We are living in, perhaps historically, the most exciting time to own, buy or play that classic instrument – the piano. Whether you are wanting to purchase a piece of small technology such as software to record what you play, a newly designed player piano, digital piano, or the classic acoustic model such as the grand piano, there have never been as many choices for a consumer as there are today and technology plays an integral part.

Player Pianos

Also known as ‘reproducing pianos’ this instrument represents a new, modern update on the paper-roll player pianos from times gone by and their popularity has grown enormously over the last 10 years.

They’re not a digital piano, but a real hammer and string acoustic instrument that can be played traditionally, however, they can also use sophistical electronic technology to ‘play themselves. They take their cues from internal memory systems, specially formatted CDs, or floppy disks. There are several manufacturers who offer vast libraries of pre-recorded titles, with music from all genres, that have been played and recorded by some of the finest piano players in the world. These systems are highly sophisticated and capture the nuance of the original performance, which they playback with accuracy. Due to these new systems, people who don’t actually play the piano are able to enjoy live piano music whenever they fancy with this high-tech instrument having the ability to take center stage at parties, events, and functions. For people who do already play the piano, these systems are able to record the performance of the player, interface with computers, assist with composing, aid in music education, and many other applications. A modern marvel of a piano.

Digital Pianos

Digital pianos are a world away from an inexpensive toy keyboard of one’s youth. Produced by many of today’s top piano companies, the digital piano is a sophisticated instrument that mimics the sound of a top model grand piano. In addition to this, they provide instrument voices, often by the hundreds, with striking realism. Digital pianos are software-drive and a highly exciting way for a beginner to learn music, some digital pianos will display lights over the required keys in the right succession and be compatible with learning programs that combine an on-screen display to the music.

A digital piano can be connected to other instruments as well as to a computer, smartphone or tablet. With memory storage setups, like Flash ROM, players are able to download and store new music.

Software

Possibly the biggest and most exciting area of growth within the piano industry is that of software technology. Players today able to purchase software that will convert music files to sheet music, download karaoke files, and even let a player analyze their chord names and harmonies. For a budding composer, the newly available software is like an Aladdin’s case. For example, the first ensemble piano to feature CD-R technology is now on the market, with the capability of CD-R a player is able to put a disc in the piano, record onto a CD the song that has been played, and then immediately play the disc back in the PC or hi-fi system. It isn’t limited to keyboard sounds either, vocals too are able to be burned onto a CD which enables any budding songwriter to produce their own studio-quality demo CD.

Technology Within Piano Manufacturing

Even the traditional grand piano hasn’t been left behind when it comes to technological advances. Although the primary design of the acoustic piano is still very much the same as its 1700 ancestor, manufactures are now including innovations at a rapid pace. Some updates focus on materials science, to source newly available materials and special woods that will make the piano more tonally stable and durable.

If you’re looking at pianos for sale to learn to play, master your skills, mix or record, the piano will always meet the demand. Now coming in many different forms, with a ton of compatible software out there, it’s never been more exciting to play the piano.

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