Before the first lesson
Choosing your child’s first keyboard.
For beginners, we recommend purchasing an inexpensive digital piano or keyboard. Once the child demonstrates serious interest and skill, families may consider transitioning to a standard upright to further develop their training.
What to look for
Four things worth checking before you buy.
A keyboard that is missing any of these will hold a student back within the first year, and replacing one costs more than choosing correctly the first time.
Full range
Make sure the model has 88 keys. Many offer only 37, 44 or 61, which are inadequate because we teach our students to play the entire range of their instrument.
Weighted keys
Weighted keys replicate the touch and feel of a standard upright piano, which is how a student develops finger strength, dexterity and performance technique.
Pedals
Beginners may start with a model that has just one pedal, but OC Piano Program students learn to play using all three configurations — damper, sostenuto and soft — to enrich the sound of their performance.
A bench at the right height
Adjust the seat so the child can touch the keys with their arms parallel to the floor, and set the sheet music at eye level to avoid tightening the shoulders. If their feet do not reach the floor, a small stool keeps them stable and seated properly.
Our picks
The models we recommend.
Listed from most affordable to premium. Every one of these meets the four requirements above.
- 1Mossen Music Digital Keyboard
- 2Donner Digital Piano DDP-400
- 3Fesley Digital Piano 1000
- 4Kawai KDP 120
- 5Yamaha Arius YDP-S55
These links go to Amazon. OC Piano Program earns nothing from them; they are simply the models we recommend to our own families.
When they are ready
Buying an upright acoustic piano
The models to avoid, the brands we trust, and the Orange County stores we send families to.
Once it is in the house
Recommended tuners and movers
An acoustic piano needs tuning at least once a year. These are the people we trust with our families’ instruments.
Apply today
Availability is limited. Join the waitlist today.
Submit your application, and our admissions team will check for availability in your city. Once a slot becomes available, we will contact you to schedule a complimentary 30-minute assessment.