Best Digital Pianos for advanced players / pianists reviewed here. These pianos have authentic piano touch and action, have impressive piano sounds (grand piano samples), have high polyphony, are well-built/durable so that they can last a lifetime, and some even come with several advanced digital features. These are perfect for those with a focus on piano performance. Skip to the best advanced digital piano on Amazon.
Introduction
The best digital pianos for advanced/experienced players that we have reviewed here include pianos with fully weighted (graded hammer) action and the best piano samples (including grand piano samples).
In order to excel in performance, pianists spend a few hours practicing every day in order to cope with the virtuosic demands of music, in order to cultivate the correct technique and to ensure performance becomes second nature.
A pianist needs to put in significant practice time in order to develop a sense of nuance, as well as to maintain the conditioning required for high-level music performance.
Here we have reviewed both portable style pianos, where you can buy an optional stand if required, and we have also reviewed console-style digital pianos.
Portable pianos are popular with students (piano majors, major in piano performance) because these are lightweight and portable, so it’s easy for students to transport the piano from their music school to their home (and vice versa) if required. The portable keyboards listed here are full 88-note pianos with fully weighted key action and excellent grand piano tone.
Comparison Chart
Suited for Practice
- Yamaha P-515: Ebony/ivory key-tops, graded hammer action, 256 polyphony
- Roland FP-90: Progressive hammer action keyboard, top model in the portable FP series from Roland
- Yamaha P-125: Find the P-515 expensive? You may consider this model.
Console Style Pianos
Suited for onstage performances
- Nord Stage 3: Smooth program transitions, superb effects.
- Roland RD-2000: Excellent piano sounds, vintage effects, hybrid wooden hammer-action keys
Best Digital Pianos for Advanced Piano Players
Here are the top digital pianos with fully weighted keys and excellent sounds, apt for experienced players.
Yamaha P-515
P-515 is the top model in the popular P series. These pianos are great for practicing at home but can be used for gigs as well (although if you’re looking for a true stage piano you may want to check out the model from Nord in this list). The P-515 is a replacement to the popular P-255. Read full review.
The Yamaha P-515 is one of the more popular portable stage pianos and features polished ebony/graded hammer-action keybed (Natural Wood X (NWX) keyboard) and includes concert grand piano (CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial) samples for a truly authentic piano playing experience.
The piano has powerful built-in speakers that can be used for performing at smaller venues as well.
Yamaha YDP184R Arius
An excellent console style piano, the YDP184 is the top model in the Arius series. Authentic piano action, grand piano samples and great looks. In fact, if you find the Clavinova series expensive, this is your next best option.
The YDP-184 Features spring-less hammer mechanism and comes with top-notch piano sounds (including concert grand sounds). It features powerful speakers.
Nord Stage 3
One of the best options for stage piano. The Stage 3 features Nord’s latest technologies including the Nord Lead A1 Synth Engine with sample playback, the Nord C2D organ, enhanced Piano Section, extensive hands-on Effect.
This stage piano is available in two variants – 88 keys with fully weighted hammer action, and a more compact model with 73 semi-weighted keys.
Full weighted hammer action keys, seamless transitions between sounds while playing, split point crossfades, and dedicated piano filters. Polyphony (120 voices). Dedicated knobs and buttons useful for live performances.
Roland FP-90
The Roland FP-90 is another good portable piano with progressive Hammer Action keyboard. It comes with integrated multichannel speakers. This is the flagship model in Roland’s portable FP series.
Comes with bluetooth Connectivity, you can stream audio directly from your smart device via Bluetooth.
Casio PX-870
Casio PX-870 is the flagship piano model from Casio’s Privia piano series and this one comes with a console style design.
Hammer-action keys, great sound projection and selection of sounds. comes with powerful built-in speakers.
Advanced (Pro) Digital Pianos: Buying Guide
Have been playing the piano for some time now? Perhaps its time to upgrade to a piano that will motivate you further to become a better player. While most experienced players dream of an acoustic grand piano, such as the Steinway, the fact is that its neither affordable nor practical for many.
A pro digital piano is what most players settle for. These may not have the majestic looks of a Steinway but the top ones definitely have the feel and tonal quality of a real piano. Most of these are already being used by professional musicians and professional recording artists in studios.
And the best thing is that these available at a fraction of the cost of a real grand piano.
Advanced pianists usually look for the following in a pro digital piano:
- High-quality sound samples that really sounds wow. And almost all of these sound extremely good.
- An authentic feel and touch of the keys…should be as close to the real thing. That is why most of these digital pianos use Ivory tops/wood to replicate the keys on a real acoustic piano
- Regarding features, its a mixed bag. While everybody desires features like midi, USB, ins/outs that let them connect to pedals, computers, amplifiers, headphones, there are some advanced piano players who are happy with only these features and a select mix of sounds/voices. They don’t desire the extra tons of features (they call them bells & whistles) on their pianos. Then there’s another set of players who desire all those features that will come handy while performing on-stage or when making music in the studio.
Closing Thoughts
If you have reached a stage where you can consider yourself an advanced player, then it’s something that you should be really proud of. In most probability, you’re making a living out of your passion. Even if you’re not, your skills demand that you have gear that does justice to your skills, and inspires you further.
If you have the budget, I’d recommend that you go on for the Nord Stage 3 stage piano. It may not have the looks of a real grand piano, but its high up there in all other aspects.
However, if you want something cheaper, the best option is the popular Yamaha P-515 – great for home use (buy the stand and it will look like an upright), and you can take it for gigs too (it’s not a stage piano but has got excellent piano sounds).
You may also consider the Yamaha Arius YDP-184 which is an excellent home piano with an upright design.
These are wonderful options for the advanced piano players/pianists and should keep you satisfied for a very long time (and should also last a very long time).
.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
Leave a Reply