The piano is a great musical instrument to introduce to a child in the early years of their life. While it is hard to learn the piano, with patience and devotion, anyone, including a toddler, can learn how to play it in no time. And teaching your child this wonderful musical instrument from a young age can have a huge impact on their mental growth.
Out of the numerous available options, we believe that the piano is the ideal choice to help instill useful skills in your kids. For example, playing the piano helps sharpen your child’s mind. It instills in them the ability to deal with anxiety and fear and helps them become more disciplined and well-mannered.
There is no doubt that the piano is one of the most important and influential musical inventions to date. If you are on the lookout for the best piano for your toddler, you will need to keep some crucial pointers in mind while shopping for this instrument.
In this article, we have discussed how you can choose the best toddler piano to ensure that your child enjoys playing the instrument daily. So, read on!
How Many Keys Are There on a Toddler Piano?
If your child shows an interest in music at a young age, you should definitely consider getting them a musical instrument. And as we’ve stated above, a wise choice would be to get a piano. However, it will be foolish to invest in a full-sized or a grand piano despite the keyboard having a magnificent aura.
Please note that when it comes to a toddler piano, there are some general rules to follow. With the toddler piano, the goal is usually to get toddlers used to listening to tones, pressing keys, and thinking musically, which can easily be achieved if the child is using the right kind of piano.
A modern, full-sized piano consists of 88 keys, with 52 white keys and 36 black keys. However, older pianos only have 85 keys. Your child, being a beginner, may not need that many keys to start with. Generally, the best toddler pianos come with 30 keys – not too many and not too few. However, they will be enough to produce melodious sounds and capture your child’s attention at once.
30-key pianos are usually small and compact, making it easier for a toddler to use. This is in stark contrast to a full-sized piano, whose grandiosity can overwhelm or confuse your child, making it difficult for them to enjoy their piano lessons.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Piano for a Toddler?
The piano is a tricky instrument to purchase as it comes in so many variants that can affect its price. Depending on the type, size, and brand of a piano, the prices may vary; and the same goes for a toddler piano. You can come across toddler pianos from as low as $60 to as high as $200.
These miniature pianos are a great way for your child to develop an ear for music and learn the basics of the piano. Once your child grows to be a better piano player (learns how to produce melodies on the piano and also how to position their hands on the keys), you can get them an advanced piano that may cost anywhere from $4000 to $6000 (or above).
What Are the Most Important Features in a Toddler Piano that I Should Look for?
Remember that a toddler piano is not the same as a full-sized piano – designed for older and advanced players. This means that you can’t go looking for certain features in a toddler piano just because they’re present on piano models for advanced players. Here are some of the requirements that you must consider while looking for the best toddler piano on the market:
1. A Child-Friendly Design
If you have spent enough time with kids, you’ll probably know how easily they get distracted. It is not easy to hold their attention unless they are asked to focus on an object that interests them. It is no surprise that objects that are bright and colorful are more exciting and stimulating for kids.
To maintain the interest of your toddler, ensure that you get a stylish, brightly-colored piano – the one that’s specifically designed for kids. It should also be small, portable, and light so that your child doesn’t get intimidated by it.
2. The Set Should Come with a Seat and Music Holder
Simply getting a keyboard is not enough. Your child needs to feel comfortable and relaxed while playing the piano too, which is why a piano should have a seat and a music holder with it. These accessories can have a profound impact on your toddler’s playing experience.
Two things to look for in a piano seat are how comfortable it is and whether or not it is adjustable (can be moved up and down to suit the height of the toddler).
3. The Sound of the Piano
In addition to an exciting design, a piano must produce melodious sounds. After all, one of the purposes of the piano is to create soothing, beautiful sounds. Before buying a piano, play it to determine the quality of the sound. This is subjective as some people prefer to have a bright tone while others like mellow sounds. Generally, the sound of a good-quality piano is rounded and full.
If you are not sure about the sound, or maybe you don’t have a good ear for music, you can always get a professional’s opinion about it.
4. The Quality of the Keys
Playing the piano before purchasing it brings with it another benefit – you get to feel the keys to get an idea of their quality. Make sure that they are smooth without any damage or cracks.
When playing the piano, the keys must offer a certain amount of resistance as weighted keys. The resistance is crucial as it allows the piano player to play both softer and louder music with ease.
There is no better way to instill a love for music in your toddler than through the piano. Keep this guide in mind when you’re looking for the best toddler piano to invest in!
