A piano has a touch, feel, and sound that even the most expensive electronic keyboards cannot reproduce. In my experience, students learn faster and stay in lessons longer with a piano. Parents often think "let's start on a keyboard, and see if my child likes lessons first, and then I will get a piano." However, this approach often backfires because a keyboard doesn't have enough resistance to strengthen a beginning student's fingers. Students then become frustrated, especially as the music becomes more challenging, because their fingers do not have the individual strength they need to play effectively and expressively. Most importantly though, playing a piano is a beautiful sensory experience of sound and touch that once experienced inspires the child to return to it again and again. 

Don't let cost or size be a determining factor.  Often, used pianos can be found for free or low cost on Offerup and Facebook Marketplace. And, the footprint of a real piano is only slightly larger than a full size keyboard. Also, a real piano is a piece of furniture and is more attractive than a keyboard, especially if placed in a living area. Feel free to reach out to chat more about finding a used or new piano. 

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Stores I recommend for used and new pianos: Linton Milano Pianos, My First Piano and Southwest Pianos. 

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