Digital Pianos for Sale
Low Maintenance, High Versatility Pianos
Digitals are a popular choice for many beginning pianists. They’re more affordable, feature-rich — and they don’t require tunings!
Local Setup Available
Warranty Included
Price Match Guarantee
Going Out of Business Sale
Grab once-in-a-lifetime clearance deals on all our upright, grand and digital pianos. The sooner you visit, the better your selection!
Thanks for 18 wonderful years!
Roland Piano App: A Piano App You’ll Love Using
Get practice reminders, customize your piano’s settings, access a libraries to play along to, and even learn new songs — all with the Roland Piano App (iOS/Android).
Casio Celviano: High-End Digitals, Low-End Price
By studying the world’s finest acoustic pianos, Casio and Bechstein engineered instruments that blend cutting-edge technology with the essence of a grand piano.
History of Digital Pianos
1974: Roland EP-30 - World's 1st Electronic Piano w/ Touch-Sensitivity
The Roland EP-10 had introduced a sound engine that was all-electronic and oscillation-based in 1973.
The next year, The Roland EP-30. had a touch-sensitive keyboard that sensed velocities when you played soft to hard.
These were groundbreaking advancements then, and the latter’s a standard for digital pianos now.
1980: Casiotone 201 - World's 1st Keyboard with Various Instrument Tones
Toshio Kashio developed a sound engine that recreated 29 sounds such as piano, organ, harp and trumpet.
When Casio put it inside their Casiotone 201, it became the first time anyone could recreate the sounds of other instruments with a keyboard.
This was also the beginning of Casio producing musical instruments.
1983: Yamaha YP-40 Clavinova - World's 1st Digital Piano?
The Yamaha YP-40 is the first entry to the brand’s popular Clavinova series. It was also the first* piano to have sounds produced through a tone-generation engine/chip vs by analogue synthesis.
Technically there is also the 1981 Yamaha GS1 digital piano which used the same FM chip for tone-generation, but it’s lesser known since it wasn’t publicly available.
1983: Roland HP-300 & HP-400 - World's 1st Digital Pianos w/ MIDI
Roland actually co-developed MIDI, which allows electronic instruments to communicate with each other.
Their HP-300 and HP-400 were the very first digital pianos to feature the technology.
Moreover, the two-piece cabinet design of the pianos were another innovation that continue to be a standard for console digitals today.
1986: RD-1000 Stage Piano w/ World's 1st Digital Synthesis Engine
Roland made their name with analogue instruments, but the world was going digital by the mid-80s.
Thus was born the RD-1000 Stage Piano: the world’s first digital piano to synthesize a piano’s tone digitally.
According to many, it blew other digitals of the time out of the water, so much so that it was even used by Elton John on tour.
2003: Casio Releases Privia Digital Piano Series
Throughout the late 20th century, Casio kept on inventing new technologies for keyboards such as easy sampling and light-up keys.
They had also released their Celviano series: the high-end of their keyboards and a few burlier digital pianos.
Launching the new Privia “Private Piano” series, Casio’s PX-100 aimed at replicating an acoustic piano inside a compact and affordable digital for the first time.
2010s - Today: High-End Pianos Galore
Roland’s V-Piano Grand in 2011 was dubbed the “world’s first ‘stringless acoustic piano.’” Then 2017 marked the next-gen stage piano with the RD-2000. And their latest LX series digital pianos have been award-winning instruments as well.
Casio has also set new boundaries for what a digital piano can be, as seen in their latest Privia digitals which boast the slimmest and most-modern designs in the industry.
FAQ About Digital Pianos
What is a digital piano?
A digital piano is an electronic piano that tries to sound and feel like an acoustic piano.
There are a wide range of digital pianos available, with differing kinds of actions and cabinets. You can get something that’s just a full-size keyboard with a stand or get as realistic as possible with a digital grand piano!
It’s important to note that keyboards aren’t necessarily digital pianos. Some keyboards have fewer than 88 keys and piano-style actions. This means they aren’t trying to replicate an acoustic piano, and they’re instead usually better suited for gigging or music production.
Digitals don’t require regular maintenance, and they have a lot of extra features that make playing more fun and accessible (ie. headphone use, recording, various tones, built-in metronome, etc).
For those reasons, they’re very popular with beginners and pianists looking for a more versatile instrument.
Are Casio pianos good?
Yes, Casio digital pianos are good pianos, known for providing good quality and value.
Casio digital pianos often come with a variety of instrument sounds, built-in learning tools, and realistic touch response.
Casio has made significant advancements in digital piano technology over the years, offering instruments that are reliable, affordable, and feature-rich.
While they might not be on the same level as high-end acoustic pianos, they offer a great starting point for individuals who are new to playing the piano.
