Why Invest in an Upright Piano?

Investing in an upright piano or a digital piano depends on the personal preferences and goals of the pianist. Here are some reasons why one may choose to invest in an upright piano over a digital piano:

1. TOUCH: An upright piano offers an authentic playing experience that digital pianos cannot replicate. The touch and feel of the keys, the sound of the hammers striking the strings, and the resonance of the soundboard create a unique and authentic experience that is ideal for pianists.

2. TECHNIQUE: A Pianist's Technique is best developed on a well regulated and responsive Acoustic Piano.

3. FLOOR SPACE USED: Sure, an Upright is larger than a Digital Piano. And yes, an upright uses significantly more 'vertical' space compared to a Digital. But when it comes to 'floor' space used, the difference isn't much.

4. AESTHETICS: An upright piano can be a beautiful piece of furniture that adds to the décor of a home or performance space. Many people enjoy the elegance and classic look of an upright piano as compared to a digital piano, which can look more like a piece of electronic equipment.

5. SOUND QUALITY: While digital pianos have improved significantly in recent years, they still cannot completely replicate the rich, complex sound of an acoustic piano. The sound of an upright piano can be warm and full, with a depth and resonance that digital pianos cannot match.

6. DURABILITY: An upright piano is a long-term investment that can last for decades or even centuries with proper care and maintenance. Digital pianos, on the other hand, can become outdated quickly as technology advances.

7. INVESTMENT VALUE: An upright piano can hold in value over time, particularly if it is a high-quality instrument from a reputable brand and has been maintained well. In contrast, digital pianos generally do not hold their value as well over time.

8. PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP: An acoustic pianos's Touch and Sound develop and change as a pianist skills up and practices with it over time. Musicians often tend to develop an emotional and sentimental bond with the acoustic instrument they grow up with. This may not happen with Digital Pianos as they are basically robots.

9. NUANCED PLAYING: For Pianists who work on advanced forms of repertoire such as Sonatas, Fugues, etc, only a good Acoustic Piano can bring out the nuances of the sound and expression demanded by the composer. Digital Pianos are very good, but are robots in the end of the day, so the expressions and colors they can bring out is limited.

10. LEGACY AND TRADITION: Building on the above point, the composers of the Baroque,Classical, Romantic and early-20th Century eras composed on the Acoustic Piano (and other acoustic instruments). Digital instruments did not exist back then. So, compositions would have been written keeping in mind the parameters of an Acoustic Instrument.

Of course, there are also advantages to investing in a digital piano, such as portability, versatility, and the ability to practice quietly with headphones. Ultimately, the decision to invest in an upright piano or a digital piano depends on the individual pianist's budget, priorities and preferences.