by Dimiter Terziev

Thinking of buying a musical instrument while you are in Bulgaria? There are arguments for both the digital and the acoustic camps. Products of different philosophies and expectations, these instruments have established their own artistic niches in the mysterious world of music.

Here are the most common arguments in favour of digitals:

Acoustic pianos are simply "archaic technologies." They are doomed to be replaced by digital pianos and synthesizers the same way typewriters were replaced by computers.

Acoustic pianos will always be "nothing but pianos." Digital pianos can produce hundreds of different sounds, and they can provide automatic rhythmic and instrumental accompaniment in a huge variety of styles.

High quality digital pianos can easily record without the need of microphones and studios. The tempo of the recorded pieces can also be changed at will, and the pieces can later be edited in any imaginable way using a computer programme.

High quality digital pianos have become better and better at imitating the touch and sound of a grand piano.

Digital pianos can be used with headphones; they are more neighbourfriendly.

Digital pianos are cheaper to purchase; they don’t need tuning and regulation, and are hardly ever affected by changes in temperature and humidity.

Digital pianos are lighter, easier and cheaper to transport.

The arguments of the pro-digital camp are, I feel, simple, well organized, and easy to understand. In contrast, the arguments of the pro-acoustic camp tend to be emotional, philosophical, and – sadly – often incomprehensible to the general public.