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 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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