Before delving into the origins of the electronic piano, it is necessary to briefly explore the history of the traditional piano.

The piano is, in fact, a very ancient instrument. Rudimentary versions existed as early as the 6th century BCE – the monochord, which later evolved into the clavichord. Their history and evolution are extensive and intricate.

The main precursor to the piano, however, is the fortepiano.

The invention of this instrument is commonly attributed to the Italian Bartolomeo Cristofori, a luthier, harpsichord maker, and organ builder serving Ferdinand de’ Medici, in the early 18th century. It is plausible, however, that other harpsichord makers, always in pursuit of better sound quality, arrived at the same idea and that Cristofori alone succeeded in spreading his new instrument.

Unlike today’s piano, the fortepiano was made entirely of wood, which meant the string tension – and consequently the sound produced – was much lower than it is today. At the time of its invention, the groundbreaking feature of the fortepiano was its ability to measure key pressure to achieve the desired sound intensity. Cristofori’s goal was to enable performers to control the instrument’s dynamics, something that was not possible with the harpsichord. This is also where its name originates: the execution of notes could vary from forte to piano, depending on the pressure applied.

Thanks to this peculiarity, the fortepiano quickly gained popularity, leading many musicians to abandon the harpsichord – the more common instrument of the time – in favor of the revolutionary fortepiano.

In the following century, the fortepiano was modified and improved thanks to modern technological advances. Metal structures were added, allowing for increased string tension and expanded soundboard dimensions, enhancing its sonority and enabling its use in concert halls and large theaters. These modifications transformed the fortepiano into the modern piano.

We invite you to explore another in-depth journey into the history of the piano.

The Evolution of the Electronic/Digital Piano

We now turn to the electronic piano – or digital piano – designed to replicate the sound and touch of the acoustic piano while being entirely electronic.

Its invention is relatively recent, stemming from technological advancements that allowed for the creation of a smaller, more affordable instrument than the acoustic piano while maintaining high sound quality and introducing previously unimaginable features.
The very first model was launched by Yamaha in 1984. The Yamaha Clavinova YP-40 supported the MIDI protocol. Yamaha was quickly followed by Kurzweil – co-founded by Stevie Wonder – with the K250 model and Roland, a Japanese leader in synthesizers, developing instruments for stage use.
At that time, the mechanics consisted of plastic springs beneath each key, along with small weights to simulate tactile resistance.

And since Italy gave birth to the precursor of the piano, it was only fitting that the nation contributed to the breakthrough represented by the invention of the digital piano. Companies like Fatar, Orla, and others, unfortunately now defunct, played a role in the production and improvement of this new instrument.

Over the years, rapid technological progress has enabled numerous improvements to digital pianos and reduced their size, making them increasingly compact while rich in features. These changes have targeted various aspects, such as enhancing sound quality, reducing weight and cost, and refining design, culminating in today’s electronic pianos.

Characteristics of Digital Pianos

Most digital pianos feature an 88-key keyboard. Some models require a stand or base, while others come with an integrated one, including pedals.

The digital piano structure includes buttons to set various functions, and almost all models support connections with tablets and computers.

Digital pianos differ from acoustic ones and offer several advantages: they do not require tuning, greatly simplifying a musician’s life. Additionally, they include a MIDI output for connection with computers and other electronic instruments. Most models have USB outputs, pedal jacks, headphone inputs, and connections for amplifiers.

Each digital piano has internal memory containing samples for each note, corresponding to four different dynamic levels: pianissimo, piano, forte, fortissimo, etc. These samples are processed to generate 128 dynamic levels (as defined by the MIDI system).
Higher sample counts result in more faithful sound reproduction for each note, which is why manufacturers constantly strive to increase internal memory capacity.

Currently, in lower-cost models, the keyboard mechanism remains similar to early designs: plastic keys with springs and weights. In more professional models, keys are made of wood, and the mechanics include a miniature hammer system, which simulates the weight and inertia of acoustic piano hammers without striking strings to produce sound.

How Do Digital Pianos Sound?

The sound is electronically generated using sampling. This means that the sound of high-quality acoustic pianos is recorded, processed, and embedded into the digital piano so that pressing a particular key produces a sound as close as possible to the sampled instrument. However, the resulting effect is slightly different, and the preference for digital pianos varies depending on their intended use:

Live Performances

Faithfully replicating an acoustic piano’s sound is impossible due to its complexity. To address this, many brands use multi-amplification systems, delay lines, and phase shifting. This provides a close resemblance to the traditional piano, though not perfect emulation.

Recordings

What was said about live performances doesn’t fully apply to recordings. In fact, electronic pianos are often preferred in recordings over acoustic ones. This is because editing an acoustic piano recording is impossible, and perfect tuning is essential for excellent results. Furthermore, electronic pianos can amplify vocals or acoustic guitars by connecting cables directly to the instrument.

The new physical modeling technology achieves even higher sound quality. These models already include the sound structure of the instrument’s vibration, acoustic reflections of the body, and struck strings, eliminating the need for post-processing.

Leading Brands and Prices

While entry-level options are numerous, the top digital piano brands offering high-quality products are few: Yamaha, Kawai, Roland, Nord, and Korg are the most renowned.

Prices vary significantly depending on the piano’s quality and type:

• Compact digital pianos: Entry-level models can start at €200, while high-end versions can cost up to €2000. A good product in this category is the Roland FP-10BK. It’s not overly expensive and is suitable for both beginners and professionals. It features Bluetooth MIDI and USB MIDI connectivity, an 88-key keyboard, headphone output, and a very quiet mechanism.

• Stage pianos: These are designed for performances. Entry-level models start at €500, and higher-end options go up to €4000. An excellent piano in this category is the Yamaha CP88. It also features an 88-key keyboard and boasts a wide range of sounds for all music genres. It’s very compact and easy to transport.

• Cabinet-style digital pianos: These don’t require a stand as they have an integrated cabinet design. They’re not meant for transport but as furniture pieces. Prices start at €600 and can exceed €17,000 for the Yamaha CVP series! A good middle-ground option is the Roland RP701, which combines elegant design with advanced features and integrated applications. There are also digital pianos shaped like grand pianos, such as the Kurzweil KAG100 Baby Grand Piano.