I wanted to love the Kawai ES120. Kawai makes some of the finest acoustic pianos in the world, and the idea of getting their SK-EX concert grand sound in a portable package for under $1,000 was exciting. But after spending real time with this instrument and comparing it directly against the competition, I have to … Read more
I’ve recommended the Casio PX-S1100 to more apartment-dwelling students than I can count. When someone tells me “I want to learn piano, but I don’t have space for a piano,” this is the instrument that changes their mind. At 9.1 inches deep – roughly the width of a laptop – the PX-S1100 sits on a … Read more
The Yamaha P-225 represents a genuine milestone for the P-series. For the first time, Yamaha’s premium CFX concert grand sampling – the sound that won the International Chopin Competition – is available in a sub-$800 instrument. That’s a big deal. I’ve been recommending Yamaha P-series pianos to students for over a decade. The P-45, the … Read more
I used to recommend the Roland FP-30X more than any other digital piano. It had everything: great features, reliable build, the highest polyphony in its class. But after putting more students in front of it over the past year and watching them move between this piano and acoustic instruments, I’ve had to revise my assessment. … Read more