04 August 2025
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With so many brands and styles available, choosing the right piano for a youngster new to the instrument is an exciting but potentially daunting experience. John Evans takes a good look at three digital pianos that will prove ideal as a first instrument
Launched in 2003 and now with over 1,500,000 satisfied customers, Gear4music, the UK’s leading online instrument retailer, understands what musicians of all ages and abilities require – namely, choice, value and great customer service. Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in Gear4music’s huge range of digital pianos and keyboards, spanning all price points and packed with features.
With so many brands and styles available, choosing the right one for a youngster new to the instrument is an exciting but potentially daunting experience. What should I buy? How much should I spend? Fortunately, Gear4music has the answer in three digital pianos perfect for young beginners to older teenagers:
KEYNOTE JUNIOR DIGITAL PIANO
No one can predict how a young beginner will take to the piano, not even the beginner themselves! Learning requires time and dedication, but an instrument that attracts and inspires them with its looks, touch, sound and features stands a stronger chance than most of fostering their interest.
The Keynote Junior Digital Piano (main image, above) is exactly that instrument. Stylish and compact – it’s available in light oak, white or black – and complete with a matching, padded stool, it blends beautifully with any home. It’s also lightweight, making it easy to move to the right location.
Two buttons enable the pianist to choose from ten sounds, ranging from grand piano to strings, organ and trumpet – all enjoyed though a pair of quality speakers controlled via a discreet volume knob. There’s also a headphone jack for silent playing.
Connected to a phone, tablet or laptop via the aux-in socket, the pianist can play along with their favourite songs or YouTube tutorials. Using the aux-out socket, the Keynote Junior can be connected to an external speaker so everyone can appreciate their playing. A USB MIDI output sockets lets them connect the piano to a computer or smart device for access to tuition software and digital music tools.
What distinguishes the Keynote Junior is its 61 full-size keys and sustain pedal. So equipped, it is the perfect entry to the world of the piano – an instrument with the looks and versatility to adapt to any home while offering a playing experience that will prepare a young pianist for the transition to their next digital piano.
Feature summary
Colours: Light oak, white, black
Child’s digital piano, designed for beginners
Includes 10 inspiring sounds, 61 full-size keys and a sustain pedal
Headphone output allows for quiet, focused learning sessions
Stylish & compact design with matching stool blends seamlessly into any home
VISIONKEY-500 DIGITAL PIANO
Not only is this high-quality digital piano brimming with smart features but it also has a full-size, touch-sensitive and weighted 88-note keyboard supported by a traditional pedal set. It’s perfect for the young pianist keen to develop their skills and ability. The value of the piano’s full-size, weighted keyboard cannot be over-estimated. The manner in which it responds to their touch will inspire a young pianist’s musical imagination, boost their technical and listening skills, and ease the transition from practising on a digital piano to performing their pieces to their teacher or in public on an acoustic instrument. The three-pedal set, comprising sustain, sostenuto and una corda enhances this experience, encouraging them to bring even more expression to their playing.
To encourage creativity, the Visionkey-500 boasts 10 high-quality voices, spanning grand piano through vibraphone to organ and electric piano – all accessed via a simple control. There are also 20 rhythms to help colour playing and improvisations. USB connectivity opens up a world of creative and recording possibilities, allowing the young pianist to use virtual instruments via MIDI or integrate with music production software. The headphone output allows for silent playing when required.
Further extending the Visionkey-500’s potential is the addition of the Gear4music piano app. Compatible with the leading operating systems, it enables the pianist to quickly change intricate settings via an intelligently presented control panel. Because the app works in real time, it’s possible to adjust settings mid-performance, too. Voice controls include split, layer and twin modes, and there are features such as reverb, chorus, tuning/transposition, EQ and volume settings. The app also contains 20 tempo and volume adjustable rhythms of various genres and styles.
For a more student-focused approach, there’s a time signature and metronome and the possibility of playing along to education tracks created for beginners and more advanced learners. The app also includes a record and notation feature that converts the pianist’s recorded improvisations and compositions into a score for preservation and playback through the Visionkey-500’s powerful speakers.
Feature summary
Colours: white, black
Includes pedals for expressive performance
88 hammer action keys offer a responsive piano feel
Includes 10 high-quality sounds from grand piano to strings
‘Gear4music Piano’ app integration available for enhanced functionality
G4M SONORI HIGH TOP DIGITAL PIANO
Looking just like an acoustic upright piano (it stands 118cm tall) and finished in black with modern chrome brightwork, the G4M Sonori is notable for its authentic and powerful piano sound, full-size, touch-sensitive and weighted keyboard, discreet but feature-rich touchscreen and satisfying touchpoints including an adjustable lid, roller key cover and music ledge. For the young intermediate to advanced pianist, it offers boundless opportunities for creativity and expression.
The G4M Sonori is powered by the French-designed DREAM audio engine that boasts a 256-note polyphony, ideal for note-rich passages typical of classical music. There are also 42 high-fidelity G4M-designed pre-sets including a hand-picked group of 24 sounds from XLN Audio’s Addictive Keys samples. All acoustic sounds are achieved through a combination of detailed acoustic recordings and advanced synthesis techniques. A sophisticated array of speakers located around the instrument and comprising tweeters, woofers and mid-range and full-frequency horns contributes to a truly immersive experience.
Complementing its life-like sound is the piano’s touch-sensitive keyboard. The hammer action, weighting and return of the keys are all finely balanced. The result is a light and responsive feel, ideal for fast passages and dynamic play. With adjustable key sensitivity via the touchscreen, the pianist can fine-tune the key response to suit their playing style. In addition, there are three pedals for enhanced expression.
The G4M Sonori is a premium digital piano, and it’s also one rich in additional features and connectivity. They are accessed via the discreet touchscreen interface designed in the UK by Gear4music’s own engineers. The pianist is never more than two steps away from adjusting settings or switching between the piano’s library of 42 voices that includes a choice of different grand and upright pianos as well as other instruments. A slider enables fine adjustment of the desired selection and there’s a save function for convenient recall.
Other functions include Tutor mode that divides the keyboard into two so that the teacher can demonstrate as the student plays along simultaneously. More learning tools can be accessed via Bluetooth and physical MIDI connections plus a choice of aux line in and line out. Naturally, there’s a headphone jack for silent playing.
Feature summary
Colour: black
Powerful sound engine including XLN Audio Addictive Keys samples
Touchscreen interface offers easy control and customisation
Authentic hammer action keybed delivers a natural playing feel
Woofers, tweeters and resonance chambers provide immersive sonic experience
Expansive connectivity with Bluetooth, MIDI, headphones and stereo line out