained so cheaply - is only the same as making sure they have stacks of books to read (charity shops are your friend), and that they are spoken to endlessly (free). Your comment smacks of ignorance and chippiness.

Agree with the others saying electric piano. The weighted keys give it a completely different sound.

"The right instrument" is an elitist concept in itself. There is no right instrument. Theres what folk can manage and afford, or it just becomes a barrier to participation.

Some folk dont have the means to go to an auction, or a way to transport a piano, can't pay a piano tuner, have abusive neighbours who will harass them because of loud practicing, are military and can't afford to move and retune the piano, dont have space, the barriers are endless.

My DC father is a music teacher as well and of course I've heard your arguments, they're thankfully falling out of favour slowly so that more children can participate. I know such arguments are typically dearly held so I'm sorry if my thoughts upset you

Agree entirely with

Brought up with a crappy real piano, now have a clavinova can play a million hours a day without annoying the neighbours and it has a lovely sound. I get it about the resonance of a real piano but loads of real pianos are crap. Get massive enjoyment out of my clavinova fake piano.

Laugh at the snobbery.

I think we just have to say we are on different planets. There's nothing snobby about saying a child (or adult) should be able to practise on the actual instrument.

There is nobody who can't get on a bus to a local auction, or look on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace. My entire life is devoted to children and music, and I can say quite categorically that the only real barrier to participation is ignorance about music and instruments on the part of parents. This has nothing to do with money. I'm guessing that at least some of the people who think it's 'elite' to own a piano also own a TV (I don't), which would have cost a damn sight more than a piano.

My daughter learns at conservatoire junior department, G8. We have a stage piano- we live in a flat! No lifts, winding staircase, no piano was going up there.
I grew up with a terrible piano- picked up cheaply by my music teacher mother as that's all we could afford, they couldn't afford a tuner either. None of my siblings or I would play it after about G3 because it was so jarring (three of my siblings have perfect pitch).
Most schools have a real piano somewhere. Piano teachers have real pianos. Children that want to practise on a real one find a way somehow IME.

We don't have a television because we are proper, like

I would definitely choose piano over keyboard, I made the mistake of choosing a keyboard and it just wasn't the same. Do make sure you vet places well though, i purchased a piano from Piano King and they never delivered the item. Filed a scam claim with my bank and nothing, total rubbish.

I got my 6yo a P45 when he started lessons. He has since changed his mind and wants to give up piano....

I teach music and piano, and I'd say a keyboard is fine to begin with. I knoe loads will disagree, but in some respects for a 6 year old, a keyboard is better, as no issue with the weight of keys.

It takes a period of adjustment, but not months and months. He'll learn notes, hand position and using the correct fingers, legato and staccato all possible on keyboard. How to use the weight of his arm etc. won't be in the first few months anyway.

If he hasn't given up in 6 months, then maybe a weighted keyboard/ electric piano. The first few months I don't see the harm. I'd rather have a pupil practising on a keyboard than not practising at all.

Get a digital piano, look at second hand to say some money. I have both a digital piano and an acoustic piano, the digital rarely gets used but it does feel like a real piano when playing.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/nov/22/experience-i-learned-to-play-piano-without-a-piano