Yamaha Clavinova Digital Piano?

[Demented]

Wondered if anyone had any experience of these?

I used to play the piano and enjoyed it but haven't played for about 12 years. I always thought that if I ever had the chance to have a piano again I would get a nice overstrung upright however DH plays electric guitar and I can see myself playing more in the way of modern stuff rather than classical, it would be nice to be able to play together and the modern stuff is more fun.

I was looking at one of these Clavinovas at the Ideal Home Exhibition the other week and although I didn't play it (didn't have the guts after 12 years to make my debut in the SECC) I did have a feel of the keys and they were very convincing. The piano will be situated in the cellar and I would imagine the Clavinova takes a lot of the problems of getting it down there out of the equation, as far as I can gather they are easily transportable and don't need tuned but perhaps someone can confirm?

Would love to hear your experiences good or bad and if you have any pointers about which model to go for.

Clavinova/electric.

My Roland HP237e is better than any acoustic piano I've played, bar one grand piano I had a tinker with in the music department of university when I shouldn't have been there (I was a physics student!) I can certainly get tone out of it while playing quietly, but maybe I don't have the ear!

Totally agree with Stripeymouse that a bad piano means you get bad habits. I had quite a stiff piano at home when I was learning, so even now I have a tendency to hit the keys slightly harder than I needed to. It was a dreadful instrument for a learner even though quite expensive, but then my parents knew nothing about pianos and had to just go by the salesman's recommendation.

All pianos are different anyway, so transferring is hard even between acoustics - hence the sheer and utter panic when trying to practise in a practice room before a piano exam on one piano, knowing fine well that the piano in the exam room is yet another piano! ARrrgh - the memories are flooding back - make it stop!!!!

Get a fab piano if you can afford it and the regular tuning (twice a year) and it looks nicer. If you're not a concert pianist and space is at a premium then digitals are great.

Demented my dad had a clavinova at one point - I thought it was good and the weighted keys are very convincing as you say. He may still have it and be persuaded to sell it, I can ask, if you are interested CAT me!

If you are a COSTCO member or know someone who is they currently have a Clavinova for around £650. (I can't recal if that is before or after VAT).

Don't know how much they normally are so not sure if this is a good price or not!

Stripymouse, that's not really what I meant - what I meant is that the pupils I have who have clavinovas etc. at home have problems when they come along to their lessons and play on a (good) acoustic piano. That was all!

Wow, loads of great info and advice. DH and I have been talking about it and I think we have decided on the Clavinova, the cellar is currently being converted and will be a home office, games room and music room it seems to make more sense to put a Clavinova down there rather than a piano, if it was going in the house I don't think I'd even consider the Clavinova as it would be situated in either the hallway or livingroom and a piano would look much better there.

I was very fortunate as I had a lovely piano as a child it was purchased from my piano teacher but unfortunately my parents don't have it anymore as it was very expensive to have it tuned and nobody playing it and we didn't think it was very good for the piano to leave it unplayed for so long.

I think it will be mostly a fun thing rather than back to serious playing so think the Clavinova will suit us.

I do have a Costco card so will have a look next time I'm in.

CD I may contact you in a few weeks if that's OK, I am waiting for a cheque to come in and DH has promised that when it arrives I can buy a piano.