🎹 Choosing the First Piano for Your Child: What You Really Need to Know

So your child is starting piano lessons—hooray! 🎉 Buying the first piano for your child is one of the most exciting (and maybe overwhelming) purchases you’ll make on this journey. Do you go acoustic? Digital? Does a keyboard from a big box store count? (Spoiler: not always.)

Let’s walk through what to look for, what’s worth the investment, and how to set your young pianist up for success—without breaking the bank.

🪕 Acoustic Pianos: Still the Gold Standard

Let’s start with the ideal. A real acoustic piano—with hammers and strings—is still the best option for developing technique and musicality from the very beginning and will always be the best choice for the first piano for your child (or yourself!).

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to buy one new. There are plenty of affordable secondhand acoustic pianos out there that can be found:

• On local classified sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist
• Through piano stores (which often sell refurbished used instruments)
• From families ready to pass one on

If you’re thinking about buying the first piano for your child, and you have the space and budget, go acoustic. You won’t regret it. Most secondhand acoustic pianos just need a good tune-up and they’re ready to go!

Spinet pianos (the smallest type of upright) are budget-friendly and often no larger than a digital piano. Uprights offer more tone and power and are a great long-term choice. Grands are beautiful, but absolutely not necessary unless you’re decorating a ballroom 😉.

If you’re local to the Huntsville area, I highly recommend checking out AB Stephens Piano. They’re knowledgeable, kind, and often have wonderful deals on secondhand instruments. It’s where I buy my own pianos and where I hold my recitals.

🕵️‍♀️ How to Evaluate a Used Acoustic Piano

Before you jump on that Craigslist deal, ask a few key questions:

• When was the piano last tuned? (Ideally, it should be tuned yearly.)
• Has it been moved recently? (Improper moves can cause internal damage.)
• Are all the keys working? (Play each one to check for sticking or dead notes.)
• Are there any strange smells or visible damage? (A musty smell may indicate water damage or mold.)

If you can, bring along a piano teacher or technician (I highly recommend Eric Davis with Rhapsody Piano Service for the Huntsville area!) to give it a once-over. Most used pianos can be brought to life with a simple tuning and a little TLC—but you’ll want to avoid ones that have internal damage, warped soundboards, or serious rust.

❌ What Not to Buy

Some keyboards just aren’t up to the task, even if they seem like a deal.

Here’s what I recommend you avoid:

• Unweighted keyboards – I can’t stress this enough: do not buy an unweighted keyboard. These don’t build finger strength or control, they don’t allow for proper dynamics to develop musicality, and are very frustrating to transition from later. There are so many weighted budget-friendly options available today that it just isn’t necessary to start even the youngest student on an unweighted keyboard.
• Mini keyboards – If it doesn’t have at least 61 keys, it’s more of a toy than a tool. In fact, it’s best to choose an instrument that has the full 88 keys from the beginning–some of the songs I have my beginners play use the highest and lowest keys on the piano to get them used to the idea of moving their hands around the piano early in their learning.
• “Light-up” keys or sound banks with hundreds of instrument sounds – These often distract rather than teach and aren’t built for serious learning.
• Anything without a damper pedal input – Your child will need to learn pedal technique in their first few years of lessons.

🎹 Digital Pianos Can be a Good First Piano for your Child

If an acoustic piano isn’t the right fit right now—due to space, budget, or other factors—a weighted digital piano or keyboard is your next best choice.

🛑 IMPORTANT: It needs to be weighted or hammer action.
If it’s not, no matter how much it costs, it’s not worth the money.

Here are 2 of my favorite digital pianos (plus an honorable mention):

✅ Yamaha P-45

A Yamaha P-45 is what I use in my own studio to accompany students while they play on my baby grand! At around $400 (does not include the furniture stand), it’s a solid investment that can last a student 2-3 years.

It feels good under the fingers, has fully-weighted keys, and keeps things simple. It’s a great entry level instrument!

🎼 Roland FP-30X

If you’re looking to invest a bit more in your digital piano setup so that it can last a few more years, the Roland FP-30X is a fantastic choice. It offers a rich, realistic sound engine and fully-weighted keys that many pianists find very close to the feel of an acoustic.

It includes Bluetooth connectivity, which can be handy for connecting to apps, playing along with music, or using digital sheet music. This model sits a bit higher in price (around $700–$800), but if your family is committed to piano for the long haul and acoustic isn’t possible, this is one of the best digital options on the market and makes an ideal first piano for your child.

✅ Honorable Mention: Williams Allegro IV

A good third choice, especially if it’s on sale or you can find one second-hand! I can’t say I’d pay full price for this one. It’s still fully weighted, but in terms of feel, dynamic capability, feedback and durability, I much prefer the Yamaha at this price point.

Whichever you choose for the first piano for your child, if piano ends up becoming a big part of your child’s life, a great long-term goal is to invest in an acoustic piano by year 4. That timeline helps prevent the “shock” that can come with switching to an acoustic for recitals and helps your child continue growing their skills on a real instrument.

🏠 Making the Most of a Digital Setup

Even the best digital piano setup needs a little extra support to feel like a “real piano.” Here are my must-haves:

• A damper pedal – This is non-negotiable. Your child will begin learning pedal techniques early on, and a sustain pedal is essential for making music sound full and expressive.
• A furniture stand – Skip the X-style keyboard stand and go for a sturdy, piano-style stand. It looks more professional, keeps the keyboard at the correct height, and won’t wobble during dynamic playing.
• Power supply – Some digital keyboards are sold without a power adapter. Double check and order one if needed—batteries are not a long-term solution!

Set up your digital piano in a quiet, clutter-free space where your child can focus. Try to keep it away from TVs or other distractions, and always set up the bench and footstool for good posture and comfort.

🪑 Don’t Forget the Bench and Footstool!

Having the right piano is only part of the equation.

A height-adjustable bench is key to helping your child sit with proper posture. This avoids slouching, shoulder strain, or awkward arm positions that can lead to poor technique.

And let’s not forget their feet!
Kids need a solid footstool to plant their feet on—even if they’re playing on a full-size upright or digital piano. This gives them stability and helps them focus. It doesn’t need to be fancy! A plastic bin, stack of books, or an upside-down laundry basket will do the job just fine.

💬 Final Thoughts

Choosing the first piano for your child is a meaningful step that sets the stage for years of joyful learning and growth. Whether you’re going acoustic or digital, your choice of piano is one of the best ways you can support your child’s musical journey right from the beginning. It doesn’t have to be perfect or expensive—it just needs to be the right kind of instrument.

And if you’re ever unsure, I’m always happy to give guidance. I want every one of my students to feel confident, capable, and excited every time they sit down to play. 💙