The commercial production and marketing of the digital piano began in the early 1980s and its usage and acceptance as steadily increased over the years. Presently, it is estimated that the digital piano has all but replaced the traditional piano in households and musical realms. In term of the quality of sound produced, the digital piano cannot match the clarity of the traditional acoustic piano but there are many other features that prove to be an advantage with this piano. The primary advantage is the portability of the digital piano – it is lightweight and less cumbersome when compared to the acoustic piano. The digital piano also comes in many sizes and can be modified or adapted to suit various needs and space restrictions. The smaller models can also be carried around by the users themselves, without too much trouble.

The digital piano is also inexpensive when compared to the traditional model and so, is very popular with commercial institutions and music establishments. Since the sound produced by this type of piano is digital, the components and internal parts are totally different in the digital piano. The components are majorly electronic and so, are lightweight. This also enables the instruments to be shaped and sized differently. There are no strings and hammers and therefore the digital pianos do not require regular tuning and maintenance. There are also no pedals and movable components and this is the reason that the sound quality produced by the digital piano is not harmonic but the digitally synthesized and polyphonic sounds have their own unique identity in the music world.

The digital piano is also very popular with training institutions and music schools. These pianos come armed with recording ability, playback, song storage and other features, which are extremely beneficial for learners. Some of the more advanced models also are equipped with specialty training features like keyboard highlighters, headphone output, composition assistance, etc. The digital piano has replaced the traditional ones when it comes to practice and training for learners. Apart from the adaptability and portability, the digital piano is also easily affordable by all people who can buy and use them for home use too. There are many manufacturers who specialize in digital pianos who also conduct research and improvement activities. Modern digital pianos are almost as good as the traditional pianos when it comes to sound quality and output. In the coming years, it is expected that the technological advancement will enable the digital piano to eventually replace the traditional model.