Does my kid need a piano?

Your kid definitely needs either a piano or keyboard, or regular (daily) access to one, if they’re going to get better at it. In order of preference from most preferred (and expensive) to most accessible and convenient:

1. a grand piano

1. an upright piano (taller)

1. an upright piano (shorter)

1. an 88-key weighted keyboard (like a Yamaha or Casio with built-in speakers)

1. an 88-key semi weighted keyboard (like an Alesis Recital Pro)

1. a semi weighted keyboard with less than 88 keys (76, 73, 61 keys)

What won’t work

Well, anything is better than nothing, but in general the following scenarios and models aren’t going to cut it:

• not having a piano
• keyboards with half-size keys

• keyboards with less than 49 keys
• keyboards which are MIDI controllers (don’t produce sound on their own) – unless you know what you’re doing
• keyboards which are professional grade (produce sound on their own but don’t have built-in speakers) – unless you know what you’re doing.