Discover which is best for you: Casio Keyboard and Piano Buyer’s Guide
Which is better: Roland or Yamaha digital piano?
Both Roland and Yamaha are respected and offer several high-quality digital pianos, each with their own strengths.
It’s impossible to say which makes better digital pianos objectively. That comes down to what you’re judging them on, which then depends on your own preferences.
Roland is a brand that enjoys innovation and versatility, and that keeps performers in mind. Their stage pianos are some of the best on the market, and their entry-level models are very well-regarded among beginners.
Yamaha is better known for replicating the acoustic piano playing experience. They often use high-quality samples from their acoustic pianos where Roland synthesizes a piano’s tone digitally.
Ultimately, the “better” choice depends on your musical preferences and what features you value the most. Both Roland and Yamaha are good brands, and their digital pianos each have their own unique benefits.
Which digital piano is closest to a real piano?
If you’re looking for a digital piano that feels and sounds closest to an acoustic piano (not a “real piano,” digital pianos are real pianos too), look for digitals with advanced sample rendering and a keystick action.
Some digital pianos and keyboards use modeling technology to synthesize a piano’s tone. However, high-quality sound samples recorded from real acoustic pianos will better ensure a realistic piano sound.
Moreover, a keystick action is most like an acoustic piano’s. In many cases, they are modified to require no maintenance so they won’t be perfectly identical. But we think many high-end digital pianos feel respectably close!
A few examples of very realistic digital pianos include the Kawai NOVUS NV10S, Roland GP-9 and Yamaha AvantGrand N3X.
What is the best digital piano for beginners?
There isn’t a single digital piano that’s best for beginners since it’ll depend on your preferences and needs. Moreover, we don’t think beginners should feel limited to entry-level instruments!
However, many beginners do ask about the best digital piano under $1,000. We have a few recommendations for this:
Casio Privia PX-S1100 – Features Casio’s Smart Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard; an array of instrument voices, rhythms, and accompaniments; and sleek controls and Bluetooth connectivity. The PX-S3100 provides versatility for creative exploration in addition to a smooth piano playing experience.
Kawai ES110 – This portable digital piano features Kawai’s Responsive Hammer Compact action, which provides an authentic piano touch. It also offers a variety of instrument sounds and useful features for beginners and more advanced players.
Roland FP-30X – An option that many beginners gravitate towards. It features Roland’s SuperNATURAL Piano sound modeling engine and the PHA-4 Standard keyboard, a favorite for those looking for a realistic action that doesn’t break the bank. The Roland Piano App is also a favorite since it doubles as a practice app in addition to controlling the instrument.
How long do digital pianos last?
With proper care and maintenance, digital pianos can last for decades.
Unlike acoustic pianos, digital pianos do not have strings, hammers, or soundboards that undergo physical wear over time.
The issue with their longevity is that as technology advances, newer pianos with improved features will become available and antiquate older models. Even a 10-year-old digital can seem ancient to some, despite being perfectly functional.
In any case, regular cleaning, avoiding exposure to extreme temperatures and humidity, and using a dedicated keyboard cover can help prolong the lifespan of your digital piano. It’s also a good practice to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance and care.
How to fix digital piano keys?
If you’re experiencing issues with your digital piano keys, here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially fix the problem:
1. Check for Debris: Sometimes, dirt, dust, or debris can get lodged under the keys, causing them to stick or not respond properly. Gently clean the area around the keys using compressed air or a small soft brush.
2. Power Cycle: Turn off the digital piano and unplug it from the power source. Wait a minute or two, then plug it back in and turn it on. This can sometimes help resolve minor glitches.
3. Factory Reset: Check your piano’s manual for instructions on performing a factory reset. This can often resolve software-related issues affecting the keys’ responsiveness.
4. Professional Repair: If the keys are physically damaged, sticking, or not responding after trying the above steps, it might be best to consult a professional technician. Attempting to repair keys yourself usually causes more harm.
Remember to refer to your digital piano’s manual for specific troubleshooting steps and the manufacturer’s contact information for customer support!
Call our technician Paul if you need digital piano repair in the Chicagoland area!
Why Buy a Digital Piano at Family Piano?
Founder and head tech Alice Alviani (upper left) with vice president Linda Charboneau (right) and president Brendan Alviani (at piano).
Easy & Educational Shopping
We'd love to teach you about pianos, show you ones we think you'll like—and let you play as much as you want!
Rock-Bottom Prices Guaranteed
Every piano in our showroom is clearly labeled with the lowest prices you'll find in the Chicagoland area.
Pianos You Can Trust
Every piano in our showroom will be delivered in its best condition—and that promise is backed by a warranty.
Experts You Can Rely On
#1 rated piano store in the area with (up until recently) the largest team of techs in the Midwest.